I never heard of her in my entire life.
posted by Foolkiller at 06:18 P.M. EST on Thu Dec 15, 2005 #
Yes, I agree. At 22, I thought I knew everything, but I was really a blithering idiot. I think most people really begin to mature and gain real experience between 25 and 30.
I have nothing against a youth movement, but someone fresh out of college hardly possesses the wisdom needed to perform an important job like councilperson.
I think people should work a few years in the public or private sector (or both!) before seeking such a high-profile position.
posted by historymike at 06:46 P.M. EST on Thu Dec 15, 2005 #
I would love to see Ernie Berry in that seat. He's an amazing young man.
posted by DoknowDocare at 06:59 P.M. EST on Thu Dec 15, 2005 #
I should have known she was yet another know-it-all punk budding elitist fresh out of college. That's what Block wants. And what he's pretty much gotten since the 80's.
posted by Foolkiller at 07:08 P.M. EST on Thu Dec 15, 2005 #
By the way-I've been told that by someone I know who used to work at the blade, just in case you think I'm putting forth conspiracy theories or blowing smoke. "They have the proper attitude he wants -ultra-liberal, think they know everything & what's best for everyone, (as most of us did when we were that age, as was said here), mostly agreeing with his views, and very easy to control and further mold." That statement came from that former blade worker, who finally quit in disgust when she just couldn't take it any more.
posted by Foolkiller at 07:15 P.M. EST on Thu Dec 15, 2005 #
Are you characterizing her as "yet another know-it-all punk budding elitist" because she's fresh out of college or do you have actual (read: first hand or even second hand) information?
-Dan
posted by photodan at 07:57 P.M. EST on Thu Dec 15, 2005 #
Just because she's just out of college I wouldn't automatically classify her as ultra-liberal or elitist. She may very well be that, but I think we need to know more about her before we pass judgement. Ernie Berry, who's fresh out of college, is anything but a "know-it-all punk budding elist" and he for sure isn't ultra-liberal.
posted by HeyHey at 09:02 P.M. EST on Thu Dec 15, 2005 #
http://www.laprensatoledo.com/Stories/Dec%207%202005/Hispanic%20Latino%20Caucus.htm
A little more info
posted by psyche777 at 09:29 P.M. EST on Thu Dec 15, 2005 #
Liberal schmiberal. She's hot. I'll vote for her.
posted by babbleman at 11:47 P.M. EST on Thu Dec 15, 2005 #
Are you characterizing her as "yet another know-it-all punk budding elitist" because she's fresh out of college or do you have actual (read: first hand or even second hand) information?
---------------------------------------------
Due to what the former Blade lady told me, I'm inclined to think she's yet another So-Lousy , Wade,or Grecheck(sp?) type-because the great controller of Lucas County desires it so. Why do we have to have a council entirely made up of people in their 20's or very early 30's? Is that representative of the population? Why must they be mostly graduates of law school? As Intrepid once said-why can't we have any small business owners on council any more? Yeah, Babble-that's a great reason to put somebody in office-because of their looks . Jeez!!
posted by Foolkiller at 05:03 A.M. EST on Fri Dec 16, 2005 #
I don't know Taylor, but several people I do know speak very highly of her motivation, enthusiasm and potential. That being said, I still would have liked a business owner. It's this perspective that I think has been missing on Toledo City Council for a considerable amount of time...and when you talk about the number one issue being jobs, it'd be nice to have someone who actually created a job on council.
posted by intrepid at 11:04 A.M. EST on Fri Dec 16, 2005 #
The fact that someone under the age of 30 is interested enough in politics to run for office is amazing. Don't we hear how young people don't care about politics? And the fact that a recent college graduate wants to remain in Toledo is also amazing. No matter how it turns out, I'd say her entry in the District 3 race is a positive.
Foolkiller seems to have something against young people.
Going by the City of Toledo's website and the recent election results, I believe this will be the makeup for Council:
Phil Copeland
Bob McCloskey *
Mark Sobczak
George Sarantou
Betty Shultz *
Frank Szollosi
Wilma Brown
Rob Ludeman
Michael Ashford
Ellen Grachek
Joe Birmingham
...District 3 opening...
* = If ejected from council due to violating the city's charter, Bob Vasquez and Karen Shanahan are in the on-deck circle.
Assuming that's the correct lineup for the 2006 Council, what's the average age of that group, Foolkiller? How many under 40 are on that list? Include Vasquez and Shanahan too if you want. Since Foolkiller brought it up, I'm curious as to what the average of Council is, not that it really matters in anything.
Some Toledo stats according to City-Data.com:
Population (year 2000): 313,619
Median resident age: 33.2 years
Median household income: $32,546 (year 2000)
Median house value: $75,300 (year 2000)
Based upon those stats, is our Council representative of the city's population? Does it have to be?
