State of the City address

WSPD, WTVG and Fox 36 is carrying this live....

George Sarantou spoke to Bob Frantz, George said this area has alot of talent and resources, we still are a huge manufacturing center, we still have alot of other manufacturing jobs. GM is a part of that. He also feels Mayor Finkbeiner will touch on the importance of a clean and safe City. Bob Frantz asked if promoting the Technology corridor would come at the cost of promoting manufacturing jobs. George Sarantou felt that the Mayor and Council will work to continue to retain the retain the manufacturing and expand those but that technology jobs are out there we have to be on the cutting edge. He felt it was imperative to get colleges to work together. Bob Frantz then asked how much financial wiggle room as in how can all of these projects be funded. Sarantou replied if more people working and paying payroll taxes, Jeep project as a great example; who would have dreamed in 1997 this would have come true; that as payroll taxes increased and people moved back into the City it would be possible to do more without financial sacrifices by the City. He ended with Toledo has a bright future in his book.

Then Bob Reinbolt stopped to talk to Bob Frantz, he stated Carty wrote his own speech did not use a speech writer. Speech is more "visionary" as to what Toledo is about and where we want to go in the future. He stated there will be a series of town hall meetings, to discuss future ideas not complaint type issues as well as the Meet the Mayor. There will also be a new effort to go out into the neighborhoods by the Mayor.

Update with summary:

Carty started out with the general thank you's which included thanking Red Cross members who went to Louisiana. He then recognized Tony Combs who was involved in the documentary Twist of Faith. The initial theme appears to be "Courage". Now on to celebrating "Leadership", he stated he will continue to meet with UT students monthly. He stated, we as a city need to nurture these 19,000 students as well as other colleges, they are our single greatest resource. Technology corridor development discussed, as well as cooperation with businesses, city and college. Raising the expectations of children and their schools. He stated Toledo Public Schools was ranked number one (that I wasn't aware of as far as his reference). He stressed the importance of parents attending school conferences. City Hall mentoring program will be developed and a privately funded summer youth program. Will work with the Chamber of Commerce to develop a high school job bank program. Toledo cannot afford to lose COSI, he wants to try to keep COSI alive in Toledo but did not committ City funds.

Quality of life issues was next, the future Marina District, create a synergy (George Sarantou used that word earlier as well), Maumee Crossing River Bridge, Sports Arena, will work with Lucas County Commissioners on that and other important Northwest Ohio projects. Westgate and Southwyck are cornerstones of their neighborhoods. Not just separate neighborhoods but rich and diverse urban villages with their own ethnic history are important to Toledo. We need quality development that goes above just the standards, Levis Commons is an example. He continued that Liz Holland lives in Chicago where quality standards have been successful and urged her to help make that same type of quality standards here that her hometown follows for Westgate.

Citywide Gateway, capital improvement funds to enhance area around new schools, increase police and "Clean and Green". He unveiled a new "Walk the neighborhood program", religious leaders, youth leaders, council members and the Mayor, they will walk a different neighborhood each week. This will begin in the Spring.

Then on to health, he supports Get Fit Toledo Program, which will focus on diet, exercise programs, restore Minority health commission. He supports a Walking path from Toledo to downtown, for jogging, walking, biking.

Jobs, requested money from the State for GM, Jeep supplier plant is increasing. Mayor Finkbeiner and Council will work to continue automotive heritage and work to diversify economy. Pro-jobs, pro-growth pro-business needs four things:
1) Leadership business and civic leadership is needed, 35 to 40 business civic leaders will advise what major projects should be focused on, they will meet quarterly. 2) Small Businesses, important resource of Toledo so to help navigate thru government processes a 25 person advisory council for administration and council will be formed. 3) Utility rate committee 6 person panel to find out why we pay more than anywhere in our region, it's a major obstacle to growth. 4) Regional cooperation - share resources, reduce cost and improve economic conditions to the benefit of all.

Mayor Carty Finkbeiner ended on the theme of:

Leadership, teamwork and vision....Together we can....