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Becker challenged for Legislature
Jorge seeks 6th District seat
By Mary Malloy
As he seeks his seventh two-year term as the 6th District's representative in the Nassau County Legislature, Republican incumbent Francis X. Becker is being challenged by Valley Stream resident Omar Jorge, a Democrat.
Becker, 54, has kept the 6th District seat ever since he was first elected in 1995. The 6th District encompasses the villages of East Rockaway, Lynbrook, Malverne and Valley Stream, and portions of North Valley Stream and Rockville Centre.
"The most contentious issue is always taxes," Becker said. "We have to hold the line on spending." He said he wants to freeze assessments temporarily, and would like to see homes reassessed every five years instead of the current annual assessments. He said that there is a "little bit of a tough road ahead" given the county's budget deficit. "We may need help from the state," he said.
Becker said that he has community development programs and projects in the works -- one called "Streetscapes," which would target satellite business areas. He said that he sends out regular newsletters and visit local businesses. "People recognize my office as being available to help," he said.
"If I am elected, I will continue to work very hard," Becker continued. "I am available 24/7, and will continue to fight on the county level ... I am a good watchdog for the residents of my district."
A graduate of Lynbrook High School, Becker attended Nassau Community College and Hofstra University, where he studied business finance. He is a member of the Lynbrook Elks Lodge and serves as cerebral palsy chairman. He is also a member of the Lynbrook Elks Youth Committee, the Our Lady of Peace Parish, the Holy Name Society and the Moms' and Dads' Club of Lynbrook High School. Becker is a past president of the Lynbrook Junior Chamber of Commerce, a past exalted ruler of the Lynbrook Elks Lodge and a former coach of the Lynbrook Titans football and lacrosse teams.
A certified financial planner in Lynbrook, Becker and his wife, Clementine, live in Lynbrook with their youngest daughter, Diana. They have two older daughters, Madeline and Beth.
The challenger
Omar Jorge, 26, said he has a good grasp on what's going on in the 6th District's communities, and that high taxes are driving a lot of people out. "That, and a lack of affordable housing, is leading to dangerous illegal apartments," Jorge said. Freezing assessments would do little, he argued, because "we would be freezing already high taxes." He said that the role of a leader is to effect change by lobbying state leaders or those responsible for getting things done, and that this can be accomplished by getting residents involved. "There is nothing as powerful as constituents getting together for a cause," he said.
Jorge described the Legislature's 6th district as 12 years of stagnancy, with little to no progress. "There is now a lack of vision and a lack of foresight we need to develop commercial areas and add to the desirability of the villages," he said. "We need to develop villages, increase the tax levy and lower the burden on the homeowner."
If elected, Jorge said, he would focus on reducing taxes and home assessments, and increase economic development and the availability of affordable housing. "The empty stores on Merrick Road in Lynbrook, and Rockaway Avenue in Valley Stream ... are shocking," he said. "There are programs available to help entrepreneurs get assistance, and we can get those areas developed.
"I have the energy, motivation, ideas and creativity to make positive changes."
Jorge moved from Queens to Malverne in 1991. He graduated with honors from Kellenberg Memorial High School, and became a St. Vincent de Paul Scholar and dean's list student at St. John's University, where he earned a degree in government and politics. He went on to earn a law degree at Yeshiva University. While there he worked with the Unemployment Advocates Center, a nonprofit organization that provides free legal counsel to employees involved in unemployment insurance claims.
While in college, Jorge took part in an internship program with the state Assembly. Afterward he accepted an offer to remain as a full-time legislative aide. He then returned to Nassau County to finish his studies. He went on to found Jorge Pena Enterprises, an Internet marketing firm focused on Web solutions for small businesses.
Jorge is also associated with Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate, where, he said, he has been involved in residential, commercial, rental and other types of real estate transactions.
He is the president of the Fundacion HispanoAmericana, a nonprofit organization founded by a group of Hispanic professionals on Long Island to provide educational assistance and scholarships to Long Island's growing Latino population.
Jorge and his wife, Miriam, an accountant in Garden City, live in Valley Stream.
