MINEOLA, NY (TIP): Indian American Voters Forum made history when its panel consisting of prominent community leaders interviewed Laura Curran, the Democratic Party nominee for Nassau County Executive, with more such interviews in the pipeline. The purpose of the prescreening session was to determine the candidate’s election platform, experience, and electability, as well as her understanding of the issues and concerns of the Indian community.

The interview was moderated by Varinder Bhalla, chairman of the Indian American Voters Forum with a panel consisting of Dr. Ajay Lodha, former President of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, Dr. Sunil Mehra, former President of AAPIQLI and India Association of Long Island (IALI), Ratna Bhalla, former Deputy Commissioner of Nassau County, Gunjan Rastogi, Vice President of IALI, Sunil Modi, former President AIA NY Chapter, Beena Kothari, former President IALI, and Vijay Verma, a philanthropist and entrepreneur.

“In view of recent corruption scandals in Nassau County and Oyster Bay, what specific steps will you take to ensure there is transparency and accountability in your administration; and corruption is rooted out in our government?” asked Dr. Lodha.

Curran’s response: “Launching a new era of transparency, I will appoint an independent inspector general to oversee all contracts; every county check written to a vendor will be posted online. I plan to hire the best and the brightest to work in our government and all hiring decisions will be made based on what you know and not on who you know.”

“NIFA was brought in the year 2000, temporarily to oversee the County’s finances and put its fiscal condition in order. Seventeen years later, NIFA is still there with no improvement in the situation. What is your approach to solve the ongoing fiscal problems of Nassau County?”, Dr. Mehra enquired.

Curran, a former trustee of Baldwin school board, claims she has her plan. “At the governmental level, we will make our best efforts to grow the tax base, attract businesses to Nassau County and develop affordable housing so our young professionals don’t leave. We will also look at the entire budget line by line.”

“All of us like to bet on a winning horse. What are your chances of winning the primary against George Maragos in September and then winning against Jack Martins in the general election?”, asked Bhalla.

Curran declared, “I am the official nominee of the Democratic Party and have been endorsed by Congressman Tom Suozzi, Congresswoman Kathleen Rice and former Congressman Steve Israel, as well as Assemblyman Charles Lavine and State Senators Todd Kaminsky and John Brooks. I also have the support of the Working Families Party and several Labor Unions.” As per reports filed with New York State Board of elections, Curran raised nearly three quarters of a million dollars compared to less than $3,500 raised by her opponent George Maragos.

Responding to Gunjan Rastogi’s question about appointment of Indian Americans in her administration, Curran assured the panel that all high level appointments will be merit based and not political and serious consideration will be given to qualified Indian Americans. She also assured the panel that she would take steps for increased contracting opportunities for minority businesses.

Curran, a second-term legislator from Baldwin, submitted 27,304 signed petitions, believed to be the most ever submitted by a Democratic county executive candidate. The Democratic nominee also submitted petitions to run on the Working Families and Women’s Equality lines. Her opponent George Maragos, a Republican turned Democrat who is serving his second term as comptroller, submitted 20,241 petitions. The winner of the September primary will face former state Senator and Republican nominee Jack Martins in November.

Curran patiently answered tough questions on several issues – including high property taxes and hate crimes –  to the satisfaction of the interview panel.

Indian American Voters Forum is a bipartisan committee of community activists, not beholden to any political party. Founded in 2003, the Forum has conducted debates among candidates running in the local elections, and has also been instrumental in recruiting several congressional leaders to join India Caucus in US Congress.

For more information about this news release, please contact Varinder K. Bhalla at VarinderBhalla@gmail.com or 516.680.8037.