Crime & Safety

OVERVIEW: Bellmore-Merrick Fire Elections Set for Tuesday

Residents of Bellmore-Merrick will have the opportunity to vote for the Board of Fire Commissioners on Tuesday. 

Richard Holzhauer is challenging incumbent Robert Angrisani in Bellmore, while ex-chiefs Edward Kraus and Robert Bazarewski are facing off for a seat on North Bellmore's board.

Paul Wilders, a former North Merrick Fire Department chief, will be running unopposed for a seat as well.

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Angrisani, a former state inspector, has served on the board for the past decade and has been a part of the Bellmore Fire Department for the past 20 years. 

“I have considered it a true honor to have served our great community for the past 10 years as commissioner,” Angrisani told the Bellmore Herald.

Holzhauer was in the air force, and he's lived in Bellmore for the past 14 years, according to the Bellmore Herald. He said that his priorities lie with having fire trucks standardized and having electronic ambulance call reports developed.

In North Bellmore, Kraus has been a member of the department since 2000, and he served as chief from 2008 until April, 2012. He's also the second deputy chief instructor at the Nassau County Fire Academy.

“There’s a lot going forward that needs to be addressed now because of cost factors, and I’d rather be proactive than reactive,” he said.

Bazarewski has 29 years experience in volunteer fire service, and he served, most recently, as North Bellmore's district treasurer. He told the Bellmore Herald that it's important that the department should have skilled firefighters and adequate equipment.

North Merrick residents will be able to vote at 2095 Camp Ave. from 2-9 p.m. Bellmore residents can head down to 230 Bedford Ave., while North Bellmore residents can vote at two locations—at North Bellmore Fire District Office at 1500 Newbridge Rd. and at North Bellmore Chiefs Office at 821 Newbridge Rd.

The Bellmore Fire Department will also be giving out combination smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to Bellmore residents at the District election. There will be a limit of one per household (while supplies last).

Who is going to have your vote on Tuesday? Tell us in the comments section below.


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