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Mayoral challengers get pass on primary
(by Sue Hoffman - July 22, 2009)
Mayoral challengers get pass on primary
By SUE HOFFMAN
With Solon Mayor Kevin C. Patton withdrawing as a candidate for re-election, former Mayor Robert A. Paulson and Councilwoman Susan A. Drucker will head right for the Nov. 3 ballot.
A citywide primary election, which had been scheduled for the three candidates for Sept. 8, will no longer be needed. However, there still will be City Council primaries for Wards 4 and 6, where three candidates each are running for seats. The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections requires primaries for mayor and council when there are three or more candidates.
Both mayoral candidates expressed sympathy for Mr. Patton, whose grief from the tragic loss of his son, Kevin C. Patton II, on Jan. 21, was the reason for withdrawing from the race.
"I am surprised, but not surprised, because I know Kevin's had some unfortunate tragic events in his life that caused him to reassess," said Mr. Paulson, whose 10 years as mayor ended in 1997.
"I extended him my sympathy," Mr. Paulson said. "I feel for the guy and hope he and his family can heal."
"Obviously, the mayor made an extremely difficult decision that he thought was best for himself and his family," said Mrs. Drucker, who has served as vice mayor for the past two years. "I respect his decision and wish the best for them."
Mr. Paulson said he believes Mr. Patton's withdrawal from the race will help his candidacy.
"You never know what will happen in the primary," said Mr. Paulson, who finished third in a five-way primary race for mayor in 2005. He said, in that primary, there was only a 20 percent turnout, and voter turnout in the upcoming primary would not be promising, since it occurs the day after Labor Day. "I didn't like the date," he said.
Mr. Paulson said he anticipates a good turnout at the general election, when Solon voters will choose their next mayor.
Mrs. Drucker said she doesn't believe Mr. Patton's withdrawal from the race affects her candidacy. "The only thing that changes is that there's no primary."
She discussed her aims as a candidate. "Solon is a great community and I've always been proud to live and be part of this community." Looking to the future, she said Solon cannot be satisfied with past successes. "We need to continue to develop and take on new challenges and always continue to improve."
She said she'll bring a management style that provides "more communication, more openness, more accountability and fiscal restraint."
"I intend on being a hands-on leader and city manager as I was the first time," Mr. Paulson said. He said he also would focus on being proactive in protecting the industrial area from major tax loss such as the Chrysler plant closing in Twinsburg.
"I would also work with schools to make sure their revenue flow stays strong," he said. "As the schools go, so goes the community."
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