Paula McGee
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Marie: Now, on to today's [00:01:00] episode.
Grab a cup of coffee. Settle in and let's get started.
Erika: Welcome to this week's episode of the Working Moms of San Antonio podcast. We have a guest here with us, Paula McGee. She is running for city council, uh, I guess, representative, um, for district eight, and so we've never had a city council runner here, and so I'm excited to turn it over to her and she can tell us a little about herself.
Paula: Well, thank you so much for this opportunity to visit with you. It was fun meeting you last week. I'm very excited about what you do here for working moms. Um, I am running for, uh, to be the next city councilwoman in district eight. And I'm excited about doing that because I love. San Antonio. My husband and I have [00:02:00] lived here for more than 39 years.
We've watched a lot of change, but it is, uh, This is a really important time. We have a lot of issues facing our city, and so I feel that I have a lot to offer, uh, to serve at City Hall. So, anyway, I'm gonna use what I've done in my life. Um, I'm not a young person running for city council and, uh, so I'm going to use my life experience as a wife, a mom, a grandmother, a lawyer, a community volunteer, and it's all about public service for me, so I'm looking forward to hopefully serving the folks that live and the businesses that exist in District 8.
That's awesome.
Erika: Yeah, that really is. Tell us a little bit about how you kind of came to the decision to run I just feel like that's such a big Choice, you know,
Paula: it is a big choice. It's [00:03:00] something that I've thought about for many years. Honestly, I Some time ago I Had my first opportunity to serve I've volunteered in the community just like, you know most of us have with different organizations church, etc, but I Uh was appointed to be on the zoning commission And when I lived in another district actually because it's been quite a few years and I found it to be so interesting such a great, um opportunity to kind of Serve within the city, but also use knowledge that I had as a lawyer to contribute to the Decision making that was going on there and had an opportunity to really see the entire city because uh issues coming before the zoning commission Relate to properties all over the city.
And so Um, that was a really, uh, kind of what planted the [00:04:00] seed for, in my heart to do this and a kind of a desire to do it. And after I served on that, then, um, Mayor Ivy Taylor appointed me to serve on the Ethics Review Board. And that's another, uh, Board and commission within the city of San Antonio, a completely different area, but another citizen board.
And so those two things, um, really caused me to consider whether or not this would not be a good thing that I was equipped and prepared and ready to do. It's certainly not something at my age that most people would endeavor to do. I'm not a politician. So, And, you know, putting yourself out, uh, in the public to do this, to serve is a big commitment.
So there was a lot of prayer, talking to my family, friends, people that have known me for many years to, to see whether, sometimes other [00:05:00] people can see things in you that you don't see yourself. So there was a lot of encouragement. That I got to do it. So
Marie: that's a great way to use your gifts and talent, you know Yeah, a way to serve.
I mean if you have a servant's heart, that's a way it's a way to give back
Paula: I think so. I my parents instilled that in me from when I was little. My mom was a nurse in the public schools that I went to, and my dad was an engineer for NASA. I grew up down in the Clear Lake area, south of Houston, and they were always very involved in the community.
You know, my dad was actually a city council person in our little bitty town, and so they, they were just always very, um, Other centered and so they They would take me along and so it's just something that has always been a part of me. I think giving to other people Not just living for myself. So [00:06:00]
Erika: yeah, that's great.
Marie: It is. Um, miss paula Is there some goals like if if if you were to to win the race goals that you have in mind for your district?
Paula: yeah, that's a really good question I There are issues that as I have talked to people in the district because you know When you undertake something like that, you have your own ideas about what you think, uh, is needed.
But it really is about being a spokesperson for the residents within the whole district. And so, um, I, I do believe that the issues that seem to be the most important To me are what red seem to be coming up as I talk to others in the community. So public safety I mean, I just tell people that if we don't feel safe in our homes, [00:07:00] um, in the community or jogging on our beautiful trails, then the rest doesn't really matter.
So prioritizing public safety and making sure that our police and fire have the resources that they need keep us safe. Um, that's a, that's really important to me. I want people to know about the Safe Officer Program. Do y'all know about that? I don't know anything about that. Yeah, so within, uh, San Antonio Police Department, it, it, this is something that has been there for many, many years, but lots of people don't know about it.
