RSS 2.0 FeedThursday, December 1, 2011, Bellmore Life
Candidates vie for Bellmore Fire Commissioner
This week we profile two of the four candidates.
Allison DeQuatro and Craig Maltz
Four candidates are vying for a seat as a commissioner on the Bellmore Board of Fire Commissioners in an election scheduled for Tuesday, December 13, at the Bellmore Fire Department headquarters, 222 Pettit Avenue. Here are two candidates. The other two will appear next week.
Allison DeQuatro
My name is Allison DeQuatro and I am a critical care emergency medical technician with the Bellmore Volunteer Fire Department. I have been a member of Bellmore Fire Department and the Advanced Hook and Ladder Company for the past seven years. I hold the title Engineer of Ambulance 6011. During my years of service I have worked on the Adam Rand-Kevin Prior Memorial Golf Outing committee, and sat on the executive board of the Nassau County Firefighters Emerald Society for over five years.
I am running for the upcoming open seat on the Board of Fire Commissioners in the Bellmore Fire District.
I have been a resident of Bellmore for over 28 years, and have raised my three children in the community.
Several awards
I have always been an active volunteer in our community. I achieved Lifetime Membership from the Bellmore PTA. I have been a member of the Special Education Parent Teacher Association (SEPTA) and a parent advocate for the Board of Special Education for the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District. In addition, I am a recipient of the Pope Pius X Award from the Diocese of Rockville Centre for my 15 years of dedication and involvement in the religious education program at St. Barnabas Parish.
I am running for Board of Fire Commissioners because, as an EMT-CC and an employee in the medical field, I, Allison DeQuatro know that our fire medics are in great demand. Over 85% of all calls to the Bellmore Fire Department are medical emergencies. As engineer on ambulance 6011, I am aware of the necessity to keep all equipment up to date and in full working condition.
Our community’s safety is always my first concern. I will make an exceptional addition to the existing Board of Fire Commissioners as a representative of the Emergency Medical Squad.
If elected to the Board of Fire Commissioners I will dedicate my time to making sure our department is always prepared and ready for any and all emergencies. I will make it my responsibility to see that your tax dollars are spent wisely. I would like to see training programs put back into the department. I want to see more community involvement, through programs and activities offered to schools, senior centers and our community members. I would like policies implemented that would allow community members to join the fire department to perform duties other than those of a firefighter. I want the community to feel comfortable coming to the fire department for assistance when they are in need.
With your support, as a member of the Board of Fire Commissioners, I, together with the existing board, can provide the community with the care they deserve.
Please support me on Tuesday, December 13, by voting for Allison De Quatro. Voting will be held at the Bellmore Fire Department headquarters, 222 Pettit Avenue, from 2-9 p.m.
Craig Maltz
On Tuesday, December 13, I, Craig Maltz, will be seeking the position of Fire Commissioner in the Bellmore Fire District election. All Bellmore residents who are registered voters can vote.
This year is important to support the right candidate. I will do my best not to raise taxes while maintaining your fire department. The election takes place at the Bellmore Fire Department Headquarters 230 Pettit Avenue, across from the train station, from 2-9 p.m. on Tuesday, December 13.
I am an active member of the Bellmore Fire Department and serve as the treasurer of Bellmore West End Engine Company 3. During my time in the department it has been my honor to serve on the department’s Color Guard, the Old Fashion Drill team, as assistant coach to the softball team, and on numerous department and company committees.
As an active member of the community, I have served as both the treasurer and president of the Kennedy High School Sports Booster Club. I am proud to be a recipient of the Distinguished Service Award and to have received Life Membership from the Bellmore PTA. My service to the community was recognized with the receipt of the Nassau County Police Commissioner Award.
I have lived in Bellmore for over 43 years, graduated from Kennedy High School in 1973 and received a Bachelors degree in business from Hofstra University in 1977. I have been a business owner for over 31 years. For the last 16 years I have owned and operated Stride Rite Shoes of Merrick, and in 2006 I started up a Funeral Supply Company called ShivaShade Inc.
This year I got together with former JFK alumni to start up the JFK Alumni Craig Maltz Association, for which I am the treasurer.
The commissioners are now looking to go green. This project would cost our taxpayers a large amount of money. As a commissioner, if I am able to secure a grant, then it might be feasible. The district does save money by buying its fuel cooperatively.
I would also like to see us save additional monies by partnering with other agencies to service our emergency vehicles. There are other ways to save our district money from simple ways of controlling our expenditures, maintaining our buildings and vehicles, and watching our overhead. Negotiating the best price for our insurance, phone lines, Internet and our everyday expenditures is what the fire commissioner’s position is all about.
Business experience cited
The commissioner’s office consists of ex-chiefs, ex-captains, paramedics and EMTs. What is needed is a business person to provide a well-rounded board that can act in the best interest of the taxpayers. A commissioner’s job is to handle the fiscal end of the district. A commissioner runs the district, while the chiefs run the fire departments.
With my business experience and my dedication to the community, I believe I will be an asset in the commissioner’s office. My goal is to be fiscally responsible to the Bellmore taxpayers while, at the same time, maintaining state-of-the-art equipment. I will also continue to support our chief’s office so it can keep our EMTs and fire department members properly trained.
Please consider my education, my business background and my many years of dedication to the Bellmore community and Bellmore Fire Department when you vote.
I believe I will be an asset to the commissioner’s office. Your vote counts. On December 13 every resident can make a different by casting their vote for Craig Maltz for Bellmore Fire Commissioner.
