Deadline nears for fire commissioners

Deadline to file petition is 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 21.

By: Leon Tovey
   MONROE — The deadline to file to run for fire commissioner is 4:30 p.m. Jan. 21.
   Voters in each of the township’s three fire districts will elect two commissioners to three-year terms at fire elections Feb. 19.
   All township residents over 18 years of age are eligible to run for fire commissioner of the district in which they live. Those interested in running must submit a signed and notarized petition to the headquarters of each district.
   As of The Cranbury Press’s Thursday afternoon deadline, only the incumbents in each of the three districts had submitted petitions to run.
   In District 1, Raymond Perry Sr. and Joe Leatherwood will run for another, three-year term.
   Mr. Perry, who lives on 13th Street, currently serves as the clerk for the Board of Commissioners. He was elected to his first, three-year term as a write-in candidate in 2002.
   Mr. Leatherwood, who lives on Robin Lane, currently serves as assistant clerk and assistant treasurer of the District 1 Board of Commissioners. He was appointed in June 2004 to complete the unexpired term of Robert F. Kenny.
   Petitions are available at District 1 headquarters, at Fire Station 1, 24 Harrison Ave.
   In District 2, incumbents Martin Berkowitz and Lawrence Reisch will run for three-year terms.
   Mr. Berkowitz, who lives on Vernon Road in Clearbrook, serves as secretary of the District 2 Board of Commissioners. He has already served three terms on the board.
   Mr. Reisch, who lives on Dolley Madison Road in Concordia, serves as treasurer and insurance officer for District 2. He has served two terms on the board.
   Petitions are available at District 2 headquarters, at Fire Station 57, 130 Applegarth Road.
   In District 3, first term incumbents Peter Lumia and Ernie Turp will run for their second, three-year terms.
   Mr. Lumia, who lives on Yale Way, serves as chairman of the District 3 Board of Commissioners.
   Mr. Turp, who lives on Old Nassau Road, currently serves as vice chairman of the District 3 Board of Commissioners.
   Petitions are available at District 3 headquarters, at Fire Station 23, 400 Schoolhouse Road.