John Brown, of New Hyde Park, has announced that he is running for Commissioner of the New Hyde Park Fire Department.

Brown is a former captain of the Active Hook & Ladder Company, No. 1 and a 30-year member of the New Hyde Park Fire Department and he is a retired 30-year member of the New York City Fire Department.

He is a member of the Uniformed Firefighters Association and has been a union delegate for five years. He is also a Certified Emergency Medical Technician.

Brown was the successful owner/operator of the George Christ Plumbing Supply from 1980 to 1995 and is the treasurer of the Norway Ski Club, which is a not-for-profit corporation.

Brown is also a former New Hyde Park Little League coach, a former assistant basketball coach at Corpus Christi Parish and a former Cub Scout Leader of Troop No. 221.

Brown states, "With years of fire experience and a business background I have the two most essential qualities needed to be an effective fire commissioner and now is the time for a change."

He concluded, "If elected, I promise to be honest and faithfully serve the community. I will make the Board of Fire Commissioners more open and accessible to the residents of the fire district."

The voting will take place on December 11 from 3 to 9 p.m. at the New Hyde Park Fire Headquarters, 1555 Jericho Turnpike, New Hyde Park.

John Melinski, a lifelong resident of New Hyde Park, is running for re-election to the New Hyde Park Fire District Board of Fire Commissioners for a five-year term.

Melinski has given 58 years of dedicated service to the New Hyde Park Fire Department and 35 years to the fire district.

Melinski is responsible for the initiation of a Paid Medic program in New Hyde Park to assure all New Hyde Park fire residents receive top emergency care 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Melinski is a charter member of the New Hyde Park Elks, is current chairman of the board of fire commissioners, a member of New York State Fire Chief's Association and New York State Association of Fire Districts. He is a retired New York City police detective.

Further, he served in the Armed Forces during the Korean conflict. He is endorsed by the commissioners, chiefs, officers and members of the New Hyde Park Fire Department.

Voting will take place on Dec. 11 from 3 to 9 p.m. at New Hyde Park Fire Headquarters, 1555 Jericho Turnpike, New Hyde Park.