The Republican Attack on Mark Dansack...

I've seen some of the attack mailings that have come out against Mark Dansack. Basically what they are doing is taking one small statement that Mark made while on the Nookular Option back in July and claiming things like "Mark Dansack has made his position, uh, clear"; "MORE TAXES are in the works - Vote NO on Mark Dansack"; "TaxPayer Alert: Be on the look out for the Mark Dansack Tax Attack...It's Coming".

So, I listened to the interview again, and transcribed the places where Mark Dansack specifically talked about education, as for the attempt to try to make fun of him for saying "uh" or "um" when pausing, that's something that quite a few people, other candidates included do when they are speaking in public. It's really kind of a petty slam, especially if anyone has spent anytime watching our current legislators speak in the House...

What Mark said on July 11th on the issue of education and taxes (which you can listen for yourself here):

We rely soley on the property taxes and time after time the poor citizens have been saying enough is enough and they are voting down these propety taxes...

I'm not saying I personally have all the answers but I am saying we
should investigate this, put some proposals out there and try to lead on the issue...

A male caller: Hi, Mark, I'm listening to what you are saying about education, I'm reading thru your blog and it looks to me you're not proposing any solutions, you just say we need to study and study and study the issues. Mark, we are knee deep in studies, why don't you propose one solution right now for what we can do for education.

Mark responds: Well education and education funding, we need to get away from the property tax sytem of funding education which we have known for the last ten years and I think to ask me to come up with a solution in three months when the entire Republican House, Senate and Gubernatorial people have not been able to do it in ten years is asking a little something. What I'm trying to say is let's move on this, let show some leadership, lets propose something because the way we are doing it now when you have Lake Local Schools who have gone seven levies without passing, you have Maumee School system which has an excellent rating every year and they had to go to the voters twice to get an operational levy passed. It's not working and whether it be a combination of additional income tax, additional sales tax, rolling back certain taxes that been repealed, we have to look at different, different alternatives instead of just pushing the problem off into the future, because that's not working

.

Male caller - Right but at the same time we can't just expect you to get hired to the job and learn as you go, we need solutions.

Mark responds: Well, I would ask what solutions have been proposed in the last two years by any of the legislaters that are in there now?

Male caller - Well that's a question I can't answer, I'd still like to see solutions on your part.

Later in the interview:

Well, if you make education a priority maybe you don't give the top 2% that tax cut, maybe you bring some of that money down and you funnel it to education. I don't want to sound socialistic, which I'm sure I would be accused of by some people but we have to look at...(phone call with question about living wage)

Further in direct response to the claims on Mark Dansack wanting to raise the sales tax on a post written by Mark on his blog he states in the comments:

I'm not sure that additional taxes are absolutely necessary and a 2 cent sales tax represents a regressive tax which hits low income families much harder than higher income groups. I would obviously listen to constituents, although I'd like to look at other plans and I am not sure that many Ohio residents would welcome an increase in the sales tax of that magnitude at least without a corresponding drop in other taxes or fees.

On Conklin and Company Mark discussed education.

These attack flyers and the television commercials that have now come out are not only misleading but a purposeful attempt to use scare tactics, hoping that the residents of District 46 will be naive enough to believe what the Ohio Republican Party is saying about Mark Dansack and trying to allow Mark Wagoner to avoid taking responsibility for this behavior. Let's hope the voters of District 46 will not give that a pass as well...

I'd also urge voters of this area to contact Mark Wagoner and let him know that you don't agree with this type of campaigning, that he should renounce this publicly.

Some additional links of merit for this week

I wasn't able to contribute to this week's Carnival of Ohio Politics but as always there are some very good posts that were submitted so stop on by to see what's being discussed in the Ohio blogosphere.

Also over at the Toledo Journal there is an article on Joe McNamara and Lourdes Santiago that is noteworthy as well as an additional article about the some of the responses to the incident in Ottawa Hills that the Toledo Journal received. I also think the information provided from talking with other local police departments is worth pointing out.

I realize we haven't discussed that here, but personally I believe even if a person crumbled and tossed a ticket out of their window that the level of the physical response from the officer in question was not necessary or appropriate.

Blog it! Toledo, Ebay and more...

This week's Blog it! Toledo is up and at the title link, as always there are some excellent articles in this week's Toledo Free Press so make sure to get your copy today as well as visit their website for some exclusive material that you will only find online.

