Who cares? It'll be some Democrat who'll continue Toledo's slide into oblivion. Never overestimate Toledoans.
swd
posted by swd at 03:49 P.M. EST on Sun Jun 05, 2005 #
It has only been 20 years since Donna Owens, a Republican, was elected mayor.
This is not a foregone conclusion, especially if Jack runs against Ludeman.
posted by historymike at 04:05 P.M. EST on Sun Jun 05, 2005 #
I think it would hurt Jack more than Carty if he runs since it would divide the "A" team. I heard him on Denny's show on Friday, and he sounds sincere (as sincere as someone running for office could be) and he acknowledged that his running was causing some problems with friendships.
I predict that Jack Ford will pull out of the race for health reasons, Carty will end up not running at all and it will be Wilkowsi versus Ludeman....
Wilkowski will win because he is far enough away from a main line connection to politics and people are tired of what those in office are doing right now.....Rob has dropped the ball several times when he had a chance to stand out.
Will I be right or will I have to admit that I suck at predictions? We shall see....lol
posted by psyche777 at 04:08 P.M. EST on Sun Jun 05, 2005 #
As I've said before, I don't understand Ludeman's wanting to run for mayor. Why be saddled with that albatross (mayor of Toledo)? If I were voting in Toledo, I'd vote against Ludeman just to spare him.
The Democrats made Toledo what it is, let them keep it forevermore, well, until no one's left in Toledo and it can be done over.
swd
posted by swd at 04:20 P.M. EST on Sun Jun 05, 2005 #
It's interesting that Keith resigned last Wednesday as a board member of the political action committee LucasCountyDemocrats.org, which endorsed Ford.
Apparently, Keith had a lengthy political discussion on Friday with Denny on Schaffer's radio show, but I don't know what was said. Anybody catch that interview?
Keith writes a bi-weekly column for the Toledo Free Press. He concluded his latest column about political discourse with:
"Make no mistake about it; I believe there are distinct Democratic values and that government policies grounded in those values will lead us to a better community. Our political debates, however, should not be driven by the mistaken notion that the opponents are morally bad people, or that the individual character flaws of the opposition's leaders somehow prove the correctness of our competing policy positions. To be able to fight for the principles we believe in, while maintaining the ability to work with our political adversaries, is one large reason this American democracy has survived for more than 200 years. And the language we use while engaged in those fights matters."
A classy statement. Sounds too good for someone wanting to be mayor. I think it's also a long way of saying that Keith plans to run a "clean" campaign.
An article in today's Blade about political campaigning, unfortunately, at summer festivals.
"Even though they're not official candidates, Mr. Finkbeiner, Mr. Wilkowski, and Mr. Sarantou all were making appearances - but not passing out campaign literature - over the weekend. Mr. Wilkowski missed the festivals yesterday because of a family wedding, but he planned to head out today to the Old West End fest."
Blade columnist Russ Lemmon said:
"Despite his dismal poll numbers, I like Mr. Ford's chances against everyone except Mr. Finkbeiner. (And that includes Mr. Wilkowski.) Meanwhile, my gut says Mr. Wilkowski would beat Mr. Finkbeiner."
Nothing new yet from Fritz Wenzel except a message saying that he's too busy with his new business Wenzel Strategies to talk about local politics. Fritz said:
"I must say, briefly, that I am amazed at how little true analysis of the political landscape is offered here in Northwest Ohio. So much is simply spin or simplistic observation. We'll get serious with it again soon."
More about Keith:
"He was appointed law director for Rossford in 1997 and became the legal agent for the Rossford Arena Amphitheater Authority, whose plans to build a $48 million entertainment complex fell apart in 1999 and is still the subject of litigation with neighboring Perrysburg Township."
Obviously, Keith had nothing to do with Rossford's failed arena project.
