Name: Emoni McGregor

Campaign website: emonimcgregor.com

Date and place of birth: July 1, 1990 — New York

In your opinion, is your city generally on the right track or wrong track, and why or why not?
I believe Sunrise has many strengths, including strong neighborhoods, community programs, parks and recreation, public safety services, and residents who care deeply about the community. At the same time, Sunrise is facing important challenges that require continued attention, including affordability, growth and development, traffic, infrastructure, and environmental sustainability.

My approach is to build on what is working while addressing areas where residents believe the city can do better. I believe residents should have a meaningful voice in decisions that affect their neighborhoods and quality of life.

List in order of importance the three most important issues in the city and briefly explain what you would do about each.
Affordable Housing
Sunrise is experiencing continued development, but new housing is not automatically affordable to the residents who live and work here. I would support examining housing policies and development proposals with affordability in mind, including opportunities for housing that serves lower-income residents rather than focusing primarily on luxury and higher-cost workforce housing.

Responsible Growth, Traffic and Infrastructure
Growth needs to be accompanied by appropriate infrastructure. I would support planning that considers traffic, roads, drainage, public facilities, noise and the capacity of existing neighborhoods before approving major development. I would also support improving transportation options, including sidewalks, bike infrastructure, and other alternatives where appropriate.

Environmental Sustainability
As a science educator with a background in biology and chemistry, I believe Sunrise should continue protecting green spaces, trees, wildlife habitats and drainage systems while planning for future development. I would support responsible redevelopment, storm water improvements, tree canopy, native habitats, and environmentally responsible infrastructure.

Do you support or oppose Amendment 3, and why?
I oppose Amendment 3.

My position is based on the need to balance property-tax relief with the ability of municipalities to maintain essential public services and responsibly manage their budgets. Amendment 3 would increase the homestead exemption for certain non-school taxes and reduce the annual assessment-increase cap for non-homestead properties from 10% to 5%. It would also establish constitutional requirements concerning how counties and municipalities use property tax revenue.

I believe voters should consider both the potential benefits to property owners and the potential effect on municipal revenues and services when evaluating the amendment.

If you are elected and Amendment 3 passes, you will have to reduce services or raise other fees. Can you cite a specific city program or service that is wasteful or unnecessary?
I would not identify a city program as wasteful without reviewing the underlying budget, performance measures, and actual community benefit.

If Amendment 3 passes, I would support conducting a transparent review of city spending, looking first for administrative efficiencies, duplication, unnecessary expenditures and opportunities to improve operations before reducing essential services or placing additional costs on residents.

Essential services such as public safety, infrastructure maintenance, and services that directly affect residents should be evaluated carefully before any reductions are considered.

How would you assess your city’s ability to manage growth, development and related issues such as traffic, noise, pollution and demands on city infrastructure?
Sunrise has continued to develop, so growth needs to be managed alongside infrastructure capacity and quality of life.

I would support a comprehensive approach to major development proposals that consider traffic, stormwater, noise, pollution, environmental impacts, infrastructure capacity, and neighborhood compatibility.

As an educator with a scientific background, I believe decisions involving significant environmental impacts should be based on reliable data and appropriate environmental review.

Where possible, redevelopment and thoughtful use of existing developed areas should be considered rather than unnecessary expansion into environmentally valuable areas.

What single factor distinguishes you from your opponent and why?
I am a Sunrise resident, educator, community advocate, and nonprofit leader with a background in science and community service.

My professional experience as an educator has involved working with young people and families, while my community work has involved supporting residents and community initiatives.

I would bring those experiences into public service with an emphasis on listening to residents, examining information carefully and connecting city decisions to their practical effects on families and neighborhoods.

List in reverse chronological order colleges or universities attended with years of attendance and degrees.
Florida International University (FIU)

2018–2019

Biology and Chemistry BA

Florida International University (FIU)

Developmental Biology PHD

List in reverse chronological order your work history for the past 15 years.
Trinitas Academy — 6th–12th Grade Science Teacher

August 2023–Present

Hurley, Sawgrass Mall — Manager

FIU- LA 2018-2023

Have you ever been a party to a lawsuit, including bankruptcy or foreclosure? If so, provide details of the case and disposition.
No.

Have you ever been charged or convicted of a felony or misdemeanor, including an adjudication of guilt withheld? If so, provide charges, dates and terms of sentences.
No.

Why should voters elect you instead of your opponent(s)?
I believe voters should evaluate each candidate based on their experience, priorities, community involvement, and vision for Sunrise.

My background includes education, science, nonprofit, and community work. My priorities include affordable housing, responsible growth, infrastructure, environmental sustainability, and responsive community service.

I would bring my experience as an educator and community advocate to the responsibilities of public office and focus on listening to residents, examining information carefully and understanding how city decisions affect families and neighborhoods.