Michael Miller writes about his search of Ebay for items related to Toledo. I've never had much success at winning things on Ebay, except for the Spongebob square pants belly ring thingy that one of my daughter's wanted. Can't understand why that item wasn't more popular (lol). I'm an admitted fan of Traci Curth's articles in the Toledo Free Press, yet this week when I read her Writers Workshop submission it was hard not to yell out "AMEN! Testify!", Okay I might have actually have done that but I'll leave that up to my neighbors to confirm...

The article written about the Toledo Warehouse District Association is a recommended one, along with this interview with Columbia Gas President Jack Partridge.

I also hope you read this week's Letters to the Editor, as I give an internet wave to Janice and Jason Hill and of course Murphy the Dog...

:-)

Ben Knop receives Toledo Blade endorsement...

Continuing in the better late than never blog coverage category, Lucas County Commissioner candidate Ben Konop received the endorsement in an editorial today in the Toledo Blade.

There is also an interview with Ben in Sojourner's Truth as well as an interview with his opponent George Sarantou. (If the link the the articles becomes inactive they are still available online thru the pdf archive.)

:-)

Bob Vasquez on Nookular Option

I listened this morning while Toledo City Council candidate Bob Vasquez was on air with Don, Bob did an excellent job in sharing his ideas and as soon as the podcast for today's show is up I'll update here with a link. I didn't get a chance to call in since this morning was a rough one health wise but, I did want to get this information out there so that those of you who missed it will have a chance later to be able to hear the interview.

:-)

UPDATE: As promised - link to the podcast of Nookular Option.

Press Release: McNamara Rejects “Trash Politics,”

From the Joe McNamara for Toledo City Council campaign:

McNamara Rejects “Trash Politics,” Demands Answers On City Budget

Across-The-Board Cuts Could Threaten Essential City Services

Toledo, OH – With Halloween just around the corner, the Mayor and Lourdes Santiago are playing political tricks with trash collection. Toledo City Council candidate Joe McNamara will hold a press conference today at 2 PM in front of One Government Center to address this issue and demand answers on the mayor’s proposed budget cuts for 2007.

Despite having announced a compromise on the mayor’s plan to move trash collection times twice in the past week, Lourdes Santiago is holding a public hearing this afternoon to highlight citizens’ dissatisfaction.

“This gives every indication of being a manufactured issue, a manufactured conflict and a manufactured compromise,” said council Candidate Joe McNamara. “Meanwhile the mayor is proposing across the board budget cuts that could undermine basic city services.”

“While the mayor and Lourdes Santiago are pretending to bicker over trash collection times, I want to know if the trash is going to be picked up at all,” says McNamara.

“Why is the budgeting process happening behind closed doors without citizen participation? Where are those public hearings?”

Media Release Mark Dansack District 46

From the Dansack for District 46 campaign:

October 23, 2006
Mark Wagoner has raised your taxes
Citizens of District 46

Mark Wagoner has voted to raise your taxes, Mark Dansack has never raised a tax.

Mark Wagoner supported House Bill 66, signed into law by the ever-popular Ohio Governor Bob Taft in June of 2005 as part of Ohio's 2006-2007 budget cycle.

As part of House Bill 66, Mark Wagoner voted to permanently increase the state sales tax from 5% to 5.5 % and also voted to create the new Commercial Activities Tax, which taxes Ohio small businesses.

The Commercial Activities Tax (CAT) is an annual tax imposed on the "priviledge" of doing business in Ohio. This new tax was effective beginning July 1, 2005. While the tax may not be passed through to customers as an itemized charge, its cost may be passed on in the form of an increase in price. The tax is included as part of the sales tax base.


"The net effect of this CAT is that your grocer is being assessed a tax on his gross receipts which is being passed on to the consumer, thereby giving us the first tax on groceries in Ohio since the Great Depression", Mark Dansack stated.

"This permanent increase in the sales tax and new tax on small businesses has increased the burden on middle class families, while Mr. Wagoner has consistently supported tax relief for the very wealthy in Ohio".

Dansack continued, "There are only two candidates for State Representative in House District 46 and only one of them has either voted to raise a tax or impose a new tax on Ohioans, and that candidate is Mark Wagoner. Yet, the Wagoner campaign, through various groups apparently associated with the Ohio Republican Party, has engaged in a demagogic attack on my campaign, for merely speaking in generalities about the need to look at ways to reduce property taxes while funding public education in Ohio."

"I challenge Mr. Wagoner to stop the distortion on my position with respect to taxes in Ohio and I welcome the chance to debate the issue with him if he has the courage to do so. However, given the present desperate attacks from Mr. Wagoner, I doubt he'll be willing to", Dansack concluded.

