Dateline: May 3, 2007

Paul wants to be Clarendon's new mayor.

A native of Pennsylvania, Paul has family roots in Clarendon through four generations. She graduated from General McLane High School in Edinboro, Penn., and earned a degree in psychology from Edinboro University. Since then, she’s gotten her master’s degree in secondary education from the University of Phoenix and is pursuing her doctorate in Educational Leadership.

The candidate moved here in 2003 and currently works for Clarendon College as an Education Instructor. She sat down Tuesday morning with the Enterprise to talk about her view of the city and what needs to be done to give it more “pizzazz.”

ENTERPRISE: What prompted you to run for mayor?

PAUL: One of the classes I’m taking put the idea in my head about initiating change, and I see a lot of potential for the town. Then recently a high school student talked to me about wanting to leave town – not just leave home but leave town. I noticed then that we don’t offer a lot for our youth. I can’t imagine having your roots here and not wanting to stay here. There’s a lot we can offer. It’s just a matter of tapping that potential. One of the ideas I have to just get us out of the survival mode and to encourage people to make this a better place. Let’s bring the life and the zing back to what Clarendon should be.

ENTERPRISE: In the four years that you’ve lived here, can you point to some accomplishments that the city has made?

PAUL: It’s not that things haven’t happened. They’ve got the streets done on the west side of town, and things are moving. They’ve got grants that they’re working on. But people don’t seem to want to call and complain because results aren’t fast enough. When people call, they are almost hassled sometimes instead of getting a responsive answer. The result is that people don’t call.

ENTERPRISE: So the city needs to work on being more responsive and receptive when people call?

PAUL: Yes. And we need to educate individuals about the steps it takes to make things happen.

ENTERPRISE: You mentioned grants. The city is working on a downtown revitalization grant and a grant for the park. What do you think of those?

PAUL: I think they can do better. I understand one of those we have a $33,000 match for. I think we can get 100 percent money. I don’t know all of the city finances yet. If you need to buy a new trash truck, you may need that $33,000 for that. The projects definitely need to be done though.

ENTERPRISE: The personal property tax has been the subject of a lot of debate lately. What are your personal thoughts about that issue?

PAUL: I go both ways. There is no state tax; and since there is none, you have to bring that money in from somewhere. But you’re getting taxed on everything; and when the tax on your vehicles adds up to more than the tax on your property, you scratch your head. The personal property tax pays for so much. I think a lot of people are upset because we’re one of the only counties that collect it, and I think it’s upsetting when people move their vehicles around to avoid the tax.

ENTERPRISE: Is there a way that you as mayor could lessen the burden of that tax?

PAUL: Again, educating individuals to know where the tax is going. Teach people the trickle down effect if you freeze taxes on senior citizens. The money comes from somewhere. I would be curious to see where the money goes. It’s all about informing and educating the people.

ENTERPRISE: In the last few years, there has been some discussion at City Hall about publishing the list of who owes delinquent taxes. What are your feelings on this?

PAUL: I teeter-totter on that one. People just don’t understand what their taxes are going for. I agree with getting people to pay their taxes though.

ENTERPRISE: As you look into the future at Clarendon 10 or 15 years down the road, what do you see?

PAUL: A beautiful town. Change does not happen overnight or in a month. It takes a long time. Some things can happen quickly – educating the public, for example. But I see more individuals here and more movement forward. I can see more of the town preserved and more excitement and pizzazz.

ENTERPRISE: Why should the people of Clarendon vote for you over your opponent?

PAUL: For the idea of change and moving forward. Mark White has a lot of great ideas and has done a good job. But you need to be proactive. It’s the idea of bringing fresh ideas to the city.

ENTERPRISE: What would be your final message to the voters?

PAUL: Don’t vote for an individual and their vision. Vote for the person you think will take care of your concerns and will make the decisions you care about.

Next week: A conversation with Mayor Mark White and profiles of the candidates for Clarendon aldermen.