Bob Frantz just announced it is Rob Ludeman....
posted by psyche777 at 06:25 P.M. EST on Tue Jan 03, 2006 #
McCloskey and Sobczak voted for Ludeman over Frank Szollosi in the fourth voting round according to WSPD
posted by psyche777 at 06:31 P.M. EST on Tue Jan 03, 2006 #
The two Democrat factions are obviously too stubborn to support someone on the other side.
Nov 10 Blade story:
"One scenario under consideration is that Mr. McCloskey gets elected president with the support of Mr. Sobczak and the four Republicans."
"All six are considered conservative and sympathetic to business concerns. Council Republicans and Mr. McCloskey joined forces in January in an unsuccessful effort to appoint Mr. Sobczak to a vacancy."
"Those six council members would then be able to pick Mr. McCloskey's replacement in District 3, presumably a Democrat acceptable to the Finkbeiner B-team wing of the party."
Dec 17 Blade story and Toledo Talk discussion about McCloskey's replacement.
"Ms. Balderas, 22, said she sought the seat because she's interested in community action and because she was urged by Mr. Finkbeiner and others to run."
"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."
Carty will get his way. The A team is being rendered impotent.
posted by jr at 07:02 P.M. EST on Tue Jan 03, 2006 #
Does anyone feel like commenting on what actually city council president does?
My guess is that they basically run the meetings and have some control over the agenda.
posted by lloyd at 07:06 P.M. EST on Tue Jan 03, 2006 #
From a comment by psyche777 on Nov 10, 2005:
"From the City Charter:"
"At the organizational meeting on the first business day of January following each regular City election, the Council shall elect one of its members as President who shall serve as President at the pleasure of Council. The President shall preside at meetings of the Council, perform such duties as presiding officer as may be conferred upon him or her by Council, and shall prepare the agenda for the meetings of Council in consultation with the Mayor, or the Mayor's designated representative, and with the Clerk of Council. In the event of the death, removal, or resignation of the President of Council, the Council shall elect one of its members to fill the vacancy. If the President is temporarily disabled from performing the duties of President for any cause, the Council shall elect a President pro tempore to act during such disability."
posted by jr at 07:22 P.M. EST on Tue Jan 03, 2006 #
I'm beginning to know that City Charter rather well.
:-)
posted by psyche777 at 07:25 P.M. EST on Tue Jan 03, 2006 #
I think beyond setting the agenda it is the appointment to committees and the possibility that if anything should happen to the current mayor that is the major importance.
Given the concern over Carty's health that replacement factor was mentioned more than I had ever heard that before.
I thought they'd either figure out a way to work together as Democrats or? It would be one of the Republicans. It's apparent the division is wider than thought but I don't think it was a huge surprise it was Rob given McCloskey had not stated he would support Wilma and we knew he was not going to support Frank. I did think it would take longer though, ending after the fourth vote surprised me.
posted by psyche777 at 07:28 P.M. EST on Tue Jan 03, 2006 #
Doesn't this really show the potential that Ludeman had as a mayoral candidate?
This whole council president election reminded me of a papal conclave. (without the secret voting)
posted by lloyd at 07:35 P.M. EST on Tue Jan 03, 2006 #
I was there and Ludeman won on the 4th round after Sobczak decided to stop nominating McCloskey. He and McCloskey voted for the Republican, giving Ludeman 7 votes.
Wilma Brown got 5 votes during each of the previous rounds, but Sob and McC. would not vote for her.
Now, the Democratic stronghold of Toledo has both a Republican mayor [who will argue that Carty is a Democrat?] and a Republican president of city council.
Thanks, Carty, for being the agent of divisiveness. You play that role to a T!
posted by limedrops911 at 08:14 P.M. EST on Tue Jan 03, 2006 #
Not necessarily. It does show that Ludeman can work with Carty and that ironically even some Democrats would select a Republican over their "own". Everyone remembers Rob endorsed Carty over Jack.
I predict the traitor to the party stuff as well as the "well Carty is really a Republican" to be stated quite a bit in the next few days. As well as some fear that Carty will get everything rubber stamped thru, though I really don't think Rob would be that easy however he will be easier than Frank would have been on some issues. That's not necessarily a bad thing. The only two I really didn't want to see as Council President was McCloskey or Sobczak. I thought there was a possibility they would compromise on Phil but it's obvious the A teamers didn't think he had enough experience.
In the end? Hopefully they will find away to work together or it's going to be a very rough year. A good one for blogging but I'd much rather have to look for things to blog about and have the city move forward....
posted by psyche777 at 08:16 P.M. EST on Tue Jan 03, 2006 #
lmao - limedrops beat me to it while I was proofing...and we have the first "Well Carty is really a Republican" comment.
