Nassau County Executive Laura Curran touted the importance of having a transparent government and reflected on “a year we won’t likely forget” during her State of the County Address at the Elmont Memorial Junior-Senior High School last Wednesday.
As a county legislator and candidate for county executive, Curran laid out eight anti-corruption proposals to largely strengthen existing ethics measures in county law as a way to fight what she called a “culture of corruption” among Nassau’s top officials, citing Republican County Executive Edward Mangano’s indictment on federal corruption charges.
Four years later, Curran lauded county officials for their work in transforming Nassau’s government ahead of her re-election bid this fall against Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman.
“I believe government can work for the people, but only if it’s honest, transparent and responsive,” Curran said. “For too long, that was the opposite of what we had in Nassau. Local governments like Nassau County have been on the front line this past year, and the pandemic only underscored just how important a functioning government is.”
Curran also discussed an array of hot-button issues, including police reform, governmental accountability, reassessment, union contracts and, of course, the coronavirus.
In terms of the coronavirus, Curran implored Nassau residents to not forget those in the county who are still struggling with the ripple effects of the pandemic.
“As tough as this year has been, I know that Nassau residents are tougher,” Curran said. “When we come together, we get the job done.”
Curran cited the role the county and its Industrial Development Agency played in aiding local business to remain open as much as possible during the pandemic. She noted that the county secured more than $100,000 in federal grants for more than 200 restaurants, along with providing guidelines for businesses to open as safely and quickly as possible.
According to county Health Department figures, more than 166,000 Nassau residents have tested positive for the coronavirus since the pandemic began more than a year ago. Of that total, more than 3,000 county residents died as a result of the virus.
More than 300,000 Nassau County residents have completed their coronavirus vaccination series, with almost 500,000 obtaining at least one shot, according to state figures.
Curran also touted the significance of the Legislature approving her 424-page plan for police reform, which would require officers to wear body cameras. The plan, approved 16-3, was submitted in accordance with an executive order that Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed in mid-June, in the wake of George Floyd’s death, that requires each police agency to devise a plan to “reinvent and modernize police strategies” by April 1. It was approved last week.
“I thank our residents, community stakeholders, Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder and law enforcement officials for their continued engagement and common focus to reform policing,” Curran said. “Our plan focused on police reform through robust community-orientated policing, transparency and accountability.”
According to the plan, the Police Department will implement a body camera program this year and will review “best practices” to put forward a program mutually beneficial for officers and the community.
The county is still in talks with the Nassau Police Benevolent Association, something Curran said she hopes will be resolved soon.
Despite the progress made by the county during a year of uncertainty, Curran said, the countywide reassessment continues to be an area of concern for some Nassau residents.
Curran introduced plans in early December to freeze property values in 2022-23 at the previous year’s level to avoid fluctuations and provide stability for residential and commercial property owners.
Nassau County Legislator John Ferretti (R-Levittown), who provided a response to Curran on behalf of the county’s Republican Party, criticized Curran and her administration and called the reassessment a “lose/lose” effort.
“County Executive Curran’s reassessment has resulted in unfair tax bills for all Nassau County residents,” Ferretti said. “When it comes to reassessment, all Nassau residents should be protected from unfair tax bills.”
Curran, who became slightly choked up during the conclusion of her speech, told Nassau residents she remains positive about the road ahead.
“As your county executive, I have been so proud to witness up close the extraordinary things you are doing every day,” she said to the virtual audience. “And that’s how I know the state of our county is strong.”
