As an OT?
Anyone who has visited my blog in the past and wants to vote for it. (I've been selected as a finalist for best blog in my "ecosystem" category in the Weblogs Awards. The voting started yesterday and continues until December 15th)
I am doing a small moment of self-promotion...
I don't expect Liberal Common Sense to win but it's been a fun experience.
Link to voting page
:-)
posted by psyche777 at 10:24 A.M. EST on Tue Dec 06, 2005 #
I have more on this story on my blog, but I wanted to add that this could have been handled much better.
These rumors started about three weeks ago, and Carty has had plenty of time to prepare for this to leak. He also should recognize that the public, in general, thinks favorably of Navarre, and that there would be backlash to replacing him.
That being said, at least Smith looks like he will be able to start with a solid base of support among the department. Officers I have talked with say that he is loyal to his subordinates, has little tolerance for BS, and has a take-charge type of personality.
On the second note, GO LISA!
posted by historymike at 10:36 A.M. EST on Tue Dec 06, 2005 #
I saw that after I posted, it doesn't surprise me that "Mr. Bill" is trying to take credit for this.
I totally agree with you that the timing could have been better, I think inadvertently it adds an additional layer of pressure on the City.
OT? Thanks, I know LCS won't win but I have decided I'd at least not like to get stomped by a "Fiesty Republican Whore" - lol
posted by psyche777 at 11:01 A.M. EST on Tue Dec 06, 2005 #
I didn't see Carty's announcement but a couple of people mentioned bulging veins on Carty’s head/neck once the questioning began. (But, he’s a passionate leader…)
(Mental image of Jack Nicholson's wild eyed smiling face as he shakes head and intones, "I'm Baaaaackkk!)
The TPPA backed Carty, for a price.
The price was Mike Navarre's head, on a platter...
As for Joe Walter, I suspect that Carty wants to shorten his chain-of-command (read as, leash) for both Police and Fire, by eliminating the Safety Director's position.
The last time Carty was Mayor, he didn't have a Safety Director.
posted by Hooda_Thunkit at 12:40 P.M. EST on Tue Dec 06, 2005 #
Whats the surprise here. this is always how Carty did things in the past and the voters of some reason supported him. this is also how the city does things. lawsuit, lawsuit, settle, lawsuit. screwed up budget. smoking ban ,lawsuit.
posted by Angrysage at 12:53 P.M. EST on Tue Dec 06, 2005 #
Actually, Carty did have a safety director - it just happened to be the same person who had another title as well. The person was John Alexander, but I forget his title at the time.
As for Navarre, when he was originally appointed by Carty to the Chief's position, he supposedly had a contract which stated that he has the opportunity to go back to his previous position if Carty ever removed him as chief. This is why "just cause" is so important - if there is "just cause," he doesn't get to go back. And, of course, this is all about retirement, so who would blame Navarre for wanting to stay with a job and benefits? I don't.
posted by intrepid at 01:03 P.M. EST on Tue Dec 06, 2005 #
Angrysage,
Yep, you're right.
Are you familiar with the acronym SNAFU ???
ALthough, he's not the BAD Carty, the EVIL Carty, he's the PASSIONATE Carty, this time...
intrepid,
"Just cause" means nothing to Carty...
And, you're right about John Alexander ;-)
posted by Hooda_Thunkit at 01:40 P.M. EST on Tue Dec 06, 2005 #
Intrepid, unless I'm wrong the offer was made for Chief Navarre to be still employed as second in command so he would not lose his benefits. The only way he would face a hearing would be if he challenges the demotion. If he has a signed contract agreeing to taking his former position if necessary and then changes his mind I don't see how that ends up being a Carty error.
It sounds like you know more of the ins and outs of this, since I have not seen nor heard of the contract before. All I was going on was how the City Charter is worded.
posted by psyche777 at 01:48 P.M. EST on Tue Dec 06, 2005 #
Bob Reinbolt said on Fred Lefebvre's show today that part of the reason Navarre is balking is because they won't pay him his accrued sick and vacation time.