Jorge seeks 6th District seat
By Mary Malloy
As he seeks his seventh two-year term as the 6th District's representative in the Nassau County Legislature, Republican incumbent Francis X. Becker is being challenged by Valley Stream resident Omar Jorge, a Democrat.
Becker, 54, has kept the 6th District seat ever since he was first elected in 1995. The 6th District encompasses the villages of East Rockaway, Lynbrook, Malverne and Valley Stream, and portions of North Valley Stream and Rockville Centre.
"The most contentious issue is always taxes," Becker said. "We have to hold the line on spending." He said he wants to freeze assessments temporarily, and would like to see homes reassessed every five years instead of the current annual assessments. He said that there is a "little bit of a tough road ahead" given the county's budget deficit. "We may need help from the state," he said.
Becker said that he has community development programs and projects in the works -- one called "Streetscapes," which would target satellite business areas. He said that he sends out regular newsletters and visit local businesses. "People recognize my office as being available to help," he said.
"If I am elected, I will continue to work very hard," Becker continued. "I am available 24/7, and will continue to fight on the county level ... I am a good watchdog for the residents of my district."
A graduate of Lynbrook High School, Becker attended Nassau Community College and Hofstra University, where he studied business finance. He is a member of the Lynbrook Elks Lodge and serves as cerebral palsy chairman. He is also a member of the Lynbrook Elks Youth Committee, the Our Lady of Peace Parish, the Holy Name Society and the Moms' and Dads' Club of Lynbrook High School. Becker is a past president of the Lynbrook Junior Chamber of Commerce, a past exalted ruler of the Lynbrook Elks Lodge and a former coach of the Lynbrook Titans football and lacrosse teams.
A certified financial planner in Lynbrook, Becker and his wife, Clementine, live in Lynbrook with their youngest daughter, Diana. They have two older daughters, Madeline and Beth.
The challenger
Omar Jorge, 26, said he has a good grasp on what's going on in the 6th District's communities, and that high taxes are driving a lot of people out. "That, and a lack of affordable housing, is leading to dangerous illegal apartments," Jorge said. Freezing assessments would do little, he argued, because "we would be freezing already high taxes." He said that the role of a leader is to effect change by lobbying state leaders or those responsible for getting things done, and that this can be accomplished by getting residents involved. "There is nothing as powerful as constituents getting together for a cause," he said.
Jorge described the Legislature's 6th district as 12 years of stagnancy, with little to no progress. "There is now a lack of vision and a lack of foresight we need to develop commercial areas and add to the desirability of the villages," he said. "We need to develop villages, increase the tax levy and lower the burden on the homeowner."
If elected, Jorge said, he would focus on reducing taxes and home assessments, and increase economic development and the availability of affordable housing. "The empty stores on Merrick Road in Lynbrook, and Rockaway Avenue in Valley Stream ... are shocking," he said. "There are programs available to help entrepreneurs get assistance, and we can get those areas developed.
"I have the energy, motivation, ideas and creativity to make positive changes."
Jorge moved from Queens to Malverne in 1991. He graduated with honors from Kellenberg Memorial High School, and became a St. Vincent de Paul Scholar and dean's list student at St. John's University, where he earned a degree in government and politics. He went on to earn a law degree at Yeshiva University. While there he worked with the Unemployment Advocates Center, a nonprofit organization that provides free legal counsel to employees involved in unemployment insurance claims.
While in college, Jorge took part in an internship program with the state Assembly. Afterward he accepted an offer to remain as a full-time legislative aide. He then returned to Nassau County to finish his studies. He went on to found Jorge Pena Enterprises, an Internet marketing firm focused on Web solutions for small businesses.
Jorge is also associated with Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate, where, he said, he has been involved in residential, commercial, rental and other types of real estate transactions.
He is the president of the Fundacion HispanoAmericana, a nonprofit organization founded by a group of Hispanic professionals on Long Island to provide educational assistance and scholarships to Long Island's growing Latino population.
Jorge and his wife, Miriam, an accountant in Garden City, live in Valley Stream.
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