So, There are officers within SAPD that are assigned to your neighborhood and your neighborhood based on where you live. And they are really your first connection into the police department. So on a non emergency basis, if you saw something, [00:08:00] A lot of people, you know, we, we tell people if you see something, say something, but oftentimes people don't know who to say that to.
And that would be the safe officers. And so, for example, if
Marie: it wasn't an emergency. Right. Okay. Right.
Paula: So let's say that you're walking in your neighborhood and over a period of time you just noticed that some house just doesn't look right. Like there's cars there that shouldn't normally be there or You have a neighbor that you should be seeing that you haven't seen, and there's, you know, maybe an accumulation of newspapers.
There's just evidence that something's not right there, but it's not really something to call 9 1 1 for. Right. You could call the safe officer and say, you know, this just doesn't really look right here. Could you look into it? And they will. They'll go do a drive by, and if they find out Uh, some, that there sees, is something [00:09:00] amiss, then they will bubble that up, uh, into whatever is appropriate.
You know, maybe it's an elderly person that you are concerned about their well being. Then you could let the safe officer know and they would, they would, uh, invest, send investigators to look into this. So it's, um, I learned about the safe officers just recently. And I know how much they helped us in our, on our little cul de sac with an issue that wasn't something to call 911 about, but something that we, that did not seem right.
And so I, I just want to educate and inform people about the existence of that service within the police department so that we can all begin to kind of take responsibility for what part of Being safe that we can do for ourselves and so that's kind of a real practical
Marie: one that makes sense I mean I in in my area of town and I I am ashamed to say [00:10:00] I cannot recall what district I'm in But it's okay.
I'm in the Medical Center and we have a lot of migrants or people who might be walking around right and I Don't know who they are and sometimes they look like they need help, but maybe not 9 1 1. So I yeah, it would have been something exactly Who do you call like you just hey, he's been sitting on the ground for a while He doesn't look he needs help, but it doesn't look okay Like he's not doesn't need medical care, but we don't know exactly
Paula: exactly And so I carry around in my wallet And I've put it in my cell phone the safe officer's name and number And so, um, you can go on, you can go online to San Antonio Police Department and uh, input SAFE, which is S A F F E, um, SAFE officers, and then it'll bring up, uh, you can find yours by inputting your address.
Oh, that's great. That's great. It'll tell you who it is and it will give you their number. I
Marie: love that. [00:11:00] Thank
Paula: you for sharing that because I wouldn't, I. Yes. How about that?
Erika: Yeah.
Paula: It stands for San Antonio Fear Free Environment is what's safe. So anyway, that's just kind of a practical thing, uh, but of course public safety is a big concern I think for everybody, um, in our city.
We just kind of sense that there is rising crime, um, and so that's a, that's a number one issue I think for me with, and a motivator to run. Um, another issue is just to. Address. basic city services. So, infrastructure, what is that? You know, it's streets and sidewalks. Yeah. And. I'm
Erika: like, they say it all the time and I don't really ever know what that means.
Paula: That's what it is. Yeah. That's what it is. And so, we, we all know that it, it honestly seems like roads are under construction. We're always under construction. Always. Over the city. All over the city. And some [00:12:00] of the projects just kind of seem to go on and.
Marie: Well, like, my husband and I have this conversation quite often, like, why don't they finish one before they start another?
Like, I don't understand this. Like, why are we everywhere on 1604?
Paula: I know. Well, the answer to that is that when there are resources available through TxDOT or even if they're federal, Highways dollars, then the city takes them when they can and work is begun And so it really is a funding Issue that has caused all of this to be under construction It seems like it one time or another but with respect to city streets and we have you know We have streets maintained by the city.
Then we have streets maintained by the state have streets that are Uh, can be improved by federal money. So it kind of depends on who is responsible for it. But in any [00:13:00] event, we want those projects to start and finish and, uh, not be, uh, you know, adversely affecting for any, you know, longer period of time than is necessary.
The neighborhoods and the businesses around those this is not just the
Marie: streets It's time consumed on the roads that you that you spend away from your family if you're commuting It's damage to your vehicles my window shield quite often because of the construction And I can't tell you how many flat tires i've gotten because there's construction going on i've gotten something in my tire, right?
So it's not just the road itself. It's all the stuff that goes along with it is
Paula: it is and so That's just kind of I I am a person that thinks that the city government should do what the city is supposed to do and streets and drainage and Trash and all those things are city services and we all pay a lot [00:14:00] For tech in taxes you so we want to make sure that what?
