Last year Manhasset Park District Commissioner Mark Sauvigne was thinking about running for the office of Manhasset-Lakeville Fire & Water District Commissioner, but he sensed the timing wasn’t right. The district covers Manhasset and parts of Great Neck and north New Hyde Park. Commissioner terms are for three years.
“About a year ago I was approached by various members of the Manhasset Lakeville Fire Department, asking me if I would be interested in running for the office of the Fire/ Water
Commissioner,” said Sauvigne. “Although I was honored to be considered, I wasn’t sure the timing was right, so I put the decision off for a year. In the meantime, when the communication tower controversy occurred in October of 2013, I knew it was time to get involved.”
The uproar over the district’s 190-foot-tall radio communication tower that was erected with no public notice convinced Sauvigne to reconsider.
Sauvigne said the handling of the controversy was a “communication fiasco” and with a cost of $300,000 and an ongoing court battle in the Village of Munsey Park, the whole ordeal needed a “voice of reason.” He added that an elevated tower is the way to go and that the advantages of having one clearly outweigh the negatives.
If elected to the position, Sauvigne would like to make changes such as looking for ways to cut expenses, increase the transparency of the district by putting the minutes of the meetings on the website and change the timing of the weekly meetings to 6:30 p.m. so more people are able to attend.
“I am not running for this office for the compensation or the benefits, but rather to make a difference,” said Sauvigne. “I believe it is time for a change. We could use a breath of fresh air in the district.”
Since 2002, Sauvigne has served as Manhasset Park District Commissioner, and in that time he has compiled an impressive record. He has helped to cut the compensation of the commissioners, eliminated company credit cards and commissioner cell phones, and hired seasonal employees to cover during vacation times, cutting the cost of not only salaries but benefits.
“I believe my financial background as well as my experience as a MPD Commissioner qualifies me to run for this office. I have learned much over the last 13 years and I believe my approach can be characterized by what I call the “AT&T”: accountability and transparency equals trust. My record will show that I am a fiscal conservative who likes to keep tax increases as low as possible and doesn’t believe in unnecessary borrowing.”
Even though he will follow a conservative approach to spending, Sauvigne said that he will spend money to provide all the services that are needed for both the fire and water districts.
“As far as the fire district is concerned, I strongly believe we need to replace and update the apparatus and vehicles on a timely basis and provide all of the necessary training, so we can continue to be one of the best volunteer fire departments in New York State. I am also in favor of keeping the recruitment numbers up so we are always adequately staffed not only for the present but for years to come,” said Sauvigne.
He added that there are programs that help pay for tuition for firefighters on the county level but that we should speak to our legislators and see if this can be expanded to the state level as well.
The MPD Commissioner is a native Long Islander who grew up in Albertson. He attended St. Mary’s High School in Manhasset and graduated from Siena College with a B.S. in
Marketing Management and Hofstra University with an M.B.A. He is married with three children and has worked as a Wall Street U.S. Government bond trader for the past 28 years.
“I will be a candidate that if elected, will acclimate, participate, motivate, delegate, administrate and, most importantly communicate,” said Sauvigne.
