Candidate Profile: Jorge Guadron For Islip Town Council

ISLIP, NY — Suffolk County residents will be lining up at the polls for Election Day on Nov. 2, where they will be voting for their chosen candidates.

Jorge Guadron will be running as a Democrat for the Town of Islip Council's District 1 against Manuel Troche, who will be running as a Republican. This is the first time residents will be able to choose their representative since a new voting system was put in place this March, when the town was divided into four districts.

Here are the responses for those who participated. The answers have been lightly edited for clarity.

Jorge Guadron

<b>Age (as of Election Day)</b>

60

<b>Position Sought</b>

Islip Councilman, 1st District

<b>Party Affiliation</b>

Democratic

<b>Family</b>

Irma Guadron, 63, Spouse; Graciela Guadron, 42, daughter; Ismael Cruz, 40, son; Veronica Guadron, 37, daughter; Obadiah Guadron, 29, son; Ellie Guadron, 27, daughter

<b>Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?</b>

Yes. I am currently employed with the Suffolk County Board of Elections.

<b>Education</b>

Bachelor of Science in organizational management, 1993, Nyack College, Nyack, NY

<b>Occupation</b>

Marketing & Sales, 21 years

<b>Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office</b>

NYS Democratic Committee, 6th Assembly District

<b>Campaign website</b>

www.guadron4islipcouncil.com

<b>Why are you seeking elective office?</b>

For far too long the minority communities of North Bay Shore, Brentwood, and Central Islip have been ignored, neglected, and discriminated against simply because NO town board member resides in this part of town.

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

Disproportion of basic services when compared with the rest of the communities on the town.

<b>What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?</b>

Although I am running on the Democratic line, I am an independent candidate, unlike my opponent who was selected and is being fully financed by Supervisor Carpenter in order to continue with the long instituted policies of abandonment and neglect.

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

Ignoring and neglecting the outcry of our community residents' needs and opposition to discriminatory environmental projects.

<b>How do you think local officials performed in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?</b>

The North Bay Shore, Brentwood, and Central Islip communities were the most affected and NO resources were made available in other languages spoken in these communities such as Spanish, Creole, French, Urdu, etc.

<b>Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.</b>

I will fight for equality of basic services; create more housing to ensure our workforce, children and older adults stay in LI; control local taxes and fees; improve the downtown districts and infrastructure including roads, garbage collection and snow removal; streamline permitting process for businesses and home owners; protect the environment and hold polluters accountable; promote economic growth initiatives for a great Islip come back.

<b>What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?</b>

I worked for over 18 years in the restaurant industry and served as an assistant shop steward for the Hotel & Restaurant Employees Union Local 100. I am a small business owner since 2002, and am the president of the Salvadoran American Chamber of Commerce for over seven years. I know both sides of the labor field and can facilitate any dialogue with business owners and union leaders. I can bring together and put to work private entities, local, county, state and federal agencies for the benefit of our community.

<b>The best advice ever shared with me was:</b>

It is okay that people talk bad or good about you. It is worrisome that no body talks anything about you!

<b>What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?</b>

For over 337 years of Islip's history, this will be the first time a minority is elected to the town board. Electorate must elect cautiously this very important position to really work for the benefit of the minority communities of North Bay Shore, Brentwood, and CI.