According to Reinbolt, they don't want to "set a precedent."
Let's see...every city employee already receives these monies either as a lump-sum disbursement or as comp time. The "precedent" is already set, except for a few director-level positions.
If I were Navarre, I would want that which I earned, too. I don't know how much money is involved in Navarre's case, but sometimes employees get checks in the 5- and 6-figure range upon retirement.
And there is language in the charter that conflicts with the parts cited. I will look it up (or someone will beat me to it) but there is a clause where the police and fire chiefs are also treated as civil servants, and thus entitled to these sick time payouts.
posted by historymike at 01:56 P.M. EST on Tue Dec 06, 2005 #
I wonder what qualifies as "just cause?" If Carty thinks the police department isn't performing well enough then is that "just cause?" I would say yes simply because the city elects a mayor to make these decisions, and if he thinks the police department could be better with a new leader then I think he has every right (and even the responsibility) to do so.
posted by HeyHey at 02:00 P.M. EST on Tue Dec 06, 2005 #
"the city elects a mayor to make these decisions, and if he thinks the police department could be better with a new leader then I think he has every right (and even the responsibility) to do so."
That sounds like employment at will. As much sense as it makes, it may not exist any more in government employment given the job protections that unions and liberals have clogged our economy with.
Wouldn't that be great to have a job that could only be terminated for cause?
posted by babbleman at 02:46 P.M. EST on Tue Dec 06, 2005 #
If I were Navarre, I would want that which I earned, too.
The practice of people "earning" unused sick and vacation time is ridiculous. Paid vacation and sick time should be a use-it-or-lose it benefit. Not one that you get paid for not using. But I'll bet that's been legislated too.
posted by babbleman at 02:56 P.M. EST on Tue Dec 06, 2005 #
I will be curious to see how this all plays out. I know carty is planning on cleaning house (based on a memo or something that went out reported by the blade...)
psyche, i voted for you!
posted by alexandra at 03:02 P.M. EST on Tue Dec 06, 2005 #
Thanks alex...though I'm not sure how I feel about the whole thing now, I just had an experience that kind of soured me on the whole thing. Since it's OT, if you want to read about it it's on my blog.
Someday I'll stop being idealistic...well probably not - lol
I'm not sure how I feel with the whole pay out of sick time either. Granted if they stop paying people for it they will just call in sick or take vacation before they quit but there should at least be some type of a cap on it, some of these people have gotten some pretty large payoffs. Heck Navarre could try to retire then be re-hired like so many of them have done.
:-)
posted by psyche777 at 05:12 P.M. EST on Tue Dec 06, 2005 #
Babbleman - I was not debating the merits of sick pay/ vacation time payouts, only pointing out that he may have a legal basis upon which he might make a legitimate claim.
I work four part-time jobs with no benefits, and a part of me is jealous of others who have cushy benefits packages. That being said, I would not tell them that they should forgo what everyone else in their organization gets just because I am cobbling together a bunch of part-time jobs, or many other Americans have no insurance available to them.
Americans these days have been trained to respond in the way that Babbleman did; we attack those who have a good compensation package and hold up as virtuous those who do not get such "perks."
Then we ignore the CEOs, corporate administrators, and raiders who pull those 6-, 7-, and 8-figure salaries. Somehow, our attention is diverted toward the likes of Mike Navarre or UAW workers - who have it a little better than the average stiff - and away from the men behind the curtain.
(Note: don't slag me as a socialist - "populist" fits better)
posted by historymike at 07:32 P.M. EST on Tue Dec 06, 2005 #
Historymike, your estimates are essentially correct. Accrued (unused) sick time can easily result in at least a $35000 payment to a new retiree. A city worker I know in the Water Dept. explained the basics of it to me just the other day.
Compared to the rest of the population paying their wages and benefits, city workers are outstandingly compensated ... even after the definable cycles of benefit changes (which translate mostly to reductions). Babbleman's fiscal conservatism is waving the red flag appropriately at this time. The compensation packages for city workers are as a rule outrageous; hence, they are inconsistent with the ideals of managing a Rust Belt City (i.e. post-industrial and in significant decline) for the long term.
