When was the last time you voted for Fire, Water or Sanitation Commissioner? Did you even know that these were elected positions? Do you know when the next election for Fire and Water Commissioners will be held, and who will be running for these posts? Chances are, you've rarely, if ever, voted for a District Commissioner, and even the most civic minded among us are unaware that such elections take place.

"I must confess," said West Hempstead Civic Association President, Seth Bykofsky, "were it not for Nick D'Alessandro, a West Hempstead Fire Commissioner, reminding me to vote in the December elections, I would, in all likelihood, have missed the opportunity to have my say."

Mr. Bykofsky tells the story of having "stumbled upon a vote for Sanitation Commissioner" earlier this year, while returning a book to the West Hempstead Library. "Were it not for that book, I would have taken the bullet on this one," laughed the Civic leader.

The elections for commissioners are rarely publicized in the local press, and even less frequently contested at the polls. Customarily, commissioners, representing the party faithful, are hand chosen by the controlling party, and run unopposed. Often, commissioners serve what has become lifetime terms, facing little opposition.

This year's elections, at least for Fire and Water Commissioners, look to upset tradition. The election for West Hempstead Water Commissioner, set for Tuesday, Dec. 12, pits incumbent Commissioner, Anthony Dignoti, against newcomer, Michael Uhl.

Mr. Dignoti, a registered Republican, has served as Water Commissioner for the past 33 years. Mr. Uhl, an Independent making his first run for elected office, is an environmental activist, rising to prominence in West Hempstead as director of the Community Green Project.

In the West Hempstead Fire District, which also holds its election on Tuesday, Dec. 12, incumbent commissioner, pits Nicholas D'Alessandro, a former chief of the department, against Ralph Nicholes.

D'Alessandro is credited with the many successful campaigns to secure grants for state of the art fire and life saving equipment, faces a stiff challenge from Nicholes, who, for a short time, served as a Fire Commissioner, several years ago.

The vote for West Hempstead Fire District will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 12 from 4-9 p.m. at the WH Fire Department, 295 Hempstead Turnpike. The vote for West Hempstead Water District will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 12, from 6-9 p.m. at (WH residents) Chestnut Street Library, 252 Chestnut Street; (Franklin Square/GC South residents) Washington Street School, 760 Washington Street, Franklin Square.