:-)
posted by psyche777 at 08:17 P.M. EST on Tue Jan 03, 2006 #
Agreed, Lisa and limedrops.
I think Ludeman is a good compromise, and his low-key style should help to keep things calm between the warring parties.
Plus, Rob is intelligent. I shudder to think what council would be like with the Toledo Troglodyte banging the gavel...yikes.
posted by historymike at 08:21 P.M. EST on Tue Jan 03, 2006 #
Amen Brother Mike. That would indeed be scary.
posted by daveschulz at 09:00 P.M. EST on Tue Jan 03, 2006 #
Hmmmm....The Dems voted a Repub as Prez of council? Hard to believe, but better than Solozzi, The Bulldog, or Copeland.
posted by Foolkiller at 10:13 P.M. EST on Tue Jan 03, 2006 #
I was looking forward to the "one of the bright lights" on council to be president. Darn, I guess I will need to wait for this. Maybe Frank will need to return to his old hobby taking down opponents political signs and putting up his friends signs (next time you see him ask him about this, he knows what this means) since he has so much time now.
I think it is great that we have people doing what is for the best interest of Toledo. For too long now we have had people running the city wanting to do nothing more than increase their own political power and putting the city second. Funny that Carty's being inclusive makes him divisive.
posted by chrismyers at 10:32 P.M. EST on Tue Jan 03, 2006 #
I agreed with the Blade...
either of the two veteran Republicans - Mr. Ludeman or Mr. Sarantou - or Democrat Mr. Szollosi.
And even as a political junkie, this:
The political free-for-all leading up to Tuesday's council vote may be great entertainment for political junkies, but it is a disservice to the citizens of Toledo.
This A Team, B Team feud needs to stop - for the good of the city.
Though I did suggest Phil if this whole "I got the most votes" theory was going to be used by McCloskey....
posted by psyche777 at 11:02 P.M. EST on Tue Jan 03, 2006 #
I read that editorial. JESUS-I get tired of Block going on about SMOKING BANS!! It had absolutely NOTHING to do with anything, but, just like his puppet 'columnists' Lemonhead & Da Bore, it just HAS to be thrown in just about every editorial written. Can you say "obsession"?
posted by Foolkiller at 01:46 A.M. EST on Wed Jan 04, 2006 #
After seeing the Szollosi interview on Ch 13, it's now apparent that Frank is more despicable than McCloskey. The torch has been passed.
With a grimace, Frank was saying what a good man Ludeman is, but Frank followed that praise with a "but" and said:
"My Daddy would have never let me vote Republican."
What in the hell is that shit suppose to mean? Just follow the party line no matter what the party and no matter what the situation, eh? Stupid-ass, cro-magnon, jerkwater Toledo-thinking. No wonder people flee to the burbs. Quit drinking unfiltered water from the Maumee River. Maybe Frank's daddy never let Frank think for himself, and now Frank is completely unoriginal. A lemming.
Frank said of the Democrats who voted for Rob:
"... sell out their Democratic principles. Very disappointing."
If it were asked, no way could Frank provide a rational answer to the question, "How does voting for Rob Ludeman for Council president equate to selling out principles?" That's the question the Ch 13 reporter should have asked Frank, once the reporter recovered from the gut-wrenching laughing spell over Frank's melodramatic, folksy statements.
Frank is so transparent. He's simply distraught over the fact that he is losing political influence. So many defeats for him lately. If it were basketball, he'd take the ball and run home. It's cool to watch a career politician's dreams get shattered. No doubt Frank will seek solace with the Blade. It's all going to tears for Frank.
You know what, I hope McCloskey stays on Council just to give Franky a hard time. To hell with the city charter. The charter has been violated so much lately that it has been admitted to a home for the abused. So why start obeying it now? As long as Szollosi is on Council, then I want McCloskey there too. A demented form of checks and balances.
posted by jr at 02:40 A.M. EST on Wed Jan 04, 2006 #
Jr, I couldn't have said it better myself.
As far as I can see, Frank lost all his clout the day after the elections. Spending all that time focusing on issues outside Toledo and trash talking Carty instead of focusing on Toledo also hurt him, but that's the career goal for Frank, bigger and better things. I just hope that "Losing Council Presidency by garnering one single vote" on his resume of other failures dosen't hurt his career opprotunities.
Personally, after seeing Frank's vindictive streak going after the Carty and Kest Gang (too funny), being elected Council President would have put Toledo deeper in the cesspool, for nothing positive would get done.
