Lourdes Santiago on Conklin and Company...

Lourdes Santiago was on this morning's Conklin and Company. Lee Conklin started the segment with asking her about her latest press release/conference on "Green Initiatives", and asked if the earlier press release/press conference done by Ben Konop on his plan that featured replacing some county vehicles with hybrids was planned or a coincidence.

She stated it was not planned, that it was a matter of both she and Ben being very progressive when it comes to the need for alternative energy. Lourdes continued with mentioning some of the companies in our area that are focusing on alternative energy such as First Solar in Perrysburg, the new bio-diesel plant that is being built and The Anderson's ethanol focus which shows that the technology is here in our area and it's time we embraced it more. She thinks bio-diesel is a viable option since there is no need to do any retrofitting to have a Jeep, as one example, run on bio-diesel fuel. That any costs that did occur would be made up for in the savings from what the City currently spends on it's over 10,000 vehicles. Ms. Santiago would also like to see solar panels utilized at the Barney Quilter Center as well as other energy saving technology being implemented as another example of the ideas she as chair of the Environment, Utilities & Public Service Committee would like to see implemented.

Lourdes stated the reason why this was important to do now was that the budget process is going to begin and "now is an appropriate time to factor those initiatives in." The City currently spends about 3 million dollars a year for fuel costs and Fleets and Facilities should be looked at.

Then the conversation turned to the actual City Council race, Lee stated the other candidates she was running against, (that's when he made the "Upstart Joe McNamara" reference) and Lourdes stated that "City Council is not the place to cut your teeth. City Council needs experience and expertise." She says she would still be learning the ropes had she not been a part of the City administration before, that someone new "by the time they learn they have been bamboozled or led astray."

Then the last segment of the show with Sandy Isenberg and Jim Tankersley. When the topic turned to the City Council race, Sandy stated having the three Democrats could very well split the vote giving Dave Schulz a win. Jim didn't comment on that aspect, but pointed out that Lourdes was complimenting Ben Konop earlier but that to him it was a double standard to make experience being necessary for Toledo City Council an issue when Ben is running for Lucas County Commissioner and has no prior government experience. Sandy was of course not "allowed" to comment on that aspect of the discussion.

I agree with Lourdes on the need for the City to start using alternative energy, but I disagree with her on the experience issue. I supported Taylor Balderas as being appointed and had I been in district 3 at the time? I would have voted for her, because I think Taylor had a huge potential to bring a new perspective to City Government. I fully understand that every candidate must play up what they feel are their strengths, however, I don't think the lack of government experience is always a negative. It can be a positive...