Some consolidation. Moved the Opal Covey interview topic with its comments here. The TFP will have interviews with all the candidates, so I thought it would be simpler to keep the Toledo mayoral race talk in one topic. Not just the TFP interviews but any news about the candidates.
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Opal Covey interview - In the July 27 Toledo Free Press, Opal gave a dire prediction for Toledo if she's not elected mayor.
"God gave Covey a message for the voters of Toledo last week. The candidate read the prophecy aloud: "A blessed new government awaits you. This is the second and last opportunity to choose a new government for Toledo through My servant Opal, whom I have sent for the job. Toledo is dead; she will resurrect through Me. If you choose to keep the old criminal government that has been cursed for many decades, the city will be destroyed." "
A few other Opal thoughts:
"On a new sports arena: Covey said a new arena should be built on the East Side."
"On Toledo’s assets: Covey said she wants to build on the strength of existing Toledo cultural landmarks."
"On public schools: Covey said discord between district officials and the union is the most serious problem facing Toledo Public Schools."
"On the Downtown business district: The key to reviving Downtown Toledo, according to Covey, is the development of a riverfront amusement park."
"On her most formidable opponent: Covey said that the "forces of destruction," or the traditional area politicians, desperately want to stop her from being elected."
posted by jr to politics on Aug 2, 2005 at 7:07 P.M. EST
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Uh Huh...
And, did her "dire predictions" say anything about pigs flying?
posted by Hooda_Thunkit at 08:44 P.M. EST on Tue Aug 02, 2005
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Opal is a nice lady in person, and she seems lucid and knowledgeable.
However, her prophecies make it easy to assume that she is a couple of slices short of a full loaf.
posted by historymike at 11:03 A.M. EST on Wed Aug 03, 2005
posted by jr at 11:35 A.M. EST on Wed Aug 03, 2005 #
Wilkowski said Ford flunked mathematics, and Keith also dredged up old news from March.
"In a clash over job creation numbers, Toledo mayoral candidate Keith Wilkowski yesterday challenged Mayor Jack Ford's billboard claims of job creation. Mr. Wilkowski also attacked the billboard he was standing under, saying that tax dollars spent to promote Mr. Ford's job creation statistics would be better spent on job creation."
"By Mr. Wilkowski's calculations, Toledo has lost 12,600 jobs between the time he took office and February, 2005. Contrasting that with the mayor's highly touted March claim that Toledo had created 2,842 new jobs since 2002 through the efforts of the city's economic development department, Mr. Wilkowski said at a press conference that Mr. Ford needed a math lesson. He then brought in an elementary school teacher, one of his campaign volunteers, who gave Mr. Ford an "F" in math."
Simple explanation here. 2800 new jobs were probably created, but thousands more were lost. So it's just a matter of Ford not providing all the facts. It's a common tactic used in politics and in the media.
"Mayor Ford's spokesman, Mary Chris Skeldon, said that the mayor admitted during the 2004 presidential election that there has been a loss of jobs in Toledo, but emphasized that "the city has done its best to create jobs in tough economic times." She said since the original figure of "2,842 new jobs created" was released in March, the city has lured hundreds of additional jobs to the area through employer incentives. However, she admitted that the mayor's billboard claims of job creation only include job gains, and did not take into account any job losses the city has sustained."
posted by jr at 11:49 A.M. EST on Wed Aug 03, 2005 #
Government cannot create jobs unless they are the ones doing the hiring. I would like to know how many of these 2800 new jobs were city hires.
posted by thinkingwoman at 11:59 A.M. EST on Wed Aug 03, 2005 #
Some excerpts from the TFP interview with Carty Finkbeiner.
Carty said, "The self-confidence of Toledoans is not what it was when I left office. We have fallen behind in many areas — Southwyck, the Marina District, the new arena. I want to get the city moving again."
"On the location of a new sports arena: The candidate said he was less concerned about a new arena’s location than he was with following the wishes of the voters."
About the Marina District, Carty said, "We need to build the marina district — in my judgment, the Marina District is far more important to Toledo in terms of credibility to the voters, as well as providing an exciting entertainment area to attract visitors."
"On how he sees the media: Finkbeiner took the blame for any failures by his administrations to be media-friendly."
"On top priorities: The candidate said one of his first priorities will be to reinvigorate the employees of city government."
Carty said about growing Toledo, "Wherever you see a city that is a growing metropolis, you see business people rolling up their sleeves. In these cities, there are emerging technologies — robotics, computers, alternative fuels — that we need to attract, because the manufacturing economy is not growing. We need some business leaders willing to serve on the school boards. We need some business-like thinking in our public school system, as well as on our city council."
posted by jr at 11:59 A.M. EST on Wed Aug 03, 2005 #
Some recent topics related to the candidates:
Candidate Websites...
Smiling Jack Ford upset about Carty remarks
Opal Covey
Carty is running
Carty party
I like Jack
Who's term was it anyway? (Carty-Ford)
Carty Must be Rolling Over in His Grave
What Will Wilkowski Do?
Toledo joins Mayors in embracing Kyoto Rules
Was it you Jack or was it you Rob?
posted by jr at 12:26 P.M. EST on Wed Aug 03, 2005 #
"Mayor Jack Ford added nearly $145,000 to his re-election campaign during the first six months of 2005 - more money than all three of his main mayoral challengers have combined, according to mid-year campaign finance reports."
posted by jr at 12:39 P.M. EST on Wed Aug 03, 2005 #
Frank wrote that Ford has something over $350,000 left at this point on his blog the other day. I could not help pondering that level of contribution when there are so many people in this area that need assistance and organziations having a hard time meeting needs, the Food Bank as just one example of many. To me part of the problem is the need for a candidate to have to raise that amount of money to win.
It shouldn't be like that.
posted by psyche777 at 01:09 P.M. EST on Wed Aug 03, 2005 #
Speaking of the Food Bank - they do a helluva job with the resources they have! I applaud them 100%!
And for any that might be interested - there is a Chuck Wagon Benefit on Saturday, Aug. 6th at the Toledo Yacht Club on Summit St. to benefit the Food Bank. Tickets are $25 each or $60 for a family of four and 100% of the money is going to the FB from what I'm told. There's food, music, games, ets. A true family event!
I think it starts at 6:oo.
posted by DoknowDocare at 07:03 P.M. EST on Wed Aug 03, 2005 #
The first sentence of Jack Ford's biography on his website says it all.
Jack Ford...is responsible for nearly 2,800 employees, a $400 million budget...
He is boasting about the size of these numbers. The implication is that the higher these numbers, the more accomplished he is. So the higher higher taxes can be raised and the more people he can hire with those taxes, the better he is.
...and the health and welfare of 307,000 Toledoans.
He is responsible for the health and welfare of Toledoans. If that's the case, then he is saying that health and welfare cannot be achieved without his 2,800 person organization and it's $400 million.
Go liberals! YEA!
posted by babbleman at 11:22 P.M. EST on Wed Aug 03, 2005 #
I don't often cross post what I write on my blog here, but rather than post it new felt it might be more appropriate on this thread:
Rob Ludeman attempts to connect then misses...
While none of the Toledo Mayoral candidates are bloggers, nor are any of them making use of the internet to the level they could; it briefly appeared that Rob Ludeman was interested in some type of immediate contact/feedback by creating a message board that was linked to his campaign website. Problem is it appears Rob never bothered to comment there. Now the link to the board has been removed from Rob's site. It still exists for those of us who had it individually bookmarked (at least at this point) but why bother to make an attempt to be "net savy" then not follow thru?
Granted, some of the posters there (especially those named after Sesame Street Characters, you know who you are) were not nice at times, but I've seen Frank Szollosi take some pretty hard hits on his blog and continue to offer a public forum. Most of what was written on Rob's board would have been quelled had he or one of his staffers bothered to respond to anything.
