Janet Wilson

For IRB City Commissioner

BEYOND

About Janet

I was appointed to the IRB City Commission in November, 2023 and successfully ran to retain the seat during the March, 2024 election. I want to continue to serve the residents of IRB therefore I am running for reelection this March. I have been part of the IRB community since 1996:. First as a vacationer, in 1999 as a vacation condo owner, as snowbirds in 2016, then full-time residents in 2019. My personal and professional experiences prior to being a commissioner provided me a set of skills that I have been able to utilize during my time on the dais. As a school administrator I developed skills in group presentation, grant writing, program development, community partnerships, and addressing legislative bodies. As a citizen-led committee co-chair; I presented to community organizations and city government, wrote editorials, and appeared in media. As a special need parent, I served on state advisory boards charged with program development. As a commissioner I have used these skills to represent the voice of Indian Rocks Beach as the voting representative at Florida League of Cities (FLOC) conferences, re-establishing Indian Rocks Beach as member of Suncoast League of Cities (SCLOC), and this January I will be joining the Advocacy Teams from SCLOC and FLOC in Tallahassee during the legislative session.

THE

My Campaign Promises if Re-Elected

  • I will continue to serve the residents of Indian Rocks Beach by researching; using multiple options, any proposals that commission needs to act upon.
  • I will continue to serve the residents of Indian Rocks Beach by continuing to forge relationships and alliances with individuals and organizations that magnify the voice of residents at the county and state level.
  • I will continue to weigh all decisions based on what is best for the future of Indian Rocks Beach and what allows us to maintain our local control.
  • I will not make campaign promises that either are not within the commissions scope of jurisdiction or that haven’t proven successful elsewhere.
Janet Headshot Photo

DAIS

Why I Deserve to Be Re-Elected

My campaign slogan is BEYOND THE DAIS because I do more than attend Commission meetings to serve and represent our community.

  • I have spent the last 2 years forging relationships with elected officials in other towns enabling me to connect local citizen groups with citizen groups in other towns facing similar issues. It has allowed me to bring new ideas and perspectives to problems we all face. It also provided me a way to vet potential attorney and manager candidates.
  • I have participated in the Florida League of Cities making sure the voice of IRB is heard along with the other 410 cities in Florida. I have been part of their Award of Merit program where points are earned for taking part in League educational opportunities as well as League events. I earned the Bronze Award in 2024, the Silver in 2025, and I am on course to earn Gold in 2026. I have been appointed to the Development, Code Compliance and Redevelopment Committee the last 2 years attending all committee meetings; even the one 8 days after Hurricane Helene. I have attended both the Annual Conference and the Legislative Conference in 2024 and 2025. I am scheduled to participate in the Legislative Action Days in Tallahassee this January. It will be an opportunity for me to share how our town will be impacted by proposed legislation on various topics. I will be participating in their Monday morning Call In sessions to be prepped on what bills are being presented each week and what action may need to be taken.
  • I am in the process of establishing IRB as a member of the Suncoast League of Cities which serves Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Pasco Counties. SLOC represents 1.5 million voters in these 3 counties allowing it to have a much LOUDER voice than our 2700 votes! I am scheduled to join the SCLOC Advocacy Team in Tallahassee during the upcoming legislative session to share the impact the various tax reduction proposals will have on IRB. I have participated in their Advocacy Training session to prepare me to part of the team. I will be participating in their Monday Evening Call In sessions which will focus on that week’s bills that specifically impact our region.
  • After Helene Beth McMullen provided a contact at Red Cross which I followed up on. After spending 3 hours going street to street with a Red Cross Director on assignment here from Pennsylvania our city was given a truckload of supplies for residents. Buckets containing cleaning supplies, tarps, rakes, and shovels were amongst the supplies. After seeing the devastation here first hand the decision was made to move the Operation Center to Tampa Bay from the Panhandle.
  • When we were faced with hiring a new City Attorney and City Manager I spent hours researching each candidate speaking with individuals in their past employment cities, joining citizen Facebook groups in their past cities, watching Podcasts and You Tube videos by and/or about them, perusing Social Media accounts, and LinkedIn.
  • I will ALWAYS ask for as much information possible on a topic before making a final decision on whether I support it. If this includes supporting a study on the issue, I will want that to be done. I will also conduct my own research on it utilizing the contacts I have made through FLOC and SCLOC and looking at examples.
  • I try hard to support ALL of our local groups by volunteering at various functions. I have sold tickets, ran the beach, chased fallen mugs, judged contests, and hosted Putt-Putt holes!

Please see my Facebook page for weekly legislative updates. I will include information from Florida League of Cities and Suncoast League of Cities on bills being looked at in committees or on the floors that week. I will give a brief synopis of how that bill could impact Indian Rocks Beach. I will ask residents to action if warranted and provide ways and contacts for that action.