We are paying we're getting our money's worth and so It's, it's not really rocket science. I, I view city council as really being customer service in many ways to connect, connect people to their government and, uh, and help. them to navigate through all the different departments of the city to try to get help for them for the concerns that they have so.
Yeah, your platform
Erika: seems very common sense, which I like. We like common sense. Yes.
Paula: Yes. Well, you know I think that is something that I do have as common sense. The longer you live, the more you have that.
Marie: I hate to say though, sometimes you look at things like, why did we spend money on that? I need the whole, the pothole fixed.
Like, I don't need a statue. I need the pothole fixed.
Paula: Yes, and I mean I have, in talking with, we're doing block walking now, so we're kind of going through different neighborhoods, [00:15:00] which I find, Very enjoyable some people might not but for me as a candidate it really puts the Pursuit in perspective because it really is all about uh trying to help citizens and residents within the district and um, and what they they seem to confirm is that they just want To have the services that they are paying for and they do want common sense reintroduced back into Decision making that goes on and I think that Voters want to know that their money is being used wisely.
Absolutely. I think there is a lot of Frustration with just not knowing because our city budget is massive.
Erika: Yeah,
Paula: I mean The enterprise of the city of San Antonio has a 4 billion [00:16:00] annual budget. And so, average citizens don't know where their money is being spent by their government. And so, transparency and accountability and stewardship are, uh, um, Something that's really important to me and what I want to, uh, help people understand where their money is being spent and be a part of really shining a light, if we can, on where it is, uh, what is being, what it's being spent on.
Back in the fall, so the city budget process, um, for each, The calendar year really is, uh, a July to September examination and a preparation of what the annual budget will be. So last fall, um, our, uh, current council, Manny Pelaez, was a part of, and they did this in all the districts, they would have kind of town hall meetings so that people could come and ask [00:17:00] questions.
And I thought, you know, I'm going to be a candidate. I should read the budget.
Marie: Yep.
Paula: I thought it was almost incomprehensible. It was so, it was like 600 pages long. I could not follow it and really discern. I couldn't tell how much of it was being, uh, spent on behalf of District 8. And so that was just very revealing to me.
And so I, I think trying to ask a lot of hard questions at City Hall, and I know that in the next few years there is going to be more, uh, examination of, they call, it's not really a zero based budgeting, but Councilman Mark White has, um, Uh, proposed and it has been passed by the council in about, I think it's three years, they [00:18:00] will begin to really, uh, look more closely at every single department and make sure that that department and the expenses there, um, are what they should be now.
Because sometimes you know that the budget just sort of evolves from year to year and grows and it should be audited I would assume
Marie: on a regular basis. Just because. Needs change, budget should change, it should be re evaluated. At any, I think of, when I think of San Antonio being run, it's a business.
It's a big business.
Paula: It is.
Marie: And as a business owner, I review my budget annually and I go through it and see where do I, where can I cut, where can I add, where do I need to increase my budget in, if it's marketing, um, and take it away from something else, or where do I need to put the expenditures. Right.
And I would hope that our city was doing that as well.
Paula: Well. Governments are a little bit different, and bureaucracies can be a little bit different. So, they aren't always [00:19:00] managed and run as the massive business enterprise that they are. Um, but just because they haven't done it as well does not mean we cannot start to handle our affairs that way.
I mean families have to make difficult choices about um, you know the resources that we have and where we're going to spend our money and where we're going to invest our money and um, we can't have everything that we want we have to prioritize their most important. And I think I think that that's what our city should be doing also
Erika: Yeah.
Paula: I agree. No,
Marie: I, I think that's a, I, I love the fact that it's common sense and if you can make any kind of impact, that would be one thing I would, yes. Anything. Yes. Yes.
Paula: I've always been a person that asks a lot of questions. My husband says that the, that always, he tells people always pay attention to her because when she says.
I have a question. Uh oh. You know that I, I listen first, [00:20:00] but then I start asking my questions, so anyway, it's all about the facts. Well, hopefully with the questions you might
Marie: have ideas of solutions as well.
Paula: Yes. Yes. Yes. So, anyway, so, uh, infrastructure, public safety, and then transparency and accountability.
