Incumbents win as fire commissioner

Richard Tedesco

Both incumbents won re-election in the races for commissioner in the New Hyde Park Fire District and the Garden City Park Water/Fire District.

New Hyde Park Fire District Commissioner Michael Bonura won re-election over Harold Hugli in a race between former chiefs of the New Hyde Park Fire Department for a five-year term. Bonura prevailed convincingly over Hugli, 465 votes to 253 votes.

In the Garden City Park Water/Fire District race, incumbent Commissioner Kenneth Borchers won re-election to a three-year term over Joseph Wendling 305 votes to 155 votes.

Bonura, 46, has been one of five commissioners of the fire district for the past two years. Bonura was chief of the New Hyde Park Fire Department in 2006 and was captain of Protection Engine Company No. 2 in 1995.

A 22-year resident of New Hyde Park, Bonura said he was grateful to his supporters for the work they did in visiting voters on his behalf. He also expressed thanks to the residents who came out to vote on such a cold day.

“I’m ecstatic. I thank all the residents for coming out and putting the right man back in office,” Bonura said.

He said he interpreted the results of the election as an endorsement for his platform to keep improving fire equipment in the district, while being mindful of the tax burden in the local residents are carrying.

“What I continue to do for the community and the fire department is provide the best equipment for the fire department and the best protection for the residents,” Bonura said.

He has been in the process of submitting applications to the Assistance to Firefighter Grant Program to secure $149,000 for the purchase of a new heavy rescue vehicle to replace the current 26-year-old truck. He’s also looking to secure a $100,000 capital improvement grant to repair sinkholes in the fire department headquarters parking lot.

Borchers, 48, is a former lieutenant of the Garden City Park Fire Department with 29 years in the department.

He overcame accusations from Wendling that Borchers was not an independent voice on the water/fire district board because he is employed by Chris Engle, another water/fire commissioner, who runs a Boars Head distribution business.

“It’s all politics,” Borchers said. “I’ve lived in this area my whole life. I’ve always wanted to serve the community.”

Borchers has pledged to continue the ongoing upgrade of the water quality and service, as water mains and valves are slated for replacement south of Jericho Turnpike.

While all fire district commissioners are unpaid volunteers, water district commissioners receive a per diem of $2,000 to $3,000 per year, depending on the number of meetings they attend.

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