Unfortunately for all of us fiscal conservatives, city workers are embedded in a fog of political power. I asked that one city worker contact of mine what would necessarily change around here as progressive budget shortfalls made it too obvious (or hard to hide) Toledo's general economic collapse. He spoke of the Parks division, which had already experienced significant cuts. He also spoke of a relaxation (note: I'm using my terminology as an interpretation of what he said) of certain standards of work, for example the frequency of lawn mowing around the city. Toledo has already experienced a significant decrease in the man-hours allocated to patrolling the city and enforcing the law ... all facts that Toledoans hardly notice, much less complain about. Etc.
P.S. The Carty Clean Sweep seems well under way. A prior campaigner of Ford's -- well ensconced inside an insulated city dept. -- has already made her plans for departure. Rumor has it she at least did no harm, although that's by virtue of the fact that she did next to nothing in the first place.
posted by GuestZero at 07:44 P.M. EST on Tue Dec 06, 2005 #
Actually, if Navarre goes back to his old position, he would be entitled to various civil service protections - as well as union protection - just like anyone else. Proving just cause would then require more than just Carty's opinion that he wasn't do a good job.
Also, I believe that his prior position was CAPTAIN - not deputy chief, which could make a big difference as captains are represented by the Command Officers union...
posted by intrepid at 07:51 P.M. EST on Tue Dec 06, 2005 #
And there is some discrepancy in the Toledo Municipal Code - our charter - which puts police under civil service AND puts the Chief of police (also considered a police officer) as a Director of public safety.
However, we all know that a rose by any other name...and those civil service commission people don't fool around with those types of scenarios...
posted by intrepid at 07:53 P.M. EST on Tue Dec 06, 2005 #
So then Carty offering him deputy chief is still a step above his returning to captain....
As far as pay and benefits...Depending on what this contract states it could be interesting.
posted by psyche777 at 07:56 P.M. EST on Tue Dec 06, 2005 #
Does anyone have any ideas about who else will be part of Carty's administration?
posted by downtownj at 08:00 P.M. EST on Tue Dec 06, 2005 #
But, psyche, different rules apply to deputy chief - so it's no wonder there's a controversy.
Downtownj - I'm waiting for John Irish's name to pop up somewhere in Carty's team - wouldn't that be a hoot!
posted by intrepid at 08:04 P.M. EST on Tue Dec 06, 2005 #
lol intrepid. I'm trying to grasp this.
The contract states he would return to Captain if there was just cause? (not sure on that one)
Let's say the contract says he would return to captain, wouldn't a captain make less and have less benefits than a deputy chief?
posted by psyche777 at 08:12 P.M. EST on Tue Dec 06, 2005 #
My take:
Navarre knows he's out. He asked to be paid for all unused sick, comp, and vacation time (usually, a city employee gets only a portion of the unused sick time) and the deal was struk.
Then, Carty/Reinbolt said no to this arrangement and Mike is resisting.
Carty/Reinbolt doesn't want to set a new precident,which is understandable, but they initially agreed to give Mike the full payout.
Now the delicate art of negotiating a full payout without setting a precident begins.
I predict that, in the end, Mike will get a full payout and Carty/Reinbolt will claim that something else (and non-precident setting) took place.
At least, that's what I heard...
posted by Hooda_Thunkit at 09:24 P.M. EST on Tue Dec 06, 2005 #
I don't understand why there are those that think he's done an excellent job.
Nor those who don't get that's what happens when you have a Strong Mayor. If you don't want politics to come into Department Head decisions? Time to go back to a City Manager form of government.
(Which might not be a bad idea)
:-)
posted by psyche777 at 09:29 P.M. EST on Tue Dec 06, 2005 #
psyche777,
"Time to go back to a City Manager form of government."