I just pray Rob learned some lessons to be a better Council President after his run as a Mayoral Candidate.
posted by BrianInFlorida at 05:18 A.M. EST on Wed Jan 04, 2006 #
ok, coffee just kicked in.
If Frank received one vote, do you suppose he voted for himself?
posted by BrianInFlorida at 05:43 A.M. EST on Wed Jan 04, 2006 #
I knew Szollosi's comments that appeared in the Dec 22 Blade were insincere.
Repeating a comment from a couple of weeks ago where I pointed out Szollosi's change in attitude from early Nov to late Dec:
Szollosi in his own words about selecting a new Council president:
Dec 22: "... it's the decision of 12 members of council"
Nov 10: "... it should be the seven Democrats who get together and make decisions."
Of course, Council currently has 11 members, but I think we get the idea: Frank Szollosi cannot be trusted.
Two weeks ago, it was the decision of all on Council. But when some on Council make a decision Frank dislikes, those people are sell-outs. Why would anyone else on Council ever want to work with Frank after all the crap Frank has spewed in recent months?
posted by jr at 09:50 A.M. EST on Wed Jan 04, 2006 #
Jan 4 Blade story exposing more of Szollosi's disgusting character:
"Councilman Frank Szollosi accused Mr. McCloskey and Mr. Sobczak of selling out the Democratic Party. He said their desertion of Mr. Ford — the city’s first black mayor — and their failure to support Ms. Brown, one of three black Democrats on council, would turn off black voters."
I must be slow on the uptake because it never occurred to me that race was an issue until a couple of minutes ago when I read this paragraph. Obviously, Frank is grasping for straws. These are the actions of a politically desparate person.
Szollosi quote in the Blade:
"Rob’s an honorable man. That said, it’s deeply disappointing that Democrats would [vote for a Republican over a fellow Democrat]. Basically, there were two Democrats willing to sell out their Democratic principles."
And I don't see where this Blade reporter asked the real question of Frank:
"How does voting for Rob Ludeman for Council president equate to selling out principles?"
Szollosi has gone silent on his blog. His last posting was Dec 22. Frank is just throwing out soundbytes and not saying anything intelligent. Frank should explain himself. Answer the question, Frank?
"How does voting for Rob Ludeman for Council president equate to selling out principles?"
Oh wait, more race issues from Councildink Ashford:
"Councilman Michael Ashford questioned Mr. Ludeman’s support for civil rights and for government’s role in righting social wrongs. “That’s where we clearly differ. We differ on civil rights,” Mr. Ashford said."
Where is this shit coming from? Do Ashford and Szollosi have proof to backup their claims about Ludeman? Sounds like the typical, pathetic attitude of sore losers. Go right to character attacks.
Ludeman's reaction:
"Mr. Ludeman rejected that characterization. "There is no color in how I see people. If there are issues that are germane to African-Americans or Hispanics, we’ll certainly take a look at that." "
About poor, stressed-out McCloskey:
"At least eight members of council have floated their names as candidates for the presidential post, none with more passion than Mr. McCloskey, who appealed for his colleagues’ support last night before the voting began, stating bluntly, “I deserve to be president of council.” "
"He blamed editorials in The Blade for dragging him down, and said he had never hired a lawyer or been in a courtroom in his life prior to the current array of legal complaints facing him. "I’ve never been convicted of anything,” he said."
Well, it's only January 4.
From another Jan 4 Blade story:
"... the council seemed remade into two new factions: The Carty Party and everyone else."
"After prodding by labor leaders, one of whom is a high-ranking official in the local Democratic Party, Councilmen Bob McCloskey and Mark Sobczak bucked five fellow Democrats and joined a united GOP to elect Rob Ludeman as president."
"Other council Democrats, who mostly supported Councilman Wilma Brown throughout the voting, said there's a time for partisanship, and this was it. "People are not being really dedicated to the party they used to serve proudly," Councilman Michael Ashford said."
And how are they not dedicated, Ashford? These people make rediculous claims without any explanation. I think that's the definition of a politician.
Here are more examples of the brilliant thinking of local political hacks:
"Councilman Frank Szollosi called the vote "an opportunity lost," and former Democratic Chairman Paula Ross, ousted last year in the latest round of a decades-old internal power struggle, said the current party leaders "failed disastrously." "
posted by jr at 10:20 A.M. EST on Wed Jan 04, 2006 #
Who cares what that worthless hack Ross says any more? I'll always hate her for giving us Ford-and thereby driving the town down even further than it was.
posted by Foolkiller at 12:28 P.M. EST on Wed Jan 04, 2006 #
Frank's mental process:
We can't have one party control in Columbus. Republicans voting together is bad and creates a culture of corruption.
