Creating a Bold Future for Doral
By: Maureen Porras, Esq.
As a seven-year-old immigrant, it was bold for me to imagine that I would one day take the oath of attorney to represent others like me. For over a decade now, I have been providing Florida’s most vulnerable families with access to immigration legal services, including during the last six years as a public interest lawyer and as Legal Director of a nonprofit organization operating in Doral.
My professional expertise providing essential services in our community has given me the skills and confidence to seek new opportunities to serve and make meaningful impacts in people’s lives. Doral boasts an urban center with a thriving commercial hub, which makes it an enviable community to live, work, and raise a family in. My lived experience as a resident along with extensive research on our policies and outcomes has shaped my vision for leadership as your next city councilwoman.
Strengthening our Small Businesses and Workforce
Thanks to our small businesses and talented workforce, Doral has a thriving local economy and strong business infrastructure. We need to continue focusing on strengthening our small businesses and workforce by expanding available resources and attracting industries to employ our highly educated workforce. While we are on an upward path to recovering from the pandemic, many businesses and residents continue to struggle to adapt. The pandemic has disproportionately impacted women, many of whom are still facing challenges returning to the workforce. Ensuring that earning potential for women is equitable in the City of Doral is a post-pandemic priority that I will also champion as your councilwoman. My commitment to our prosperity means everyone’s prosperity in a strong commercial ecosystem that prioritizes quality of life and sustainability.
Protecting and Enhancing our Quality of Life (Traffic, Public Safety, and Education)
Doral is routinely named one of the best places to live in the U.S., which is highly attributed to the quality-of-life residents experience and expect in the city. As our city grows, we need to focus on protecting and enhancing our quality of life by identifying solutions to mitigate and alleviate traffic; working closely with our first responders to strengthen the safety and wellbeing of our community; and strengthening our education system, and ensuring quality education in a safe environment. I am proud to serve on the Miami-Dade County Public Schools Advisory Boards for our District where I advocate for our schools, teachers, students, and staff. Also, to learn more about our Police Department’s operations and ways to increase the safety and wellbeing of residents, I am currently participating in the Doral Citizens Police Academy.
Updating our Infrastructure and Sustainability Practices
Several cities across the globe are leading the effort to adopt sustainable and environmentally friendly practices. Doral is in a good position to adopt sustainable initiatives and elevate its status as a green city. We need to focus on updating our infrastructure and sustainability practices by investing in renewable and clean energy; incorporating green materials and low carbon building designs; and adopting policies, regulations, and incentives that will help reduce our carbon footprint. We must also continue advocating for better air quality to ensure the health of our residents. I am a proud graduate of Catalyst Miami’s Community Leadership on the Environment, Advocacy, and Resilience (CLEAR), a ten-week environmental leadership course. I am committed to investing in a sustainable and environmentally friendly future for our city.
I am committed to seizing the opportunities others may miss and look forward to representing our community and carrying out a bold vision for Doral. I invite you all to visit my website and to follow us on social media to learn more about my campaign and to stay connected with us.
Paid for by Maureen Porras, Candidate for City of Doral, Seat 2