Only 30 voters participated in the Lansing Fire District election that was held at the end of last November. When Town Councilwoman Connie Wilcox asked what the election cost, commissioners estimated the uncontested race cost between $500 and $1000, costing taxpayers between $17 and $33 per voter.
The district maintains two voting sites at Central Station and the Oakcrest Road fire house in Lansing Village. With half of emergency calls from the Village, Commissioners feel they must maintain this second polling place, even though only four people voted there. The second polling place was established in 1992.
The point of having two polling places is to make it easy for voters to stop by on their way to or from work, shopping or daily chores to cast their vote. There is no central location that would conveniently serve for both Town and Village voters.Wilcox noted that the Town struggles with the same problem. She said, "That's a lot of money for a few people." But she went on to say there is no good answer, and that the Town continues to struggle with the problem. District Treasurer George Gesslein agreed that there is no good answer, noting that you have costs whether voters show up or not. Expenses include $100 per election inspector plus mileage and food, among other expenses. With Help America Vote Act (HAVA) deadlines looming, the district may have more expenses in future elections. Until now the Fire District, as well as the School District and Town have been able to borrow the County's voting machines for local elections. But HAVA money for new electronic machines depends on their being certified and in place before the next general election. These machines will only be available for elections the County supervises, possibly leaving the Fire District and School District in the lurch when it comes to counting votes. Asked why the District doesn't consolidate polling places, Commissioners Alvin Parker and Dennis Griffin explained the second polling place was added in 1992 when the Village complained the Central Station location on Ridge Road was not conducive to Village residents voting. With half the emergency calls emanating from the Village, officials feel it is a political imperative to maintain a polling place there. Currently the five commissioners are Robert Wagner (District Chairman), Larry Creighton (Vice Chairman), Alvin Parker (District Secretary), Dennis Griffin and Jeffrey Walters. Their terms are staggered so that one seat is up for election each year over a five year cycle. Low voter turnout is typical for uncontested races. Contested races typically attract around 200 voters in the district. Jeff Walters was elected to a five year term as Fire Commissioner with three votes at the Oakcrest station and 27 at the Central Station location. George Gesslein was elected District Treasurer for a three year term with two votes in the Village polling location and 23 at Central Station. ----
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