[Sidenote] An interesting piece of info from August of 1999 on what this area lost out on:
"87 From the Detroit News: "The Detroit Red Wings have signed a 30-year contract to move their top minor league team to northwest Ohio. Under the agreements, the team will pay $5,000 a game in rent and 10 percent of ticket sales in excess of $3 million per hockey season. In exchange for managing the arena and amphitheater, Olympia will receive money for operating expenses, and a percentage of the suite license fees, premium seating license fees, advertising, concession and merchandise sales. If revenue bonds being used to finance construction of the arena are paid off before 30 years, the team may pull out of the arena if the Red Wings wish, said Keith Wilkowski, Rossford law director." "
Too early to get into issues, but I wonder how Keith feels about the city's strict smoking ban from 2003 compared to the current one? Ford wanted to keep the original strict one, which was supported by 11 council members. Last fall, Carty supported Issue 4, which passed easily and basically allowed smoking to resume again in bars. You know Carty will use this in his campaign.
In January 2004: "Keith Wilkowski, a private lawyer hired by the city to defend the smoking law, said the city needed a restraining order because the bars’ refusal to comply with the law was so widespread that it was beyond the city’s ability to enforce on a complaint basis."
posted by jr at 04:57 P.M. EST on Sun Jun 05, 2005 #
"I heard him on Denny's show on Friday, and he sounds sincere ..."
It's too bad WSPD doesn't have the resources to provide transcripts of their interviews. I'd be interested in reading what Keith talked about. Audio files are okay, but a text representation would be better for searching.
posted by jr at 05:04 P.M. EST on Sun Jun 05, 2005 #
I'm just glad Ludeman is still in the race. Until I saw the paper this morning I thought he had changed his mind.
I love this Wilkowski deal. This is not a normal Democratic party tactic and there is no way the other members of the A Team would have allowed this to go through without loud wailing and knashing of teeth unless they already knew and agreed.
Having said that I read his column in The Toledo Free Press and considering him classy after naming all the reasons he was glad not to be a Republican would be a real stretch for me.
posted by thinkingwoman at 07:46 P.M. EST on Sun Jun 05, 2005 #
Wilkowski is a smooth politician...he knows how to read polls and say just what people have indicated they want to hear...I just want to know what evidence there is to show that his actions support his words...I'll watch and see
posted by intrepid at 01:24 P.M. EST on Tue Jun 07, 2005 #
I can say this: Keith Wilkowski is not a typical politician. In person, he is like a Toledo version of the characters Harrison Ford usually plays: not a big ego, doesn't search for the spotlight, but ready to kick a** if need be.
His kid and my kid were on the same sports team a few years ago. He made all the games that I did, and I never got the sense that he was anything other than a decent guy. Unlike some of the ultra-competitive sports dads who breathed the "win!win!win!" crap down their kids' necks, Keith was an easy-going, affable dad who just enjoyed the game and cheered.
Note: Satire alert
OK, there was that one call where the legally-blind ref was obviously paid off by one of the evil parents from the other team, and Keith joined me in a group beat-down of the scurrilous official....
Note: End of satire
That being said, politics is a dirty business. It is the rare politician who is not sullied, beaten down, chewed up, consumed by megalomania, or corrupted by the process of running for office.
As far as the Rossford Arena, he was not a major force calling for its construction. He was the legal specialist who was involved in trying to fix a bad idea that the local politcos f****d up.
Granted, he helped get some of them elected, but I didn't see Wilkowski get involved until the thing started imploding.
I hope that Keith is ready for the election insanity.
posted by historymike at 01:50 P.M. EST on Tue Jun 07, 2005 #
Who cares? It'll be some Democrat who'll continue Toledo's slide into oblivion. Never overestimate Toledoans.
-------------------------------------------
I always enjoy your posts,pal, because I agree with them entirely, and this one's no different. But - the Republicans we have are merely RHINOS anyway ("Republican? HA! In Name Only!)
posted by Foolkiller at 05:18 P.M. EST on Tue Jun 07, 2005 #
Actually, come to think of it, Wilkowski will do whatever the unions tell him to do! In other words, more of the same.
Most of the Republicans who lived in Toledo, not that there were ever that many, have moved either to the 'burbs or elsewhere.
Republicans haven't much of a chance with Toledo voters who seem to be content with cutting their own throats with dull knives. Let Toledoans continue to do so.
Moreover, as I've indicated before, Republicans should not get too involved with a Democrat failure. In other words, hold places like Toledo up as the natural consequences of Democrat (union etc.) policies.
swd
posted by swd at 01:58 P.M. EST on Wed Jun 08, 2005 #
swd:
You should get to the city more. You might be surprised.
