Name: Sharise V. Riley
Family: I have been married for twenty-one years. My husband, Harold J. Riley retired from the United States Navy and he is a disabled veteran. We have a twenty-year-old daughter who attends the University of North Florida. We also have an eight-year-old Poodle by the name of Prince.
Occupation: I own a real estate brokerage, Concorde Realty of Northeast Florida, Inc. that I started in 2010. We also own a nonprofit 5013c Jacksonville Housing and Credit Counseling Services, Inc. that we started in 2013.
Political/Government experience: I am a first-time candidate. My only government is experience is when I worked for the Department of the Air Force when we were stationed in Pearl Harbor, HI.
Years lived in Jacksonville: I have lived in Jacksonville appx 25 years. We left due to my husband military orders in 1998 and been back permanently since 2001.
Campaign website: www.vote4shariseriley.com
Why did you decide to run for office: I decided to run for public office because I had become frustrated with the neglect witnessed firsthand in my district. Our crime continues to rise, food deserts, unemployment on the Eastside is nearly doubled digit; the homeless population in downtown is moving into other areas of the district; there is a lack of affordable housing and those with low wages are finding it difficult to find safe and adequate housing; recent hurricanes exposed an aging infrastructure in need of repair and updating; it is imperative that we bring jobs into the district that pay a living wage, opioids are rampant in the Oceanway area as users have turned to meth and heroin and often found passed out in bathrooms at gas stations and convenience stores. Easements and drainage ditches are not being properly maintained by the city, therefore, flooding occurs after a typical thunderstorm. We must also keep JEA one of our greatest assets and ensure the city continues to thrive for generations to come.
What is the biggest problem facing Jacksonville as a city overall, and how specifically would seek to address that: One of the biggest problems facing the city is affordable housing. I plan to address this problem in two ways; the first is to ensure that jobs, especially the ones we offer incentives to come to Jacksonville pay its employees a living wage. We must also make certain that a large majority of those high paying positions are coming from the local workforce and not simply being relocated to Jacksonville. Any company that receives incentives must invest in our communities through philanthropy, job training, and education. The second way of addressing affordable housing is to remodel or rebuild the hundreds of vacant properties on the Eastside and Brentwood. We cannot make all of them affordable properties, but it must be accomplished at a rate where we do not drive out those who want to be there. I have created a plan to bring back working families to the Eastside that left due to the condition.
What makes your constituents unique, and how would that influence your time in office: The constituents of District 7 are quite unique to say the least. The Eastside and Northside consist of mostly African Americans, Brooklyn and Springfield residents consist of mostly young professionals climbing the corporate ladder. Oceanway has many blue-collar works but also has a high concentration of active duty and retired military personnel. As City Council Representative for District 7, my influence will come from my understanding of each of their situations because I have lived them. Being raised by a single mother, I know what it's like not to have life's basic necessities at your disposal. I have climbed the corporate ladder and went on to become a business owner. I understand the importance of having resources available in the community i.e. parks, libraries, and youth centers. As the spouse of a retired disabled veteran, I know the sacrifices our men and women go through to obtain benefits and healthcare services. Though, unique our constituents are the district's greatest assets and I will do everything in my power to make tomorrow better than today.
What would be your main budget priority for the upcoming fiscal year: The main budget priority would be to allocate funding for affordable housing. We have an obligation to rebuild our communities and provide housing opportunities earning low to moderate incomes.
How do you define what you hope Jacksonville will be ten years from now: In ten years, it is my hope that Jacksonville is a thriving inclusive city. One that has minimal crime, affordable housing, a public-school system equipped to educate its youth at the highest possible level, a transportation system that operates in a timely fashion between the airport and the beaches, a bustling economy that cities in comparison hope to emulate.
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EDITOR’S NOTE: WOKV asked all candidates in a race to answer the same questions, and the answers here are their unedited responses. WOKV has not independently verified information in these answers, nor is WOKV endorsing any candidates.
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