Candidate Questionnaire: Jillian Rodrigues de Miranda for Surf City Council

1) What 3 changes, if any, would you like to see in the community you will be representing over the next four years?

I would like the town council and other government officials to act with transparency and high ethical standards, including disclosing any personal or business benefits and quid pro quo received from serving on the board. There is too much behind the scenes deal making. Transparency in decision-making is important for public accountability.

I would like to reexamine all the building permits that are pending and do a total review and rework of the growth plan for our town. Responsible and sustainable (where possible) growth is something that clearly needs to be reviewed. We need to save room for more green spaces, perhaps picnic areas and playgrounds. Developers should pay a premium to build here, and we need to be careful about who we allow to build.

It would be beneficial for some residents to adopt a more welcoming attitude toward tourists on our social media pages. Tourists play a vital role in supporting our local businesses. Reflecting on my own travel experiences, I have encountered unwelcoming comments on other cities' Facebook pages, which influenced my decision to visit. I believe such interactions can affect other potential visitors as well.

2) What strategy will you implement to respond to public concerns and criticisms?

My main priority would be to have the council more responsive to citizen input. Currently, town council meetings are scheduled at times that limit public attendance. Adjusting the meeting schedule could increase accessibility. Additionally, greater transparency in decision-making is important. Items such as the huge tax increase should not be done in secret but put up for open public discussion, allowing residents to be informed, ask questions, propose options, and share their opinions. If the council continues to not take questions during regular council meetings, I encourage council members to hold monthly "office hours" where groups of citizens may come to ask questions. Private meetings and emails are fine, but they also can be secretive and easily bent to suit whoever happens to be in that meeting or in that email. This arrangement would also provide an opportunity to learn about community needs. Increasing openness in communication can help support accountability and public trust.

3) How do you plan to measure and evaluate your success in office?

The most reliable indicator of an individual's effectiveness in office is the degree of support received from the citizens. This is why I am committed to regular “office hours” for citizens to bring their concerns & needs to my attention.

4) Can you give an example of how you have supported a community project in the past?

As a semi-retired personal chef, my community work centers on food-related outreach. I've worked in food banks, distributed meals, and created nutritious food bags for the homeless. I led a 200-person volunteer team delivering meals to families facing challenges like bereavement, new births, adoptions, or medical issues. I also work with other chefs to support World Central Kitchen. In addition, I have taught nutritious meal planning and preparation to families with limited resources in elementary and middle schools.

5) What personal or professional experience do you have that makes you qualified to serve your community?

I have owned a successful private cheffing and catering business for over twenty years. During this time, I have trained teenagers with no prior experience to excel in demanding roles. Through this process, I emphasized the importance of hard work and dedication. My goal was to foster a true team spirit, encouraging kindness and respect toward both clients and fellow team members. Many of these young people went on to support themselves through college, working in the hospitality industry.

Building on my leadership experience in hospitality, I later applied my skills in educational settings. I have worked in public schools, primarily with differently abled and traumatized children, teaching writing and reading skills. This work required tremendous patience and collaboration. Success depended on working closely with school staff and parents to create a supportive learning environment.

Ethics and fairness are central to my approach. I hold a Master’s Degree in Divinity and maintain a high personal standard of integrity. For example, when faced with a difficult decision regarding resource allocation in my business, I prioritized fairness and transparency, ensuring all team members understood the process. I do not hold any personal interests that would influence my decisions on the council. My intention is to bring a strong sense of ethics into council chambers and to be a model for those who may struggle with doing the right thing under pressure.