Kind of big for me. That's awesome. Motivators. I love it.
Erika: Me too. Um, real quick. I'm just gonna have you pull that mic just a little closer to you. Yeah. Like kinda. Sorry. Yeah. I kinda sat back. Oh no, don't worry. Oh no, you're good. Um, we'll cut all that part out. Don't worry. Okay, cool. Um. Last week when you were here, you and I had a conversation about how this upcoming election is one of the more important ones.
Yes. And so I'd love for us to talk about current voter turnout and why it's so important for people to get out there and vote more than ever.
Paula: Yes, it is extremely important. This is a very important election. Of course, excuse me, Election Day is May 3rd. Early voting starts on April 22nd and runs through April 29th.[00:21:00]
Um, it is, um, right in the middle of Fiesta this year. And, um, that is not going to be good for voter turnout. Municipal elections, um, are not, uh, always very, people, there's a lot of distractions in May. Um, we have people graduating, people are planning their vacations, there's Mother's Day, there's just a lot of distractions in May.
And because there are not, uh, always, uh, big issues that are on the ballot and it's just, and it's just our city council and mayor, oftentimes people just think, oh, it doesn't really matter. And so voters It does matter, it
Marie: actually matters more than your big day.
Paula: It really, it really does. And so, part of what I want to be, uh, about is just encouraging people about the importance of it, that it is coming up.
This year in particular, it is [00:22:00] very important because, uh, because of the charter amendments that the city passed in November, the, um, council members and the mayor, uh, all of which are on the May ballot. Will be serving for four years instead of two And that is extremely important because we need to make sure that we're picking Um the right people because they're going to be there for a while longer than usual longer than usual and um In addition to that, uh, it is just a time when there are a lot of uh Big issues coming before our city.
There's a lot of conversation about The sports and entertainment district downtown, um, are moving the, uh, spurs to a downtown arena. That is a big issue. Um, so it is, it is important for people to be informed. [00:23:00] There's 27 mayoral candidates, so people will need to be paying attention to try to. Uh, examine them, listen to what their issues are, why they're running, what they, the leadership that they want to provide for our city for the next four years.
Um, there are four council districts that, because the, uh, uh, those current council members are running for mayor, we'll have four brand new council members. District 8 that I'm running in is one of those. Manny Pelaez is running for mayor. So there'll be at least four new council members, a new mayor out of the 11, uh, for the next four years.
So it is a really critical election and hopefully people will be engaged in it to vote, but also be informed about the choices that they're going to make.
Marie: I [00:24:00] always felt that, um, a two year term is difficult to see change, like in just in general. So when you have someone, four year, their, their stuff that they're implementing, you'll gonna see change.
Or if, if, if, if it goes that route. I always felt like two years always not long enough, so you have to make sure if they're gonna be there for four and you don't like the change, you gotta get out and vote, beforehand. Yeah, I I think a lot of people go into thinking. The, you know, voting, just having your opinion out there is good.
That's good enough, and making a decision is always good. But, I think federal government is more important, but what affects you directly Is your, your, your local government, it's so
Paula: important. Absolutely. I, I think that, um, I heard somebody say once that, you know, local government has the most impact. Yes.
On your day to day lives. Yes. Day to day life. Right. And so city councils, um, school districts, all of those things really make a difference in, in the [00:25:00] quality of life that we have and, and also it is the place where change can really begin. And so, a lot of people might think, Oh, we need to change things at the national level.
But it is really a grassroots, I think, beginning, often, that causes the spurt. It's what
Marie: affects your livelihood. It affects your day to day, the trash, the roads. Safety affects you daily. So, and the federal government doesn't fix that.
Paula: No, no they don't. It's our local government. No, they don't. And just sort of a reminder that, um, our local elections are non partisan.
So that's, that's one of the reasons why it's in May is it can be non partisan. There occasionally is conversation about, you know, should it move to November? In order to encourage greater voter, uh, participation in that election, but that would introduce the partisan dynamic to it, and so I, it is a [00:26:00] non partisan election, so I, I think that's as it should be.
Erika: Yeah.
Paula: I would agree
Erika: with that. Yeah. Yeah, that makes sense. Um, when you shared the statistics of the people that vote locally, I was surprised. It's really low. Yeah. Will you share that with our listeners?
