Incumbent Ronald Sakowich will be the only candidate on the ballot running for a seat on the New Hyde Park Fire District Board of Commissioners.
The fire district, which serves the village and unincorporated areas in North New Hyde Park, is governed by a five-member board with each serving five-year terms. The terms are staggered and a new seat becomes available each year.
If re-elected, Sakowich would serve alongside Joe Papa, Joe Abukoush, Robert Teetz and Reid Sakowich.
The district has a $4.8 million budget for 2023, an increase of more than $90,000 from 2022.
Sakowich, who was first elected in 2018, has served in the village’s Fire Department for over 50 years, joining when he was 18. He was one of 38 members recognized last year when the village unveiled a memorial wall and bronze firefighter statue for reaching half a century in the department.
He is the current president of Engine Company No. 2 and president of the department’s exemption association, a branch dedicated to those who have been injured while serving. Sakowich is also a former fire captain.
Professionally, Sakowich is a licensed master plumber and has been in the business for nearly 50 years since obtaining his license when he was 22 years old. He was born and raised in New Hyde Park, and his five grandchildren are now the sixth generation of his family in the village.
Voting for New Hyde Park Fire District commissioner will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 12, from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the district headquarters at 1555 Jericho Turnpike in New Hyde Park.
