Letter to the Editor: Case for Re-Election in Wantagh Fire District Race

The following is written by Wantagh Fire Commissioner Jay Cohen, who is seeking re-election Tuesday against challenger David Goetz. 

To the editor: 

My name is Jay Cohen and I would like to take this opportunity to announce my intention to seek re-election to the position of fire commissioner of the Wantagh Fire District. I would like to continue to serve the community as well as the members of the Wantagh Fire Department.

I have been a resident of Wantagh for the past 44 years and a graduate of Wantagh High School as is my wife Nancy (Gillen) and my three children Steven, Deanne and Kevin. 

I joined the Wantagh Fire Department in 1974 while continuing my college education. I am a New York State Licensed Optician and for the last 33 years, I have worked as a National Sales Manager for a large optical equipment manufacturer. Some of my responsibilities include sales, budgeting, strategic planning and expense management, which are incorporated in my daily responsibilities as fire commissioner. During my years with the Wantagh Fire Department, I have held many positions including lieutenant and captain of Engine Company 698.

The fire district plays a critical roll in maintaining the health and safety of the residents of our community as well as our firefighters and fire-medics.  This is a position that I take extremely serious. I was elected to the position of Fire Commissioner from January 1989 to December 1994 and again from 2007 to present.  During my term of office, I always treated the well being of our residents and members as a top priority. 

The Wantagh Fire District is one of the most well equipped and safest districts in New York State. My commitment then and my commitment now will be un-relenting. As commissioner, I will strive to provide vision and foresight and continuously scrutinize superior technological advances in both the firematic and EMS arenas, while prudently managing our tax dollars.

On a personal note, I would like to express my deepest sympathy to the community for their loss of homes and possessions due to the tragic events that took place due to Hurricane Sandy and the subsequent nor’easter. I would also like to thank the members of the Wantagh Fire Department for their unselfish and unrelenting dedication. The fire department answered over 425 calls for help related to those events and many of our members also lost their homes and possessions. 

I would like to continue to proudly serve the community of Wantagh.   Please vote on Tuesday, December 11 at any Wantagh firehouse between the hours of 2 p.m. and 9 p.m. 

I would appreciate your support and your vote.   

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Jay Cohen

Wantagh