Joseph Wendling, Sr. has announced that he will be a candidate in this year's election for the Garden City Park Water/Fire Commissioner to be held on Tuesday, Dec. 11.

Wendling has been a resident of the New Hyde Park Community for 30 years, moving here when he was first appointed to the New York City Police Department. He, his wife Carol and family are currently living in the Manor section of New Hyde Park.

Over the years Wendling has served his community in many ways. He had dedicated 17 years of volunteer time to the New Hyde Park Wildcats Soccer Club, coaching both boys' and girls' intramural, and travel soccer teams, initiating and supervising their "under 6" instructional program and serving nine years on the club's board of directors. Wendling also worked on May Newburger's committee to build the much-needed soccer fields at Harbor Links in Roslyn for the Town of North Hempstead. Simultaneously, Wendling was also active in Merillon Baseball where he coached his three sons from Little League through Connie Mack.

As his children grew, so did Wendlings commitment to his community and his desire to serve. When he retired from the New York City Police Department he joined the Garden City Park Fire Department as a volunteer in 1991, where two of his sons are also volunteers. Joe Jr. is currently a lieutenant in Engine Company No. 3 and younger son Peter is a new recruit in the same company.

Being a retired NYPD detective, Wendling has gained a lot of experience in security and protection. Since the recent attack on the United States on Sept. 11, Wendling has been called upon as security consultant to some major New York City firms. He wants to ensure that he will do his best to protect our community's water supply and use his experience and expertise to do so. When Wendling announced his candidacy he said, "The future of our community's drinking water depends upon the expertise and knowledge of the people who are in charge, namely the water commissioners." This was a direct result of the knowledge he gained while serving on the Committee to Protect Natural Spring Water in the Bronx for the Department of Environmental Protection. Wendling has also testified as an expert witness for the same agency against commercial toxic polluters.

In addition to his environmental expertise, Wendling holds certificates of fitness from the New York City Fire Department for alarm systems, standpipe systems (wet and dry) and is also a Certified Fire Safety director. Wendling currently works as director of Operations at Mount Saint Michael Academy, a private junior/high school for boys located on a 22-acre campus in the Bronx. As director he ensures the proper security, health and safety of 1,200 students and faculty. Managing over 50 employees, formulating budgets and long-term planning for both schools are just some of the day-to-day operations that require his expertise in management. Wendling holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Saint Francis College, a Fire Safety Certificate from John Jay University and Fleet Management Certificate from Wright University. In addition to his firematic training he has been a licensed State Security Instructor for 10 years.

Wendling added, "The quality of our drinking water is my number one priority, but as Water/Fire Commissioner, I will also direct my attention to the safety and efficiency of our fire/rescue equipment, oversee the expenditures of our water district and assuring that these goals are achievable."

Please note: If you are serviced by the Garden City Park Water District, you'll want to come and vote for Commissioner of Garden City Park Water/Fire District which will be held on Dec. 11 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. You can vote at any of these locations: Denton Avenue School - Denton Avenue, New Hyde Park; Garden City Park School - Central Avenue, Garden City Park; Herrick's Community Center - Herrick's Road, New Hyde Park.