I know quite a few Republicans in Toledo.
Instead of bashing Democrats, why not offer intelligent solutions to the city's problems?
That is, solutions beyond the ouster of anyone right of William Buckley. Real, specific solutions.
posted by historymike at 02:38 P.M. EST on Wed Jun 08, 2005 #
> historymike claims there are Republicans in Toledo ....
Well, if there are, I pity them. Maybe we can initiate some sort of program to enable them to relocate etc? We got programs for everything else, why not that?
Anyway, as far as solutions go, I've already implied one: let the Democrats continue to run the city until there's absolutely nothing left, i.e., it's a ghost town. At this stage of the game, it shouldn't be that many years longer before that's achieved. Then maybe some developer will come in, tear down what's still standing, and rename and redevelop it. That's really the best solution. Now what would be an appropriate name? Phoenix, Ohio? That's the right sentiment, but, no, it doesn't quite work .... Suggestions anyone?
Alternatively, maybe the state (who gets title to abandoned cities?) could rent the city out to Hollywood types when they want to film movies involving 3rd world cities as backdrops like "Blackhawk Down" or post-apocalyptic sci fi flicks like "Last Man on Earth" (cf. Omega Man) etc.
Republicans shouldn't try to interfere. For one, Toledoans want to commit suicide, who are we to interfere? For another, we want to hold Toledo (Detroit etc.) out as what happens when Democrats run the show.
swd
posted by swd at 09:53 P.M. EST on Wed Jun 08, 2005 #
What a bleak vision of the world you hold, swd.
Your unwillingness to engage in constructive debate is unfortunate. I hope that you are able to find some happiness in your life; you seem very angry at those who hold political or philosophical views different from your own.
posted by historymike at 10:25 P.M. EST on Wed Jun 08, 2005 #
> historymike thinks I have a bleak world view
Alas, your solicitude is misdirected.
And while they do say a cynic's chief fault is he sees the world as it is and not as it ought to be, I'm happy to report my "world" encompasses more than just Toledo!
swd
posted by swd at 04:25 P.M. EST on Thu Jun 09, 2005 #
>...my "world" encompasses more than just Toledo!
I wish it did. Really. I think you would be so much happier somewhere else. There are a million places in the U.S. you could live where liberals are scarce as hen's teeth. Anywhere else in Ohio for starters.
Staying here with the opinions you have is either the action of a masochist or a coward.
Having said that I will defend your right to free speech until the 10th of Never swd. But your ramblings are pretty much the same thing over and over just posted to different forums. Anyway...So long, farewell, auf weidersen, good bye - this is my last post ever responding to it.
posted by thinkingwoman at 09:13 P.M. EST on Thu Jun 09, 2005 #
> thinkingwomen thinks swd is either a masochist or a coward ....
Your nom de plume belies you. Adieu!
swd
posted by swd at 02:04 P.M. EST on Sat Jun 11, 2005 #
Wilkowski will run for mayor.
"Emboldened by poll numbers and a sense that people are searching for an alternative candidate, Keith Wilkowski said he will take on longtime political ally Jack Ford in Toledo's mayoral campaign."
Keith said:
"I cannot stand by and watch this city continue to decline. It really is that straightforward. It's not about friendships or political alliances or which politicians support other politicians."
Unfortunately, Keith sounds like another run-of-the-mill politician from the same compost heap. The June 15 issue of the Toledo Free Press contains what will be Keith's last column for a while. An editor's note preceding Keith's column states:
"Toledo Free Press is placing Keith Wilkowski's column on hiatus pending his decision regarding his participation as a candidate in the upcoming mayoral election."
Keith's column titled "Lessons learned from scandal" doesn't contain any hope that he will somehow be a different politician.
Keith talks about Ohio's "-gate" scandals.
"First, for all of our cries about the corruption of one-party rule in Ohio, it is fair to ask how and why Democrats allowed that one-party Republican rule to occur in the first place."
An interesting and creative angle on the subject, but there we go again with that old worn-out "one-party rule" phrase. Some originality would be welcomed.
Keith went on with:
"Many people are predicting, very possibly correctly, that Democrats will ride the Bureau of Workers Compensation scandals back into office at the state level."