On a personal basis, I like Rob, I went to the same high school as Rob did and knew of him even though he was older. I am a former South Ender, that's where I grew up. I don't harbor any personal resentment that he beat a relative of mine in a council race a few years ago, but I'm not getting the feeling that Rob is really trying to run for office. Yes, I happened to have the radio on yesterday morning and just as I was about to switch Bob Frantz off heard him start talking about Keith Wilkowski and what an excellent job he is doing in getting his name and ideas out there. Moments later Rob called in the program to counter some of what was said. So we do know you are paying attention.
I rarely agree with Bob Frantz but Rob? I'm beginning to think those who state you are being nothing more than a Republican place holder in the mayoral race might be right. That's a shame, because you could do better than that.
posted by psyche777 at 12:15 A.M. EST on Thu Aug 04, 2005 #
I also caught a little of Rob's call-in, but it was with Fred L. Frantz is on vacation this week. So the good news is, you didn't agree with Bob. Didn't Rob say somewhere that soon he would come out with his plan?
posted by jr at 09:42 A.M. EST on Thu Aug 04, 2005 #
A few other past topics I forgot to mention above:
Debates - The second debate is scheduled for Aug 18 at 7:00 p.m. "All four top candidates have accepted, and the sponsors said they will invite all candidates whose names appear on the ballot."
Mayor Ford's State of the City speeches:
2005
2004
2003
posted by jr at 09:57 A.M. EST on Thu Aug 04, 2005 #
Thanks jr, I don't know why I remembered it being Bob, guess lack of sleep is catching up to me. I'm hearing Fred and thinking Bob....
:-)
posted by psyche777 at 11:19 A.M. EST on Thu Aug 04, 2005 #
Keith "The Stunt" Wilkowski is at it again. The other day he had a campaign volunteer pretend to be a school teacher that gave Mayor Ford an "F" in math.
"Toledo mayoral candidate Keith Wilkowski yesterday brought in bigger guns: a man in a superhero suit. The Taxpayer's Advocate, with a letter "T" taped over the typical red-on-blue "S," represented a new city government position that Mr. Wilkowski would create, if elected, to address citizen complaints."
"The advocate's superpower would be an unfettered penchant for cutting through bureaucratic red tape, which the costumed crusader did with an oversized pair of scissors during Mr. Wilkowski's press conference yesterday."
Interesting exchange between Ford and Wilkowski over the Tax Advocate:
"Mayor Jack Ford's re-election campaign responded by issuing a statement: "Solid, hard work gets the job done, not flashy gimmicks." The mayor's office added that the advocate position would be redundant: The "Call City Hall" program - a call center at One Government Center reached at 419-936-2020 - handles complaints by referring citizens to the correct city department and advising them on how to proceed."
"But Mr. Wilkowski said that's not enough. "It refers them back to the same people that weren't doing the job to start with," he said."
These are interesting campaign tactics used by Keith that no one else is trying. How can you forget a guy dressed like this? (Blade photo)
A week or two ago, Keith came out with a humorous top 10 list of Toledo development projects or ideas that have gone nowhere in the past few years, but I cannot find that list. Anyway, Keith is trying to keep the campaign process funny as well as serious.
More from Keith's press conference yesterday:
"Mr. Wilkowski also said the city should utilize its computer mapping and data tracking program - known as its Geographic Information System - to a much larger degree, so that such things as nuisance and garbage pickup complaints are plotted."
"Mary Chris Skeldon, a spokesman for Mayor Ford's administration, said the GIS system has been "vastly" expanded during the Ford administration, including an agreement with Lucas County to share its use, and mapping the area's sewer and storm water lines. Mr. Wilkowski also said he would work toward an overhaul of the city's charter, code, and departmental rules and regulations, which he called unwieldy and archaic."
It was an arcane city charter rule that prevented the 2003 strict smoking ban idea from going to a public vote.
posted by jr at 10:07 A.M. EST on Fri Aug 05, 2005 #
jr, she was really a school teacher from what I understood, granted a campaign volunteer, but if I missed where it was stated she was a pretend teacher could you point that out for me?
Is TA man cheesy? Yes, but it got his name in the media again. It also shows he's got some creativity (or his campaign staff has some creativity) which is not a bad thing.
:-)
posted by psyche777 at 10:15 A.M. EST on Fri Aug 05, 2005 #
From the Blade article: "He then brought in an elementary school teacher, one of his campaign volunteers, who gave Mr. Ford an "F" in math."
I guess she wasn't wearing a cape and is real.
posted by jr at 10:25 A.M. EST on Fri Aug 05, 2005 #
I saw that in the Blade article, I thought perhaps you had heard someplace else that she wasn't a real teacher.
Thank you.
:-)
posted by psyche777 at 10:35 A.M. EST on Fri Aug 05, 2005 #
While I'm entertained by Wilkowski's presentations, I still see nothing different in his philosophies. He shares the same core philosophies as Jack Ford...he's just better at presenting and packaging them.
I guess I'm still looking for someone who can offer us something different from what we've always had...and I just don't believe it will come from a Democrat who believes that the solution to all the problems is government - regardless of how it's presented/packaged/sold.
posted by intrepid at 11:10 A.M. EST on Fri Aug 05, 2005 #
"Mr. Wilkowski also said the city should utilize its computer mapping and data tracking program - known as its Geographic Information System - to a much larger degree, so that such things as nuisance and garbage pickup complaints are plotted."
"Mary Chris Skeldon, a spokesman for Mayor Ford's administration, said the GIS system has been "vastly" expanded during the Ford administration, including an agreement with Lucas County to share its use..."
Hmmmm...
I wonder what the County's diligent employees and administrators feel about these two (mis)statements, seeing as it has always been the Lucas County GIS mapping system (until now)...
Ignorance IS bliss!
posted by Hooda_Thunkit at 11:57 A.M. EST on Fri Aug 05, 2005 #
Good catch HT, from the LCIS Department as part of their listed goals for 2005:
Various county agencies will continue to have the opportunity to integrate the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) functionally into their current systems. The Lucas County GIS has become the standard georeferenced platform for the county. Many agencies, departments and other political subdivisions have embraced our basemap as the de facto standard for the county. The City of Toledo Department of Public Utilities and the Lucas County Sanitary Engineer is converting their hard copy water and sewer maps to digital format. Furthermore, many departments are georeferencing their data and performing geographic analyses with the assistance of our LCIS GIS Project Manager and Analyst.
http://www.lucascountysheriff.org/lcis/Summary01.asp
posted by psyche777 at 12:50 P.M. EST on Fri Aug 05, 2005 #
psyche777,
I have very good spies and informants ;-)
posted by Hooda_Thunkit at 01:05 P.M. EST on Fri Aug 05, 2005 #
Obviously HT, I'm taking notes
:-)
posted by psyche777 at 06:45 P.M. EST on Fri Aug 05, 2005 #
BLATANT ARROGANCE AND CRIMINAL ACTIVITY: Our candidates don't respect us.
The Blade reports: "Mr. Finkbeiner admittd this week he should not have knocked on Ms. Smith's door, which includes the no soliciting sign and another, in smaller type reading 'No trespassing, no sales people, no handbills, do not disturb.'
Mr. Wilkowski stepped past a small 'No Soliciting' sign on Linda Drive on Saturday; no one answered the door.
And Mr. Ford ignored a 'No Trespassing' sign in the Point Place neighborhood last week, on a drive with a reporter, to pose for a photograph. He knocked on a nearby door to ask permission first, but no one answered.
He walked past the sign anyway.
'What are they going to do,' Mr. Ford asked, 'arrest me?'"
So, our candidates have no respect for our wishes when it comes to solicitation and trespassing. And Ford obviously seems to believe that the local police aren't going to enforce the laws if he's the one breaking them. And he wasn't even campaigning at the time - he was with a reporter and he trespassed for a PHOTO OP!
