In her first State of the County address, Nassau County Executive Laura Curran talked about how she was moving Nassau away from its corrupt past.
“I know we are all reading current newspaper headlines that make us cringe at the picture painted of our County,” she said Wednesday at the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City. “Together we can create a different narrative going forward.”
In her speech, she outlined how she would improve the county through a three-pronged approach: ethics reform, fiscal responsibility and economic growth.
Although she preached patience for some of her campaign promises, she touted some of the legislation she has been able to pass in her three months since taking office on Jan. 1. She mentioned her executive order banning her appointees from holding leadership positions in political parties or donating to her campaign.
“Nassau County is the first and only county in New York State to take these steps,” she said to applause. “Once again we lead.”
She also mentioned her reforms to the contracting process, ensuring those who review or procure contracts cannot receive gifts from contractors and making the process more transparent.
“These steps, taken by both my administration and the legislature, send a message to all county residents: We are here to serve the public, not ourselves,” she said.
On the budget, she stressed that tough decisions would have to be made to get the county’s finances in order. To that end, she thanked the Nassau Legislature for helping her to get property tax assessments underway. That plan was approved days earlier and would unfreeze the tax rolls for the first time since 2011.
While noting that the county would have to be careful with its budget, she outlined some initiatives that Nassau will be funding: such as real-time mapping that allows the police to track drug overdoses; increased school security in the wake of the Parkland shooting; and after-school programs for children.
Curran also has to renegotiate the county’s major collective bargaining agreements, all of which expired the day before she took office.
“I am committed to fair and good faith bargaining, and we look forward to the new negotiations with each of the unions,” she said, adding that some of the agreements contain “dated” work rules.
Curran praised Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder and Sheriff Vera Fludd, both of whom she appointed.
“Sheriff Fludd is committed to officer and inmate safety, as well as upgrading the infrastructure,” Curran said. “It is fair to say there is indeed a new sheriff in town.”
Finally, Curran talked about how the county could create jobs and expand its tax base.
She touted projects like the restoration of the Bayville Bridge and the elimination of sewage outfalls in the western bays would provide jobs and improve infrastructure.
She said she was happy to welcome back the New York Islanders to Nassau County. The hockey team will play several games at the Coliseum before moving to a new arena at Belmont Park.
“As a horse racing facility, Belmont was an underutilized state park,” Curran said. “With the proposed Islanders Arena, Belmont is now the site for one 17 of the largest public/private state initiatives, which will create construction jobs and permanent jobs after construction.”
To further economic development, she talked about two actions she had taken in the prior week: reforming the IDA to close loopholes, and calling on Gov. Andrew Cuomo to tax third-party, out-of-state internet sales.
Curran concluded by saying the state of the county was “fragile,” but that Nassau should continue to set its sights high.
“We cannot stop dreaming big. Just look to the ceiling of this wonderful museum and you will see the evidence,” she said. “While we do the hard work together, let’s continue to be champions for a better Nassau County.”
What is Laura’s position on police worn body cameras to protect the integrity of investigations into excessive force abuses by police officers against Nassau County residents who taxes pay their salaries and lawsuits(!) Then ask her about Naasau County’s (former) Executive leader Thomas Gullota’s federal order, following the Thomas Pizzuto’s death (1999) that implemented new reform policies that DA Dennis Dillon proposed to the legislature. Surveillance Cameras estimated to cast in excess of $2 million tax-payers dollars. Thomas Pizzuto, like Darryl Woody, was begging for his (prescribed) medications, when he too was attacked, beaten, brutalized by jail guards at NCCC. Darryl Woody was attacked by seven correctional guards that claimed that he had attempted suicide by slashing his wrists and neck , while on 1to1 constant-watch (suicide supervision) in a suicide prevention cell(!) Darryl was beaten and repeatedly tortured four separate instances that lasted seventeen hours before he was transported to NUMC’ s Mental health wing. Day’s later, Darryl Woody, while “still” on 1to1 constant-watch; under doctors care, was said to have been “Found Hanging!” The medical examiner ruled it; Death by asphyxiation_hanging(!) How is an innocent, mentally-ill pre-trial detainee who was denied medications and medical treatment at the jail Found Hanging” when he was under 24 hours constant watch following two earlier (reported) attempts and a mental history? This is a homicide that’s being cover-up as a suicide by hanging at NUMC. All caught on Video Surveillance Cameras at NUMC and at NCCC> The jail blames NUMC. The Medical Center blames NCCC. Both conspire to violate Darryl Woody’s Human and Civil Rights by [hiding the truth] about Darryl Woody’s death by asphyxiation. Darryl’s [suspicious] death was captured on Video Surveillance Cameras That (former) County Executive Thomas Gullota was ordered installed by the feds following Thomas Pizzuto’s beating death. (federally indicted) Ed- sticky-fingers -Mangano breached his duties by conspiring to obstruct justice in Darryl Woody’s death investigation using his office to manipulate and deny access to the damning evidence that proves Darryl Woody’s January 3, 2011death, while on suicide-watch at NUMC, is a homicide being covered-up as a suicide NUMC, NCCC, and Nassau County’s [corrupt] Executive and legislative members that on the jails Advisory Board and failed to produce or review the government [ordered] installed, Da requested, legislature approved, government protected files_ the Video(s)! Malicious Tampering is a felony in New York State!. What’s NUMC, NCCC, Nassau County’s (federally indicted) racketeering ‘Boss Ed sticky-fingers – Mangano and his crony appointed operatives and cohorts on the bench,”Have To Hide?” “We Can Handle The Truth!” “Release The Video(s)!” “Now!” This is a “Major Scandal! How did Nassau County’s homicide Squad fail to review then take into evidence_the Video Surveillance Recordings? So what is Laura Curran’s position on this Matter Of Darryl Woody’s Human and Civil Rights to a Due process and a fair trial in Nassau County’s (corrupt) Supreme Courts that’s represented by all the states evidence testimonies, witnesses and Video Surveillance Files. Darryl Woody “Can’t get Justice in Nassau County Courts where motions for review of Darryl’s Video Surveillance Files are being injudiciously denied by the presiding justice. This is a political hit-job by a corrupt regime operating out of Nassau County’s Sheriff’s Department aided, abetted, and facilitated by Norma Gonsalves and her politically compromised associates on the Committees that over-sees the jail. They are all complicit in this cover-up for fail to show Due Diligence in this Matter Of Darryl Woody. Pizzuto’s death got Cameras installed in NCCC and in NUMC’s prison medical wing. Darryl Woody’s death, while “still’ on 1to1 suicide-watch, was captured on these Video Cameras approved by the legislature. This is a “Major Scandal!” This is a homicide! Trial Date: April Of 2018. Seven Yeras “still” no closer to the truth! Index: 017721/2011. Ask Laura Curran to “What About Darryl Woody!” His death was caught on Video(s)! Ask that she as Executive Candidate can make her stand by filing a FOIl Request at Nassau County’s Sheriff’s Department where Sheriff Michael J. Spasato’s wife Elizabeth Loconsolo heads the FOIL Request Appellate Division_A Conflict Of Interest! ‘Talking about integrity(!)’ From Thomas Pizzuto’s death (1999) to Bartholomew Ryan death (2012)… “What About Darryl Woody! January 3, 2011 at NUMC/NCCC. Index: 017721/2011.