Last week, Newsday reported that Suffolk County prosecutors have undertaken a criminal investigation into excessive spending by Selden fire commissioners on out-of-state conventions. They are scrutinizing the expenditure of hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars at dozens of conventions/conferences in Las Vegas and other cities over the past 10 years.

Practices such as this regretfully can confuse people into lumping what dedicated volunteer firefighters and firemedics do daily, with a fire district that is supposed to be, but isn't, a good steward of its resident's money. I can emphatically tell you that outrageous spending policies by some fire district officials, has nothing whatsoever to do with the proud performance of its fire department members.

Some weeks ago, and without knowledge of any investigation into the Selden Fire District's expenditures, I requested under the freedom of information act, records of convention spending by our own Wantagh Fire District. I am hoping that our district's expenditures in no way reflect what may be a total disregard for taxpayer's money. I have been a constant critic of Wantagh's spending habits but the areas I have reviewed haven't specifically included conventions or conferences. I will reserve judgment.

With a commissioners election only a few weeks away, I do have a simple solution that may instill some confidence in how our fire district conducts business. All prospective candidates should publicly pledge that if elected they will help to establish a policy that would not permit commissioners from attending any conventions or conferences that are not held in New York State. I know first hand that any necessary training and education can be attained within the confines of New York. New York State is beautiful and there are many attractive cities.

If a candidate has a genuine interest in serving and not fleecing the community like apparently was done in Selden, he or she can publicly announce that they are "on board" with my recommendation.

Jim Johnston