Syosset Fire, Water Elections Guide

Syosset heads to the polls on Tuesday to vote for fire and water district members. Here is a rundown of the people voters will see on the ballot. Some run unopposed, while Syosset Fire Commissioner Frank Vasile will be challenged. Check this rundown before you head to the polls!

The police district will not hold any elections today, according to Nassau Police headquarters.

Water District Elections

Anthony J. Cincotta will be running for reelection unopposed.

Fire District Elections (two open seats)

• Syosset Fire District Commissioner: Robert Swanson will run unopposed. Swanson was appointed commissioner to fill a vacancy after the former commissioner resigned and is running to serve the remainder of that term. 
  
  
• Syosset Fire District Commissioner: 

Syosset will head to the polls on Tuesday to vote for Syosset Fire Commissioner. Incumbent Frank Vasile is running for reelection after holding the post for five years. He is being challenged by Richard Roseo, a member of the department.

Before you head to the polls, read up on the candidates here.

Voting is on Tuesday, Dec. 13 from 2-9 p.m. at Syosset Fire Department Headquarters on Cold Spring Road.

Incumbent: Frank Vasile

Vasile has held the post of Fire Commissioner for 5 years, during which time he has helped reduce the district's budget by 28 percent, helped annual increases stay below 2 percent, and implemented an annual series of detailed budget workshops.  

"The budget workshop process has helped us keep the overall budget increases within the state cap, despite significant increases in certain mandated costs beyond our control…I worked very hard with the rest of the Board to hold the line on the budget again for 2012, while not compromising the safety of the members of the Fire Department or the 35,000 residents we have all sworn to protect."

Vasile grew up in Woodhaven, Queens and has lived in Syosset for 21 years with his wife and three children.

"I have enjoyed working with my colleagues on the Board of Fire Commissioners and the Chiefs fo the Fire Department over the last five years and look forward to the opportunity to continue this important work…"

Challenger: Richard Roseo

An active member of the Syosset Fire Department since 1987, Roseo's years have earned him merit badges and certifications as a firefighter and EMS provider. He has worked his way up, being elected a 2nd and 1st Lieutenant, and finally Captain of his company. Later, he was elected 3rd, 2nd and 1st Deputy Chiefs of the Fire Department until finally reaching Chief of the Department in 2003. In his years, he helped open the department to volunteers and began an EMS member program to utilize the efforts of those volunteers.

Out of the fire department, Roseo currently holds the rank of sergeant within the Suffolk County Police Department after being involved in the department since 1994. He also has a business background, as he opened his own small business after college before becoming involved in the fire department.

Roseo, a graduate of Syosset High School and Stony Brook University, the 33 year resident of Syosset lives in town with his family. He believes in these tough economic times, his business background, experiences within the department, and current leadership in the Suffolk Police Department will help him make the make the most of tax dollars while assuring the best possible services the community expects.

Voting is on Tuesday, Dec. 13 from 2-9 p.m. at Syosset Fire Department Headquarters on Cold Spring Road.