Garden City Park Polls To Open Soon: The Race Is On For Water And Fire District Commissioner

GARDEN CITY PARK, NY — Multiple town elections are happening across Long Island, and Garden City folks will be voting on a Water and Fire District Commissioner, as well as a proposition on the ballot, on Tuesday evening.

The proposition on the ballot is in relation to authorizing amendment of an award program: the Length of Service Award Program, according to a GCP official. The LOSAP plans cover members for 40 years, and the proposition will ask the public if Garden City Park can extend the eligibility for the town's LOSAP from 40 years to 60 years, a GCP official said. This is essentially a retirement plan, or pension-style benefits, for volunteer firefighters.

Voting will take place Tuesday evening from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. at the Garden City Park Water District located at 333 Marcus Ave. in Garden City Park.

Garden City Park has three Water and Fire District Commissioners, with one seat coming up for election each year on a rotating basis.

Current Water and Fire District Commissioner Robert Mirabile is up for re-election. Mirabile has held the current title for the past three years.

The incumbent Mirabile is running against Shivraj Muneshwar in the race. The two candidates spoke to Patch about their experience and goals if elected.

Mirabile, 55, currently lives in Garden City Park and grew up in North New Hyde Park.

"I would like to continue to serve our community as Commissioner to ensure proper funding to the Water District and make the improvements needed to ensure our water supply is robust, secure, and of the best quality we can provide," Mirabile said. "It is also my intention to ensure the Fire Department has the adequate equipment and resources it needs to provide Exemplary Fire and EMS services to the community."

Mirabile said he has quite a few accomplishments as the current position holder, including having all budgets below the tax-cap limit, funding fire and EMS with no tax rate increase, and increasing the district's cellular rent revenue by $180,000 annually.

A few others include a funded water district with no increase in water rates or water tax, securing a FEMA grant for the fire department's recruiting efforts, and water main replacement projects with no rate or tax increase.

He said he "Successfully sued ‘Big Chemical’ over groundwater contamination, winning nearly 4 million dollars. Money that will offset new water treatment and filtration systems."

Mirabile said he has an extensive background in emergency service. He said he is a retired NYC police officer and worked in the NYC and Nassau County EMS system as a paramedic.

"I am a 34-year member of the Garden City Park Fire Department and have previously been a Chief Officer for six years, holding the rank of Chief of Department for two years," Mirabile said. "Currently, I am the First Lieutenant of Engine Company #4. Additionally, I work in Public Safety for Adelphi University and am an Emergency Procedure & Security Consultant with White Hawk Security Services. I also own two successful small businesses."

Mirabile said he plans to help his community by ensuring they are provided with the best water service and the best fire and EMS services.

"Using a common-sense approach, my lifetime of emergency service experience, and my experience running two successful small businesses, I have found creative ways to generate the revenues needed to get the job done without raising taxes or increasing water rates," Mirabile said.

Mirabile said the most pressing matter for the water district is to ensure the aging system is upgraded and secure.

"We are in the ongoing process of improving our filtration and treatment systems and replacing infrastructure as needed, including several blocks of water mains this past year," Mirabile said. "All done with no tax increases or water rate increases."

The most pressing matter for the fire department is recruitment, according to Mirabile.

"I was able to secure a grant to assist with the funding of the department’s recruiting efforts," Mirabile said. "Together with the Chief, we continue to explore new methods of recruitment and retention."

Mirabile concluded by sharing that he is committed to the community and this position.

"My track record over the last three years has proven that we can fund both the Water District and Fire Department without raising Taxes or increasing rates," he said. "As a member of this community, I want to keep the costs down for all of us."

Shivraj B. Muneshwar, 28, is also running for this position and currently lives in Garden City Park and has a history of service. On why he is running for the position, he said he believes he can "help bring meaningful change to our community."

He is a graduate of New Hyde Park Memorial High School, and after turning 18 years old, he joined the Garden City Park Fire Department as a volunteer firefighter.

"I have served as a firefighter for the past 11 years and currently hold the rank of Lieutenant with Truck Company One," Muneshwar. "In addition, I serve the Nassau County First Battalion as a respected staff member and Treasurer/Secretary. I am also an active member of the Nassau County Burn Center and the Nassau County Emergency Operations Center."

Along with fire service, Muneswhar said he worked in fire and life safety for both Weill Cornell Medicine/New York-Presbyterian and Northwell Health.

"I worked closely with doctors, nurses, essential staff, and patients, ensuring that everyone entering the facilities remained safe from fire and environmental hazards," Muneshwar said. "I also collaborated with vendors and internal departments to ensure that work was completed properly and that finances were managed responsibly."

Muneshwar said he has many hopes and goals for this position.

"I hope to bring a fresh, younger perspective to the Board of Commissioners—one that ensures taxpayers have a clear voice in every discussion," Muneshwar said. "My goal is to improve communication so that taxpayers are fully informed about special elections and referendums, enabling everyone to vote with a clear understanding of how and why their tax dollars are being used. In today’s economic climate, every dollar matters, and if elected, I will prioritize transparency regarding how public funds are spent."

On a personal note, he said that people around him know his character.

"Those who know me can attest that I am honest, reliable, and willing to put in the long hours needed to serve the community," Muneshwar said. "I take pride in continually learning and working to better both myself and the community I grew up in. Garden City Park has shown me the true meaning of the phrase, 'It takes a village to raise a child.'"