There will be an election for commissioner of the Manhasset-Lakeville Water/Fire District on Tuesday, Dec. 14. Candidates are incumbent James Sharkey of Great Neck, Joseph Geiman of New Hyde Park and Brian Clemency of Manhasset. The League of Women Voters will sponsor a candidates' debate to be held at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 8, at Firehouse #1 on Bayview Avenue in Manhasset. The election will take place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the firehouses of Company #1 on Bayview Avenue in Manhasset, #3 on Prospect Street in Great Neck, #4 on Northern Boulevard in Great Neck and #5 on 78th Avenue in North New Hyde Park. At our request, the three candidates supplied the newspaper with their statements, which are printed below.

James E. Sharkey is seeking re-election on Dec. 14 as Commissioner of the Manhasset-Lakeville Water and Fire Districts. Commissioner Sharkey states that he will continue his commitment to the secure, uninterrupted delivery of source protected, highest quality drinking water and superior fire-rescue services. Commissioner Sharkey cites his past 24-year positive record of cost effective district improvements, achieved in part by applying his past career experiences in financial and management assignments while at EXXON Mobil Corporation. He also proudly notes that his administration has set the lowest water meter rates and lowest fire and water taxes found among all of the North Hempstead special districts.

Commissioner Sharkey cites the recent achievement of successfully negotiating a multi-million dollar pollution cleanup settlement with the former Sperry Corporation. In addition, Commissioner Sharkey notes the district's acquisition of several future well sites granted by developers at no cost to the district. The value of these negotiations will enable the district to underwrite part of the cost of future capital projects and maintain the district's modern water production centers and distribution system. Mindful of the threat of terrorism, Commissioner Sharkey's administration enhanced the district's well-site security program and sought increased surveillance tours by the Nassau County's 6th Precinct.

The district also installed cutting edge SCADA computerized pump station equipment as well as independent power source generators to assure uninterrupted full service. Commissioner Sharkey is most pleased with the renovation and modernization of the district's 13 well sites, especially the ultra-modern Campbell Treatment Center, as well as its five firehouses.

On the fire district side, Commissioner Sharkey remarked that it is his duty to support our volunteer firefighters with adequate funds and to participate with them in the procurement of the very best available fire, rescue and ambulance apparatus. He further stated that the retention of high morale and spirit among our volunteers is paramount to the success of their mission. Public funding of upgraded firehouses and the approval of modern equipment purchases go a long way to encourage and reinforce their sense of community appreciation. Commissioner Sharkey asks the voters to consider his proven achievements, experience and fulltime commitment to this demanding and vital position of managing one of the most prestigious water and fire districts on Long Island. "I consider it both an honor and privilege to serve and I ask for the continued trust and support of our community."

Commissioner Sharkey is also active in the American Legion Post 304, American Water Works Association, Nassau-Suffolk Water Commissioners Association, Long Island Water Conference, Firemen's Association of New York State, National Fire Protection Association, past vice-president Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department and Honorary Member of Fire Company #2.

Joseph Thomas Geiman is seeking the office of commissioner of the Manhasset-Lakeville Water/Fire District on Tuesday, Dec. 14. Geiman, age 50, resides in North New Hyde Park and has been a lifelong resident of the area with the exception of a brief period of time spent in Washington, DC. Geiman's time away from the area was spent as a member of the United States Secret Service, protecting the president of the United States and his family.

A 32-year member of the Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department, Geiman has held many firematic and administrative offices within the fire department including captain of Company #5 in North New Hyde Park and chief of the fire department from 1989 to 1991. As a former business owner of Ranch Oak Furniture Inc. in New Hyde Park, he was also a member of the New Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce for many years. Geiman is currently employed by Nassau County, in the office of the fire marshal. He is assigned as the supervising fire inspector in charge of the General Inspection Division.

In his role with the fire marshal's office, Geiman is trained as a hazardous materials technician, which includes training in anti-terrorism and weapons of mass destruction. As a hazardous materials technician, Geiman responds to emergencies throughout the county involving hazardous spills and other environmental incidents.

