Water District races on tap Tuesday
by Tiffany Elliott

Craig Heller,

Two men are vying for one seat in the South Farmingdale Water District where voters will head to the polls December 11. Incumbent Commissioner Kurt Ludwig, who was appointed to that seat in 2006 to serve out an unexpired one-year term, is seeking reelection to a three-year term and is opposed by Craig Heller who has run for public office before, most recently for the New York State Assembly in the 12th District and the N.C. Legislature in the 12th L.D.

"I have really enjoyed my time on the board so far," said Ludwig of his decision to run. "After learning the lay of the land, I'm now up to speed and ready to serve in my own right."

Ludwig, a father of two, is a longtime volunteer with the North Massapequa Fire Department. Professionally, he is employed with the Town of Oyster Bay in the Public Information Office.

His opponent said that if elected he would work to bring transparency to the district and open it to public scrutiny.

"I don't know if the water district is running right or wrong because we don't know anything about (the board) just like we know very little about the fire, sanitation and school districts," said Heller. "There needs to be some transparency so we know what's going on."

Kurt Ludwig,

An attorney from North Massapequa, Heller said that with all of the talk about consolidating to save taxpayer money, special districts like water and fire, are the perfect place to start to investigate whether that concept makes sense.

"There has been a lot of talk about consolidating or streamlining special districts and school districts, and although I don't know if it should be done, it should be looked into," said Heller. "There seems to be a knee jerk reaction to keep the control local, but it should be looked into because if we can't start by fixing our special districts how can we ever fix our school districts?"

"I have a vested interest in keeping the water supply safe for our community because long after I'm a commissioner, my family and their children will still be here," said Ludwig. "I believe I have done a good job in my position helping to update the infrastructure and hopefully the people will see fit to reelect me."

Heller believes it is important to reach out to the public and get more participation at the polls for special district elections.

"No one I speak to knows about the elections and the fact the polls are open for only a couple of hours makes it difficult for people to come out," said Heller. "They (the Commissioners) should consider linking the vote with the school district's, which would get more people involved in the vote."

South Farmingdale's budget was $4.2 million in 2007 with no rate increase this year. Rates for a 180-day billing period cost $9 for the first 12,000 gallons or less, the next 28,000 gallons is $1.20 per 1,000 gallons, the next 20,000 is $1.45 per 1,000 gallons, the next 20,000 gallons is $1.70 per 1,000 gallons and everything over 80,000 is $2.10 per 1,000 gallons. The district covers 5.4 square miles that includes South Farmingdale, North Massapequa and parts of Bethpage and Seaford.

South Farmingdale Water District residents can vote from 4-9 p.m. at either the North Massapequa Firehouse at 1000 Broadway or the South Farmingdale Firehouse at 819 South Main Street at the corner of Crestwood Boulevard.

The Massapequa Water District has one Commissioner's seat up this year with 39-year Massapequa resident Vincent Guadagno, who has been in his position since 1998, seeking reelection. That district is 6.6 miles and serves about 48,000 customers.

"I have always enjoyed public service and with my educational background and grantwriting skills, I have been able to bring more than $80,000 to the district," said Guadagno, who said the funds went, in part, to pay for a hydrant-locating system.

Guadagno, a Garden City middle school teacher, has a long resume of public service with positions in the Nassau County Planning Commission, the Town of Oyster Bay Public Works and in the Town Clerk's department.

The district's budget goes up $350,000 this year because of additional environmental regulation fees, infrastructure maintenance costs as well as rising electricity rates. The 2007 budget was $5,149,138 while 2008's will be $5,499,138. The water rate will go up 18-cents. The district bills semi-annually on a tiered rate chart for residential and commercial. The minimum bill is $32.50 for anyone using 25,000 gallons or less, or $1.30 per 1,000 gallons. That rate increases to $1.55 per 1,000 gallons for 26,000 to 100,000 gallons. From 101,000 to 150,000 gallons, the rate is $1.75 per 1,000 gallons, and $1.95 for each 1,000 gallons for those who use between 151,000 to 200,000 gallons. More than 200,000 gallons costs $2.20 per 1,000 gallons.

Massapequa voters can come to the water district office at 84 Grand Ave., between the hours of 4-9 p.m. For the first time, absentee ballots will be available at the district office from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and must be returned in person before 5 p.m. Tuesday, December 11th.

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