More proof that Democrats are relying on scandals by their opponents to win elections, instead of coming up with their own solutions. Keith even mentioned this fact.
"But is that the only time we can effectively advance our Democratic values, when the other party is caught in criminal and corrupt practices?"
Well, according to the Democrats' own words, the answer is YES.
Keith said:
"If Democrats are to hold office in Ohio for anything more than a brief interlude, we must convince voters that the policies we advocate will strengthen our economy, improve our public schools, protect our environment, help senior citizens with burdensome health care bills and advance the interests of working families."
Right, the Republicans are opposed to all of those issues. See what the mindset is? Rely on scandals by opponents to get back into office and then come up with solutions to problems. How about trying to win elections with ideas in the first place?
Keith said:
"Scandals may get us back into power, but only equitable and effective public policies will allow us to remain there."
"Scandals may get us back into power ..." That's the Democrats' strategy and hope.
Notice Keith's "back into power" comment. What does that mean "back into power?" Is he implying the desire for Democrats to have one-party rule?
This is why politics suck, and why it's a waste of time, because politicians are only concerned about power and not trying to help the citizens. Naturally their lame-brain response would be that they have to be in power in order to help the public. Somehow thousands of volunteers help the public every day without "being in power."
Keith then took the opportunity in his Toledo Free Press column to do some major ass-kissing of the Blade.
"But clearly, The Blade's Noe/Coingate/BWC series shows us why the Founding Fathers enshrined journalism as a constitutionally protected profession. Far from being a "vendetta," The Blade's work will undoubtedly win awards for the newspaper and its reporters from every corner of the journalist world."
I hope Keith had an enough paper towels to clean up the mess after that climactic gush. The jaws-of-life will be needed to remove Keith's lips from The Blade's butt. I think Keith was begging for the Blade to go easy on him in the op-eds. Hey, it's a nice, strategic, political move to say those things in the final column before announcing the run for mayor. Keith definitely has the political smarts to play the game.
Then Keith wanders into intellectual absurdity by comparing the BWC investments and President Bush's plan for Social Security. Keith obviously has an active imagination to connect those two items.
He's running for mayor. He's not even factually honest in his comments about the privatization of Social Security. It's not for old people, it's optional for young people, only a small amount would be invested in something like the stock market, and it's a long-term investment. Keith's last five paragraphs were jibberish.
He's running for mayor and not once did he touch on a local issue in his final column. I guess he doesn't want to show his political poker hand. It's amazing how good Carty looks right now, which is sad.
posted by jr at 01:16 P.M. EST on Thu Jun 16, 2005 #
Russ Lemmon predicts:
"Keith Wilkowski will be elected mayor of Toledo in November."
posted by jr at 03:10 P.M. EST on Sun Jun 19, 2005 #
Russ must be psychic ;-)
Or he understands that:
1. We in Toledo have an absentee Puppetmas… err, newspaper publisher that fancies himself a kingmaker, and who will likely back the (somewhat) new dog over Carty and Ford.
2. Toledoans will vote the way the local rag’s leash holder tells them to. (Hence, the bully pulpit has, in reality, become the bullstuff pulpit.)
3. A large number of union members still haven’t figured out that “independent thinking” thing, let alone practice it.
4. The (lack of) quality of our public education system hasn't helped to foster “independent thinking” or “critical thinking” by our youth.
5. Most of the youth don’t vote anyway.
6. The mature individuals that do vote keep making the same mistakes when voting and expect different results.
7. Things haven’t gotten bad enough… yet.
So, until things do get bad enough, it’ll be more of the same old same old…
posted by Hooda_Thunkit at 07:32 A.M. EST on Mon Jun 20, 2005 #
Some of Keith's ideas from his Wednesday press conference:
"...announced a plan to “turn Toledo around,” beginning with several pledges geared toward revitalizing the downtown area."
Detail the plan on the web, so we can read it.
"... announcing his intention to place a new sports arena close to Fifth Third Field. He said placing the sports arena in the east side’s Marina District — another possible location in what has now become a long-lasting, controversial debate — would yield less economic benefit to the city."