As a sworn peace officer, he acts as an agent of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation in the absence of NYS DEC personnel. It is through this role that Geiman acts most effectively as an advocate for the environment and the protection of open space throughout Nassau County. This work also helps to protect our vital water supply as our drinking water comes from underground aquifers that could become contaminated should environmental crimes not be stopped or remediated properly.

In our post-September 11 world, security is of utmost importance. As you care for your personal safety and the safety of your family, Geiman is prepared to also augment the security at vital infrastructure locations such as fire stations and water well sites. "These locations are extremely critical to the residents' safety and well-being and should they be compromised, the consequences could be felt strongly in both the short and long term," says Geiman.

Being an active member of the fire service in so many roles and for so long, Geiman is ready to bring this special knowledge to assist in the preservation of the long-held traditions of the volunteer fire service. Having served in many positions within the fire service, Geiman has learned to adapt to the ever-changing world of emergency response, blending tried and true methods with new and progressive practices and techniques. This progressive approach also extends to his beliefs for term limits for our elected officials. "History has proven that elected officials in office for long periods of time, especially decades, become complacent in their ideas and beliefs and inevitably will become less effective, even those with the best of intentions," says Geiman.

Geiman has plainly spent his life in public service in many different roles and wishes to serve in another capacity as your water/fire commissioner.

Please support the candidacy of Ex-Chief Joseph T. Geiman for commissioner of the Manhasset-Lakeville Water/Fire District with your vote on Dec. 14. District residents can vote at the following locations:

• MLFD Fire Company #1, Bayview Avenue, Manhasset

• MLFD Fire Company #3, Prospect Street, Great Neck

• MLFD Fire Company #4, Northern Boulevard, Great Neck

• MLFD Fire Company #5, 78th Avenue, North New Hyde Park

A student at Manhasset High School suffers a seizure, a senior living alone has an accident, a resident riding his bike on Plandome Road suffers a serious injury. The clock ticks and ticks until the lifeline of 911 emergency services arrives. During the day, while nearby Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department ambulances are idle, Nassau County Police ambulances from outside the district are forced to respond, the closest of which comes from Williston Park. Just this month, 911 dispatchers sent an ambulance from 30 minutes away to the home of a district resident in cardiac arrest.

We deserve the safety and peace of mind that a quality emergency medical response system provides. While Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department ambulances provide quality care to residents hundreds of times each year, the current policy prevents them from responding to 911 medical emergencies during the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Emergencies can happen day or night; this policy creates an unacceptable risk. Our local police ambulances provide swift care on thousands of calls each year. But this is little consolation if your emergency is one of the over 600 that occurred last year at the "wrong time." Some might say that the occasional call does indeed fall through the cracks of the system. This isn't a crack. It's a canyon.

This is why I'm running to become Manhasset-Lakeville Water-Fire Commissioner. "Policy" shouldn't take precedence over people. I am a firefighter, a lieutenant of the Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department Ambulance Unit, and most importantly a Manhasset resident. The Board of Fire-Water Commissioners must take the steps necessary to ensure that medical emergencies within the district are covered by local ambulances. This begins by returning the Fire Department ambulances to full 911 status, 24 hours a day; and giving them the full support necessary to meet the demands of increased call volume.

Ambulance service is among the most important services our commissioners provide. This policy is not an example of "fiscal responsibility," it is an example of poor judgment and how politics really do impact our lives.

While this issue is what first lured me into the race, it is one of many ways our district must be improved. Increased security for our water and fire facilities, reduced waste, better safety for our firefighters, increased transparency and accountability in district operations are only a few of the topics I hope to discuss at the debate on Wednesday, Dec. 8 at the Bayview Avenue (Co. #1) Fire House.

Please remember to vote on Tuesday, Dec. 14 at the same location between 5 and 9 p.m.

Visit us on the web at: www.BrianClemency.com.

(Ed. Note: We regret the absence of Brian Clemency's picture. The electronic transmission of his picture was not successful.)