In Plainsboro the fire district will hold its annual election on Saturday, February 18, at the firehouse at 407 Plainsboro Road, from 2 to 9 p.m. Two terms for commissioners are on the ballot; one three-year term, sought by Scott Kivet, and one two-year term, sought by Krishna Jagannathan. The fire district’s budget is also on the ballot. According to Rob Brown of the fire district, once again tax rates will not be going up as the budget will be just over $1,848,000.
Jagannathan made headlines last fall when he challenged Plainsboro Mayor Peter Cantu for his seat on the township committee. Cantu won in convincing fashion but Jagannathan, a 27-year-old environmental engineer and emergency medical services educator, followed up the election with a message for Cantu (WWP News, December 2, 2011) outlining his view of the mayor’s priorities. He had hoped to continue serving the community as a member of Plainsboro’s Environmental Advisory Committee as well, but that outlook changed at the beginning of the year.
“I was dismayed to receive a letter from Deputy Mayor Neil Lewis thanking me for my service on the Environmental Advisory Committee and informing me that replacement committee members had been identified. I hope this had nothing to do with my campaign against the current mayor, but I’m certain it didn’t help my case. However, I always enjoy opportunities to contribute to my local community, so I began my search,” Jagannathan wrote in an E-mail.
Jagannathan was approached in mid-January to run for a two-year term on the Board of Fire Commissioners, a seat vacated by Philip Giusto, who recently moved to Harrisburg, PA, to pursue a job. While Jagannathan has no experience with firefighting, he says it may be a strength to bring a fresh, new perspective to the fire company.
“As an ‘outsider’ at the firehouse I’ll be able to share the community perspective and ensure decisions that are made continue to be in the best interests of the township and its residents,” he says.
Jagannathan believes his career as an EMT has prepared him for the fire district. “My experience in EMS goes beyond responding to traditional 9-1-1 emergencies. With over a decade of experience, I’ve had the opportunity to interface with a variety of public safety divisions including rescue teams, fire departments, police departments, public safety communications, and other emergency management groups. I know how hectic operational situations can be as I bring my prior knowledge and experience to the table,” Jagannathan said.
While he insists that he “never, EVER wants to be a politician” Jagannathan said he will always consider opportunities that enable him to contribute his thoughts, expertise, and experience to the people of Plainsboro. The election loss has given him great awareness of the community.
“My campaign for township committee showed me what’s important to residents – that those in control of taxpayer money make fiscally responsible decisions related to funding, staffing, and operations to maintain an adequate level of service for the lowest possible cost. I will share my perspective as a taxpayer with the fire district in an effort to keep operational costs at a minimum, encourage transparency with purchases, and ensure economically responsible decisions are made,” Jagannathan wrote.
One current member of the fire company who nominated Jagannathan was Scott Kivet, who is seeking a three-year term with the district. Kivet is a captain with the Plainsboro Fire Company and also serves as a Middlesex County fire coordinator, working with the county fire marshal’s office. He graduated from Rider University in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in public relations and started out in police work as an officer in North Hanover, Burlington County. Kivet was “picked up” in 2004 by Robbinsville and has been working there ever since.
“I’m a people-person and I love my police job as it combines the tools of all trades. There are some police officers out there who don’t have the best attitudes, but not me. Everybody knows me and I try to be the nicest person, and that’s why I love being a cop. I love helping people,” Kivet said.
He is quick to explain that his niceness isn’t a weakness in his police career as he’s lead the Robbinsville Police narcotics division for the last four years and won multiple awards for his work. Instead Kivet says having a nice way of talking to people and being compassionate describes him at work and all his endeavors. Kivet works with a drug rehabilitation nonprofit organization called City Angels, which is based in Hamilton. He’s translated his role in the narcotics division to an opportunity to help people, saying City Angels serves as a middle man between law enforcement and drug rehab counselors.
Kivet’s mother and father owned a chain of travel agencies, and are semi-retired now, working only part-time with Kivet’s brother-in-law in operating Crown Cruises in Forrestal Village. Kivet said his parents are currently on a 60-day cruise, enjoying their retirement.
Kivet grew up in Monroe Township, where his father was a volunteer firefighter and a fire commissioner. Kivet says because it was a big part of his life, he learned how a fire company works “as a business” early on. Kivet followed in his father’s footsteps and became the fire commissioner of Monroe Fire District 1 for two years before moving to Plainsboro.
Kivet came to Plainsboro two years ago and owns a home on Grovers Mill Road, meaning he is often the first member to arrive at the Plainsboro Fire Company.
“I feel that I’m well-versed in emergency services, I’m respected throughout the county, and I feel all these factors can better the board,” Kivet says.
He plans on being a face of the Plainsboro Fire district for many, many years. “I’ll be answering emergency calls at three o’clock in the morning until they tell me I can’t do that any more,” Kivet said.