Citizens of District 46, I ask you to research this issue and not be misled by my opponent and the desperate leadership of the state GOP. These folks are spending barrels and barrels of dollars to defeat me because I stand for change and an end to the culture of corruption in Ohio. I also invite you to take a look at the Secretary of State's website and see where Mr. Wagoner and I are getting our campaign contributions. You'll see the corporate PACS are bankrolling my opponent because they too fear the change of a citizen candidate such as myself interrupting their way of doing business in Ohio. I've raised my funds from every day citizens without a political agenda who know me as a person and a family man.

Stand with me and we'll have a great victory come election day. Thanks for your past, present, and future support.

Have a good evening,
Mark

Joe McNamara is not claiming to be the endorsed dem but...

I watched the news clip on 13ABC, where John Irish said that Joe McNamara was stating he was the endorsed candidate in the sample ballots he sent out to voters. Then I read this on WTOL:

"Mr. McNamara is purposely attempting to deceive Toledo voters -- especially senior citizens -- by distributing this literature that reports he has the endorsement of the Democratic Party. That is a lie," said John Irish, Lucas County Democratic Party chair.

That's not really accurate. No where is the word endorsed on this flyer. It's not even a situation such as we've seen before, as one example, when Jon Stainbrook sent out post cards stating he was endorsed by another Republican group in a way that gave the impression that he was "the" endorsed candidate.

Infact this "flyer" or card since that's really what it is, when mailed out is included in another mail piece that doesn't make any endorsement claims either. Had the reporters for both 11 and 13 looked at the card they could have easily informed viewers that it doesn't say the word endorsed anywhere. I understand John Irish and the Lucas County Democrats being miffed, but the simple fact remains there is more than one democrat running for the Toledo City Council spot and they have earned endorsements from labor unions and other sources. Take the recent Democratic event at the UAW local 12, from my understanding Bob Vasquez was the candidate that Local 12 selected to endorse. He was there, and there were some signs of his there but he wasn't given the chance to speak. While at the same union hall that had endorsed Bob Vasquez, Chris Redfern spoke from the podium about supporting and electing Lourdes Santiago. Bruce Baumhower stated "The UAW supports the entire Democratic Slate from the top down", does that mean they do not support the candidate that they endorsed? If that were true then why would UAW Local 12 pick a candidate that was not the same as the one the Lucas County Democratic Party had endorsed? Or did Bruce mean they supported the ticket from the top down to the bottom with the exception of the Toledo City Council race where they had endorsed Bob Vasquez? If the Union put out a suggested sample ballot, surely they would include the candidate on it that they endorsed wouldn't they?

John Irish asked if Joe McNamara was going to campaign like this, what type of an elected official would he be. I'd guess the answer would be one who doesn't just give up, and one that can be creative. Also one who supports the rest of the Democratic ticket, from the top to the bottom, except for one Toledo City Council race...

:-)

Joe McNamara gets Blade endorsement

I'm sure this is not new news by now, I didn't read the Toledo Blade this morning, I wasn't planning on doing a great deal of blogging today, and I'm still not, but when I got the phone call from my husband that Joe had gotten the endorsement I headed over to read about it. I didn't feel this was a given, I know others did but I thought there was a chance one of the other candidates, with the exception of Bob Vasquez who declined to be screened might be selected.

I'd provide some lucid commentary on my beliefs and discuss the positives and the negatives of getting the Blade endorsement however, I don't think I'm quite up to that as of yet. Right now my mental capabilities seem to be able to focus on discussions such as why I prefer the Jello brand over the Kroger brand of gelatin.

:-)

More on Ben Konop's 30 mile "Walk for Change".

From the Ben Konop for Lucas County Commissioner campaign:

Konop Completes First Portion of 30-Mile Walk Throughout Lucas County

UAW-endorsed candidate to meet with employees at Ford Stamping Plant in Maumee on third leg of trek

(Toledo , OH) – Democratic candidate for Lucas County Commissioner Ben Konop has completed the first two days of his 30 mile county-wide "Walk for Change 2006."

On Monday, October 23rd, Konop will walk for jobs, starting at 1 PM at Airport and Reynolds and ending at the Ford Maumee Stamping Plant, where Konop will meet and greet employees between 2:30 and 3:30 PM as their shift changes over, and hear their concerns and ideas.


