EDGE New York City

Call him a hometown boy!

Newly appointed Fire Island National Seashore (FINS) Superintendent Chris Soller has been something of a fixture on the beach since he was a FINS management assistant in the mid-1980s. He and his partner, Jack Curry, have also owned a home in the Fire Island Pines since 2000.

"When I’m out here, I’m like the rest of you," Soller told members of the Fire Island Pines Property Owners Association [FIPPOA] at their annual spring meeting on May 16.

The National Parks Service appointed him as FINS’ first openly gay superintendent last September. His decision to wear civilian clothes-and not his FINS uniform-to the FIPPOA meeting enhanced his hometown roots, but he stressed to the News in a recent interview he feels his sexual orientation is not an issue with Fire Islanders.

"What’s a bigger issue than being gay is I am the first superintendent that comes as being a resident of one of the communities," Soller said.

A native of Youngstown, Ohio, Soller is the former Superintendent of the Jamaica Bay Unit of the Gateway National Recreation Area and program manager of the National Parks of New York Harbor. He has also been a legislative specialist with the NPS’ Office of Legislative and Congressional Affairs in Washington and an outdoor recreation consultant for state and local governments.

One of Soller’s core messages is his hope to bring FINS and Fire Islanders together.

"We really need to have people work in a collaborative fashion because decisions made in each community will really have an impact on the island-at-large," he said. "The communities are an important element of the island."

Soller conceded FINS policies on development, conservation regulations and other issues have caused anger and even outrage over the years. He pointed to the citations issued to five people in the FINS territory between Cherry Grove and the Pines locally known as "The Meatrack" last summer for disorderly conduct and possession of a controlled substance as one such brouhaha. FINS officials were quick to meet with local officials to address rumors and other concerns. Soller pointed to this response as one example of the relationship he hopes to foster with Fire Islanders.

"It’s about everyone working together and finding a way to cohabitate there in a respectful way of everybody," he said.

Soller also discussed the beach replenishment project that has left large swaths of Fire Island more reminiscent of South Beach for its width. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds were used to complete the project, and FINS can use more funds in the future if needed.

Soller added he feels erosion of both the oceanfront and bay is one of the myriad of problems Fire Island faces. Others include septic leaching, over-development, transportation (boats, cars, ferries, water taxis), driving regulations, the diminishing water table and the rise in sea level due to climate change.

"A lot of things are going on that people need to be thinking about in the long-term," Soller said. "Everybody’s at a crossroads on what they want the place to look like in 20 years. We’re engaged in conversations."

Soller certainly has a variety of complex issues to address that previous superintendents arguably never imagined. Despite this, he stressed he plans to take time out to enjoy the beach this summer. He said his neighbors in the Pines and other Fire Islanders have responded positively to his appointment-and especially his call for privacy while not on the job.

"It’s a wonderful beach, [but] the challenge is how do we remain focused on why we love it here," Soller said.