Paula: It's, it's typically somewhere around 10 to 12 percent in a municipal election of the registered voters.
Right. And that's not even, That's not even everyone, I mean, No. So it is a very, it's a very, uh, small number, which is a shame.
Marie: Is that total, like total, or is it per, like, Let's
Paula: say in District 8, um, I haven't seen the most recent statistics on it, they might be a couple years old, but it's, I heard somebody quote that it's about 150, 000, uh, residents in District 8.
Okay. So, if, um. 10 percent of that. Yes. Yes.
Erika: I know. [00:27:00] That's what I'm saying. When she said that the other day, I was blown away.
Paula: Right. So, 15, 000 people. Are going to make a decision for your area. Yes. On who represents you and who speaks for you and your values in the decision making at City Hall.
Marie: We need to vote.
Erika: Yes. Yes. Have you voted ever in a local election? Yes. I never have. I know. Oh.
Marie: Okay. I try to. I bet you do this
Paula: year.
Erika: Yeah. Now I'm gonna. Now I'm gonna Paula. For sure.
Marie: I have to say. Like. In high school, I don't remember them like pushing it. No, I don't know. I mean, we had government economics, but no one really took the time.
And my my my parents voted, but not I mean, as children, we never went with them. Like, so I anytime I vote, if the boys are available, I've taken them with me, especially when they're little. I like to get them to show them because I as when I turned 18, I didn't understand. Oh, you're voting like what it meant.
I mean, I knew what it meant But like [00:28:00] at the end of the day the impact that you are having
Erika: Yeah You
Marie: have to be able to I mean I can't I said I can't sit here and complain what's happening if I didn't take the Time out of my day to go. Hey, this is what I want.
Paula: Yeah, this is
Marie: who I want to
Paula: represent me Exactly, and that's what I've told people for years that you know, if you don't vote then you shouldn't complain
Erika: Yeah,
Paula: because you you voted By your, you know, acquiescence and absence.
So, um, yeah, I love it when I go and vote and I see little children there with their parents because yes, it, yes, it is, it does take time out of your day and all of that, but think about it. I mean, I think a lot of times people believe that, oh, my vote isn't gonna really make a difference. But if there's only 15, 000 people voting, Yes, uh, uh, a few people one way or another can really sway an election, so you can, you can make a difference.
Yeah. I just,
Marie: like I said, I think just in, in [00:29:00] general, I, I didn't, I didn't have it. Where someone like, hey, you should go and vote. You should this is why you should do it I know we learned about it in school a very short period of time and I think I took it in the summer Like to get ahead and it wasn't something that just was really hey, this is something you should be doing and why?
Paula: So several years ago, um I, some of my friends and I decided, you know, we're going to try to organize our friends to go and vote.
Erika: Yeah.
Paula: And so we created what we called voting circles of influence. Um, somebody, some called it voting circles of friends, but basically I reached out to 25 of my friends and said, okay, the election is coming.
Um, I am going to. Uh. Send you emails. This is, you know, when everybody communicated by email, but we would still do we were doing it in a different way now back then I said, okay, there's a [00:30:00] lot of issues that are really important in this election over the next six weeks. I'm going to give you an update on candidates on ballot issues.
There was a lot going on at that time. If I send it to you, will you find 10 minutes. other friends to forward it to and will you ask them to find 10 friends to do the same thing and then When it came and they said yes, and so it was just kind of like this expanding circle when it came time for early voting to begin then We kind of ramped it up.
I would remind people that early voting was coming, and they would remind their friends, and they would remind their friends. And I, and we all reached out to our circles, um, until, to make sure that they did vote. And then we stopped, you know, if you told me you voted, then I stopped bothering you with text [00:31:00] messages or emails.
But until I knew you voted, um, I kept saying, okay, you've got two more days of early voting and then it's election day. Make sure you go and vote. And I honestly think we made a difference in that election. Yeah. Because we. I think we had at least 5, 000 people in those circles, um, across, uh, northern, uh, the, uh, 8, 9, districts 8, 9, and 10.
So, anyway, it's something just very simple. Just tell your friends, make sure they know the election is coming, and then hold them accountable for voting. Um, so, anyway, yeah.
Marie: It's kind of odd that we have to do that, though. You know, like, I, I, Personally, I'm like, I need to make it a priority. Like, it has to be something that's important to me.
