On Tuesday, Dec. 12, residents will be voting on a fire commissioner for the Franklin Square/Munson Fire Department. Voting will take place at the fire department on Liberty Place from 1-9 p.m. The two candidates running are Carl Gerrato and Doris Griffin.

Carl Gerrato

Carl Gerrato, a lifelong resident of Franklin Square and father of four, has been a member of the Franklin Square/Munson Fire Department since 1986. He served two terms as captain and one term as lieutenant of Engine Company #1. In addition, Mr. Gerrato served nine years as company secretary.

Since he has four children of his own, Mr. Gerrato has taken an interest with future firefighters of the department. He is currently serving as co-chairman and training advisor for the department's youth program - Explorer Post 710.

Through his work with the Franklin Square/Munson Fire Department, Mr. Gerrato has served on and chaired numerous department committees. In addition, he has served as an assistant fire inspector since 1993 and also nine years as an emergency medical technician.

Mr. Gerrato is also stays involved through his affiliation with numerous organizations. He is a member of the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs, the Fireman's Association of the State of New York, the Franklin Square/Munson Fire Department Volunteer and Exempt Benevolent Association and a charter member of the friends of the Nassau County Fire Museum.

Although Mr. Gerrato has been involved in the affairs of the fire department, his community involvement extends beyond that. He is currently the treasurer of the Franklin Square Historical Society, a member of the Sons of Italy - America Lodge #2245, a member of the Franklin Square Republican Club, a member of the Fraternal Order of Police, and vice president and charter member of the Kiwanis Club of Franklin Square.

Mr. Gerrato has also been involved in education. He served two years on the citizens' budget advisory committee for School District #17 and also served on the district's budget advisory committee.

"It has been a privilege for me to serve as a member of the Franklin Square and Munson Fire Department for the past 14 years. In addition to the personal satisfaction that service brings, I have had the pleasure of working with so many devoted and caring firefighters. To me, they are special people who, at a moment's notice, leave their homes and families to protect the lives and property of their neighbors.

"It would be an honor for me to serve as fire commissioner. I, therefore, most respectfully ask for your vote on Tuesday, Dec. 12. I pledge to you that if elected, I will serve with fairness, honor and dignity - in the finest tradition of the Franklin Square Munson Fire Department," Mr. Gerrato said. "I would like to take this opportunity to thank the chiefs, officers and every firefighter for their devoted and courageous service. Their sacrifice and commitment make me proud to wear the uniform. I would also like to sincerely thank everyone who supports the department. On behalf of my wife Maureen, our four children and myself, thank you for your consideration."

Doris Griffin

When Doris Griffin retired after a 32-year career in government and 43 years of community service to Franklin Square, who would have thought she would be a candidate for Fire Commissioner?

"Nobody would have thought it and if you asked me, I would have said you're crazy," said the 45-year resident.

Griffin is now ready to take on what she terms "a very important responsibility" to the Franklin Square community, where she resides with her husband. She is the mother of one and the grandmother of two.

Griffin is not only running for commissioner, but is making a big sacrifice. She is currently a paid member of the staff at the Franklin Square/Munson Fire Department and is giving up the salary to run for the unpaid position of commissioner. "That says a lot about Doris Griffin," said Cliff Robbins, a 46-year veteran of the Fire Department.

Griffin cites community involvement and accountability to residents as she has been active in the Franklin Square community. She was a member of the Polk Street PTA, an assistant troop leader in the Girl Scouts, is a founding member of the Drug Awareness committee, a member of the Bicentennial Committee, a founding member of the Franklin Square Historical Society and a four-time president of the Franklin Square Public Library Board, where she served 15 years in an elected position.

Griffin also has the distinction of being the only female candidate for the commssioner's post and if elected, will be only the second to served the Franklin Square Munson Fire Department in that capacity in local history.

Griffin has also been responsible for helping to secure grant monies from the state, Griffin points to the some $20,000 she's help secure for the district in grants ranging from Legislative member items to the New York State Division of Archives. "Up until this point, the district hasn't looked at getting grants and alternative sources of funding. The grant items can be used to help offset the local fire district tax," she said.

Griffin firmly believes that firefighters have one of the toughest jobs in society. Members of the Franklin Square/Munson Fire Department can't be thanked enough, she said. "As commissioner, I will work together with them for the betterment of the Franklin Square community," she added.

As Commissioner, Griffin said she would work on the following issues:

* Grant funding for district activities

* Accountability for tax dollar expenditures

* Education of fire district services

* Community outreach and good neighbor programs

* Pro-active recruitment and retention

* Continuing support of the Explorers Program

* Strong community and district relations

* Open decisions and open government of district activities

"Being a consensus builder who listens and acts responsibly is what I will bring to the Board of Fire Commissioners. Everyone likes to be asked for their vote in an election. I'm asking for the support of the Franklin Square community in the Fire District Election," she said.