BOE Election Profile: Grady Farnan

Grady Farnan

Farnan is a lifelong Glen Cove resident and founding member of the Glen Cove Junior Lacrosse League. This is his first bid for the Glen Cove Board of Education. He ran unsuccessfully for the Glen Cove City Council in 2004 and 2007. 

Farnan, 48, is the director of property and marine insurance for the Tokio Marine and Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd. Farnan, a graduate of Glen Cove High School, also serves as the chairman and treasurer of the Glen Cove Junior Lacrosse League's Scholarship Committee and he is an active member of the Glen Cove YMCA and St. Patrick's Church. He holds a bachelor's in business administration with a minor in finance degree from Adelphi University.  

He is married to Camille Farnan and they have three children: Remi, 15, Gillian, 13 and Shelbie, 11. They attend Glen Cove High School, Robert M.Finley Middle School and Landing Elementary School, respectively. 

Patch: Why are you running for the school board? 

Grady Farnan: I'm running because I am a lifelong Glen Cove resident and I've always been committed to helping the children here. I believe that our children should have a chance to shine and be productive in the community and I believe the school board plays an important role in making sure that happens. I also have three children enrolled in the school district here and I figured it would be a good time to run for the school board because I've always have an active interest in what they are doing here in this district, both academically and athletically. 

P: How can you help to improve the school board?

GF: I want to help maintain the great record that this district has in terms of great test scores and making sure that our children graduate and pursue a higher education. We are a diverse city and district and I want to help promote that as a school board member because that's really important.

P: What programs or initiatives would you push for in the district?

GF: I would like to see better promotion of the budget each year. I think the more the public knows about the budget, the better chance this district will have of it passing. Getting our budget passed is a priority in my book because if a budget fails, it's like the district has taken three steps back instead of moving forward. This district has been moving forward for the past several years and I want to help make sure it stays on the right track. I also want to make sure our buildings and grounds are the best they can be. I've been working in insurance for 23 years, so I know what it takes to have safe buildings and grounds for our students. With the district's capital improvements, I want to push for getting the best price out here possible in terms of insurance carriers and construction contracts for these projects because that saves the taxpayer money.

P: What are your thoughts about the proposed 2010-11 budget?

GF: It's clear that preparing next year's budget was a difficult one for the school board. I just hope that the school board members made decisions in this budget that are fair and reasonable for the children and taxpayers. Although there were some cuts, I think this budget is very positive because it still gives a lot to our children considering the way this economy is going right now and that's important. 

P: You're a challenger, so why should voters opt for you?

GF: Voters should elect me to the school board because I'm approachable. I'm always willing to meet people face to face and listen to their concerns and answer their questions. Residents should also vote for me because they will have someone on the board who is committed to serving them and the children in the district. The board needs more people like this and that's why I should be elected. 

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