When they get into office and continue to not listen and follow our wishes, we won't have any reason to complain - afterall, we put them there KNOWING that they're going to ignore what we want, as evidenced by their behavior on the campaign trail!
posted by intrepid at 05:43 A.M. EST on Mon Aug 08, 2005 #
Maybe we should only vote for candidates that can 1. Read, 2. Comprehend, and 3. Carry out our expressed wishes.
Obviously this bunch can’t.
They appear to fancy themselves as Political Royalty.
I too, fancy them as Political Royalty;
As Royal Pains in the Ass…
Re: intrepid’s comments:
”So, our candidates have no respect for our wishes when it comes to solicitation and trespassing.
-and-
When they get into office and continue to not listen and follow our wishes, we won't have any reason to complain - after all, we put them there KNOWING that they're going to ignore what we want, as evidenced by their behavior on the campaign trail!”
To quote an 80’s sage and student of human nature (Jim Nabors, a.k.a. Gomer Pyle):
Surprise, surprise, surprise…
Further:
”And Ford obviously seems to believe that the local police aren't going to enforce the laws if he's the one breaking them.”
JFo KNOWS (because, he’s the main, but not the only reason) that we don’t have enough cops on the street, and that in the fact his misdeeds will go unstopped (by an increasingly rary street cop).
Maybe JFo should be reelected.
It would serve him right, making him dig us out of the impending mess...
Oh Lord, what am I thinking?
:-)
posted by Hooda_Thunkit at 09:35 A.M. EST on Mon Aug 08, 2005 #
Yeah, Hooda, you are losing it with your advocacy of JaFo. Did you forget your meds today? :-}
I agree with your Political Royalty thesis. Staying too long in elected office can lead to politicians being out of touch with the real world.
With Karyn McConnell-Hancock, this seems to have been a genetic trait, although I don't find her father to be anywhere near as elitist as she. Maybe being a child of privilege has caused her to assume an air of superiority?
I am also puzzled by the arrogance/stupidity of the pols in ignoring "No Tresspassing" or "No Soliciting" signs. In the various times in my life when I walked door-to-door, the cardinal rule was to skip those houses. Period.
Wait. I take that back. I once ignored the "No Soliciting" sign for a story, but that was only because I had to get a quote from someone with an unlisted number. (Historymike hangs head in shame)
Why anyone would not respect this simple request is beyond my ability to comprehend, especially with reporters in tow. Everything you say and do is fair game when the press is around, unless you have made previous arrangements that certain things are off the record.
posted by historymike at 10:48 A.M. EST on Mon Aug 08, 2005 #
With Karyn McConnell-Hancock, this seems to have been a genetic trait, although I don't find her father to be anywhere near as elitist as she.
Guess everyone missed the fact that JUDGE McConnell continued to have his "city council" card in his windshield far past the time he became a judge. I overheard him explaining that with the card in the windshield, he could park wherever and no police ever bothered him because he was on "city business."
Guess the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree.
posted by intrepid at 11:33 A.M. EST on Mon Aug 08, 2005 #
Ba-zing!
Didn't know about that one. Maybe Al is just better at creating the image of a down-to-earth person in the eyes of the average voter.
posted by historymike at 12:12 P.M. EST on Mon Aug 08, 2005 #
No story left unskewered by Toledo Tales, as the tresspassing issue gets a different look:
http://toledotales.blogspot.com/
posted by historymike at 01:46 P.M. EST on Mon Aug 08, 2005 #
Forgot to mention this story from last week:
"The Ford administration faces a battle over an effort to force some property owners to get building inspections on homes - and have any violations addressed before selling them. Mayor Jack Ford said the "point-of-sale" law was designed to prevent "quick-fix" landlords who make cosmetic changes to substandard properties that are then sold to unwitting buyers."
" "I'm ready to fight right now," said council member Rob Ludeman, who is solidly against it."
Right Rob. Just like that steam plant decision back in the spring.
posted by jr at 05:45 P.M. EST on Mon Aug 08, 2005 #
Rob Ludeman is just a limp wristed politician who will promise the moon if you vote for him. Once he is actually in office, you will receive a pile of turds, not the moon. All I can say about the point of sale law is this. Go ahead Toledo government; make it more of a pain in the ass to do business in the city of Toledo. However when business people decide it is too much of a pain in the ass to do business in the city limits, accept responsibility for it. Don’t blame it on sprawl or any other mythical Satan you can come up with. The blood is on your hands.
posted by mike2004 at 07:34 A.M. EST on Tue Aug 09, 2005 #
Detroit has had a similar law on the books for a long time, and the net results are as follows:
1. Honest sellers get stuck with a bunch of expensive (but not necessarily urgent) repairs right before closing in order to pass inspection; or
2. Dishonest (read: savvy) sellers pass an envelope with cash to the inspector to get a clean bill of health.
I got burned selling a Detroit house in 1988 for about 2 grand in repairs (fix a brick porch, repair a section of driveway, upgrade a bunch of electrical outlets). If I had to move to Detroit again (God forbid) I would never own property in the city limits. What a nightmare!
The next time I sold a house (1991) in Detroit, I was living in Toledo, and I just ran up with a quick document a lawyer drew up. I let the buyer deal with the city; they tried to force me to come up and go through the inspection process, but I refused to have anything else to do with it. Eventually the city waived the inspection for the buyer since I was recalcitrant(it was a $5K auction junk heap that I just wanted to be done with).
Buyers are better off with a private inspector who can tell them about important things like fire hazards or termites, rather than some bureaucrat with extravagant dreams about making everything perfect.
posted by historymike at 08:00 A.M. EST on Tue Aug 09, 2005 #
Regarding the proposed "point of sale" ordinance......It's a real detriment to the responsible property owners in this city/county. If you want to punish the 'slumlords', then punish them. There is an assortment of codes that already address all the issues JFo's proposal states, all he has to do is have the stones to enforce them. But then again, maybe he doesn't want to single out some of his cronies, so he will pass the burden on to the legitimate owners to protect them. It's such a bunch of crap that it's insulting.
I am all for safe housing, I think all of us are. But get real! If you have some 'slumlord' that's been grabbing $500 month off a crap property for the last umpteen years and he hasn't fixed it, do you really think he's gonna fix it now? He'll just quit paying taxes (if he does at all) and after 5 years or so he will have made even more money off the dump and then the city will sieze it for taxes, evict the poor fools that have been living in it and then demolish it.
Come on, Jack - come up with something more realistic!
posted by DoknowDocare at 04:47 P.M. EST on Tue Aug 09, 2005 #
It's obvious Jack Ford thinks he's above the law. He ordered all Toledo parks be posted with "no handgun" signs even though the State CCW law expressly forbids "the enactment or continuation of any ordinance that supercedes the state law". The Attorney General of Ohio has already said that Toledo is wrong. Yet Ford kept right on. Now Toledo will lose it's court case, and all the money spent to prosecute the case is pure waste. Whether the city will be sued remains to be seen.
I can't grasp how city officials can be so stupid as to think that by placing a "no guns" sign they will prevent crime. Do they believe a criminal intent on committing a crime will change his mind when seeing the sign?
posted by JeepMaker at 07:17 P.M. EST on Tue Aug 09, 2005 #
JeepMaker, the criminal will never be concerned with some sign posted by JFo's office. They already have signs in all the parks about drinking, leash laws, litter, skateboards, bikes, etc. You will see darned few people paying any attention to them, and those are 'benign' offenses.
In the criminal mind those No Handgun signs translate to:
A law-abiding citizen in this park will be unarmed. If you are a thief/thug/crack dealer/ hooker/etc. please feel free to mug/rob/threaten/intimidate/wound/maim/kill these people.
A little extreme I will admit, but I'm sure you get the gist of it.
posted by DoknowDocare at 10:02 A.M. EST on Wed Aug 10, 2005 #
Jack Ford, can have all the Shopping Centers, Malls in Toledo looked at, post all the signs in the world in parks, on and on, it all means nothing, where will it all go?