Amen to that!
posted by Hooda_Thunkit at 09:35 P.M. EST on Tue Dec 06, 2005 #
City Manager style of government is a weak, ineffective style of government that got us into the mess we're in.
It is part of that old-fashioned, elitist belief that the electorate is too stupid to know who should be running their city and how it should be run, so the elected powers hire a professional expert.
I'm sorry, but I want a say in how my city is run.
posted by MemyselfandI at 09:46 P.M. EST on Tue Dec 06, 2005 #
You did have a say me, however alot of the political bs was removed under a City Manager form of government. If you had a good City Manager? It could very well be a much better situation.
posted by psyche777 at 09:59 P.M. EST on Tue Dec 06, 2005 #
I don't think of politics as BS. I think of it as part of the process. Politics, in its purest form, is a battle of ideas. A City Manager doesn't really have to do this. All he has to do is manage. He doesn't have to develop, he doesn't have to win in the arena, he doesn't have to have passion.
Cities are deserting the City Manager government in droves. Politics is part of leadership.
posted by MemyselfandI at 10:23 P.M. EST on Tue Dec 06, 2005 #
HM, I apologize for the appearance of an attack. I was just reacting to the absurdity of the idea that a person "earns" extra compensation because they don't use sick time or vacation. It is sort of like having to have Monday off because Christmas falls on a Sunday thus robbing one of another day of paid unproductivity.
Though my company pays for sick time and vacation it does not pay when those benefits are not used. That fact is made clear in interviews, offers and the employee handbook. Yet, almost without fail, when a person leaves, within a week they are calling looking for a check for their unused sick or vacation time. Some have threatened to sue because they believe it is their legal right.
It is such a strange perversion of the work ethic that I grew up with, it shocks me when I see it so taken for granted.
Americans these days have been trained to respond in the way that Babbleman did; we attack those who have...good compensation...and hold up as virtuous those who do not get such "perks."
Then we ignore the CEOs...who pull those 6-, 7-, and 8-figure salaries.
Wow, that was a lot to stuff into my mouth all at once.
I attack those who want more compensation for less productivity and want the folly of it perpetuated with isolationism. And particularly so when the compensation involved is my tax dollars. That pretty much covers unions, liberal employment law and government employment.
I hold up those who are able to reap the proportionally higher returns from their ability to realize superior productivity. That covers hard workers at any level, entrepenuers, often CEOs and most of the people who have ended up staying at my company for a number of years.
(Note: don't slag me as a socialist - "populist" fits better)
That's fine, but I wouldn't use mathmatician either. In the big picture, the CEO scandals are a non-issue. The UAW (whose members you say, only make a little more than the average stiff) and the culture it has bred has sucked many times more value out of our economy and competitiveness than all of the crooked CEO's put together.
posted by babbleman at 10:26 P.M. EST on Tue Dec 06, 2005 #
Sorry, babbleman. I wasn't directing those comments at you personally.
I used your statement as a microcosm of what I believe to be an epidemic of focusing our ire in the wrong places.
I, too, am sometimes guilty of this.
posted by historymike at 11:53 P.M. EST on Tue Dec 06, 2005 #
It is part of that old-fashioned, elitist belief that the electorate is too stupid to know who should be running their city and how it should be run, so the elected powers hire a professional expert.
-----------------------------------------
As compared to the new-fashioned belief we've had since the late 80's, where the elitists the moronic voters keep electing know what's best for you, since you're too stupid? Yeah, a real huge difference there. And the electorate is stupid as hell, which was proven with all but one of Council getting back in.
posted by Foolkiller at 03:47 A.M. EST on Wed Dec 07, 2005 #
Sorry for the late explanation, Psyche...my understanding is that Navarre's contract/agreement allowed him to go back to his previous position which is, I believe, captain. Deputy Chief is higher, but different rules apply to vacation, sick time, etc...because it's not a position covered by the union contract with the Toledo Police Command Officers Association. Captain is covered under the union contract.
