Outsider Wins New Castle Fire Commissioner Election

CHAPPAQUA, NY — New Castle Fire District No. 1 voters narrowly chose Danna Schoenberg over Nancy Zezzein Tuesday's election to fill a vacant partial term on the Board of Fire Commissioners, according to the Chappaqua Daily Voice..

According to the Daily Voice, the vote was 211 for Schoenberg to 175 for Zezze. Five affidavit ballots are still to be counted.

John Buckley was unopposed for a full five-year term for a seat made vacant when Board Chair Chris Weddle did not seek re-election. Read the DV's full article here.

Schoenberg was a write-in candidate, surfacing when another possible candidate decided not to run after receiving an anonymous threat.

Zezze is the Fire District's secretary (a paid position). She was appointed to the board when Fire Commissioner Gerry Golub died and was running to complete the remaining three years of the term.

Just 393 people voted in the contested race, despite controversy this fall over Fire District No. 1's proposal to expand the Chappaqua firehouse, a plan that was rejected by voters overwhelmingly, with 632 voting "no" to 105 "yes" votes. The proposal to buy the next-door property found more favor but still was rejected, with 302 voting "yes" and 420 voting "no."

There was strong feeling among residents about what the Fire District was requesting, and a lot of questioning and misinformation about the fire department's activities and its future.

Schoenberg said she wants to be a change agent. The community must be included in the decision-makingprocess about making sure firefighters have what they need, she said.

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