Fire department election Saturday


 

WINSTED — The Winsted Fire Department is in for some big changes in the next two months, and all the action starts this Saturday with the deputy chief election.

Every four years the volunteer fire department holds elections for the three deputy chief positions. The chiefs election is held every five years and will be held again in 2010.

The Chiefs Association consists of the fire chief and three deputy chiefs, one of which is appointed assistant chief. The current association includes Chief Robert Shopey II, Assistant Chief Steven Sartirana, Deputy Chiefs Porter "Skip" Griffin and David Sartirana.

Neither Steven Sartirana nor Griffin will seek re-election.

"I still have aspirations of being chief, but at this time in my life, with having [my son] Evan, I want to spend some time with him. I am still going to remain active in the department," said Sartirana.

David Sartirana, cousin of Steven, will seek a second term as deputy chief. He is the owner of Realty Executive Northwest in Winsted. His father and both grandfathers were members of the fire department, which he said was the driving force behind his joining the organization.

"I have enjoyed my last term and helping the department continue to move forward. I feel that I would like to continue what we started." While Sartirana said he would like to be elected for the 2008-2012 term, he said he has no plans of running again in the future or seeking the chief’s position in 2010. "I believe in short terms, not long terms. This term will be it for me."

Sartirana and his wife, Amy, have two children, Josh and Nick.

Jerry Sullivan is currently the captain of Engine Company 4, a position he has maintained for six years, and is seeking his first term as a deputy chief. He works full-time as the maintenance director at the Lakeridge housing development in Torrington.

Sullivan has been a member of the Winsted Fire Department for 16 years, having filled every position in the company available from secretary to captain. He has also served on the Colebrook Fire Department and taught at the Burrville Fire Academy.

"I want to take the next step in my fire service career," said Sullivan.

Sullivan and his wife, Cathy, have one child, Kevin.

Steven "Skinny" LaMere is currently the captain of Engine Company 1 and is seeking his first term as a deputy chief. He is a former instructor at the Burrville Fire Academy.

LaMere and his wife, Dee, have two children, Michael and Jessica.

Curt Mongeau is also seeking his first term as a deputy chief. He joined the department in 1993 and works full time as a network technician for AT&T. His past experience as a line officer makes him eligible to run for deputy chief. Most recently, Mongeau served as captain of Engine 2, a position he maintained for more than eight years.

"It a good chance for myself to be involved with the runnings of the department," said Mongeau. "I think its a good position for me to try to move [the department] forward, in the direction it has been in the last few years."

The deputy chief election will run from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday at Center Firehouse and all active and associate members of the department are encouraged to cast a ballot. Each member may vote for up to three of the four candidates. The winners will be announced Saturday afternoon and sworn into office in September.

 


Gina Sartirana is a member of the Winsted Fire Department and is the wife of the department’s Assistant Chief Steven Sartirana.

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