Patch Candidate Profile: Jen Alfaro, Orange Board of Finance

ORANGE — As the 2023 municipal elections get closer in Orange, there are plenty of races with candidates who are eager to serve in elected office.

Orange Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will publish candidate profiles as Election Day draws near.

Jen Alfaro, 52, is seeking a seat on the Board of Finance in Orange as a Democratic Candidate.

Education: High school graduate. Occupation: Business owner.

Alfaro’s family includes her husband Gino, son Nikko, daughter-in-law Jenna and grandson Julian. Alfaro has another son, Lucas, a sophomore at Colombia University, and a daughter, Evelyn, a senior at Amity High School.

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?

No.

Why are you seeking this office?

I own and operate my own business and have always had a knack for finance. I would like to use my knowledge and experience in Orange. I would love to see more programs for children in our town and more affordable options for seniors aging out of their homes.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ___, and this is what I intend to do about it.

I believe we are being over taxed to add to the massive surplus we have in our rainy day fund. I would like to see taxes more stable and/or start using that fund to provide more programs for students in Orange and Amity.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

I believe the current office is doing well with what they have to work with but we have not moved forward in a long time. I would like to challenge the Board with new ideas to further our town. I think the town mostly has "If it ain't broke don't fix it" mentality. I think it is broken if we are just standing still and not making use of the excess money we have to advance our town.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

I think it is terrible to our seniors live here all of their lives, raise their children and grandchildren but then have to move to other towns to live out their lives because there are no affordable options to stay in Orange. Even if they sell their home for top dollar, most still can not afford to stay in Orange's senior living options. This forces our life long residence to move. I would like to work with the Board of finance and the Board of Selectman to come up with a solution.

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

Former Peck Place School Treasurer. Former Secretary of the ODTC.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

A teacher and high school told me this quote and it was the best advice I ever received. "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and to remove all doubt." Benjamin Franklin.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I may not have degrees to show that I have taken courses in finance but I have a lot of experience in owning and operating successful businesses. I am a hard worker and I fight for what I believe in.