And I have to, I think it's sometimes because people don't understand what's being voted on. Like, they don't really understand all the things that the peoples are running for, and I don't recognize the name, and I don't, or there is, I, I've seen that person on the news, well just, [00:32:00] there's that one.
Paula: Right.
You
Marie: know, and taking the time to really understand what each candidate Is standing for
Paula: right? Because I mean honestly A lot of a lot of us that are doing this We know what the issues are because the citizens know what the main issues are it really comes down to who? Who do you trust? to actually represent you and who is going to really address those issues and so um In District 8, there are six candidates, we're all really different, and I think that's good for voters.
Um, there's a lot of really different candidates running for mayor, so educate yourselves and decide who it is, do you think, can address the issues that are important to you, who will do that, who do you trust to do that, because we don't, we know what the issues are today. But how quickly do things change?
And so we don't know [00:33:00] what the big issues are going to be for San Antonio a year from now. Truly. So we need to have people there that are leaders and that are going to work together to provide sound, uh, decision making for the community growing so
Marie: fast. I mean, we're both in real estate, so we see like I, I, even during, during COVID, I mean, if I did, And let's say 10 units a month out of those 10 at least at least two to three of them Or for someone out of town that doesn't know right doesn't know the you know stuff So we're growing and we're still growing and having good people in place will continue to help us grow the best way
Paula: Right, and we all know that that is probably an overarching issue for all of these things We are the seventh maybe becoming the sixth largest city In america, and so the the, uh, The secret of how great San Antonio is, is no secret [00:34:00] any longer.
I mean, people are coming, cannot stop that. And so we have to plan for, uh, the increased traffic. We have to plan for the housing short, you know, we have to address the housing shortages. Of course it creates issues related to public safety. I mean, it affects everything. Um, and we have to anticipate that because if you're not addressing it now, you're way behind in the cost to address it later or even that much greater.
We've watched other cities not do that well.
Marie: Well, and it's just, it's not, it's not a gradual growth. It's all of a sudden, there's a whole bunch of people here. Yes.
Paula: Yes. And, you know, some of us want to keep it the way it's always been and we want to grow. Um. In a, in a way where we don't lose the culture and the history and all that makes San Antonio special, we want to preserve that.
So we have to be mindful of, uh, managing the expansion [00:35:00] and growth of the community in a way that preserves that. So.
Marie: I agree. I, it just. I, I think it's great. I mean, this is our first time ever, like, talking with someone who's running. In government. Yeah, in government and understanding some of this and hearing you clearly explain your, your take and your goals.
I think that's amazing. I hope I wish other people would do that, where it's just for the person who's not, um, day to day into the issues of a, of a city. You just hope it gets better. Yeah. Like you really, I, I, I would probably think at least 90 percent of people don't understand what a council. Person would do
Paula: well, and I think a lot of time what I have have learned as I've been talking with just you know people in the neighborhoods and all is that a Lot of the issues that are of grave concern to us that we hear about on TV and read about online and [00:36:00] Are not really the issues of the city They're important issues to us, but they might be better addressed or they are more appropriately addressed by the state or the federal government and not the city.
So a lot of it is, I have found that I have had to educate people, you know, the city does not make decisions about our immigration policy. That's at the federal level, doesn't mean that we are not aware. We, of course, we are all aware and have our concerns about that, but the city does, you know, trash and parks and potholes and those kinds of things.
Marie: And
Paula: so it is a lot of education for people. But
Marie: the news right now, and that's what people are concerned about. Yes, and
Paula: that is what gets people emotionally. Uh, connected and concerned about governments.
Marie: Yeah, it would be great if the news covered, Hey, this pothole's been here for 10 years, can we get it taken care of?
Paula: We've laughed [00:37:00] that, um, you know, but some of what I hear from time to time is that people have problems with issues and they get frustrated with 3 1 1, which is kind of the, the number that you call if you need the city services about whatever, you know, stray dogs or trash pickup or whatever. And that, uh, there's sometimes a delay, um, in that.
And so, um, sorry, I completely lost my train of thought. Oh, you're good. Oh, you're fine. No, don't worry. We can edit that out. I forgot what I was going to say about that. No problem. I completely forgot about where I was going with 311.
Marie: Well, I know that people do get frustrated about it. I've called them like, okay, you're on hold.
