North Hempstead Town Council Candidates: Meet Veronica Lurvey

GREAT NECK, NY — Voters in the Town of North Hempstead's 4th District will head to the polls Nov. 5 to cast their ballots for council member. Veronica Lurvey, a Democrat who was appointed to the vacant council seat in January, seeks election against Republican David Yaudoon Chiang.

The 4th District includes the unincorporated areas of Manhasset and Great Neck, as well as the villages of Great Neck, Kensington, Kings Point, North Hills, Roslyn, Roslyn Estates and Thomaston.

Patch reached out to both candidates via email and/or Facebook to hear where they stand on important issues affecting the community.

Here are their responses.

Veronica Lurvey

• Age (as of Sept. 1): 49
• Town of residence: Great Neck
• Position sought: Town of North Hempstead District 4 council member.
• Party affiliation: Democratic, Independence, Working Families.
• Family: Husband, Jonathan, and two children.
• Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? No.
• Education: Bachelors degree in political science from the University of Chicago and J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center.
• Occupation: District 4 council member for the past nine months.
• Previous or current elected or appointed office: District 4 council member.
• Campaign Website: VeronicaLurvey.com

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

A pressing issue in the town is financial in nature: taxes and the cost of living. I will continue to work with Supervisor Bosworth and the town board to keep the town tax rate as low as possible. This means making sure that the town is running efficiently and that money is spent wisely. Good communication between town departments is critical, as is keeping overtime low. I will make sure that the town maintains its Aaa bond rating, the highest rating possible, to make it cheaper to finance capital improvements like roads, sidewalks and park improvements. Seniors, including veterans and others on a fixed income, are most vulnerable to cost of living increases. I will make sure to continue funding Project Independence and Veterans programs to help the most vulnerable in the community.

See also: North Hempstead Town Council Candidates: Meet David Y. Chiang

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

The unique combination of my experience and skills sets me apart and makes me uniquely qualified to represent the constituents of District 4. Because of my career as a corporate attorney at a large international law firm, I am a skilled negotiator and advocate not for myself but for all residents the same way I did for my clients. I am well versed in the budgeting process and identifying cost savings. As a member of the Kensington zoning board of appeals, I have experience with zoning and development issues. As a community activist, I have worked to address the challenges facing our local community, including pedestrian safety and protection of the environment. As a member of the leadership at Temple Israel, I have helped guide a strategic planning process and programming to address the social and spiritual needs of our populations. Finally, as a former leader of the PTA, I know the concerns and needs of parents of school aged children, and how to best advocate for them.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?

No response.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

No response.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

My track record on the town board is evidence that I can handle this job well.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

"Be yourself." This was an important piece of advice shared with me by someone who has been in government and politics for a long time. Whether deciding how to prioritize my focus, or how to respond to resident concerns, I rely on my own sense of right and wrong, and I listen more than I talk.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

No response.