Bottom line, Jack Ford is the worse Mayor Toledo has seen, he has done nothing for this city, I think of Jack Ford each time I cross our bridges in Toledo, high on crack and butt naked;
So, I am suppose to vote for him because he's a democrat my union says? Carty gets things done, Jack well, DOESEN'T!
posted by ajeepthing at 07:01 P.M. EST on Wed Aug 10, 2005 #
DoKnow, exactly, you obviously "get it" wish more people did. It amazes me when I ask people;"whose responsibility is it to protect you"? So many say,"the police" I laugh, on any given evening in Toledo there are 44 officers on patrol available to respond to 911 calls. 44 in a city of over 300,000. Maybe they want to call 911 and hope they get there in time, me, I believe it's the individuals common sense responsibility to protect themselves, and if they have a family,(wife, kids) to protect them also. My advice, buy a good handgun, learn to handle it safely, practice shooting until you're fairly proficient, and get your CHL.
ajeepthing, I agree comepletely.
posted by JeepMaker at 08:06 P.M. EST on Wed Aug 10, 2005 #
The latest TFP mayoral candidate interview is with Don Gozdowski. Some excerpts:
"One of the first things a person notices about Don Gozdowski is his signature matching shoes and tie, which have bright orange and yellow flames. The mayoral candidate said they are symbols. “I hope to light a fire of hope for the city,” he said."
"On his qualifications to be mayor: Gozdowski said he believes his blue collar experiences, plus his years as an independent contractor, make him uniquely qualified to be the next mayor."
"On the location of a new sports arena: Gozdowski said he feels private money should be used for the construction of a new arena, and that the developer should have the right to choose the appropriate location. Gozdowski would like to see a campground constructed on the east side of the river. “This would spark growth on the east side, because campers would be there 24/7, not just during special events,” he said, adding that he would also like to see a pedestrian tunnel constructed under Main Street to connect with International Park."
"On hurdles Toledo must overcome: The candidate sees Toledo’s problems as microcosms of larger national ills. “Not only Toledo, but our whole nation needs an attitude adjustment,” he said. “The American work ethic has eroded, and our moral compass has gone haywire.” On public schools: Gozdowski said he believes Toledo schools are being shortchanged by the Ohio Lottery Commission."
"On prescription medicines: Gozdowski said he would like to offer a new city service to senior citizens. “If we cannot bring affordable medicine to our senior citizens, then we will send our senior citizens to affordable medicine,” he said, adding that he believes the city could charter or purchase motor coaches for trips to Canada."
posted by jr at 09:10 P.M. EST on Wed Aug 10, 2005 #
What most folks don't understand is that guns are not the problem. The problem is much larger than one physical item. BUT - if we (as a society) can lay all our fears off onto one inanimate item then we don't have to admit our shortcomings as a people.
I entered a carry-out the other day and saw the "No Handguns" placard on the door. OK - so it's the store owners choice not to allow them. I'm sure that the idiot high on dope and needing money to buy more is going to read that sign (if they can!) and say "Ooops! better pick another carry out - this one doesn't allow guns!" Get real, folks! A crook/druggie/thief does not care what sign you have on your door! That sign is there for those of us that try to abide by the laws in place.
In a world of "frontier justice" if you are a 'bad guy' and you're scoping out someone to rob, beat, rape, murder, intimidate, etc. you are going to choose the weakest target because you are obviously a coward. If you cannot be sure who is armed and who is not, you may be a little more selective as to how you pick your battles. A coward doesn't really want to die, they just want the other person to think they are tough. I would think twice about starting some type of 'issue' with a stranger if I could not be 100% sure that he could not pull out a Ruger and end the situation.
The point here??? RESPONSIBLE gun owners are not the problem. And crooks will ALWAYS have guns, just like druggies will always have drugs. And, finally, crooks and druggies do not get guns and dope from RESPONSIBLE folks. Only fools.
**off the soapbox now**
posted by DoknowDocare at 07:09 A.M. EST on Thu Aug 11, 2005 #
The Fab Four's reluctance to bring $17 per hour retail jobs to Toledo.
posted by jr at 08:06 A.M. EST on Thu Aug 11, 2005 #
I entered a carry-out the other day and saw the "No Handguns" placard on the door. OK - so it's the store owners choice not to allow them.
Maybe the owner should post a sign that states "no holdups". That will stop people from coming in and robbing the place right?
posted by mike2004 at 08:34 A.M. EST on Thu Aug 11, 2005 #
The latest issue of the Toledo Free Press has an article about the removal of the message board from Rob Ludeman's website. The article states:
"A controversial forum on mayoral candidate Rob Ludeman’s Web site has been taken down, but the only people who seem to care are the posters on the site and Ludeman himself. The forum, which had been on www.robludeman.com, since its creation last fall, was taken down after it began to fill up with negative comments about several mayoral candidates — including Ludeman."
"Taken down" is not an entirely accurate statement. The forum link was simply removed from Ludeman's front page. But back on Jul 28, psyche777 pointed out that the actual Rob Ludeman forum still exists.
Technically, the Ludeman forum is not on Ludeman's site or server. The forum is hosted at http://www.activeboard.com.
A few minutes ago, I posted a comment to Ludeman's forum that was in the topic "Why was this forum removed?" So Ludeman posters, you can still post and post often.
posted by jr at 08:37 A.M. EST on Thu Aug 11, 2005 #
In Ford's State of the City speech back in January, Ford said:
"We have reformed our information technology department from being fragmented to where we are now on the cusp of being on the cutting edge."
Aug 10 Blade story titled 'Ford touts city's advances in technology.'
"The Ford administration this week touted technological advances it has made over the last 18 months to cope with Toledo's old information technology system - and unveiled a new water billing system that will replace the previous one, over 20 years old."
"The press event surrounded the unveiling of a new $5.5 million water billing system for the city's Department of Public Utilities, including software purchased from Pennsylvania-based SAP America Inc., related implementation costs, and a network of 64 new computers to help support the billing system. One benefit city officials have touted is the ability of the new billing system to allow for bills every month, rather than quarterly."
"The system should be fully implemented in six months."
"Also touted were the city's $700,000 project to build a wireless network across city property; $3.3 million to map the city's sewer, water, and storm water lines on a geographical tracking system; $1 million to update the city's 15-year-old payroll system by using an out-of-state contractor for five years, and $1 million to create a "one-stop shop" to monitor building inspections and various building-related permits."
posted by jr at 09:15 A.M. EST on Thu Aug 11, 2005 #
So I know the mayor gets to take credit, but it's too bad that Patsy Scott didn't get more of a mention - it's her work since taking over the position that's moved the city forward - certainly not the 'visionary thinking' of the Mayor.
Guess I still live by the rule - when it's blame or a mistake, say "I," and when's it's credit or success, say "we."
posted by intrepid at 09:27 A.M. EST on Thu Aug 11, 2005 #
On the subject of crime in Toledo, Carty said:
"There is growing evidence of lawlessness in our streets. Make no mistake about it: These perpetrators, no matter whether they are white, black, or Hispanic, are terrorists."
From the article:
"Mr. Finkbeiner said he "gave a lot of thought" to his terrorist characterization. Mr. Finkbeiner based his claims on federal crime statistics that show increases in violent crimes in Toledo from 2003 to 2004 - compared to decreases nationally - and on a recent string of carjackings and two high-profile murders. The city's current police force numbers about 680 officers, a figure Mr. Finkbeiner says should be more than 700."
The rest of the Fab Four responded to Carty's claim:
"Mayor Jack Ford and attorney Keith Wilkowski, both Democrats, said Mr. Finkbeiner's call for more police clashed with his political record. In 1999, Mr. Finkbeiner fought a City Council attempt to hire 30 new officers; he wanted to hire 15."