I just hope if I call 911 they answer. That'd be great. I want to make sure that continues to happen.
Paula: Yes, yes. So, anyway. I
Marie: just think this is normal people's expectations sometimes. Again, I think it comes to the education of people. Locally educate what you're [00:38:00] there for and what you can do and making people understand that it does affect your day to day life.
And immigration is definitely an important topic and it's a hot topic right now, but that's right now. And those things do affect our day to day life. Like we want to make sure we have enough police officers available and firefighters, because we have more people locally, whether it's via, uh, people moving here or, or, or immigrants here or whatever the case is.
That we have those resources available, and that's something you can address.
Paula: Absolutely, and we want our, and we want our police and firefighters to have all of the resources. All of the equipment that they need, um, in order to stay safe while they're keeping us safe. I, uh, had the opportunity to do a ride along with SAPD about a month ago.
And it was fascinating, it was on a Friday night, and I was so impressed by the professionalism [00:39:00] of all the officers that I met, um, their care and concern. We had a homeless lady that we needed to, that the officer needed to talk with, and the kindness that he showed. Um, it was just a real glimpse into, um, those brave people that, uh, are our first responders.
And so very proud of them and, but we need more of them.
Marie: Airfighters, I see quite a bit more, um, social media about recruiting and about things, you know, camps and stuff like that and then reaching out to the youth. And I have to say my son, it's caught my son's eye. That's so
Paula: interesting that you brought that up.
So the officer that I was doing a ride along with, he told me, he shared, you know, was with him for like seven hours. And he, so he was telling me a little bit about his story and how he became a police officer and he actually took one of those [00:40:00] classes. Um, I think it's, I don't know, it's like, it's, uh, well, police academy is when you want to be an officer, but they have kind of a youth program where, um, people who are inter young people who are interested in serving as police officers can kind of go and I don't know if it's a camp or whatever, but in any event, that is where he first got the bug for doing it and that it has grown into this.
Has, um, uh, been an officer for I think seven or eight years, but it's just a passion that he had to serve in that way. And I think that's a calling. I think you, if that's not for everyone to be able to do that and, um, you know, you just think of the families of those first responders to, to, um, to allow their loved one to serve like that and, and know that they don't always come home.
Yeah. So anyway, very grateful for all of [00:41:00] them really.
Erika: Well, Paula, I have to say, this has been so interesting. I loved having you on. Um, can you tell our listeners how they can get more information about you and, and your plans?
Paula: Yes. Um, so I have a website. Um, I'd love for them to go to it and learn more about me and the issues and, and, and Um, why I'm running and, um, it's electpaulamckey.
com is the website and they can, uh, learn more. They can volunteer. We need a lot of volunteers to help. With our campaign, we're looking for people to block walk, um, we can use people to, um, on the phone. I mean, we can, we can put to work anybody with any skill set, um, to help us. Um, it takes a lot of people to do it.
We, of course, are always looking to raise money. Campaigns are expensive. Not everybody can give, um, but if anybody is inclined to do that, they can donate through our website. There's a [00:42:00] secure link there, but mainly volunteers and, um, uh, spreading the word about my campaign and my desire to serve. Perfect.
Well, hopefully this
Erika: podcast can do exactly that. I hope so.
Paula: I'm so grateful. Thank you so much for your interest and, uh, and all that you do here. And we'll
Marie: commit to, uh, you know, reminding our friends and family to vote when it comes. Yes. Yes. All right. During fiesta time. Yeah. They're sober when they go and, and vote.
Right? It'll be a challenge for everybody. But we'll definitely make sure, that's something I, I, I will commit to doing, making sure that my family goes out and vote, and encourage them to do that, because it Erica's
Paula: gonna hold you accountable. I know, I'll be accountable. And you her. Yeah. I need it. Yeah. For sure.
Well, thank
Erika: you again for being on. Thank you so much. And I'll also thank our listeners for tuning into this week's episode and we'll catch you next time.
Marie: See you guys next week.[00:43:00]
Erika: Thanks so much for tuning into this episode of the Working Moms of San Antonio podcast. We hope you loved today's chat and found a little inspiration to take with you into your week. If you have a podcast topic suggestion or a question you'd love for us to cover, definitely send us an email at hello at workingmomsofsanantonio.
com. We'd love to hear from you. Take care. And until next time, see you in the community!