Tuesday, October 24th, will feature a “Walk for Small Businesses” beginning at 1 PM at Bayview Park in Point Place and concluding on Consaul Street , where Konop will eat dinner at one of Toledo ’s most successful small businesses, Tony Packo's.

The final day of the five-day cross-county trek will be Wednesday, Oct 25th. Starting at the UT law school where he serves on the faculty, and accompanied by one of his former students, Konop will “Walk for the American Dream,” literally retracing his roots from the law school to his grandparents first home in Toledo, located at 3134 Parkwood Avenue . Konop will be met there by his parents, Barbara & Alan Konop.

Taking a day or two off due to health issues...

Blogging will be light the rest of this weekend and maybe Monday, Friday I started experiencing some pain in my left abdomen which increasingly grew worse. On Saturday the pain was so severe I couldn't take it so I ended up in the Emergency Room. After tests, blood work and a CT scan the diagnosis is diverticulitis and a rather large cyst on my ovary. They think the main issue is the diverticulitis.

So, I'm on an antibiotic and heavy pain medication and the conditions I was allowed to come home rather than to be admitted was for me to take it easy and basically not get out of bed. I am actually listening so and to be honest it's really hard to try to concentrate with the level of medication necessary to make me not be in severe pain.

UPDATE: 10:17 p.m.

Thanks everyone for the warm wishes and the prayers here and thru email. I'm still not feeling great but the pain level is a little better now than compared to earlier today or yesterday. I have been taking it easy like I'm supposed to, Aubrey and I watched all of my DVD's of an old favorite TV show of mine "Dark Shadows", then on to the Harry Potter series, she and the assorted animals have been keeping me company in bed today. Miguel is now an expert at making jello...

:-)

Konop to “Walk 30 Miles for Change”

From the Ben Konop for Lucas County Commmissioner campaign:

Konop to “Walk 30 Miles for Change” Throughout Lucas County

Democratic Candidate plans county-wide trek focusing on key campaign issues

(Toledo, OH) –

• Walk begins Saturday, Oct. 21, 1 PM, Monroe & Main in Sylvania
• Ends Wednesday evening at his grandparents’ first home on Parkwood in Toledo
• Konop will be accompanied by supporters along the walk route


Democratic candidate for Lucas County Commissioner Ben Konop will begin his 30 mile county-wide "Walk for Change 2006" on Saturday, October 21st, at 1 PM beginning at the intersection of Monroe and Main Street in Sylvania. The focus for Saturday’s walk is “Ending Brain Drain,” one of Konop’s many strategies for strengthening Lucas County. Konop will have two Lucas County high school seniors accompanying him.

On Sunday afternoon (Oct. 22), Konop will continue his journey at 2 PM, beginning at the Stranahan Theatre. Because Konop’s focus for Sunday is “Senior Issues,”
he will be stopping at the Senior Citizen Complex on Arlington and S. Detroit.

On Monday, October 23rd, Konop will walk for jobs, starting at 1 PM at Airport and Reynolds and ending at the Ford Maumee Stamping Plant, where Konop will meet and greet employees as their shift changes over, and hear their concerns and ideas.

Tuesday, October 24th, will feature a “Walk for Small Businesses” beginning at 1 PM at Bayview Park in Point Place and concluding on Consaul Street, where Konop will eat dinner at one of Toledo’s most successful small businesses, Tony Packo's.

The final day of the five-day cross-county trek will be Wednesday, Oct 25th. Starting at the UT law school where he serves on the faculty, Konop will “Walk for the American Dream,” literally re-tracing his roots from the law school to his grandparents first home in Toledo, located on Parkwood Avenue. Konop will be met there by his parents, Barbara & Alan Konop.

Media are welcome anywhere along the walk route.

Dave Schulz's proposal on Toledo Police...

Well, if you read the article that is discussed below from today's Toledo Blade you'll see this one small paragraph:

In the same race, endorsed Republican David Schulz yesterday called for boosting Toledo police staffing, possibly through a tax on sports and entertainment events.

The media release from the Dave Schulz for Toledo City Council campaign from yesterday provides more information:

Schulz calls for reaching goal of 2.5 officers per 1,000 inhabitants

The city of Toledo police staffing falls far behind the national average for cities our size and Dave Schulz will make improving our ratio his top priority on city council.

According to the FBI, the national average for cities our size is 3.5 officers per 1,000 inhabitants. While this ratio would be hard to achieve and may not be practical or necessary, the goal of reaching 2.5 officers per 1,000 inhabitants must be. In fact, we trail many other major cities in Ohio in this statistic.