Ludeman said:
"It sounds like he's trying to scare people a little bit."
Ford called Carty's comments:
"An attempt to gain political mileage rather than finding real solutions to fighting crime."
Wilkowski said:
"Typical Carty being Carty. It is his style to politicize, insult, and inflame, and that's what his language does here."
Wilkowski probably wants to implement a walking program to reduce crime.
posted by jr at 09:30 A.M. EST on Thu Aug 11, 2005 #
Exactly who does Wilkowski think will be insulted? The thugs who terrorize city residents?
I think that it an apt choice of the word, and it sounds like Carty is closer to the views of the populace on this one.
Ford, of course, is going to downplay any growth in crime. The other two are going to : a)knock Carty; and b) push their agendas.
The Blade must think this quote will hurt Carty, but I bet it will make a lot of people nod their heads and say he's right.
Crime in this city is getting worse, not better. I talk to people in the roughest neighborhoods of the city every week, and they would agree with what Carty is saying. Heck, my neighbors in my quiet West Toledo neighborhood would agree with that one, except for this free-spirited ex-hippie nearby who still believes that all humans are warm and cuddly if you just get to know them.
posted by historymike at 09:43 A.M. EST on Thu Aug 11, 2005 #
Re: Rob Ludeman’s phantom run for the Mayor’s office:
I just left the the Rob Ludeman for Mayor “Forum” and read all of the posts and follow-ups.
Rob, it appears that “the people” are trying to communicate. That is, all but you, “Rob Ludeman…”
The impression that I got from my visit was that:
Rob Ludeman doesn’t go there, or participate, if he does.
There were a few posters that were sincerely trying to offer Rob Ludeman suggestions and encouragement, one cheerleader (Dutch17) and many other citizens that are truly frustrated by Rob Ludeman’s non-responsiveness.
I’ll try to recap the key issues:
Rob Ludeman doesn’t answer/return his snail mail
Rob Ludeman doesn’t answer/return his phone messages
Rob Ludeman doesn’t respond to or answer questions posted to the Rob Ludeman for Mayor “Forum”.
Rob Ludeman hasn’t been seen campaigning anywhere, especially at the politically mandatory neighborhood and/or ethnic festivals…
Which leads me to draw the following conclusions:
Dutch17 (appearing on the Rob Ludeman for Mayor “Forum”) is not really Rob Ludeman’s campaign manager, because there is no real proof that Rob Ludeman is even running, except for Rob Ludeman’s announcement that he is running. Therefore, there IS no need for a campaign manager (for a non-existent campaign)...
That Rob Ludeman is apparently still alive (no obit yet anyway…).
That Rob Ludeman would likely accept the Mayorship IF the (less than enthused at Rob Ludeman’s performance, to date) public saw fit to forcefully thrust the job on him, wrapped in a big, bright red (as in Republican), ornate bow.
Well now, I for one (once a staunch Rob Ludeman supporter) may be having second thoughts and questions for Rob Ludeman before casting my vote for him. Such as:
Rob Ludeman, what have you done or will you be doing that would convince me that you even want to be the Mayor of Toledo?
Rob Ludeman, are you in fact the Republican Party’s sacrificial lamb in this race?
-And, finally,-
Rob Ludeman, can you give me ANY reason to vote for you?
Something??
Anything???
I thought not.
Very Heavy Sigh... :-(
posted by Hooda_Thunkit at 12:12 P.M. EST on Thu Aug 11, 2005 #
In fairness, he was at a blockwatch meeting in my neighborhood several weeks ago, but you're right, I just don't think his heart is in it, and he was probably the sacrificial lamb, just like the ones who run against Kaptur (who ,although she does less & less each term , and is now never seen other than election years, has the job for life). The days of strong repub candidates like Donna Owens (who I still think is hot in her 60's, by the way)seem to be over. Haven't seen a single commercial yet (for Rob), which tells me the party is giving virtually no money.
posted by Foolkiller at 04:23 P.M. EST on Thu Aug 11, 2005 #
When Bernadette Noe the was Republican Party's "Chair," or maybe it was Tom, she/he vowed, "no more uncontested races."
Well, Tom Gulch was the first to take a hit, and now I guess that it's Rob's turn. And, by "take a hit," I mean put yourself out there but get little or no support ($$$) from your party... It must get real lonely (without your own party’s help/support) out there sometimes.
Also, sometimes, you really have to wonder why they put themselves through it.
To satisfy the Party Chair’s EGO, comes to mind...
What the R’s should be doing is training and educating their future candidates in the art of running and getting elected and SUPPORTING them. Not everyone is a natural campaigner and not everyone knows how to act in front of people (as in VOTERS). They may be good at doing the job, but first they have to GET the job.
Or, I could be all wrong on this one (but, I doubt it).
And now, back to my “Curmudgeon’s Corner” before "they" realize that I've been playing on the computer again ;-)
posted by Hooda_Thunkit at 06:42 P.M. EST on Thu Aug 11, 2005 #
No Westgate, but Keith Wilkowski is profiled in the irrverent Toledo Tales:
http://toledotales.blogspot.com/2005/08/wilkowski-runs-all-over-city.html
posted by historymike at 08:15 P.M. EST on Thu Aug 11, 2005 #
Actually, there were several people interested in being the mayoral candidate and Rob won the support of the party. The next likely candidate, George Sarantou, is up this year and could either run for re-election to council or run for mayor. The thinking was that George was sure to win re-election and the party didn't want to lose his at-large seat.
Rob is running from cover in a District seat. That means that if he gets elected mayor, there will be a special election to fill the seat. Should George have run for mayor and then won, the GOP would have certainly lost his seat on council to a dem.
I don't believe that Rob was ever intended to be a sacrificial lamb - but he's certainly acting like one.
Then, again, that's what they said about Zmuda when he first ran for prosecutor (turned out to be one of the highest vote getters for council the next year) and Thurber when she ran against Holzemer (and the Blade named her the giant killer).
But I'm not saying Ludeman will be able to do the same thing - he's not even wearing his nametag at festivals (per the blade).
As someone who's watched GOP politics, there are plenty of people who have the ability to help train the candidates, the problem is that too many believe they know better. And the candidates don't want to hear the tough - but highly constructive - criticism. Look at Gabriel in her run to keep the Toledo muni court clerk job. She spent all her time in the central city and virtually ignored the "fertile crescent" and then was surprised when the Republicans in those areas didn't support her. Guess she learned that, unlike Democrats, Republicans don't get votes just because of the letter after her name.
The other thing is that it's hard to define what the Republican Party in Lucas County stands for. The Republicans on Toledo City Council rarely vote in opposition to the dems, even on controversial things.
And Tom Gulch got a lot of support - much more than most candidates have gotten in the past. His problem was in listening to friends who had never run a campaign while ignoring the advice of those who had run and won.
As for financial support this year - the GOP will have a hard time of it with the Noe fiasco looming over everyone and everything.
posted by intrepid at 08:20 P.M. EST on Thu Aug 11, 2005 #
Sounds like it could almost be true! hahahahaha
posted by DoknowDocare at 08:22 P.M. EST on Thu Aug 11, 2005 #
intrepid,
”The thinking was that George was sure to win re-election and the party didn't want to lose his at-large seat.”
That’s one of the things that I feel is keeping the R’s in the minority, playing it safe…
”Rob is running from cover in a District seat. That means that if he gets elected mayor, there will be a special election to fill the seat.”
Playing it safe…
”Should George have run for mayor and then won, the GOP would have certainly lost his seat on council to a dem.”
Again, playing it safe…
”I don't believe that Rob was ever intended to be a sacrificial lamb - but he's certainly acting like one.”
Bingo!
”Then, again, that's what they said about Zmuda when he first ran for prosecutor (turned out to be one of the highest vote getters for council the next year)”
Of course, Zmuda was traditionally a top vote getter;-)
”But I'm not saying Ludeman will be able to do the same thing - he's not even wearing his nametag at festivals (per the blade).”
