By Patrick Whittle
Newsday (New York)
GORDON HEIGHTS, NY — A group of residents who want to dissolve the Gordon Heights Fire District allege department members tried to dissuade district opponents from voting in this week’s fire commissioner election by intimidating voters at the polls, a charge fire officials vehemently deny.
Tuesday night’s election pitted volunteer firefighter Carter Brown III, who had support from the district, against Maryanne Owens, a senior credit representative with no previous department involvement. She enjoyed strong backing from district opponents upset that Gordon Heights’ taxes are the highest on Long Island. Brown won a spot on the five-member Board of Fire Commissioners by a 171-to-168 vote.
Several residents, including outspoken district opponent Rosalie Hanson, said firemen attempted to block their entry to the firehouse, where the election took place from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Hanson said she was insulted and subjected to foul language by a firefighter, while other voters said the district placed cones on the street in front of the firehouse, making it difficult to park nearby.
“It’s not right for people to be intimidated when they cast their ballot,” said resident Willie Gadson, who said he watched firemen yell and use demeaning language to people they thought were opponents.
Fire Commissioner James Kelly denied the charges, saying “if this outcome was in their favor, you wouldn’t have heard” complaints. Kelly said the district put cones in front of the firehouse so fire trucks could get out of the building in case of an emergency.
The Gordon Heights Fire District’s taxes, an average of about $1,500 per household, are about four times more expensive than the neighboring Medford Fire District. But department supporters say the district should survive because it is piece of history: It was Suffolk County’s first all-black force, founded in the 1940s.
Hanson, who is among a group of residents who want the district absorbed by a neighboring district, said she called police to complain about the election night “obstruction.” Suffolk police said they received two calls about the election but found no disturbance.
A Suffolk Board of Elections spokesman said the election results are not under review.
The Gordon Heights election was not the only race to attract police attention, as Southold police patrolled the Cutchogue firehouse during Tuesday night’s election.
Town Supervisor Scott Russell had asked for a police presence because a recent candidate forum became combative. Southold police said yesterday that the election was orderly.
New York State election law, section 17-150, makes it illegal to use “force, violence or restraint” or otherwise practice “intimidation upon or against any person in order to induce or compel such person to vote or refrain from voting” in an election.
To violate the law is a misdemeanor.
Copyright 2008 Newsday, Inc.