Vote for Curran in the 14th Assembly District

It’s not often that you have a couple of promising newcomers vying for a longtime incumbent’s seat. But that’s the case in the 14th Assembly District, where, after a decade in office, Republican Bob Barra has chosen not to run again and both Brian Curran, of Lynbrook, and Dermond Thomas, of Valley Stream, have campaigned to take his place.

If there were such a thing as a seasoned newcomer, Curran would be it. He has been an effective leader as mayor of Lynbrook for the past four years, and has spent two years as legislative council to the State Assembly. He says he knows state government and how it works — and we believe he does. It is for these reasons that the Herald endorses Curran in his bid for the Assembly. The 14th District encompasses Lynbrook, Valley Stream, Rockville Centre and South Hempstead and portions of Baldwin, Oceanside, East Rockaway, Malverne and North Lynbrook.

Curran came to Lynbrook when infighting was the norm among board members. His calm but no-nonsense demeanor conveyed the message to residents and his fellow trustees that he was there to get work done, period.

And get it done he did. He reduced the village’s discretionary spending while increasing the number and quality of village services. The last three village budgets have increased taxes at a lower rate than any time in the last 25 years.

He is well liked and trusted in the village, and, besides presiding over two monthly village board meetings, he hosts informal gatherings with residents, addressing their ideas and concerns. He also established Lynbrook’s best bond rating.

Thomas says he is running to bring new ideas and new leadership to the Assembly. His attention to detail is admirable, and he seems genuine in his concern to fix a “broken” state government. He also has a background as a corporate finance attorney that would come in handy in Albany.

But Thomas has not lived in the area long, and it seems that he is a few steps behind his challenger when it comes to familiarity with the goings-on in the district, and what it would take to be an effective representative. We hope that he continues his quest for public office somewhere down the road.

Curran says he hopes to follow in Barra’s footsteps by effectively securing funding for his district. With his background in litigation and budgeting, we believe that his goals of a more fiscally responsible Albany, along with his desire to cut spending and reduce the size of government, can be achieved.

Vote for Curran next Tuesday for Assemblyman for the 14th District.