Peter Chimenti, a New Hyde Park resident who has served in the Garden City Park Fire Department for 34 years, is challenging Augustine Carnevale, a New Hyde Park resident who has been a commissioner of the Garden City Park Fire and Water District for 12 years, in his bid for re-election on Tuesday.
Chimenti has known Carnevale for over 34 years but is now opposing Carnevale because he feels it is a time for change.
“It’s time to get new blood in there,” Chimenti said in seeking the three-year term.
Chimenti, who is a former fire chief of the Garden City Park Fire Department, said his experience as a firefighter and a chief makes him well qualified for the post.
“My experience as a firefighter, my positions as a leader and manager, and my integrity, are the qualities needed to be an effective commissioner,” Chimenti said.
Chimenti retired from the NYPD as a sergeant in 2006 and now works for the MTA’s Department of Security as a special inspector.
“I’m not naive to how businesses operate,” Chimenti said.
Carnevale, who currently works for Ready Mix concrete in Brooklyn, said he wants to complete the work he has already begun.
As commissioner, Carnevale said, he refurbished five of the six water pumps in the district with new filters, something he said is vital.
“Long Island water is particularly susceptible to contaminants,” he said. “I think we’re ahead of the curve.”
In the next three years Carnevale plans to refurbish the final water pump, he said, something he expects will cost around $2 million.
“I really care for this community,” Carnevale said. “It’s important to have clean drinking water.”
He said the district also recently purchased two new fire trucks and two new ambulances.
Chimenti said he wants to scrutinize the way the district purchases new equipment.
“I want to keep costs down while also buying the highest quality equipment,” he said. “I have a lot of new ideas to work with the district.”
The election will be held from 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 9.
Residents who are registered voters and live within the Garden City Park Fire/Water District, which includes parts of Manhasset Hills, parts of New Hyde Park, parts of Mineola, parts of North Hills, parts of Roslyn, parts of Williston Park, parts of Albertson and parts of Garden City can vote at either the Denton Avenue School at 1050 Denton Ave. or at Garden City Park Fire Department headquarters at 2264 Jericho Turnpike.