Schulz agrees that we should keep pace with impending retirements on the force. The administration has proposed plans to do this with the police class of 20 in early 2007. This will only slightly increase our current manpower.

As I have walked door to door and attended block watch meetings, the common refrain I hear is “we need more police” and that the response time for calls other than Priority One must improve. I have heard many stories where the homeowner, many miles away arrives to their home that was burglarized before the officers.

It is the responsibility of elected officials to engage the public in prioritizing government spending. Schulz suggests ways to pay for the increased police classes:

Adjusting some of the CIP dollars freed up during the November 2004 income tax renewal, currently approximately 4.75 million could be used for that purpose. Council still has the discretion under law to use that money for the general fund. In 2004, there was $8.75 million freed up by the new formula passed by voters.

A fundamental restructuring of our government to include serious consideration of eliminating departments, mid-level management and outsourcing and privatization

Possibly considering an admissions tax on sporting and entertainment events and other applicable venues. Many policemen are used to police these events and the city should be compensated.

CIP dollars must be used for only the most important things, such as, road resurfacing, economic development projects, safety equipment. Bike paths and decorative lighting must take a back seat to these other areas.

Schulz has also been hearing that the Finkbeiner administration looks to the courts and safety services to find savings as they have the big numbers in the budget. Certainly, every area of the city needs to be challenged to provide services more efficiently but so many times this year, the administration and a compliant city council have rubber stamped plans for bike paths, lighting, etc. that add up to big numbers when totaled up.

Schulz says, “The city sorely needs someone on council with private sector business experience to deal with these tough decisions facing the city. All of my opponents lack this experience.”

City council has only three people with any substantial and current business experience.

More "sparring" in Toledo/Lucas County Campaigns

First up, Tom Troy covers Joe McNamara's press conference on the $90,000 question of are the lights decorative or for safety? Tom's article is entitled, "Council hopeful slams city over bridge expense".

Lourdes Santiago is quoted in the Blade as:

Ms. Santiago said Mr. McNamara has "no clue" about the need for the lights.

"The Anthony Wayne Bridge has to be maintained for safety and maintenance. It has nothing to do with decorative lighting," Ms. Santiago said. "McNamara proves again he has no idea what city government is about or his responsibilities to the citizens of Toledo."

Yet, the same Blade article also states:

The administration has said it wants the bridge to be well-lighted in anticipation of visitors coming to Toledo next year for the opening of the I-280 Veterans' Glass City Skyway and Martin Luther King, Jr. bridges.

While the main selling point for the repairs has been beautification, the administration and supportive council members have said the lights have a safety purpose as well.

However, David Welch, the city's commissioner of streets, bridges, and harbor, acknowledged yesterday that the lights being replaced are on the outside of the deck facing away from the bridge. The bridge deck is lighted by streetlights.


So, they are more decorative than safety oriented from the way this is being presented. This expenditure was in the City budget though, and apparently was done when Jack Ford was Mayor. That is reassuring that this expenditure was not a last minute emergency proposal as some of the other "decorative" items have been. That said, the question of is this a valid expenditure right now is valid one. It should also be pointed out that Councilmen Frank Szollosi, Ellen Grachek, and Michael Ashford voted no on the funding for this lighting.

Now on to the Lucas County Commissioner race where the Toledo Blade's Joshua Boak, has "Konop, Sarantou spar over lending, economy":

On one - preditory lending. It is something that to be successfully addressed should be done on a federal or a state basis. It is very true that George Sarantou voted in support of legislation in Toledo designed to stop preditory lending, it was approved by Toledo City Council Nov. 5, 2002, 11-1. However, it was stayed pending the outcome of a lawsuit which was filed by the State Attorney General's office and a National Trade group and this legislation was banned by Judge Robert Christiansen in 2004. It's obvious this is something that should be addressed in our area, anyone who has looked at the number of places that offer pay day loans with the extremely high interest they charge realizes there is a number of area residents who get caught in this endless cycle.

Since I am a mother of five and I do have two in college right now as fulltime college students and one who is attending college as part of the Post Secondary Op program thru her high school, I have to say both candidates are right on the topic of high schoolers. We need to do more to encourage them to considering going to school here (especially if anyone has looked at the cost of their child going to college where room and board are required) and to create an environment where they want to come back if they do attend college away from home. I'm glad Ben is talking to them, some of them could share some important insight and while I agree with George that leaving home is a dream many of them have, the response that Ben reported with cheering at the idea of leaving does suggest that this is a problem. I know mine considered leaving Toledo to go to college but when faced with the huge amount of additional school loans they would have had to face after graduation, they decided that it was smarter to remain here.

