Susie Castillo – Candidate for Doral City Council, Seat 1

 

 

Campaign website:  Susie4Doral.com

Current Employment: Director of Corporate Relations of Florida International University Foundation.

President and Founder of Andrea Castillo Foundation.

Political Experience: 

2012 – 2020, I served as Miami Dade County School Board Member, District 5.

2004 – 2013, I was Chief of Staff to Mayor Juan Carlos Bermudez in the City of Doral.

2001 – 2004, I was Board Aide to School Board Member, District 5

 

What is the most pressing issue facing the City, and how would you propose handling it? 

I will continue to work for the respect and quality of life that our families deserve by elevating efforts to address the bad odor from the County Covanta facility and relocating it outside the City of Doral. I will continue to work toward alleviating traffic congestion in the city and providing additional bike and pedestrian-friendly options to get around our city.  Finally, because I am a firm believer in government transparency, you can count on me to ask tough questions of our administration to continue the City’s long-standing fiscal responsibility.  I have a long history as a public servant, and my work on the Council will be to listen, respond, and help find solutions to the needs of our community. 

 

How will you handle population growth in our City, especially with the recent arrival of illegal immigrants?

The population growth of the City of Doral has been both a blessing and a struggle. Since 2004, I have seen the transformation of the City of Doral from a County abandoned area to a vibrant, thriving, community-driven City with one of the most desirable places to live in Miami.

Doral is among the most sought-after neighborhoods with A-rated public, charter, and private schools. This growth has turned empty lands into dynamic parks and green spaces that envy many cities around the country. Unfortunately, this growth has also led to more traffic and congestion in our streets. As your councilwoman, I will seek new and innovative solutions to limit the amount of new residential units. 

Do you think the city should increase its police force? 

In response to the needs of our citizens, just last month, the City of Doral increased the Police force.  I believe that most officers put their lives at risk every day to protect and serve our community. I think the safety and security of all our citizens come first and foremost. Therefore, I will continue to expand the work I did as your elected School Board for 8 years by advocating for the safety and security of our children, families, and businesses. All the while keeping a watchful eye on the department, assuring they remain focused on enforcing laws as addressed by City government. 

 

A personal message to voters:

I have lived in Doral and owned a home here for over 20 years. My children attended and graduated from John I Smith, Doral Middle School, Ronald Regan Senior High School, and Miami Dade College West. As your Councilwoman for the City of Doral, I will always listen to your concerns and work to solutions that improve our City. I will be honest and transparent in my decisions, putting our families first.