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Curran seeks Massena seat county board; will target economic development, support drug education

Posted 10/28/18

North Country This Week MASSENA -- Rita Curran, who is running for the county legislature’s 15th District as a Republican, wants to see more investment in local economic development efforts and …

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Curran seeks Massena seat county board; will target economic development, support drug education

Posted

North Country This Week

MASSENA -- Rita Curran, who is running for the county legislature’s 15th District as a Republican, wants to see more investment in local economic development efforts and drug education for youth, if elected next month.

“We need to invest in economic development efforts, improve drug education in our schools and help prevent addiction from destroying more lives and families,” Curran said in response to emailed questions from North Country This Week. “I am running to help the people of St. Lawrence County. As a Family Nurse Practitioner, I believe I have a great deal of insight into the problems facing families across the North Country. We have an aging population and a growing drug epidemic that is posing severe problems for our health care professionals and our emergency services workers. I believe that we need someone who has a detailed understanding of the issues and can use the county legislature to coordinate a local, county, state and federal response to these problems.”

She sees the biggest issue facing St. Lawrence County as a “lack of jobs.”

“I believe that rebuilding our economy will help give people hope that they can make a better life for themselves and their families. The first step is to keep spending within the property tax cap. We need to help local businesses grow and help to attract new businesses that can revive the North Country. Expanding our economy and jobs can help to reduce the despair that often leads to drug abuse. Early education also needs to be an importantt [sic] part of this plan,” Curran wrote.

She said her career experiences, which has included “seeing people at their worst,” has prepared her to serve the public on the legislature.

“I have spent my career working with all types of people. As a health care professional, I often see people at their worst. I have experience in emergency services and public health nursing. I work with veterans and their families. I plan on being in the community on a year-round basis and actively working in the areas I represent. I am a strong patient advocate and will work with that same spirit for my constituents,” Curran wrote.

She says her goals to benefit the district include working “toward better access to acute health care,” working “with local leaders, the Industrial Development Agency, the Chamber of Commerce and other agencies to help small business have an opportunity to flourish,” helping “lead the community fight against the opioid epidemic by working with agencies to improve and coordinate our response “ and working “with local schools to improve early education to help prevent addiction.”