"Mr. Wilkowski’s other plans include aiding the planned Marina District by creating a tax increment financing district to boost public infrastructure there; allow deeds in the Marina District to be recorded as permanent, legally restrictive covenants to set high building standards; create an architectural review board to determine building designs and aesthetics, and create legislation to expand the downtown overlay district to include the Marina District land. The overlay sets higher standards for building design and aesthetics."
"Mr. Wilkowski also said he would work toward relocating the University of Toledo college of law downtown."
"Mr. Wilkowski proposed offering tax incentives for people thinking about living downtown — a one-time, 100 percent city income tax break for homeowners living downtown for a period of two years. He also offered a break on water bills of up to 5 percent for citywide businesses that installed wireless Internet technology."
(But make the Wi-Fi access free.)
"Referring to the Erie Street Market as a “flea market, and not a high-end one,” Mr. Wilkowski said he would “take competitive proposals from investors willing to engage in a public-private partnership” to revitalize the property."
"Councilman Frank Szollosi said the idea of moving the law school downtown was “an idea that I’ve been speaking publicly about for months now.” Mr. Szollosi noted that he and several other city officials had encouraged private wireless investments throughout Toledo, though no city money was offered as an incentive."
posted by jr at 12:35 P.M. EST on Fri Jul 01, 2005 #
"Toledo mayoral candidate Keith Wilkowski called for a new focus on homeownership to reverse the city's population decline. Mr. Wilkowski said if elected, he would offer incentives such as an exemption from the city's 2.25 percent wage tax to people to buy and live in targeted neighborhoods."
"Mayor Jack Ford, in a written statement, said much of what Mr. Wilkowski proposed is being implemented. "I am pleased that he likes my administration's ideas," he said."
posted by jr at 03:53 P.M. EST on Wed Jul 13, 2005 #
> historymike thinks I have a bleak world view
Alas, your solicitude is misdirected.
And while they do say a cynic's chief fault is he sees the world as it is and not as it ought to be, I'm happy to report my "world" encompasses more than just Toledo!
swd
posted by swd at 05:25 P.M. EST on Thu Jun 09, 2005 #
----------------------------------------------
In swd's defense (I know, he doesn't need it):
"There is what is, and there is what should be. What should be is a dirty lie." -Lenny Bruce
posted by Foolkiller at 04:56 P.M. EST on Wed Jul 13, 2005 #
Isn't anyone else a bit disturbed by the tax incentive to live in certain neighborhoods?
from above: "Mr. Wilkowski said if elected, he would offer incentives such as an exemption from the city's 2.25 percent wage tax to people to buy and live in targeted neighborhoods."
I've lived in Toledo since I was a baby, bought two houses and paid my taxes on time with only minor complaints about how much I was paying...now, just to get people to live in certain neighborhoods - read those that can't attract homeowners on their own - Wilkowski's going to use my hard-earned money which I've paid to Toledo to subsidize others? Why not reward those who've been living here by lowering our taxes and the costs associated with city government?
Why not start instead by saying he's going to reduce the number of staff people in the mayor's office in order to save money. Lower city taxes overall would attract a hellova lot more people than this lame-brained idea.
And if you think it's a good idea, then why not offer it to people who make more than $100,000 and try to entice them back into Toledo - maybe into the downtown loft condos, etc...
posted by intrepid at 06:48 P.M. EST on Wed Jul 13, 2005 #
Intrepid - there are already tax abatements in place for some of the condo projects downtown. I would love to pay $15.00 (yep! FIFTEEN dollars) per half for property taxes. There are also abatements available on the new ones built on the east side of the river from what I understand.
If Mr. Wilkowski is going to exempt folks from the 2.25% income tax to lure them downtown, then just who the heck does he figure is going to make up the difference? I think since it's his idea that he should pay the difference!
Also some talk that Mr. W is proposing that new 'residents' in target areas be exempted from paying a water bill, as well! (heard this but not from horses mouth) OK - exempt from the 2.25% tax, abated property taxes, and NO water bill??? I do think I'll be moving downtown!
But wait! While we're at it....why not have the city underwrite the loans on these places? Then if people can't pay the city can take the place back and offer it to another person that won't have to pay squat!
The whole plan bites!
posted by DoknowDocare at 08:39 P.M. EST on Wed Jul 13, 2005 #
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