Paula Tobias- Women of Worth Series

by Loraine Ritchey -contact info thatwb@yahoo.com

Paula Tobias, the FIRST woman to run for Mayor of the City of Lorain and an Independent and one of Lorain’s “true” advocates responded to the questions from “that woman” for the Women of Worth Series.

Q :Why did you run for mayor, why not council
person first?

Paula-

The timing, I didn’t feel the city had time for me to go through the “Pay your dues, run for your Ward, then at Large, then Mayor”. The City was spiraling out of control. I knew it would get worse before it got better. We/The Citizens couldn’t wait any longer, the city needed to be run like a business without political favors.

Q: What do you think was the down side in being an Independent running for Mayor?
Paula:

Exposure, the parties have their “members” advertised and the die hard Dems and Rep will vote by party and not the person. Check the numbers of registered Democrats, Republicans, Independents and no party.

And I’d be naïve to say money wasn’t an issue. It takes a lot to run a campaign. What surprised me most was the staunch Democrats and Republicans that would support by buying tickets to my fund raisers, but they couldn’t come, fear of reprisal by the Party?

Q: What was the plus side of being an Independent?
Paula:

I didn’t have to answer to anyone but the citizens; there were no “paybacks”.

Q: Did you have any reservations as to running as a woman?
Paula:

That I found was one of strengths. When I was out campaigning I can’t tell you how many times, men and woman would tell me “This is exactly what this poor city needs, a woman’s love and care”.

Q :This election was not “down and dirty” and with negative back biting as some we have seen in Lorain, to what do you attribute that fact.
Paula:

It could have been. I had people coming to me with “information” on the other candidates. But that is not what I wanted the focus of the campaign to be on. I’ve seen the mudslinging and have lost respect for those that do. I’d also like to think my opponents had respect for me as a woman, first time candidate and conducted themselves as gentlemen. I genuinely like both of my opponents.

Q Would you have done anything differently?
Paula:

I am a bit of a perfectionist. Working full time does not allow one to run a thorough campaign. There wasn’t enough time to do everything I wanted. There wasn’t enough money to do everything I wanted. It’s easy to second quess when it’s over. But I am proud of the campaign and how I handled myself.

Q You made a remarkable showing getting more votes
than your Republican counter part, would you
consider running again for office?
Paula:

Yes

Q: You have attended city council meetings and
various other government meetings for a number of
years and still do so, What would you like to say
to the Administration and Council people that could
benefit Lorain.
Paula:

Use my Plan.

Q: What do you think is “not” working?
Paula:

Political system to run the Business called Lorain.

Q:This was your first experience campaigning,
would you have done anything differently ?
Paula:

Find a way to knock on more doors.
Not listen to some of the politicals veiled threats of “You’ll never have the support to run the city.”

Q. How much of a toll did this take on your family?
Paula:

We discussed before I decided to run; Frank, Jean and Liz were there for me. My mother was the best Volunteer Coordinator, Volunteer, campaign manager, etc etc. I couldn’t have done this without my family.

Q. Would you consider running as a Democrat or
Republican ?
Paula:

Yes! Even during the campaign I had people coming up to me offering to run my campaign if I put a D after my name.
I believe in making fact based decisions. After I was into the campaign I found statistics about Independents winning positions, it wasn’t good.
I’ve had a lot of people since the campaign ask me to run again. I’m going to have to think about it. I would never compromise my values or priorities, I don’t take well to people telling me what to do; explain why it’s the best for the City, but I don’t want to be beholden to anyone but my family and the citizens of Lorain

That being said, If I can be an Independent Democrat or Republican I just might. I’ve always been a registered Democrat and while I was campaigning people thought I was a Republican.

After thoughts:

Paula:

The people really touched me, the real people of Lorain. Their needs, their faith, their honesty…
I loved campaigning. One minute I would be at a Mexican Bar, the next at a Baptist service with the School Superintendent. I loved it. I saw the best of Lorain and its Citizens. I learned so much and meet so many wonderful people.

Women of Worth : Melisa Krasienko