Candidate Profile: Sharon Torres For Village Of Mamaroneck Mayor

MAMARONECK, NY — Election season 2023 is here and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.

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

Name: Sharon Torres

Age: 51

Hometown: Mamaroneck Village NY.

Running for which Office: Village of Mamaroneck Mayor.

Education: BS Farmingdale State College, MBA Pace University, Lubin School of Business.

Political experience: A fifteen-year village resident, Sharon currently serves on the Harbor and Coastal Zone Management Commission, and previously served on the Village of Mamaroneck Traffic Commission, Police Reform and Reinvention Committee and Coyote Committee.

Work experience: Sharon has a background in accounting with ten years in corporate accounting and operations and is currently the Chief Human Resources Officer for 900-person social service agency, with experience in contract and union negotiation.

Campaign website: https://www.mamaroneckdems.org...

Why are you seeking this office?

I am running for Mayor because it’s time for new leadership. I’ve seen firsthand that some members of the Board of Trustees are dismissive and mock residents/taxpayers. No one has all the answers so we must listen respectfully to one another. In my current job I listen to all sides and then formulate a plan of action. While the Village has made progress in some areas there is significant room for improvement.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidate(s) seeking this post?

I am a collaborative and inclusive leader who listens to others and will return civility to our local government. It’s time for new ideas and I bring a fresh perspective based on my personal and work experience. I want to explore affordable housing solutions that will not increase property taxes for other property owners. I’m looking at increasing the tax base through re-zoning the industrial area to allow for more uses and respond quicker to health and safety issues (e.g., recent rat infestation). It seems as if there’s only a flurry of progress when an election is coming. I believe we can roll up our sleeves together and make this Village better for everyone.

What is the single most pressing issue facing your constituents and what do you intend to do about it?

As I walk through the Village campaigning and speaking with residents I have a variety of concerns: flooding, rising property taxes, lack of civility at meetings and lack of communication. Rather than focus on just one issue I believe we can tackle many of them concurrently and make progress. For example, I believe an updated website would reduce the number of requests for documents and free up staff time. Getting our Building Department process streamlined would help them to be more efficient. Having periodic meetings where residents may ask questions directly of department heads would also help with the rampant misinformation I see on social media. We’re all in this together - and must work together.