That’s what I was getting at. You have to put on the trunks and the gloves and step into the ring, even if you won’t be throwing any punches, or people will think that you’re NOT willing to run (fight).
”As someone who's watched GOP politics, there are plenty of people who have the ability to help train the candidates, the problem is that too many believe they know better. And the candidates don't want to hear the tough - but highly constructive - criticism. Look at Gabriel in her run to keep the Toledo muni court clerk job. She spent all her time in the central city and virtually ignored the "fertile crescent" and then was surprised when the Republicans in those areas didn't support her. Guess she learned that, unlike Democrats, Republicans don't get votes just because of the letter after her name.”
There is a whole lot of truth in what you said here ;-)
”The other thing is that it's hard to define what the Republican Party in Lucas County stands for. The Republicans on Toledo City Council rarely vote in opposition to the dems, even on controversial things.”
”And Tom Gulch got a lot of support - much more than most candidates have gotten in the past. His problem was in listening to friends who had never run a campaign while ignoring the advice of those who had run and won.”
”As for financial support this year - the GOP will have a hard time of it with the Noe fiasco looming over everyone and everything.”
intrepid, you HAVE been paying attention!
About all that I can add is, the dems may have their squabbles and splits, but they end up managing to promote and get a lot of candidates elected.
The R’s on the other hand, are more like herding cats. Most of the time, they are their own worst enemies.
jr et al,
Apologies for the excessive quoting, but intrepid really hit the nail on the head on this one. I’m going to have to pay more attention to this one ;-)
posted by Hooda_Thunkit at 08:28 A.M. EST on Fri Aug 12, 2005 #
Thanks, Hooda-Thunkit!
posted by intrepid at 10:17 A.M. EST on Fri Aug 12, 2005 #
Political foot soldiers placed a couple small flyers in our door. Here are the contents of those flyers that support Ford and the Democrats endorsed by LucasCountyDemocrats.org. The Ford flyer touting Jack's achievements is similar to what's listed on his website.
----
Quiet, Effective Leadership for Toledo
Re-elect Mayor Ford Democrat
Please remember to vote on primary day September 13, 2005
Toledo Backs Jack!
Re-elect Democrat Mayor Ford
* CREATED thousands of new, good paying jobs in a tough economy.
* RECOGNIZED by the Small Business Adminstration for supporting Toledo's small business community with financial and technical assistance.
* ESTABLISHED CareNet, a health care system that services over 6,000 people, a majority of whom are woman.
* BALANCED Toledo's budget without raising taxes, cutting essential services or laying off police or fire fighters.
* LAUNCHED the largest street paving and resurfacing program in Toledo's history.
* DECREASED crime over the last 3 1/2 years, making Toledo's great neighborhoods safer.
Paid for by Citizens with Ford.
----
Your Democratic Team For A Strong Toledo
Vote To Re-Elect Our Mayor
Mayor Jack Ford
For Toledo City Council - Vote For All 5
Phil Copeland
Karyn McConnell Hancock
Karen Shanahan
Frank Szollosi
Bob Vasquez
For Toledo School Board - Vote For 2 in November
Steve Steel
Steven Thomas
For Judge - Toledo Municipal Court - Vote For 2 in November
Paula Hicks-Hudson
Samuel J. Nugent
Endorsed by LucasCountyDemocrats.org
paid for by lucascountydemocrats.org
For rides to the polls - Where to vote - Any questions - Call 419-242-4687
----
If you have a flyer for one of the other mayoral candidates, post the contents. Websites can be changed but not the little ads.
posted by jr at 10:29 A.M. EST on Fri Aug 12, 2005 #
I've come to the reluctant conclustion that other than the fact that one speaks English and the other Russian, there is no difference between a Toledo politician and a 1960's era Soviet bureacrat.
Neither comprehends the concept of private property rights, and both hold as their highest value that they have a responsibility to plan everything for the public, which is too stupid to do anything for themselves.
Finkbeiner opposes a CostCo at Westgate. Now why should anyone give a damn what Finkbeiner thinks? And why should he have any say in a lawful business arrangement between two private parties? Finkbeiner has his own whackass proposal for Westgate, but if that idea were viable, why isn't that sort of business making their own arrangement for setting up shop at Westgate? These guys don't understand that businesses know what's good for their advancement more than the politicians do.
So instead of letting the private sector make their own deals, they thwart them when they can. They won't allow CostCo to come to Westgate, and to compensate they'll hand out subsidies and tax breaks to get that environmentalist-union-vegan sex co-op made out of glass that they knew was destined for that site.
posted by paddington at 12:49 P.M. EST on Fri Aug 12, 2005 #
jr, I have some questions/comments about the flyer info....
Toledo Backs Jack!
Re-elect Democrat Mayor Ford
* CREATED thousands of new, good paying jobs in a tough economy.
>>>>Was that before of after the LOSS of thousands of jobs in Toledo?
* RECOGNIZED by the Small Business Adminstration for supporting Toledo's small business community with financial and technical assistance.
>>>>>Might be true, but anyone can garner that type of recognition by showing up at a few meetings and making a few suggestions. Also, it helps to let local businessmen (Stewart) buy buildings in downtown and never do anything to them. Then the city gets to step in and rehab a building that was slated for demolition. Wow! Sweet deal. Wonder if Jack will sell me one of the old warehouses???
* ESTABLISHED CareNet, a health care system that services over 6,000 people, a majority of whom are woman.
>>>>CareNet, in theory, is a great program. BUT I don't believe he did it singlehandedly.
* BALANCED Toledo's budget without raising taxes, cutting essential services or laying off police or fire fighters.
>>>>>This is where I have to say coughbullsugarcough. The state mandates that the city balance its' budget every year. It was not an option for him. And he didn't do it - Council did and he signed it. BTW - we are still more then 50 officers short on the police department and the fire department could stand to hire enough folks to man one additional shift citywide.
* LAUNCHED the largest street paving and resurfacing program in Toledo's history.
>>>>Yep - sure did. In the past few months. What about the past 3 years???? I've had almost $1,000 worth of repairs made on my car thanks to Toledo's streets. Thank you, JFo, for another dose of too little too late.
* DECREASED crime over the last 3 1/2 years, making Toledo's great neighborhoods safer.
>>>>Another coughing fit coming on....Crime has NOT decreased in Toledo. The amount of crimes reported to the Dept. of Justice leaves alot to be desired. Numbers seem to disappear somewhere in the Ivory Tower.
Paid for by Citizens with Ford.
>>>>And YOUR tax dollar - i.e. Toledo Works Billboards and website.
posted by DoknowDocare at 03:21 P.M. EST on Fri Aug 12, 2005 #
The flyer says:
* LAUNCHED the largest street paving and resurfacing program in Toledo's history.
It's only the largest because it borrowed money from FUTURE projects to do them all this year! You'd only know it was an election year by the number of people paving streets!
As for another on the flyer ... Paula Hicks-Hudson for Judge?!?!? This is the same Paula Hicks-Hudson of Board of Election fame - the one singled out as much as Paula Ross for the mismanagement of the BOE and the massive problems they encountered...the same one who was criticized by the Sec of State as not having a clue on how to run an election...Now we're supposed to trust her to be a Judge?!?!
(don't believe me, though, the Lucas County report is still on the sos website...)
posted by intrepid at 04:38 P.M. EST on Fri Aug 12, 2005 #
I disagree somewhat, paddington.
Municipalities should have the right to have some controls over commercial, industrial, and residential development. Unfettered free markets without government oversight are frightful things; think turn-of-the-20th-century American cities.
However, I do agree that pie-in-the-sky "Walking Westgate" schemes are not the solution.
Should Costco be required to meet zoning regulations, and build a facility that is aesthetically pleasing? Yes.
Should Costco and the owners of Westgate be allowed to strike their own deal? Definitely.
