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by Cam Wigton, Mirror reporter
The Mirror (Maumee, OH)
05-08-99
This much is known concerning the mayoral race in Maumee -- Stephen Pauken will not seek re-election in Maumee.
Thus far, only Democratic council member Tim Wagener has announced his candidacy for mayor to The Mirror.
Pauken, who has held the post for the past seven years, announced on April 30 that he would not seek another term.
"I have spent the last 16 years as an elected official. I have also spent 10 years working on my degree. Upon my graduation, I would like to get some use out of it," Pauken said.
Pauken applied, but was passed over, for positions on the Lucas County Board of Commissioners and the Clerk of Courts this year.
Pauken will earn a degree in business from Heidelberg College this month. He hopes to be hired into a professional administrative position in government after graduation.
"I don't rule out anything at this point. I have many opportunities. I need time to weigh them in order to go with the best one," he said.
Mayor Pauken's main wish before he leaves office is to make the Fallen Timbers Battlefield a national historic site.
"Fallen Timbers is a very important piece of legislation to me. I want to get it passed before I am through as mayor," he said.
"In my 16 years of elected office I have built hundreds of relationships. I believe that is one of the reasons the Fallen Timbers bill has done so well."
During his tenure, the mayor has seen Arrowhead Park's labor force grow exponentially, which has greatly increased the city's payroll tax collections.
The city also purchased the former Lucas County Children Services property on River Road and built a new $7 million municipal building.
The mayor also opposed a county tax last year, which would have supported the construction of a Mud Hens stadium in downtown Toledo. The tax was defeated at the polls, and the Mud Hens remain in Maumee.
Mayor Pauken said he will look back fondly on the time he spent on Maumee City Council and serving as mayor.
"Easily, 99.9 percent of my time as mayor has been filled with fun and accomplishment," he said. "I will miss being mayor. The people of Maumee are fantastic."
Pauken said he also believes that his time as mayor has taught him how to be a leader, as well as many other intangibles.
"I believe that there is still a high honor in the office of mayor. It is a unique experience. There is only one mayor per town. People definitely look to you for your leadership."
Nine-year Maumee councilman Tim Wagener is anxious to start campaigning for the mayoral position.
"I have been thinking about running for quite some time. When I heard that Mayor Pauken decided against seeking another term, I decided that now would be the best opportunity for me to run," he said.
Prior to Pauken's decision, Wagener said that he did not want to run because he did not want to campaign against an incumbent Democrat.
"I have a fire in my belly to run right now. This is a natural stepping stone to advance my political career."
In order to run for office, Wagener said that he needs between 280-300 signatures by June 16. Also, if there are more than two candidates running for mayor, a primary will have to take place in September, according to Wagener.
If he does not win the mayoral race, Wagener would lose his seat on council because it is not protected.
"I ended up on the same cycle as the mayor's office after they switched to four-year terms; therefore, my seat will be available if I win or lose."
Wagener counts on his longevity on council as one of the major reasons he expects to perform well as mayor.
The only member of council who has been on council longer than Wagener is Howard Teifke, who is retiring this year.
"My goal is to bring everyone together on council. I know all the members well enough that I feel we can build on the relationships that we have developed while serving on council together," he said. "I hope to carry those relationships even further if I am elected."
Wagener is also confident that Maumee voters will remember him when it comes time to vote.
"I think that the voters of Maumee know me well. I think the best strategy for me is to show my strengths to them," he said, "then let the Maumee voters make the final decision as to who they want as mayor.
"I have been involved in politics in Maumee and nationally for over 30 years, so I think that is a definite plus in my favor."
If elected, Wagener wants to carry on with the work the council has started and see current projects to fruition.
"I want to see the eventual disposition of the CSB property," he said. "The problem is you have seven people on council who have seven varied opinions on what should happen with the property. It takes time to reach a consensus. It is very important property and should not be taken lightly."
He sees the continued strength of Arrowhead Park as something he can build upon as well.
Wagener also wants to move along the proposed project of building a youth center/community center.
"We need something that is workable that will be attended and cost effective. A place that will benefit the community as a whole," he said.
He also recognizes the importance of the Fallen Timbers Battlefield and the significance it holds for Northwestern Ohio history.
"I think that the battlefield is important. It has garnered national attention. I hope for Mayor Pauken that he achieves what he wants for the battlefield because it means so much to him," Wagener said.
Wagener readily acknowledges that he is looking forward to having the opportunity to run.
"I am a lifelong resident of Maumee. My family has lived here for so long. I want to give back to a community that has given so much to me."
Wagener is going to take a very basic approach for his campaign strategy.
"I want to run a very positive campaign. If there is any backbiting, it will be detrimental to the community.
"It is going to be an interesting summer. I am going to rely on my family and friends to help out. Hopefully, we will come out on top."
NOTICE: This article, which may be copyrighted, is reprinted with specific permission granted to Heidelberg College. Further reprint rights must be secured from the publisher.
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