Stella Isaza
Stella Isaza, a candidate for Pine Plains Town Justice, has lived here for twenty years. She moved to Pine Plains from Pleasant Valley, into “’Dr. Russo’s house’—that’s what everyone called it.” She has been a practicing attorney in the Hudson Valley for 28 years, and has experience as both a defense counsel and as a prosecutor. “I have a balanced view. You can’t be over-zealous in prosecution, and you can’t be weak in defense.”
Isaza is multi-lingual. Her parents were immigrants and, while her dad had to speak English in his job with Pan Am, her mother never really mastered it. Isaza who grew up speaking English and rudimentary Spanish, learned Spanish in high school and college, and uses it frequently in her legal work. “In New York, you get to use your Spanish a lot.”
“I can bring my perspective to dealing with housing issues. Because of my experience, I can handle any case that might come before me. I can promise to bring an impartial, unbiased, well-reasoned outcome to my decisions.”
Isaza likes to garden and was President of the Pine Plains Lions Club. At that time, she initiated an art project on International Peace with prizes for kids that was quite successful, and brought in a disabled motivational speaker to invigorate members with a reminder of the inspiration Helen Keller had been for their organization.
“As a candidate for Town Justice, I can’t express policy or opinions on sensitive issues. I must be impartial. I don’t make deals on the side. I cc everyone on the case when I send out a memo. I promise to be impartial—to bring my skills, dedication, and hard work to this position. I worked while I was in high school, I worked while I was in college—I know what it’s like to juggle a job and be committed to something else you love.”
Interviewed by Lenora Champagne, Oct. 4, 2022
Ibis Guzman
Ibis Guzman declined to be interviewed by the New Pine Plains Herald and declined to submit a statement about himself.
Space will remain available to him should he change his mind.