New Assembly district for Valley Stream

As it stands now, Valley Stream has three representatives in the State Assembly. Brian Curran represents the village; Ed Ra, North Valley Stream; and Harvey Weisenberg, South Valley Stream.

Under the new maps released by a redistricting task force, all of Valley Stream would be unified in a single Assembly district. And the new district would not be represented by any of those three men.

The entire Valley Stream community would be part of the new 22nd Assembly District, which would have no incumbent in November’s election. The district would run from Bellerose south to North Woodmere along the city line, and include Elmont as well as parts of Floral Park and Franklin Square.

The new maps, released by the New York State Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment, are mandated every 10 years after the release of census results, to address population shifts. Across the state, each new district would have about 129,000 residents.

The new maps still need Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s approval, which is expected because the Legislature has agreed to put forward a constitutional amendment to reform the redistricting process.

Curran and Ra on the move

If re-elected, Curran would shift from the 14th District to the 21st, and still represent at least some of the Valley Stream school community. Willow Road elementary, in District 13, and North High School would be part of his district, as would a small section of Lynbrook whose residents attend Valley Stream District 24 schools. Curran said he wants to continue hosting programs in those schools, such as the summer reading program and the holiday hockey tournament.

“I like the relationship I have with the Valley Stream residents,” Curran said, “and I want that to continue.” He added that he has worked with residents who are affected by the new Federal Emergency Management Agency flood maps.

Former Valley Stream Mayor John DeGrace said that losing Curran as the village’s representative would be disappointing. “He’s been a very, very good assemblyman for us,” DeGrace said. “He’s gaining seniority.”