I'm going to make a wild guess and say that the average age of Toledo City Council is older than 33.2.
posted by jr at 07:29 P.M. EST on Fri Dec 16, 2005 #
Foolkiller seems to have something against young people.
-------------------------------------------
No,Just the ones that have gotten into Toledo politics in say, the last 12 years or so. Hell, I've got an even better idea! Rather than wait until they get out of TU, let's just draft them out of the huge high school senior pool, like that town in michigan did for mayor. That'd be a lot better. They'd probably listen to the constituents better. Right? What's the average age of someone who got on Maumee or Perrysburg council in the last 12 years or so? Anyone know? Bet it ain't 20-30. When I was a kid, you had to work your ass off in the trenches with district polling booth work, working on campaigns, etc; and be close to 40 before you could even THINK about running for an office. Now the parties (primarily the Dems) pick them fresh out of college. That's because they know they'll more than likely, in Toledo, be controlling some seat for life. They'll just keep playing musical chairs. Ask Wade. I don't mind one being on there,need the diversity, but the situation in Toledo is getting ridiculous.
posted by Foolkiller at 02:01 A.M. EST on Sat Dec 17, 2005 #
Dec 17 Blade story:
"Two more names have surfaced for consideration when Toledo City Council meets Jan. 3 - one for president and one for the District 3 vacancy. Both are related to the Lucas County Democratic Party's choice this week of political neophyte Taylor Balderas."
"Ms. Balderas, 22, said yesterday she plans to meet with council members to solicit their support. She said she sought the seat because she's interested in community action and because she was urged by Mr. Finkbeiner and others to run."
"Yesterday, Mr. Finkbeiner issued a statement in support of Ms. Balderas, saying she has demonstrated "excellent leadership skills" in high school, college, and in her current job."
"Mr. McCloskey said he was surprised by the [Balderas] appointment, and was disappointed that he was not consulted. "I thought that this was going to be kind of a council based on people that had some business experience, and then all of a sudden a 22-year-old who just graduated from school," Mr. McCloskey said."
"He said he was disappointed enough that he may switch his support for council president from Mark Sobczak to Mr. Szollosi. "I had my vote committed, but that may change," he said."
"At-large Councilman Frank Szollosi said yesterday he'll bid for council president, making him the fifth active candidate for the post."
posted by jr at 09:25 A.M. EST on Sun Dec 18, 2005 #
Personally, I would rather see Ernie Berry in the District 3 seat. But that's irrelevant.
I don't know Taylor Balderas. I can't say whether she would do well or not. If she is appointed, all we can do is try to support her and see where her talents are. Who knows - she might surprise all of us.
posted by DoknowDocare at 10:40 P.M. EST on Sun Dec 18, 2005 #
Due the Democratic party choice, looks like a few more names are coming to the surface. It will be interesting to see the outcome, that is for sure. I agree with JR that it is great to have young people involved in politics, but we have to remember, it is not about the person's age, gender or ethnic background that is relevant, it IS about their qualifications, experience and overall understanding of the process and the position in which they are seeking election. There will be big decisions to be made, some financial and some social... do we want someone in such a high-profile position that does not have the resume to uphold such an office? I think not.
posted by aussie at 09:58 A.M. EST on Mon Dec 19, 2005 #
How come the City Charter doesn't spell out that the next highest vote getter in the previous election moves into the vacant position regardless of Party affiliation..?
That would take the politics out of the whole thing now, wouldn't it; and, we CAN'T have THAT now, can we???
posted by Hooda_Thunkit at 01:19 P.M. EST on Tue Dec 20, 2005 #
I've said that for years, Hooda. Of course, there's a down side to that, too-if 'last place' So-Lousy had lost the last election, that would've made him the one to be chosen, since he would've been the first in line. There SHOULD at least be a special election, though. When these 'appointed' people run a few years later, it's as an incumbent-and as I've said before many times, barring an all-out assault by the media or any major scandal-incumbency is 99% of getting re-elected.
posted by Foolkiller at 08:20 P.M. EST on Tue Dec 20, 2005 #
Foolkiller,
So, we probably have to spell out exactly what a real incumbent is and when that term can be used.
I think that this can be done, in simple enough language that even a politician could understand.
As for your example (Frank So-Lousy):
There is an upside and a down side, understood; but at least it would no longer be manipulated by the dominant party on Council.
posted by Hooda_Thunkit at 08:50 A.M. EST on Wed Dec 21, 2005 #
Granted.
posted by Foolkiller at 04:32 P.M. EST on Wed Dec 21, 2005 #
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