With a curtsy to Liberal_Dem who has been covering this story on his own blog, Politics in Mudville and on Progressive Toledo we discover there is more to this Toledo Blade article than meets the eye.
Sources close to the Bob Vasquez campaign have a different version than Domenic Montalto reported to Tom Troy.
They claim that not only did Bob submit an application in person but that there is at least one telephone answering machine message that confirms this application was received. In a situation similar to the "dog ate my homework", the phone message which was reported to have been from Domenic stated "the copy machine chewed up" Bob's application. Which if true should suggest that all is necessary would be to submit another application. It's not clear what time Tom Troy spoke to Mr. Montalto but this is what the Toledo Blade article states:
Mr. Montalto said he received a letter but no application from Bob Vasquez, of 2156 Plum Leaf Lane, the next-highest vote-getter after the six winners in the 2005 at-large city council race.
Mr. Vasquez was backed in the 2005 race by LucasCountyDemocrats.org, a splinter group that supported former Mayor Jack Ford's re-election effort, and which was affiliated with the A-team.
The party is now controlled by Democrats who backed Mayor Carty Finkbeiner, the B-team.
Mr. Montalto said he told Mr. Vasquez that if he didn't fill out an application he could not be considered by the party's screening committee.
It's worth noting that it has been stated that Bob Vasquez turned his application in on April 28th, if this is correct it would mean unless Tom Troy spoke to Mr. Montalto before last Friday and waited all this time to write today's article? Looks like Mr. Montalto has some explaining to do.
More as this progresses...
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11 comments:
I was at a gathering last evening of savvy political folks when the Bob Vasquez topic was raised.
When the name, 'Domenic Montalto' was raised, a roar of laughter flowed from one side of the room to the other.
One person there said that Montalto and Irwin Carr had a 'collection agency' some 30 years ago and would be contacted by businesses to 'visit' certain folks who owed money.
"They were knee-breakers!" chimed in another.
I didn't know of Domenic Montalto's former 'careeer' until last evening. Now, everything falls neatly into place.
Do, I agree with you.
Lib_Dem, I've heard those rumors since I was a small child about the mafia connections in Toledo from Detroit. Not necessarily related to Domenic though, I have heard a few people say that about him but then again, a lot of that can be attributed to the A/B team division. Domenic has some people out there that are not very fond of him because of his Kest connection.
Regardless of what he did or did not do in the past, this situation is of concern. First of all why the difference in information. Second why? Was the expectation that Bob Vasquez would not respond to this? That's not very realistic. If this application was indeed handed directly to Mr. Montalto on April 28th? Something is seriously wrong here and if a candidate cannot have something as simple as turning an application in be dealt with, I'd suggest that it's time for Mr. Montalto consider retirement and/or a lessor volunteer role.
I've known Domenic for a long time through my church and, of all things, Boy Scouts.
He used to be the designated cook on troop outings to Camp Miakonda and other places.
It was an interesting group of dads (Domenic was actually there for his grandson Anthony); Keith Wilkowski and other political notables also made a few of these weekends. The members of Gesu Church and School have been like a Who's Who of Toledo-area politics for a long time.
When Domenic would talk about the "old days," sitting around the campfire, I first thought he was just a colorful guy spinning some yarns.
But, even though he was in his sixties (then - I think he's 78 now), you got the sense that the guy knew how to kick a**.
Look at his knuckles the next time you see him. These are not the knuckles of a man who pushed a lot of papers around all day.
The guy definitely knows how to cook, though. He prided himself on it, and we ate well on those campouts.
For some reason I am thinking of "Goodfellas" right now...
Was the expectation that Bob Vasquez would not respond to this? That's not very realistic.
Not in your mind or mine, but who knows what goes on inside of his? Perhaps in his advanced years, he still thinks he's the 'gangster' he used to be and that he and his boys can take Vasquez 'out' if need be.
Dan - Dominic worked for Treasurer Ray Kest...not the Auditor.
As for Mr. Vasquez, I serve on a board with him. He's thoughtful, always prepared, involved and knowledgable - everything you ask for in a board member.
City Council will make the appointment, not the Democratic Party. Bob and all the candidates should communicate with councilmembers.
I wouldn't have any idea about what party headquarters did or didnt do with applications, though a fellow councilmember swears BV turned one in there at the end of April.
As I've said before, Bob Vasquez continues to be a great person to work with - and the fact he earned 28,000 votes carries weight with me, as it should to all of us who represent those voters.
"More as this progresses..."
Lisa, Lisa, Lisa... Always the optimist.
Your overlooking the obvious; this is Politics, so Bob's abilities and strong points has nothing to do with anything.
FWIW, Bob sounds like a keeper, IMO.
What matters is, what "the powers that be" think.
I think the blogs and the media can work together and at times the blogs can be a nudge to the media.
They aren't going to pick up on every story that is going to be important to us as bloggers and that's fine. In situations like this it serves two purposes, for us to get the information out and to at least show we are paying attention. It's also a good way to show some much needed support at times.
:-)
Gosh, gee. Can you believe it? Montalto "found" Vasquez's application after all, according to this morning's Blade.
I wonder if he had to take it home for his wife iron to get out all of the 'wrinkles?'
Perhaps he used a half bottle of Elmer's Glue in an attempt to restore it to its original shape?
Funny, though, that the executive director of the LCDP can't recall when he received the application. It was either in late April - or late Friday - or early Saturday.
What a wicked web we weave...
Who will join me in a little wager?
I'll bet $5 that Carty won't 'permit' A-teamer Bob Vasquez to be endorsed by the LCDP.
He'll never open the door to any A-Team candidate, despite his blather that there 'are no A / B Teams.'
Sorry but I won't take that bet. I only bet on things I know I can win.
:-)
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