It's a changing world, and Old Orchard/Ottawa Hills residents need to accept the fact that their 50-year old shopping center has to change with the times.
posted by historymike at 04:44 P.M. EST on Fri Aug 12, 2005 #
historymike said: "It's a changing world, and Old Orchard/Ottawa Hills residents need to accept the fact that their 50-year old shopping center has to change with the times. "
I think they already have, historymike...everyday I walk/drive through the neighborhood, I see more UT students and many "For Rent"/"For Lease"/"For Sale" signs...
*sigh*
Lady Phoenix
posted by MrsPhoenix at 08:44 P.M. EST on Fri Aug 12, 2005 #
Inrepid - let us not forget Princess Karyn McConnell-Hancock.
HistoryMike - I agree. Progress is what makes a city grow and thrive. To demand to hold a city the size of Toledo to 1950s and 1960s ideals is not practical. The times have changed - business has changed - and we need to adjust. I don't see Westgate as being a 'walking destination' at all.
As long as Costco doesn't go battleship gray with 12 ft tall neon letters and polka music on loudspeakers, I think you will find the area residents shopping there once they get over being mad. After all, what's the difference between Costco and Sam's Club? Oh yeah - Sam's is in Spring Meadows and not near Westgate...that makes it ok.
posted by DoknowDocare at 10:20 P.M. EST on Fri Aug 12, 2005 #
Agreed intrepid (and DoknowDocare). It's like musical chairs. If you are a total disaster in one spot you get put in another.
Toledoans have to face the fact that the world marches on whether or not they do. Nostalgia is best kept for family reunions. Otherwise it keeps us focused on the past rather than the future.
I like Westgate and I liked it better when it was full. But some things outlive their usefulness and despite our best efforts they are unable to remain.
It's interesting to me that the mayoral candidates fail to look at Costco as a positive: Great pay, benefits, long term stability as a company, good number of employees.
Maybe Costco should put "Jeep" in its name somewhere. You wouldn't be able to keep the politicians (and their tax incentives and abatements) from getting into fistfights over whose great idea it was to bring Costco here.
posted by thinkingwoman at 08:29 A.M. EST on Sat Aug 13, 2005 #
Ba-zing! Nice analogy, thinkingwoman. Many of our politicians were all too willing to give away nearly $400 million for Jeep and the "supplier" plants, only to watch the employment fall from 5,700 (1998) to an estimated 4,000 today.
posted by historymike at 08:51 A.M. EST on Sat Aug 13, 2005 #
Toledo needs to return to the City Manager form of government because it's more difficult to fire a "Strong Mayor" than it is "staff."
A sociopathic "Strong Mayor" can (Carty) wreak havoc, as we all have witnessed in a past administration. One cannot reason how Jack do nothing Ford got elected. Ford had a very lackluster stay in Columbus as our State's Representitive and slept through that office as he has throughout his present administration. Nobody can blame the voters of Toledo because the political parties WILL NOT give us a candidate worthy of election.
posted by toledoan at 04:45 P.M. EST on Sat Aug 13, 2005 #
The parties tend to support safe candidates who don't stray from the party line.
I think that the only way we will get real change and reform is with either a third-party candidate or a true independent.
Unfortunately, the election rules are rigged right now to favor the status quo, which is the two major parties. We have to make reform at the state level to break the Republicrat duopoly on power.
posted by historymike at 05:36 P.M. EST on Sat Aug 13, 2005 #
JFo and Wilkowski had a lot in common until Ski threw his hat into the ring. It was only last year that JFo paid him $30,000 to represent the city in federal court against the Taverns for Tots organization.
Did JFo put that city contract out for bid? NO. He simply hired Ski because they're of the same political ilk.
I don't even know Ski, but I can't understand how he can distance himself from JFo in 2005 when their tents were clearly pitched in the same camp in 2004.
posted by jimavolt at 08:22 P.M. EST on Sat Aug 13, 2005 #
MEET THE CANDIDATES FOR TOLEDO MAYOR
A Toledo Mayoral Candidates’ Forum is scheduled for Sunday, August 28, 2005 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Beaner's Gourmet Coffee, located in the Cricket West Plaza, 3160 Markway.
This “meet and greet” forum is unique compared to the other mayoral candidates meetings. Each of the Toledo mayoral candidates will provide a three-to-five minute introductory message to the public audience in attendance. The introductory comments are being limited to a brief autobiographical sketch, qualifications for this office, vision for the City of Toledo, and why each feels he or she should be elected. The candidates have been asked to structure their presentations in a positive manner rather than making any negative references to the other mayoral candidates.
An informal reception will be held after all mayoral candidates have completed his or her remarks. This format allows each Toledo mayoral candidate the opportunity meet face to face with voters in an informal, relaxed setting. The format also provides the voters with an opportunity to speak with the candidates one-on-one.
The mayoral candidate forum is free and open to the public. It is being sponsored by The West Toledo Herald, Beaner's Gourmet Coffee in Cricket West, and Organization Development Services – Roland Hansen, President.
posted by RolandHansen at 08:16 A.M. EST on Sun Aug 14, 2005 #
Toledoan says the parties don't give us candidates worthy of election...
question: what characteristics, skills, experience, background do you want? If you had a magic wand and could have any individual be the next mayor, who would it be?
posted by intrepid at 08:50 A.M. EST on Sun Aug 14, 2005 #
Straying back to the Costco issue...
For those opposed to it, please consider this...the neighborhood immediately surrounding the Westgate area has more For Sale signs in it than some central city areas. This alludes to the theory that folks are a) moving, b) retiring, c) can't/don't want to maintain homes that size, d) are tired of fighting the traffic at the Secor/Central intersection.
As for Walking Westgate...if the truth were told, how many of the PROponents for a Walking Westgate actually walk anywhere? They get in their cars and drive to the mall.
I understand that part of nostalgia that wants the quiet, neighborly air of the '50s, but we have to recognize and come to grips with progress. Progress involves change, expansion, and a reason for other businesses to WANT to be in the area.
If I were a business owner and had to choose between a space in Westgate, as it is, and a space on Monroe Street anywhere near the mall, it would be a hands down decision for Monroe St.
It's economics, people. Plain and simple. With the wage/salary situation in Toledo, it's simply not practical for a person to frequent small markets/carryouts/specialty shops only to spend 3x the amount for an item. If you are a business owner, and your target market is unique then Costco won't hinder your business. It will only increase the traffic to AID your business.
posted by DoknowDocare at 10:17 A.M. EST on Sun Aug 14, 2005 #
We need a mayor that will represent US !
One has only to read George Orwell's book, 1984. "Big Brother Is Watching You !"
We are losing more and more of our freedoms and liberties every year. We are searched,watched,scanned,analyzed,cataloged,indexed,categorized,with every move we make and every word we speak. America has become a police state by virtue of our own government; the very government Of,By,and For The People now subjugates "We The People" to it's whims.
Our forefathers are turning over in their graves.
Our home town politicians are now taking private property from us, and police tell us we are not free to be or go anywhere within our own city. Past and present mayors and their administrations have turned Toledo into their own kingdoms by misusing "emanate domain" and claiming that "HOME RULE" succeeds and supersedes state laws. They have the audacity to say that they represent US ?
Toledo is it's people; let us try much harder to elect a mayor that WILL represent "We The People."
posted by toledoan at 04:04 P.M. EST on Sun Aug 14, 2005 #
One cannot reason how Jack do nothing Ford got elected. Ford had a very lackluster stay in Columbus as our State's Representitive and slept through that office as he has throughout his present administration.
-------------------------------------------
I've already explained that in some previous posts. He has the black vote locked up (again, Finkbeiner is the ONLY white candidate who can eat into that), plus unions & the straight-ticket die-hard endorsed Democrat-only voters.
posted by Foolkiller at 11:38 P.M. EST on Sun Aug 14, 2005 #
Ooh! Oooooh! My turn!