So it makes sense that Carty would want to put Navarre into the Dep. Chief position because of the difference in the benefit compensation. If I were him, I'd want to have all my earned time as Chief - at the Chief's pay - to be disbursed before taking the demotion...and who wouldn't?
As for whether or not all this benefit compensation is a good idea - I'm definitely on the NOT side, but them's the rules right now...maybe we can start a drive to change them, since it's OUR MONEY they're using to give all this stuff away....
posted by intrepid at 08:35 A.M. EST on Wed Dec 07, 2005 #
Thanks intrepid and don't worry about the time thing. I know you always get back to me on questions like this and I appreciate it.
Me, Politics isn't always good, especially if you are dealing with immature people that probably should not have been elected in the first place that spend more time on stupid tit for tat stuff rather than actually doing their jobs.
However, given the small numbers of those who actually care enough to vote? It is very well possible a professional City Manager would run a city more efficiently. However that does depend on the quality of the City Manager. It frees up so much of the actual performance from Politics. Cities are leaving the City Manager form of government and they will discover what they get in return for that.
Welcome to Toledo.....
posted by psyche777 at 10:18 P.M. EST on Wed Dec 07, 2005 #
Sick pay is part of a pay package. A worker that only calls in when he/she is really sick is 'saving' their days. If they never need them for a major illness, maybe because they also refrain from illness causing behavior, then they are entitled to at least part of them when they leave. They did 'earn them' by being on the job. Otherwise, another system should be set in place for workers who never, or hardly never, miss work days.
posted by Pi314C at 05:21 A.M. EST on Thu Dec 08, 2005 #
psyche - I go back and forth on the city manager myself. Personally, considering our Toledo leaders, I don't think it's a good idea, because I don't believe we'd get a well-qualified individual. What I except we'd get, instead, is another political hack who knows who he has to keep happy in order to keep his job.
But, trying to remain an optimist, I have great respect for Ken Filipiak who's the administrator in Oregon. I just think someone like him, with his emphasis on the business aspects of running his city, wouldn't be welcomed by our current city council. I also doubt whether someone like him would be willing to work under the political conditions here.
posted by intrepid at 07:16 A.M. EST on Thu Dec 08, 2005 #
Carty's first controversy....
Well, now isn't that a SHOCK! Just think how the voters of Toledo were duped into believing that this was a new Carty.
Ha! The fools.
posted by limedrops911 at 11:37 A.M. EST on Thu Dec 08, 2005 #
Babbleman -I'd like to know what you do for a living?...I'm in a union and we get a pretty decent package(but we work our ass off for it- every little crumb they throw our way) and just now we negotiated a deal that if we do not use our sick days we get a bonus-(at the end of each semester-we are a teachers union)-we tried for the pay when you retire thing but the administration said no....but as person who comes from a STRONG UAW FAMILY-you are way off base-these people work their asses off as do I as a public school teacher(and put up with plenty abuse) and any fucking bonus we get is well earned-same with the POLICE and FIREMEN.....and with that I am sighning off...nighty night TOLEDO...AND THE UAW ROCKS!...and so did my Late UNCLE who was a Kick ASS ,local 12, President back in the day. DId you know that it was unions that gave us the 5 day work week?...and i'm too tired to spell check so who ever it was that attacked my spelling and the fact that I am a teacher-back off....I'm PMSing and I'm armed....
posted by divamom26 at 12:41 A.M. EST on Sun Dec 11, 2005 #
From what my wife has told me, had the United States signed "The Human Right's Treaty", we would enjoy the same vacation schedule and bank holidays as the Europeans. 7 weeks mandatory vacation and 15 bank holidays. With Pay.
I've never heard about this treaty, ever. From what I understand, corporate America, at the time, was under the influence of unions and may have had something to do with our not participating, via union-sponsored politicans, or something like that.
posted by BrianInFlorida at 06:19 A.M. EST on Sun Dec 11, 2005 #
God help the children of Toledo. . .Divamom is a teacher. I'll know my child had her when he starts calling President Clinton a pussy hound.
