Dear Editor:
Please accept this letter endorsing Guy Catrillo for Ward E Councilman. I have known Guy Catrillo both professionally and personally for over 25 years. He has, time and again, shown himself to be a person of great caring and compassion for his fellow community members.
A lifelong resident of Jersey City, residing at 301 5th Street, Guy has always been there for me and others in our respective times of need. Being a former aide for over 6 years to City Council President Mariano Vega Jr., I am well aware of what true community involvement is all about.
I credit Guy, through his actions and example, with having inspired me to become an active citizen in my neighborhood and throughout the city. Through his leadership as a former President of the Van Vorst Park Association, Guy was able to send numerous underprivileged kids to day camp and ran several toy drivers for needy families. In addition, he headed up many fundraisers for local community churches, such as St. Bridget’s, Holy Rosary, St. Peter’s, St. Michael’s and St. Boniface.
Furthermore, Guy was instrumental in guiding me in the production of the P.S. #5 Talent Mania Talent Show from 1994 to 1996, where a full house attendance of 1,500 gathered to support the students of Michael Conti Elementary. This event was televised on Comcast TV and Channel 47 news.
Guy’s approach in uniting people is unique. For instance, he traveled to the Dominican Republic in 1988 with the Dominican Parade Committee to visit the tomb of Columbus. As Columbus was enchanted with Espanola, so was Guy!
Guy assisted our committee in organizing the first Dominican Parade, as well as advocating for the street naming in Jersey City in honor of the founding father of the Dominican Republic, Juan Pablo Duarte. Due to his efforts, he was bestowed the honor on raising New Jersey’s largest Dominican flag. Guy was dressed as Uncle Sam for the ceremony.
Adding to his many achievements was Guy’s work as the Deputy Superintendent of Elections where he stood as a shining example of a true leader, standing above political partisanship to ensure that local elections run smoothly and professionally.
In conclusion, let me reiterate my heartfelt opinion that Guy Catrillo will be the perfect Councilman for Downtown Jersey City. If all of the candidates were competing in the Olympics, Guy Catrillo would truly win the gold.
Gregory Malave
Former Council Aide for Ward E/At Large and Chairman of the Juan Pablo Duarte Dominican Parade Association