You've gotta give Toledo's Republicans credit for honesty. I mean, what's Ludeman going to really say in his so-called campaign?:
"We Republicans SUPPORT the breaking of unions."
Well, although TRUE, that's not going to fly in Toledo. So how about:
"We Republicans SUPPORT the globalization that's taking Toledo industry away."
Er, that's not a good idea either. Sooooo, how about:
"We Republicans SUPPORT the immense rise in energy prices that pads the accounts of our donors."
Hrm. So much for THAT. So I give the Republicans credit for not bothering with really running for office in Toledo.
And in the larger sense, why bother? A Republican "wins" when another chunk of Toledo cash flees to China and various overseas bank accounts. The Republicans' inbred stock portfolios are what they really want to win, anyway, and -- gosh! -- those are winning already.
Ohio's Republicans did QUITE well hanging around Columbus, buying access. Toledo's a dead zone for a Republican (except for golfing, wink wink).
P.S. I have found that with about 98% of the next mayoral vote being split between Carty (a certifiably insane spendaholic) and Ford (a racist spendaholic), Toledo is doomed. You can count on SEVERE cost controls being emplaced by late 2006 ... because if not by then, then such controls will be invoked through the placement of Toledo into receivership by the State of Ohio (something the Republicans in Columbus would be jumping for joy over, obviously).
posted by GuestZero at 11:38 P.M. EST on Sun Aug 14, 2005 #
JFo and Wilkowski had a lot in common until Ski threw his hat into the ring. It was only last year that JFo paid him $30,000 to represent the city in federal court against the Taverns for Tots organization.
------------------------------------------
Ah...Thank you for reminding me of that, Jim. I'd forgotten. No way in hell I'd ever vote Wilkowski now , although I've never voted for Ford in my life-I ALWAYS knew he was totally worthless. It's always infuriated me to see him keep getting re-elected!! As soon as that damned Paula Ross (SOooo glad to see her gone, too, although she's now on the TCP staff) got him to run for mayor, I knew it was all over (for reasons stated above).
posted by Foolkiller at 11:46 P.M. EST on Sun Aug 14, 2005 #
Foolkiller - Ross isn't gone...she's still running the A-Team, biding her time until the next re-org of the party in 2006. Sorry!
posted by intrepid at 07:09 A.M. EST on Mon Aug 15, 2005 #
Phooey!! I thought she stepped down. Our politicos never go away anyway-should have known. The "A" teamers, along with Block, are the ones who have primarily destroyed this town, as far as I'm concerned.
posted by Foolkiller at 07:34 A.M. EST on Mon Aug 15, 2005 #
GeustZero,
Welcome back!
re: "Toledo is doomed."
On this one statement we agree :-)
As for the rest of your post, I'd need a very large glass of Kool-Aid to wash it down with ;-)
Did I mention "Welcome Back?"
posted by Hooda_Thunkit at 08:39 A.M. EST on Mon Aug 15, 2005 #
A sort of featured article in the Aug 14 Blade about the Fab Four.
"The Blade invited the four major candidates in the Sept. 13 primary to give a reporter and photographer tours of Toledo - its assets, its challenges, and its opportunities. The men, having accepted, zigzag through the city by car, foot, and bus, stopping at landmarks, side streets, and one dusty corner bar."
"Their tours follow distinct themes. There are surprises: only one candidate shows off Tony Packo's, and not-so-surprises: everyone brags on libraries, parks, new school construction, and Fifth Third Field. The shortest lasts 2 1/2 hours; the longest goes all day."
posted by jr at 10:08 A.M. EST on Mon Aug 15, 2005 #
And JFo attempted levity when he asked a young man standing on the corner holding a Carty sign "Is that legal?" I believe the young man replied with something like, "Hey mayor - you got $20?" Great comeback! Also, JFo was the only one that used a chauffer to haul him around. Mayoral privilege, I suppose.
And if Wilkowski really rode the bus all the time then he would have known the hours of the library. Duh!
posted by DoknowDocare at 02:54 P.M. EST on Mon Aug 15, 2005 #
intrepid wrote:
Foolkiller - Ross isn't gone...she's still running the A-Team, biding her time until the next re-org of the party in 2006. Sorry!
Foolkiller responded with:
"Phooey!! I thought she stepped down. Our politicos never go away anyway-should have known. The "A" teamers, along with Block, are the ones who have primarily destroyed this town, as far as I'm concerned."
To which, I say or ask:
Who is part of - or - what is - the A Team anymore?
When Keith Wilkowski was Chairman of the Lucas County Democratic Party and part of the A-Team, he brought in Paula Ross as executive director. She had previously been the campaign manager for independent Mike Ferner who had ran against Carty Finkbeiner for mayor in 1993. Paula later became the Chair of the Party when Keith stepped down. It was under Paula Ross that the Democratic Party recruited and endorsed Jack Ford in 2001 to run against B-Team member and Lucas County Treasurer Ray Kest for mayor. Sandy Isenberg, who was a County Commissioner and B-Team member at the time, was Chair of the Ray Kest Campaign.
In 2003, the B-Team gained control of the Lucas County Democratic Party. With the help of Carty Finkbeiner, Sandy Isenberg replaced Paula Ross as Chair. Sandy resigned after she made allies of A-Team members and abandoned some of the B-Team members that had put her in the Chairmanship of the Democratic Party and after she found out that she could not get her own way all the time.
Subsequently, the A-Team formed the P.A.C. known as Lucas County Democrats.org as a separate entity apart from the Lucas County Democratic Party, which is now controlled by the B-Team and was formerly known as the Courthouse Gang.
Keith Wilkowski left his position as Treasurer of Lucas County Democrats.org and Paula Ross is working on his campaign. Jack Ford is endorsed by Lucas County Democrats.org; the Lucas County Democratic Party has not made an endorsement.
Sandy Isenberg, formerly a B-Team member, announced her support of Jack Ford this past March. The various unions that have been traditionally aligned with the Lucas County Democratic Party are now split in their support between Jack Ford and Carty Finkbeiner. I'm not sure whether Keith Wilkowski has obtained any union support yet.
It seems to me that the Democrats are now split into three groups rather than just two.
Oh my gosh, I'm getting a headache just trying to sort and categorize it all!!!
posted by RolandHansen at 09:42 P.M. EST on Mon Aug 15, 2005 #
Some info about the A and B teams in another posting.
posted by jr at 10:20 P.M. EST on Mon Aug 15, 2005 #
Yes, it's almost as if there are A, B and C teams now...but make no mistake: The only reason that Wilkowski 'formed' the C-Team is because many of the A-teamers don't believe Jack can win.
Their only priority is keeping control - they really don't care about the people, just the power. So all of the machinations should come as no surprise.
However, despite all their disagreements, they'd rather have a Democrat than a Republican - even if it's a Dem who's a member of different team...Rob Ludeman beware.
posted by intrepid at 06:36 A.M. EST on Tue Aug 16, 2005 #
Power? Yes, you are correct. All of poltics is about power, whether it be partican poltics, issue politics, office politics, church politics, club politics, union politcs, etc. And then there are individuals who are into power trips. That is the individual who wants to gain and maintain power just for himself or herself regardless of anything or anybody else.
posted by RolandHansen at 07:37 A.M. EST on Tue Aug 16, 2005 #
Toledo Tales covers Jack Ford's purported inactivity today with a different twist:
http://toledotales.blogspot.com/2005/08/ford-re-emerges-after-long-hibernation.html
posted by historymike at 09:24 A.M. EST on Tue Aug 16, 2005 #
Aug 16 Blade article strangely titled:
'Ford looking to redefine image in TV ads'
Redefine? Ford has more money than the other candidates. Maybe more than all the other candidates combined. That's why I think Ford will crack the top 2 in September.
"Mayor Jack Ford will broadcast television advertisements from now until the Sept. 13
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