I would like to write to you all and tell you about a man who has dedicated over 40 years of his life to serving the people of Hicksville. He has been an active member of the Hicksville Fire Department for that whole time and is still very active today. He has been instrumental in the success of the Emergency Operation Center, which is housed in the Hicksville Fire Department Station 1. He has had many years of experience in the Homeland Security Field. This is a very valuable asset to our community.

The man's name is Jerry O'Brien and he is an ex-chief of the Hicksville Fire Department. He has had experience with large budgets, dealing with important issues and reaching out to the public. These qualities are just what we would want on our Board of Fire Commissioners and that is why I am so pleased to endorse ex-Chief Jerry O'Brien for the five-year term of fire commissioner.

He has worked with the other Board members and I know they look forward to working with him for the next five years. We need people who possess the ability to get the job done. Jerry has the knowledge, integrity and compassion to do the job.

I am asking all of my friends and supporters who were there for me over my 28 years as one of your Water Commissioners to please come out and vote to put Jerry O'Brien in the spot that he belongs in.

Thank you all and I hope to see you on Dec. 9 from 3 to 9 p.m. at either the Marie Street or Levittown Parkway firehouse.

Gil Cusick

Ex-Commissioner, Hicksville Water District

Ex-Captain, Hicksville Fire Department