No such thing as a union member getting crums. They are all well paid.
posted by MemyselfandI at 12:38 P.M. EST on Sun Dec 11, 2005 #
Well don't worry sweet heart I don't teach in toledo-and would never use the word "pussy hound" in class...my god,how you judge the Divemom-but lets face it he was, and most likely still is and LIED to us-and I still voted for the man twice- I lived in ARKANSAS at the time-
"no such thing as union members getting crumbs "?......well then you have not seen my union-1/2 raise this year-for some like the education support staff that was, oh about $15 dollars for the year!-my raise did not even put gas in my car for 2 weeks-yeah no such thing as crumbs-...paid well? TEACHERS???PLEASE-most of us work a second job-
Well Brian if that is true then that is sad-i'm not saying unons are perfect-Hell-did anyone ever find poor old Jimmy Hoffa-?.....but as a teacher if it were not for the union-I could not work-and many feel this way because of the way the administration-not all but some, abuse teachers-not to mention what some of the kids do to us-....and their PARENTS!...
posted by divamom26 at 01:17 P.M. EST on Mon Dec 12, 2005 #
There seems to be a lot of misinformation on this topic, so please allow me to set the record straight.
1. First, there was never a contract between Chief Navarre and Carty in terms of a demotion if Carty were to be re-elected. In fact, when rumors of this first began, Chief Navarre presented an agreement to Carty in which he would have stepped down to the position of Deputy Chief quietly and amicably. Instead of entering into talks with the Chief, Carty quickly dismissed any thought of negotiation and held a press conference announcing his new pick for the position. What a class act.
2. Second, the position of Deputy Chief is one that Chief Navarre held prior to being appointed as Chief, unlike Jack Lee Smith, who is now only a Captain. So, if Chief Navarre were to step down, it would be to his previous position as a Deputy Chief, not as a Captain.
3. Third, the bullshit excuse of the riots that Carty is using for his "just cause" argument is just that - bullshit. Carty was talking about replacing Chief Navarre long before the riots ever took place. The real reason for Carty's proposed removal of the Chief stems from the fact that Navarre does his job that way it should be done and does not cave to political pressures. To Carty that doesn't equal hard work, it equals disloyalty.
4. Lastly, it's funny to me that someone actually made the comment that Carty wouldn't have announced the removal of Chief Navarre if he didn't feel there was "evidence" of a "just and reasonable" cause. Were you around for Carty's previous reign of terror? He is the King of shooting from the hip and dealing with the consequences later. Anyone remember the $30,000 settlement the City made with one of Carty's former employees who was assaulted by the King Lunatic during his last term?
A note in closing: Carty is unfortunately back with a vengeance because of his mistaken belief that he won the election based on the city's love for him, when he really got voted in based on the city's dislike for Ford and his inaction. This first controversy is only one of many to come, so let's sit back and relax while we watch him dig his own grave. Just make sure you don't upset him if there is a coffee mug within his reach.
posted by vaughn11 at 07:38 P.M. EST on Thu Dec 15, 2005 #
If Carty does go on a string of screw ups, I don't think people here will be sitting back and relaxing. This Navarre issue might be the first one in the new regime, which officially doesn't begin for another month. What about Carty wanting Council to delay vote on Westgate's redevelopment? Is that another one to add to the list? We need someone to keep score.
Does someone or some group plan to monitor Carty and his 100-day and/or 365-day promises? During the campaign, it seemd like every project or issue was a high priority for Carty. We need the Carty Accountability meter because the public will forget what Carty said and promised during the campaign.
posted by jr at 08:06 P.M. EST on Thu Dec 15, 2005 #
From Carty's lame website built with frames and rediculous Java applet menu buttons, his mission statement:
1. Work with the University of Toledo, Bowling Green State University, Medical University of Ohio and Owens Community College to develop a “technology corridor,” creating the jobs of the future.
2. Develop the marina-housing-restaurant-entertainment project on the east side of the river that voters approved in September, 2001. The Marina District project will act as a complement to The Docks, which we built in 1995.
