In the heart of Long Island, one woman’s determination changed the course of local governance, giving taxpayers more power over their financial future. That woman is Rosalie Hanson, a community leader, activist, and advocate for fiscal responsibility. Her relentless efforts led to the passage of a groundbreaking law that empowers citizens to consolidate or dissolve costly government entities.
For 35 years, Hanson lived in the Gordon Heights Fire District, where residents paid the highest fire district taxes on Long Island. The spark that ignited her activism came when excessive spending by department officials was exposed. The revelation struck a chord with Hanson and her neighbors, raising a critical question: Why were they paying so much more than other communities?
With her natural leadership skills, Hanson quickly became the spokesperson for the movement. Under her guidance, a group of concerned residents formed Long Island Citizens Against Redundant Expenditures (LI CARE). It launched a grassroots campaign to dissolve the district and transition it into a fire protection entity—a move that would significantly cut property taxes.
After a grueling year of door-to-door petitioning—often in harsh weather—Hanson and her team collected signatures from more than 50% of the district’s residents. They braved a snowstorm to submit their petition to the Town of Brookhaven, setting in motion a historic restructuring effort.
However, the battle didn’t end there. Under the old state law, a fire district could only be absorbed by a neighboring district, limiting options for consolidation. Refusing to accept bureaucratic roadblocks, Hanson and her group took their fight to Albany, where they worked with then-Governor Andrew Cuomo to revise the process. Their advocacy led to the passage of the New York Government Reorganization and Citizen Empowerment Act, a law that streamlined the process of dissolving and consolidating local taxing districts.
Because of Hanson’s efforts, the law now allows any fire district to consolidate with a willing partner, increasing flexibility and making tax relief more attainable. The law has been successfully applied—the Lonelyville Fire District dissolved and became part of the Fair Harbor Fire District on Fire Island.
Hanson’s impact extends far beyond fire district reform. She is a trustee with Long Islanders for Educational Reform, where she works to control escalating school taxes while maintaining quality education. She is also a Long Island Energy Surveillance member to address the value and consequences of LIPA and the Caithness power plant from the ratepayer perspective. Her activism led her to testify before the Long Island Power Authority on several occasions to express the concerns of Brookhaven residents.
Her dedication to civic responsibility earned her Person of the Year award in the Town of Brookhaven, ExecuLeader recognition, and a Service Award from the Robert S. Still Republican Club, where she is the president.
A real estate professional for 18 years with H&G Realty, Hanson was recognized as Agent of the Month in January, helping buyers and sellers achieve their dreams. She has also spent the past decade working with the New York State Assembly, organizing critical community programs such as Operation Safe Child, Shed-the-Meds, car seat safety checks, senior scam prevention workshops, boating safety courses, and blood and food drives for needy families.
She began her working career at North American Equipment Supply Co. and was promoted to Account Executive servicing Fortune 500 oil companies. She was also with Sartek Industries as an office and global documentation manager, responsible for the sales of technical dive equipment.
Despite her many accomplishments, Hanson remains humble, crediting her success to the support of her family and community. She has been married to the “boy next door,” her husband, Alex, for 40 years, and they now reside in Shirley with their beloved rescue dog, Skippy.
Hanson’s story is one of perseverance, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to the people around her. Through her advocacy, she has lowered taxes and paved the way for future generations to challenge unnecessary government spending.
During Women’s History Month, we recognize Rosalie Hanson as a woman who doesn’t just fight for change—she makes it happen.