Write-in Candidate Enters Fire Commissioner Race in New Castle

CHAPPAQUA, NY — New Castle resident Danna Schoenberg is mounting a write-in campaign for the three-year term on the Board of Commissioners of New Castle's Fire District No. 1, an election marred by the threat of violence.

The election for two seats is Dec. 13, and just two people are on the ballot, despite controversy this fall over Fire District No. 1's proposal to expand the Chappaqua firehouse, a plan that was rejected by voters. 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.

Two Fire Commissioner positions are open, one for a 5-year term and one for a 3-year term.

On the ballot are John Buckley, running for the five-year term, and Nancy Zezze running for the three-year term. Information about them is available on the New Castle League of Women Voters’ website. Schoenberg is opposing Zezze.

One resident who had planned to run did not submit the petition after being threatened with harm to herself and her business should she do so.

Town Supervisor Rob Greenstein said police are investigating the anonymous threats.

"I would hope that these tactics do not discourage anyone from running and that all efforts are made by the Board of Fire Commissioners to ensure that every single member of our community is encouraged to run and feel comfortable & SAFE doing so," Greenstein said. "Discouraging candidates from running is anathema to the democratic process."

Zezze said that she and her family have also been targets of anonymous threats over the years. In a post on the New Castle Community Facebook page she said no one connected to her campaign condones threats or bullying.

Schoenberg said she wants to be a change agent.

"The last vote was a disaster—hundreds of voters waited in long chaotic lines to vote down a $15.27 million plan that they learned about from fellow citizens, not from the Board, whose duty it is to inform the public. The BOFC owes a duty to its citizens, not just to its firefighters," she said in her flyer.

Schoenberg's platform:

1. Easier voting: The BOFC should permanently restore absentee ballots, which they made unavailable for this vote, and make every effort to have longer voting hours like the this Tuesday’s 2 pm to 9 pm window.

2. Issues should be well-advertised and the community must be included in the decision-making process along the way. Use of email, social media, and signage will give residents the information they need and deserve.

3. The Board should welcome community input to assure our firefighters have everything they need.

4. The Board should work to increase membership in the Fire Department: Make it a more inclusive, inviting place for district residents and those who work within it. Work to create a scene support class of firefighter, similar to that of Pleasantville’s department. Those unsure about the more rigorous interior firefighter training could still provide valuable benefits at the scene, directing traffic, replenishing supplies, and retrieving needed tools and other gear.

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

She said in the Facebook post that she knows about fiscal matters not only from her 20 years' affiliation with the department and the district but also through 34 years in the state Office of Court Administration. She is an EMT with the Pleasantville Volunteer Ambulance Corps.

"I truly understand the volunteer perspective of emergency service and find that I am often able to view issues facing the Board from a fiscally conservative side while understanding the perspective of a volunteer first responder," Zezze wrote.

Some residents supporting Schoenberg's write-in campaign said they were concerned about having Zezze retain the seat, given that she is also paid by the board.

"She would have undue influence on matters pertaining to her paid position and her son’s status as a Chief, as he is slated to run the entire Fire Department in 18 months," said Zecky Hoff, who sent out Schoenberg's flyer.

Schoenberg urged residents to use the write-in option. "You must write DANNA SCHOENBERG AND Three-Year Term in the space provided for a WRITE-IN CANDIDATE!" she said in the flyer.

Voting will take place 2 - 9 p.m. at the Bedford Road Firehouse at the intersection of Route 120 and Route 117. No Absentee Ballots are available for this election.