The following is a statement from Fire Commissioner candidate Larry Loigman, submitted to TLS: [SEE EARLIER VIDEO INTERVIEW HERE] The election for fire commissioner will be held this coming Shabbos (the polls are open for several hours after havdalah – until 10 PM, but anyone in line at 10 PM will be allowed to vote). The fire commissioners set the budget and policy for the Fire Department. They are not in charge of fireground operations – that’s the job of the fire chief. The commissioners need to know about management, administration, legal guidelines, personnel issues, and so forth. I’m running because my legal background, and my knowledge of government affairs, will help me make decisions that will be in the public interest. While I do have familiarity with firefighting, I don’t intend to second-guess the firefighting tactics of the dedicated volunteer and paid personnel who do that actual work.
That distinction is very important. Almost every department of Lakewood’s local government is under the control of the Township Committee. The governing body isn’t composed of policemen, but you don’t hear the police officers complaining that only a policeman should set their budget or their policy. It isn’t composed of building inspectors, but you don’t hear the code enforcement officers complaining that only one of their own should set their budget or their policy.
The Fire Department is the one exception – it’s not under the direct authority of the Township Committee, but it still requires independent oversight. The commissioners should know about firefighting, but should be separate from the fire companies. It’s really a conflict of interest for the entire board of fire commissioners to be firemen. The board must have some individuals from the community watching what it’s doing with our tax dollars.
If other people had been on the board in years past, the tax rate wouldn’t have been artificially inflated to provide for the multi-million dollar surplus which now exists. There would have been a concerted effort to recruit more qualified volunteers (the community’s representation in the volunteer companies is completely inadequate). And, there would be additional polling places and other accommodations for those of us who can’t vote on Shabbos day.
I will work to preserve public safety, while bringing fiscal responsibility to the board. I urge you to vote for me this Motzei Shabbos, which will benefit the entire Lakewood community.
Thank you.
LARRY S. LOIGMAN, Esq
Perfectly stated.
You got my vote. I’ll take 1-5.
you don’t think our Volunteer Firemen are qualified? “There would have been a concerted effort to recruit more qualified volunteers (the community’s representation in the volunteer companies is completely inadequate).” I don’t believe there is or ever has been any effort to keep volunteers out of the department. If someone wants to volunteer and follow the training procedures, and all that goes with it, and follows through with the certification than they would be accepted. This is not a religious issue even though you seem determined to make it that. The Lakewood Fire Dept. has always been a diverse group of volunteers. They don’t care where you pray, they only want dedicated volunteers to keep our town safe.
Larry, if the frum are told to go vote you win by a landslide. Look what they did to the BOE election
Larry, in your video statement you said that the application process needs to be streamlined; I submitted my letter of interest to Junior Hose Co. #3 on February 17, 2011 – I responded to my first call as a fire fighter in May 2011. My entire application process took less than 3 months. I stayed on top of the process, made phone calls and completed all applications truthfully. You also said that you would like to offer incentives to the volunteers, on this I have two points. 1) While it would be really nice to have incentives, volunteer fire fighters are not in it for money, we are in because we love being fire fighters, if someone needs to be offered an incentive to become a fire fighter, I don’t know if I feel comfortable serving alongside them as what happens if they start making risk/reward calculations when responding to a fire? (obviously that thought does not apply to paid fire fighters) 2) How can you offer incentives without dipping into FD funds? If you dip into FD funds won’t that increase taxes? Larry, I respectfully ask you to please address these points in a response in the comment section.
Go Larry Go
At present, when the FD needs new equipment (turn-out gear, trucks, hose, air tanks, etc.), they have the money to buy it. Without a surplus they will have to BORROW THE MONEY, thereby causing INTEREST to also be paid back for the loan. Or is it that Mr. Loigman, ESQ, would rather have no surplus thereby causing the town to borrow money? Didn’t the FD tax go down last year?
you do not not have mine
let the public speak! larry is a ish chesed, always helping both the yochid and klall.
larry is a real mentch
Where does Larry live?
Larry for commissioner. And no to the budget.
I lived in Lakewood 60 years ,worked and had a business here for 50
of thoes years ,never have I heard an adverse comment about our volentere fire dept. in that time .Not only did they risk there lives for everyone in the community but they gave up there lives to try to save ours
You need proof , Think of Stanley Marks . His widow his children
I knew him and i am proud that i did he like all the other volunters gave and give all and not for money or notority just that thy are great
Now we are talking religon ,money politcs ,is that what your life is worth
The members do more than fight fires save lives and property
they have helped donate there personal money and time to thoes in need
I thank you all and may god bless each and everyone of you.
j.r. narucki
my name is not in capitial letters
i did not live up to your standards
Vote no on the budget and see how fast the volunteers leave because of no funding. The fire fighters know what they need. In the long run it will go the way of paid and then it will cost you a lot more. But hey it’s your taxes…