But, in Toledo the Democrats need to work together and vote together.
The D's won't win the state next year unless they can say how the urban control by D's is different than the state control by the R's. Voters can see right through this double speak.
Frank, I know you read this. Why don't you respond to your contradictory statements using your own account like me? I would love to know how one party corruption stops at the Lucas County lines. Come to this neutral ground and debate what you believe to be true. You sensor your blog, so no honest debate can occur there.
Also, who is the racist? Voting for someone solely based on race or based on experience and ability to work with everyone? Rob is the only one to meet those two criteria, so h was the logical choice.
posted by chrismyers at 02:41 P.M. EST on Wed Jan 04, 2006 #
I used to have a lot of respect for Frank. I still do respect him -- albeit not as much as I did.
I applauded his posting of a blog until he let it languish when it was no longer an effective campaign tool. The true nature of his blog was revealed when he started deleting anti-Ford posts.
If Frank wants to be a Democratic Party operative, I'd suggest he do it on his own time and in private. While I understand party loyalty and its purpose, I think it is a bit obscene to be so blatant and ham-handed at it.
Frank, if you read this, please know that you have potential to be a statesman and taken seriously as a community leader. What it will take for you to get there is just a little less blatant and over-the-top partisanship and a little more leadership on the issues.
posted by MemyselfandI at 04:14 P.M. EST on Wed Jan 04, 2006 #
I am personally overwhelmed with glee that the firm iron grasp of JRB around Toledo Politics is slipping away. All of Block's cronies are failing at their endeavours, the "power struggle" has slipped to the "Kest Gang" and those JRB minions have basically lost their credibility, especially after last night's voting.
Read the paper. You'll soon see the angst of the reporting and the bytes and the editorials.
They call it "desperation".
So Frank, you and your buddies on the "A" team failed your supreme leader. I personally feel that credibility you had left vaporized when it's realized you were the only person voting for you.
As far as Frank's blog goes, it's reflective of his involvement in the community. Use it to his advantage to spew his dramas until it can't be used anymore then find something else to latch onto. He realizes more people read the paper than his blog, which is why his comments are in the Blah and not his site.
Does anyone else crack up seeing "0 comments" on all his entries since he totally censored his site? Good job Frank, and you wanted to be the President of Council? You can't even address fellow Toledoans fairly.
posted by BrianInFlorida at 04:55 P.M. EST on Wed Jan 04, 2006 #
I have weighed in futther with an editorial on my blog, but suffice to say that I think Ludeman represents the best chance to move past the internecine feuds that are getting in the way of Toledo moving forward.
I have respect for Frank Szollosi, but I think his candidacy was doomed from the start. Bob McCloskey commands absolutely no respect (save his ability to wield a Louisville Slugger), Mark Sobczak is too new, and Ellen Grachek has yet to distinguish herself.
I could have lived with Wilma Brown, George Sarantou, and Michael Ashford, but Ludeman possesses more of the consensus leadership that will be needed to make this factional legislative body work.
posted by historymike at 05:29 P.M. EST on Wed Jan 04, 2006 #
Szollosi can do something: call Carty's bluff about brining technology into Toledo. I think it's just lipservice by Carty and most politicians.
A posting from last June about an Intel study, showing Toledo ranked 5th for wireless Internet access. The top 10:
1. Seattle
2. San Francisco
3. Austin
4. Portland
5. Toledo
6. Atlanta
7. Denver
8. Research Triangle area of North Carolina
9. Minneapolis
10. Orange County, Calif
I joked that people in other areas of the country would look at that list and wonder if number 5 was a typo. That's an amazing list of cities and regions to be included in. I wonder if Toledo government took advantage of that ranking for anything? We still see drivel about how glorious Toledo's 2003 strict smoking ban was. To me, this #5 ranking is much more worthwhile to the city if it's agressively exploited.
Credit goes to the businesses and the providers. One of those providers is Buckeye Express, which is owned by Block Communications, which owns the Blade.
Szollosi said on his blog last summer about Toledo's wireless ranking:
"An unwired city is a good carrot in our hunt to attract jobs and investment. Wireless districts, along with targeted education and training programs, can also help bridge the "digital divide" to economically depressed citizens of Toledo."
"We met at the University of Toledo's Urban Affairs office two years ago - not long after I became a councilman & around the time Richard Florida spoke at the Peristyle - to discuss municipal wi-fi districts in Toledo. The top folks over at Buckeye Cable really are the ones who took the lead and made the investment in our library system and some of our public spaces."
