Gwinnett Daily Post article

My full responses to the questions from the Gwinnett Daily Post questions:

Name: Nicole R. Tobias

Age: 33

Education: BSE Chemistry & General Science Education, MS Counseling & College Student Personnel, currently pursuing my Ph.D. in College Student Affairs Administration 

Occupation: Student, Part time Academic Mentor to Student Athletes at UGA

Political Experience: (elected or appointed positions)  Significant experience serving on Boards, but no political experience.  Currently the Vice Chairperson of the Board of Directors for Peace Place, Inc. I have served on the Board of Directors for the Piedmont Rape Crisis Center and I served as the Student Trustee on the Council of Trustees at Mansfield University in Pennsylvania.

Family: Married to Jeremy Tobias, manager with Lowe's Home Improvement, 4 rescue dogs, no children

What is your political philosophy and how will it drive your role in office?  I am a fiscally conservative citizen who wants to be involved and give back to my community.  I have been an active volunteer in Winder throughout my time living in Georgia, and have volunteered while attending UGA to pursue my Ph.D.  I am able to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously and love working with other people to come up with the best ideas and decisions possible.  I want to take the stigma out of politics by being honest, direct, and open, and by asking questions of the Council and the city administrators so that the citizens of Winder understand the actions of the Council, the Mayor and the City Administrator.  As someone who is not a politician or trying to turn this position into a lifelong career in politics, I have no other agenda than to help the City run smoothly and with appropriate questioning, checks and balances.  

Name your top goal or issue you want to tackle.  I want to focus on providing a downtown in Winder that is a destination location.  Currently, there seem to be more vacant buildings than occupied ones. When the road construction is completed the Council needs to work to recruit local and other businesses to come to the city of Winder.  The Council needs to partner with other agencies (perhaps the Chamber of Commerce, Lanier Tech, the Small Business Development Center at UGA, etc.) to help provide trainings for the business owners and operators to help them run successful businesses in Winder that don't go out of business or move to other towns outside of Winder.  I would also like to focus on the spending trends of the Council and within the city administration.  There have been high dollar expenditures approved by the Council with very little public discussion or input.  It is worth reviewing the current budget, along with the strategic plan for the City to ensure that the City is meeting its goals and able to pursue the vision for the city.

What sets you apart from your competitors?  I have not lived in Winder for over 20 years.  I am not involved in the traditional politics of the City, I will not be intimidated by the "power players" in Winder, I am not afraid to ask difficult questions or to share my opinions.  I have seen downtown Winder deteriorate since 2010 and I want to intervene and be a part of the conversation to improve the City to meet its true potential.  My age, educational and professional background, my fiscally conservative nature, only living in Winder for over three years, and my ability to be visionary while having the administrative and interpersonal skills to make the vision come to life make me vastly different from my opponents.


Several people have written letters to the editor or commented on my campaign Facebook page.  It is easy for people to say kind and positive things about themselves, so I encourage the citizens of Winder to read what other people say about working with me.  You can find this information by searching "Nicole Tobias Winder City Council" on Facebook. Thank you for your interest in this election, for your time, and for your consideration.  Local elections matter, please get out to vote at the Winder Community Center on Tuesday, November 5 and vote Nicole Tobias!      

Read the article in the Gwinnett Daily Post for yourself at: http://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/news/2013/oct/30/two-challengers-face-incumbent-winder-councilman/