3. Seek private-sector developers to build a new sports arena in the city.
4. Meet with the ownership of Southwyck Mall to forge a compact leading to a revitalized mall in 365 days.
5. Meet with the ownership and property owners in the Westgate-Cricket West district to define the future redevelopment of this area.
6. Nurture small-business development, and establish a 25-person business advisory council, consisting of our best and brightest small-business leaders, to advise the administration on how it can help business develop in our region and eliminate government obstacles. This advisory council will review council legislation passed during the last 25 years, and we will rescind any laws that have hampered job creation.
7. Work with Ann Arbor and Detroit public and private leaders to create an automotive R&D corridor linking our cities. The purpose – job creation.
8. Fill the vacancies and voids in the Central Business District with new entrepreneurs and businesses, using tax breaks and incentives..
9. Encourage and promote a regional government to include, city, county and suburban governments all under one roof, in as many ways as possible.
10. Establish a grass-roots neighborhood program, in which every neighborhood has representation in City Hall and will be involved in decisions impacting them. This will be modeled after the Dayton program.
11. Develop a “neighborhood pride” program to encourage home ownership, civic pride and urban beautification. This program will include neighborhood competition to honor outstanding efforts to improve properties.
12. Restore the urban beautification program on main streets and in city parks while expanding these efforts into neighborhoods. We will raise $250,000 annually from the private sector to accomplish this.
13. Revitalize the urban-blight program, and return the demolition program for blighted housing to 300 demolitions annually.
14. Commit to hiring more police officers, so Toledo will no longer have the fewest police per 1,000 residents of any major city in Ohio.
15. Will actively and personally work to restore the Erie Street Market as a centerpiece of downtown revitalization.
16. Implement a city Gateway project that will utilize the resources of the city as well as the private sector to improve the appearance of the main entrances to the city.
17. Increase emphasis on repairing potholes more swiftly and permanently.
18. Commit to prioritize city Capital Improvement dollars to resurface city streets, with a target of 40 miles per year.
19. Commit to return every phone call to citizens within 24 business hours, and respond to specific concerns within 7 business days.
20. Establish monthly “Meet the Mayor” nights that will rotate locations throughout the city.
21. Establish a City Hall mentoring program that will pair city officials with young people seeking such guidance.
22. Establish privately funded, summer youth-development programs in city parks.
23. Develop a summer-job program for high school students, working with the Chamber of Commerce.
24. Seek commitments from our local companies to hire college students as “interns” during the summer months.
25. Develop job training and retraining programs for the unemployed and underemployed while working with corporations, labor unions and our universities.
26. Work with public and private school leaders to assure that new and/or improved academic campuses become the stimulus that creates family oriented neighborhood living opportunities around the academic setting.
27. Encourage adaptive reuse of vacated school properties into neighborhood community centers.
28. Monitor the levy requests of TPS to assess that the taxpayer is getting his money’s worth from their product.
29. Work with county officials, local civic leaders and regional organizations to seek ways to share resources, reduce costs and improve economic conditions in Northwest Ohio to the benefit of all.
30. Pursue further discussions on establishing a regional water/sewer authority to serve our area while ensuring Toledo residents a reasonable return on their infrastructure investments.
31. Will appoint a health and fitness honorary chairperson to promote a “healthier lifestyle” in Toledo.
32. Establish a courageous and bold committee to define how utility rates can be reduced in Northwest Ohio.
33. Restore the minority health commission to improve the life expectancy and general health of those impacted.
34. Seek “loaned leaders” from the business and union sectors to seek ways to reduce city costs and implement modern systems to promote increased productivity.
