Kenneth Williamson and Mark Leary are challenging longtime incumbent Lester Myers Sr.
By: Linda Seida
LAMBERTVILLE One incumbent and two hopefuls are vying for a single three-year term on the Board of Fire Commissioners.
When voters cast their ballots Saturday, they’ll be asked to choose among longtime incumbent Commissioner Lester Myers Sr., Hibernia Fire Company Lt. Kenneth Williamson and Fleet Wing Capt. Mark Leary.
Mr. Myers, 70, was born in Upper Black Eddy, Pa., and has resided in Lambertville for more than four decades. His education includes a period spent at Plumsteadville Public School, an old-fashioned schoolhouse where two different grades occupied each classroom.
Mr. Myers retired in 1999 from Kingston Trap Rock. His work experience includes employment with Delaware Quarries in Point Pleasant, Pa. He labored in stone processing and also operated hydraulic equipment, saws and a piece of slab-splitting equipment known as the guillotine.
Mr. Myers and his wife, Alice, have one son, Lester Myers Jr., who is deputy chief of Fleet Wing.
The senior Mr. Meyers has been a member of the city’s Fire Department for 44 years, 40 of which were spent as engineer for the Columbia Fire Company. His responsibilities have included maintaining the company’s equipment and routine upkeep.
Previously, Mr. Myers devoted four years to the Lambertville Fire Police. He served as captain for two years.
In 1981, Mr. Myers was awarded the honor of Fireman of the Year. He is a three-time recipient of the Captain’s Award.
Since the Board of Fire Commissioners was established 25 years ago, Mr. Myers has attended all meetings except for two. His absences were the result of bypass surgery.
Mr. Myers said he would like to remain on the board as a way to ensure the firefighters needs are taken care of. Plus, he said, he would help "keep the budget down."
Mr. Williamson, 48, was born in Lambertville. He spent 10 years in Bristol Township, Pa., from 1986 to 1996, before returning home to the city.
The 1974 graduate of South Hunterdon Regional High School majored in liberal arts at Mercer County Community College and Spartanburg Methodist College in South Carolina. He owns and operates an Internet services company, e-Traces, which provides Web site design and Web hosting as well as computer services and repairs.
A widower, Mr. Williamson is raising two children. Tara, 17, is a senior at South Hunterdon. Ken. Jr., 11, is a sixth-grader at Lambertville Public School.
Mr. Williamson is an 11-year member of the Lambertville Fire Department. He is an active firefighter with Hibernia and a member of the Fire Police, of which he is president.
He is a retired member of the Lambertville-New Hope Ambulance and Rescue Squad, which he joined in 1970. He devoted five years to the Lambertville Office of Emergency Management.
He is a member of the West Amwell Youth Baseball League, and he spent seven years in the positions of director and assistant director of umpires.
Mr. Williamson ran unsuccessfully for a seat on the commission last year. If elected this year, he said he wants to "help get the best for the commission and the firefighters that we can possibly get while watching taxpayer dollars."
Mr. Williamson has attended 14 of the last 15 monthly commission meetings.
The Beacon was unable to reach Mr. Leary for comment.