Candidate Profile: Janneke Parrish Round Rock Council Place 3

Editor's note: Some responses have been edited for clarity.

On May 1, Williamson County voters will make their choice on who they want elected to fill local positions in their city.

Janneke Parrish, who is running for Round Rock City Council Place 3, shared with Patch why she should be elected to city council and represent residents in her community.

Profile: Janneke Parrish

Age (as of Election Day): 30

Position Sought: Round Rock Council Place 3

Party Affiliation: Democrat

Family: Zach Howell - partner - 29, Athos - cat - 16 And some very wonderful chickens!

Campaign website: www.jannekeforroundrock.com

Q&A with Parrish

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

What is your educational background?

MSc Human Rights and International Politics - University of Glasgow
BA Philosophy - North Carolina State University
BA Religious Studies - North Carolina State University

What is your occupation?

Program Manager - Apple Inc (5 years)

Why are you seeking elective office?

When talking with my neighbors and interacting with my community, I keep hearing the same concerns over and over - our rents are going up, our traffic is getting worse, our streets are getting more dangerous, and when we try to get help from the city, we are brushed off or ignored. I'm running for office to make a difference for my community and be an advocate for communities like mine that have been struggling to be heard.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The single most pressing issue is our infrastructure. Round Rock is a city that has outgrown its existing resources, and has not yet caught up to the needs of its growing population. We need to ensure adequate housing, public transportation, and traffic infrastructure to keep Round Rock moving and to prevent long-time residents from being priced out of the city. If elected, I will invest in public transportation, alternate byways to reduce traffic and make our streets safer, and zoning that ensures housing for a wide variety of families.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

In terms of our policies, my opponent advocates for policies that do not actually address the long-term issues Round Rock faces, and instead sacrifice the residents of this city for short-term economic gain. My policies always take the long-term consequences of decisions into account and focus on ensuring that we are taking the best course of action both for the people who currently live here, and for the people who soon will.

I am also an advocate. In everything I do, I listen to those around me, and do the best I can to incorporate all the information I receive to find the best solution for everyone. I am always out in the community, making a difference and working for the people. While my opponent does do community work in some spheres, his statements on the dais about apartment complexes and the mask ordinance show a lack of understanding of the lived experience of some members of the community.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency).

Matt Baker has failed Round Rock in a number of ways. First, he was part of the decision to illegally postpone the 2020 elections. He was also part of a city council that failed to properly respond to the winter storm by providing water stations and assistance to people without water, instead choosing to say that people in apartments without water were not a city problem. He also voted to prematurely end the mask ordinance, pushing for it to end well before it is safe to do so. He has not been putting the needs of the community first, which is the fundamental role of a city council member.

Editor's check: On July 30,2020, Attorney General Ken Paxton sent a letter to the city of Round Rock stating its decision to move the 2020 elections to 2021 was illegal. Here's the letter.

The statement about incumbent Matt Baker making the comment on apartments without water was made in a Round Rock City Council meeting on Feb. 25, 2021 (11:30-11:50).

The city of Round Rock did not offer water stations during the winter storm since there were no water restrictions in the city between Feb. 14-25. On Thursday, April 8, 2021, Baker voted in favor to repeal the city's mask ordinance, which went into effect on April 22.

How do you think local officials performed in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?

I applaud the city council’s decision to implement a mask ordinance before a statewide ordinance. However, its enforcement was lax, and its repeal on April 22 was too soon. As a city council member, I will make decisions about public safety based on data and recommendations from health experts.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

My campaign is focused on social equity and sustainability. This means focusing on the long-term solutions that keep Round Rock a city for everyone, such as investing in our public transportation, investing in a diverse housing market, and making government transparent and accessible to everyone.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I have previously worked in advocacy and have helped push legislation to provide seed funding for entrepreneurship in minority women communities. My legislative experience taught me a great deal about bringing all voices and stakeholders to the table and incorporating everyone’s needs into every decision. My professional experience as a program manager has also given me experience with large projects and communicating with broadly diverse stakeholders. Once again, my experience delivering results on tight timelines that impact thousands of people is very beneficial for being a city council member.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

I gained a love of dancing from my grandfather, who first taught me to dance by putting me on his feet and spinning around a room. He taught me that life, like dancing, should be leapt into with hesitation, where passion and love shine through every action. Be deliberate in your steps and actions, but don’t take half-measures, and always listen to what’s going on around you. I live my life by his advice.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Above all else, I seek to serve the community I love. I love Round Rock, and look forward to keeping it a place where everyone is welcome for generations to come.

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