posted by jr at 08:22 P.M. EST on Thu Dec 15, 2005 #
I was told by a source very close to Navarre, Ford and Carty (one who knows them all well, as friends and the workplace, over a long period of time, and is in a position to know the inner 'dirt'), that Carty thought highly of Navarre, until he chose to protect his job more than the safety of his men, among other things. He has lost the respect of his men since the riot. Ford told him to have his men cease in the riots, in the hopes that Ford could talk it down without cops. Navarre knows that Ford has power over Navarre's job, so he put his men at risk (while bricks and rocks were thrown). Navarre also is suspected of an 'iffy' investigation, at the bidding of an unnamed 'higer up'. Navarre was thought highly of for many years, and was an honest, ethical man, but lately, his ethics are questionable. Don't shoot the messenger, this is just what I was told. Can't get into specifics because they weren't given to me.
posted by starling02 at 11:21 P.M. EST on Thu Dec 29, 2005 #
I feel I have to speak out for teachers and that they don't get paid nearly what they are worth. Most teachers put in many hours, outside of class time, pay for their own supplies often. And have to deal with brats with no respect for authority,and parents who refuse to accept that little tommy needs a good whack. I would not want to raise a child today,much less have to deal with a classroom of the kids today. They aren't allowed to discipline, god help them, the parents will be after them, or the kids will make up a lie and lose their jobs. All teachers deserve a huge raise, and combat pay.
posted by starling02 at 08:10 P.M. EST on Mon Jan 02, 2006 #
"Toledo Mayor-elect Carty Finkbeiner officially took the oath of office this morning in a private, religious ceremony at Central Catholic High School. The minster, the Rev. Paul Board, sermonized on the separation of church and state, which he said was a good thing. He also said it was good for a politician to seek the blessing of the church."
"Mr. Board urged the mayor to pray for the wisdom needed to tell the difference between what is the best for the city of Toledo and what is best for himself. In addition, Mr. Finkbeiner said he wanted to pay tribute the school’s football team, which won the 2005 State Division II Championship. Some representatives of Central Catholic’s football team and student council were present."
posted by jr at 12:43 P.M. EST on Tue Jan 03, 2006 #
From a former 49 year resident of Toledo now living in Knoxville, Tn.
RE: Carty Finkbeiner re-elected Mayor
I was a resident of Toledo from January 1955 through July of 2004. In August 2004 my wife and I retired and relocated to Knoxville, Tn. due to being tired of the cold Toledo winters. I haven't kept up with the news in Toledo very much since moving so on Jan. 11, 2006 I thought I would check out the news in my old hometown of Toledo, Ohio so I went to WTOL.com.
I was amazed and I must admit a little shocked when I read the video headline, "Mayor Carty Finkbeiner's Inauguration Speech." I thought, NO WAY... Toledoans would not re-elect a former lunatic mayor to office once again. As I delved farther into WTOL's website, I read where Carty had entered the race for mayor against Jack Ford and prevailed; not that I thought sleepy Jack was a good choice for mayor either.
Has Carty not been enough of an embarrassment to the city of Toledo when he was mayor during his previous two terms with his insane antics? During those previous terms in office as mayor I remember reading in the media about Carty punching, shoving and cursing various citizens not to mention his lying but then again he is a politician. What I really remember about Carty is that I was embarrassed to admit that I lived in the same city with him as our mayor.
Returning this man to office has made the citizens of Toledo look dumb. They elected this buffoon twice and should have realize that he is not a well person mentally. Why would the citizens of Toledo re-elect someone like him twice is beyond me, but electing him three times... well, maybe Toledo deserves Carty.
In the 1970’s Carty was a city councilman and I was in my mid 20’s, he came and spoke to my local railroad lodge at one of our meetings. I immediately saw a person not playing with a full deck. The following years I watched as Carty our bi-polar mayor made the city of Toledo a laughing stock. My question for the Toledoans that returned this man to office is “were you all smoking crack cocaine in the voting booths?” I raised my family in Toledo and I saw it as a city on the verge of greatness. With Carty back at the helm, I feel sadness for all Toledoans. This man is indeed a mental midget and an embarrassment to the citizens of Toledo. Since they voted him back into office, they get what they deserve. So much for the All American City.
posted by ns_railroader_retired at 10:45 A.M. EST on Fri Jan 13, 2006 #
Syndicate ToledoTalk
