Even though she was consistently lauded for being a steadying influence during her first term on the School Board, feisty Kathy Paspalis was popularly picked to finish fourth – out of a job – in the late election.
The reasoning was neither scholarly nor clear. It was charged that her campaign was lacklustre, fightin’ words for Ms. Paspalis who fought for a second term the way she conducted herself in office:
Steely-eyed determination, consistent, plainly defined stances, raising her voice when needed, never leaving a doubt of who was in charge.
She felt it was necessary to regularly display these assets since she and reliable ally Laura Chardiet often were a stubborn minority against the threesome of soon-to-depart Prof. Pat Siever, soon-to-depart Karlo Silbiger, and returnee Nancy Goldberg.
It seems likely now, the day after the election, that the popular bond measure campaign that Mr. Silbiger, thoughtfully and singlehandedly routed four months ago because he deemed it would not be ready for the November ballot, may have been pivotal.
Vociferously, Ms. Paspalis championed continuation of the bond measure drive, but she was outflanked, outvoted.
Voters, however, remembered.
Comfortably ensconced in second place last night after only the telling absentee ballots had been posted, Ms. Paspalis and her supporters at the happily buzzing home of Jerry and Janet Chabola oozed confidence about the final score.
She knows her history.
“I ran a close second four years, and that is where I ended up,” which is why she was excited about the early posting.
“In the past three Culver City races, the absentees have been the final order as well.”
Looking at a wall decoration denoting the names of about 99 of her most loyal backers, Ms. Paspalis said that “choosing the right (campaign) team and the right data” sprang her to an impressive second place finish, easily assuring her return for four more years.
“You also have to raise enough money to get the word out to the folks,” said the champion fundraiser who nosed out the supposed favorite, Mr. Silbiger, with $16,180.
Ms. Paspalis was not surprised she was No. 1 in the Dollar Derby. “I raise money for a living,” she said. “My background is as an attorney, and I apparently know how to raise money.
“I work at a nonprofit organization” aiding homeless youths.”
Hitting the streets was crucial for her.
“You have to get out and talk to the voters,” Ms. Paspalis said. “I walked the entire city four years ago. I walked the entire city again this year. You have to get the word out. You have to get your mail out because you don’t reach everybody by walking. You have to call, you have to walk, you have to mail.”
