Date/place of birth: 1958, Gardena, California
Current occupation: Business owner and chef, Oasis Open Air Market and Oasis Fresh Market and Deli
Campaign website/social media: mayorjackieadams.com; facebook.com/Mayor.JAA; twitter.com/SilerCityAdamsforMayor
Education and work history: BS Plastics Engineering, University Massachusetts, Lowell; 1991, Project Management Certification - George Washington University; Senior Staff Engineer, Manager, Retired IBM April 2016; Senior Technical Staff Member and Chair, Product Environmental Compliance, June 2004
Family (names & ages, as of Election Day, of immediate family members): N/A
Party affiliation: Registered Independent
Current and previous elected offices held or sought & terms of service: None
Campaign manager (if applicable): N/A
Campaign treasurer (if applicable): Zoann Adams
Why are you seeking this office?: To steer Siler City in becoming a self-sustaining town that is attractive to families, businesses and visitors, while maintaining its historic and niche characteristics.
What is your understanding of the responsibilities of the office you seek, and in one sentence, why do you believe you’re qualified to fill that role?: The Mayor sets the agenda, working to represent all the town’s citizens, and manages the town’s first responders, town staff and its directors, all while leading the Board of Commissioners meetings and proactively working to promote the town. Throughout my professional career and my extensive civic service to Siler City and Chatham County, I have demonstrated the leadership, character, vision, collaborative spirit and experience required to make Siler City thrive.
One of the most important decisions that elected officials make is on the annual budget, which includes spending and tax rates. Do you have a budgeting philosophy? What’s more important to you, spending more to allocate resources to needed programs or cutting spending and keeping the tax rate low?: We spend in places we do not need to and need to reevaluate what we are spending on. Raising taxes in Siler City should NOT be and is NOT my direction at all. Increasing our tax base and making sure we are wise about how and where we spend our money is paramount. We can attain funding and increase our tax base by attracting new business. We can win large grants for specific projects. Siler City needs a safety net. We should maintain a reserve fund of approximately 40-plus percent of our annual budget, as directed by the North Carolina Local Government Commission, and not default as we almost have in the recent past.
Give us two goals that are specific, measurable and attainable you would have if elected: Fill the vacant buildings with small-to-medium-sized business. Work with town staff to ensure our drinking water and sewer system is not simply repaired but is rebuilt. We must have clean water and an effective waste treatment plant to sustain new housing and business.
The Mayor does not vote on any items that come before the town board, but serves as a “chairman of the Board” and figurehead for the town. What are three principles you would carry into that role to deserve it?: Character: I am experienced, approachable, honest, collaborative, ethical, and deliberate in action. Representation: I will preside over council meetings and serve as the “face” of Siler City. I will also provide leadership, seek input from constituents, collaborate for effective business decisions, and work to win new funding and business for the town. Strategic and tactical vision: I have helped develop and sustain large organizations within a multibillion-dollar company. I have worked in Siler City and in Chatham County over the last 20 years in appointed and elected leadership roles to clean up our resilient and innovative town and drive economic development.
Siler City’s median household income is around $27,000, lower than the county median by a significant distance. What role does the mayor play in making that number rise?: Find and seek out opportunities for the families and their children to grow, such as a focus on acquiring small software or robotics companies that attract our youth for summer jobs or as careers. Our vacant buildings are better priced with a central location in our state. Work at providing affordable housing to sustain these families and businesses, and making sure that their families have a chance to live and become part of our workforce.
What do you think are Siler City’s three best features?: History, resiliency and work ethic.
What are three areas where Siler City can improve?: Work with all the manufacturing facilities on a regular basis to discuss environment and win-win options for them and their workers in order to grow our Siler City workforce and keep businesses happy in Siler City. Attract new business to our abandoned buildings and clean up the dilapidation. Bring clean water and an effective sewer system with capacity to sustain our town and allow new infrastructure.
If you are not elected, what steps will you take to serve Siler City?: I will continue my current service, leadership and board activities, including Economic Development Committee, Siler City Merchants Association, Siler City Development Organization and Siler City Downtown Advisory Board to the Board of Commissioners. My history of working for constructive change is evident in the many positive ordinances I have helped put in motion since January 2017.
Biographical Facts
Political/government hero(s): Ronald Reagan, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Margaret Thatcher, Eleanor Roosevelt
Favorite book: “Code Talker” by Joseph Bruchac
Book most recently read: “Walkable City” by Jeff Speck
Favorite film: “Citizen Kane”
Hobbies: Horseback riding and golf
Church/civic involvement: Spring Friends Meeting, Mentor and Fellow of the Native American Science and Engineering Society; Board Member, Siler City Development Organization; President, Siler City Merchants Association; Chair, Siler City Downtown Advisory Board Advisory; Board Member Siler City Planning Board; Siler City Land Development Plan Committee Member, Chatham County Small Business & Economic Development Committee; Past President, Chatham County Board of Health, Advisory Animal Services
Personal motto or one-line philosophy: Carpe Diem; always treat others as you would want to be treated
Strongest childhood ambition: To be President of the USA.
Most significant life goal you’ve accomplished: To work and travel around the world developing business and promoting clean manufacturing. To mentor STEM globally to Native Americans, girls and diverse and ethnic groups.
Goal you haven’t accomplished yet: Becoming Mayor of Siler City and serving as an advocate for all its residents, fulfilling their needs.