I attended a New Urbanism meeting last summer, and someone there asked about Toledo government or a private corp investing in the idea of providing free WiFi access to downtown Toledo as a way to attract people to live and work downtown. Szollosi was at that meeting, and he spoke up and talked about basically what he said on his blog.
So what is the status of a free WiFi cloud in downtown Toledo? It wouldn't just be for those who can afford the expensive condos and lofts in the warehouse district. It would be used by small businesses and people living in the Old West End, those living just north of downtown, and across the river on the east side. Depends upon the size of the cloud, of course. A one-mile area would be a start, growing larger over time.
Some might say that some of the low income people that would be under the WiFi cloud can't afford a PC. Yeah, well, new e-machines can be bought for $400. Address that issue later. I believe ways exist to help people acquire a PC that can be used for at least Internet access. It may not be an uber gaming machine, but so what?
Back to Costco at Westgate for a second. Carty said in August:
"Mr. Finkbeiner opposes large-box retail in general and was leery of Costco because of one of its store's effects on a neighborhood in Dayton."
Since Carty is an expert on Dayton, did Carty check out downtown Dayton's free WiFi cloud? Dayton offers free WiFi access to a one square mile area of downtown. Or at least they did. I guess the best way to find out its current status and impact is to visit Dayton myself. A visit to Dayton is probably too much to ask of our city politicians even though they take trips to other areas of the country for who knows what.
Some info about Dayton's WiFi cloud:
"The move makes Dayton the first city in Ohio to initiate citywide, edge-to-edge WiFi coverage. Dayton also becomes the first city nationally to offer a public-private partnership WiFi model that is not funded by taxpayers and comes at no charge to the end user."
"The opportunities available through WiFi technology are tremendous. The easier we make it for residents and businesses to access the Internet and related electronic mediums, the more competitive we become. We also believe offering this type of exciting, pioneering service will go a long way toward helping Dayton attract that ‘creative class’ of people who will help fuel our community’s future success."
"This type of technological asset will help attract businesses and workers interested in the open environment Dayton will offer. This has long-term implications for Dayton’s continued growth as a center for technology and innovation."
"Offering wireless capabilities in the city will only strengthen Dayton’s position as a destination point for high-tech and cutting-edge companies."
One of the Blade's top five activist issues for 2006 that they will beat into its readers will be the statewide strict smoking ban that will probably be on the November ballot. On Monday of this week, two of the three op-eds in the Blade discussed bans on smoking. What a waste of time and energy.
If Szollosi and the Blade/Block Communications really want to make a legitimate contribution to Toledo, which would help people across all demographics (age, income, race, and education), then push for free WiFi access for a 1-2 square mile area of downtown Toledo.
Will a free WiFi cloud solve the city's problems? Of course not. Nobody is saying it would. But it certainly wouldn't hurt anything. It can only help.
If you have no life, count the number of anti-smoking op-eds, columns, and stories that will appear in the Blade in 2006 versus the number of pro-downtown-free-WiFi-cloud stories. Guessing, I'll say the Blade will average one story per week for anti-smoking and zero for the whole year for free WiFi. Screwed up priorities.
Then again, maybe a media company and politicians don't want to make it easier for people and businesses to access information. An informed citizenry is more educated, and a more educated public could be viewed as dangerous by politicians and the media.
So is Szollosi serious about bringing free WiFi to Toledo, or is it just lipservice? Time to put the November elections and the council presidency behind. It's now time to really do something for the city. This is one idea, one possibility. It's been over two years since Szollosi said he discussed municipal wi-fi districts in Toledo. What's the status and what's the future prognosis, Frank?
The co-founder of Wikipedia made a personal appeal last weekend to encourage people to contribute to Wikipedia's current fundraising campaign, which I did. Wales said:
"Wikipedia is based on a very radical idea, the realization of the dreams most of us have always had for what the Internet can and should become. Thousands of people, all over the world, from all cultures, working together in harmony to freely share clear, factual, unbiased information… a simple and pure desire to make the world a better place."
"This is a radical strike at the heart of an increasingly shallow, proprietary and anti-intellectual culture. It is a radical strike at the assumption that the Internet has to be a place of hostile debate and flame wars. It is an appeal to the best within all of us."
"... and I’m doing this for my own daughter, who I hope will grow up in a world where culture is free, not proprietary, where control of knowledge is in the hands of people everywhere, with basic works they can adopt, modify, and share freely without asking permission from anyone."
posted by jr at 07:17 P.M. EST on Wed Jan 04, 2006 #
Syndicate ToledoTalk
