Candidate Spotlight: Rachel Loza (Ward 1 — Cuyahoga Falls City Council)
The CF Dems Club will be spotlighting our 2021 candidates through November. Be sure to keep stopping by the learn more.
Meet Rachel, candidate for Ward 1 City Council in Cuyahoga Falls, and former telecommunications trainer turned work-from-home mom. She married her husband, Chad, in 2012. They have three kids, Ari (boy 8), Remy (girl 5), and Mila (girl 2). Rachel’s worked in social media marketing and digital content creation for the last 6 years over on her blog at www.itsahero.com where she shares recipes, her experiences with motherhood, maternal and pediatric mental health care, and events throughout Northeast Ohio.
To learn more about Rachel, check out the Q&A below.
Tell us why Cuyahoga Falls is home to you.
I grew up in Geauga County, as did my husband. I ended up working in Akron after graduating from Syracuse University. I found Cuyahoga Falls to be my home away from home in 2008 when I began dating my (now) husband. He owned a home in Ward 1. Cuyahoga Falls immediately ‘clicked’ for me. The city was full of entertainment, restaurants, and basically everything we could need or want.
After living here for several years, I became seriously invested in the community, it’s residents, and the businesses. I can’t imagine a better place to raise my family. We moved into another house in Ward 1 just a couple of years ago because we needed more space. This house was built in 1900 and we plan on being here for another century!
Truthfully, we just never want to leave. We both have families who live far away, and so the residents of Cuyahoga Falls and the business owners here have become our family.
What has motivated you to enter public service?
My motivation comes from wanting the best for my children’s future. And that of the future of our community. I have always wanted to serve my direct community in some way, and starting on city council meant that I could help make a direct impact to our community and its residents. Ultimately, I just want to help the people in my community live their best lives.
What issues are most important to you and our community?
I want to make an impact where we need it the most — food and housing insecurity, the education divide, and fighting against racial prejudices by directly creating those conversations and spaces in our community.
Where would you like to see Cuyahoga Falls in 10 years?
I would like to see Cuyahoga Falls moving in the direction we are currently. I want to see even more small businesses thriving, young families moving into their forever homes, and (here I am dreaming of a post-pandemic world) our community coming together for fun events. I will still be here at the corner of Tallmadge and Taylor, if you need me in ten years!
Why are you proud to be a Democrat?
I have always felt emotions in a big way. I later learned that this is referred to as being an empath. I guess you could say I was born a Democrat because I was born an empath. I didn’t choose to be one. I will always feel for those who are suffering; I will always want more; I will always demand equality. And I’m proud to be Democrat because we are a party that wants the chance not just for life, liberty, and the pursuit; but also because I want my neighbors to not worry about the cost of their hospital stay; I want my community to not go hungry; and I want everyone to have a livable wage. I’m proud to serve and stand next to the people who believe in these same things.
Where’s your favorite place to eat in Cuyahoga Falls?
This is a tough one. My husband and I are big foodies. And Cuyahoga Falls does not disappoint when it comes to food! So let me elaborate on this — all-time favorite is The Blue Door Cafe, followed by ice cream at Pav’s Creamery, and a late night drink at Asterisk Coffee Bar or HiHo.
Favorite song & why?
Oooh. This was a tough one. I think I would say Talk To Me Now by Ani DiFranco. My entire life I’ve been told I was “too much” by people. I’m outspoken, I’m self-assured, and I stand strong in my beliefs without wavering. In my professional life, as a woman, I have been asked to add smiley faces to my emails because, otherwise, my tone was taken in a rude way. I was speaking as straightforward as any of my male colleagues. But being asked to ‘tone it down’ has always been a theme in my life. I won’t lie — it hasn’t been easy to hear. But I haven’t wavered. And I feel like this particular Ani DiFranco song (and all of her songs because I’m a huge fan) really speak to that level of discrimination and adversity.
What do you do to unwind at the end of the day?
After I put my kids to bed I try to unwind by answering emails and (kind of) watching Netflix. I just need a second to breathe after pandemic parenting and so I’ve been watching whatever is suggested to me in my Netflix queue. Occasionally I will pair this with a glass of dry red wine in the hot tub. That’s my ultimate unwind activity, but it only happens about once a week.
More Candidate Information:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/rachellozacfalls