There is of course more information on both linked articles....

The Brown V DeWine Debate...

A quick look at what the media is reporting and then some comments...

Toledo Blade:

DeWine: 'I continue to act' Brown: You have 'no spine'


NBC24:

This was their third showdown. And once again, the two exchanged charges in a fiery give and take.

DeWine consistently painted brown as an ineffective and extremely partisan congressman.

Brown portrayed DeWine as beholden to the Bush administration.

Each claimed that the other had stooped to negative campaigning.

WTOL ll:

In Third Debate, DeWine and Brown Squabble Over Party Lines

TOLEDO (AP) -- Republican Sen. Mike DeWine said Thursday he's the only candidate in Ohio's Senate race willing to work with both parties. Democratic U.S. Rep. Sherrod Brown said his opponent's record doesn't show it.

WTVG 13:

Polls show Brown is favored in race that was neck-and-neck in September

TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) - Republican Sen. Mike DeWine said Thursday he's the only candidate in Ohio's Senate race willing to work with both parties. Democratic U.S. Rep. Sherrod Brown said his opponent's record doesn't show it.

My thoughts, I thought this debate was less attack oriented than the Meet the Press appearance. This was the first debate that was infront of a live auidence. We were politely warned that we could applaud and express our vocal support for a candidate but that if anyone was "disruptive" they would be removed by security. One young lady near the front did yell out something and security closed in on the area in which she was sitting but apparently since it was just that one comment they did not ask her to leave.

Sherrod did at one point ask his supporters to stop applauding, "I ask my supporters not to cheer and those kinds of things, I don't want to be disrespectful to Mr. DeWine and I'd like to keep this debate going if possible". Mike made no similar request but to be honest it appeared there were more Sherrod Brown supporters there and since I was outside with many of them, it is an exuberant group.

I thought the questions were very good ones, such as one from Jim Tankersley to Mike DeWine, "You just said you are a Senator that makes things happen for Ohio, but the polls show a majority of Ohioans are upset about something else you made happen in Congress, the war in Iraq. How can you campaign on the parts of your record that most voters like and not take responsibility for what makes many voters angry?"

DeWine really didn't answer - he talked about why he did not support planned date of withdrawl for Iraq.

Roberta de Boer's question to Sherrod Brown on the impeachment of the President was I thought a very interesting one. Sherrod does not supporting impeachment or censoring.

I recommend watching the debate if you didn't see it last night, and even if you did? Watch it again, pay attention to what questions were asked and if they were answered.

:-)

Sherrod Brown V Mike Dewine Debate and Sherrod's afterparty

I attended tonight's debate not in my capacity as a blogger, though I am blogging about some of it. I was with the Sherrod Brown supporters tonight both outside when Sherrod was arriving and seated inside on the Sherrod side of the auditorium and we went to the after party at the TFT Union and as you'll see I was wearing my t-shirt that Jesse gave me. There are pictures before the event, only one from inside (we were told we weren't supposed to have cameras) and some at the TFT union here.

So this post is not a political review of the debate, I'm not going to try to be unbiased in this post. I fully and honestly admit that I am a big fan of:



She is of course not running for office but I admire what she is doing and how she is supporting her husband's dream of being a US Senator.


I promise not to go on about Connie too much, except to say it was awesome to be able to see her again at the afterparty and I thank her for not only what she said to my daughter but for signing a sign for her. Aubrey wanted Connie's signature then later got Sherrod's. Yes, Aubrey is a fan of Connie too, she told me in the car she wants a copy of Connie's new book when it's done. :-)

As I sat there tonight at the debate, despite some of the negativity, I felt proud to be a part of what our democracy is, which is what tonight was all about. Both candidates having the chance to have their say, leaving it up to us as voters to decide who we believe and who we want to support. I wish there would have been more actual answers to some of the questions, but I also know that's politics...

I haven't watched the tape yet, I'll do that later and then get back into my "normal" blogger mode for Glass City Jungle.

Strickland voter registration issue...

Granted we all select the most relevant parts of an article to make our point, however when the same article demonstrates the premise of the post isn't valid? Once you click on the link to the article it's evident that there is more. If you haven't followed this issue, there is some discussion as to which address Ted and Frances Strickland should be using for purposes of voting. In some parts of the blogosphere, Right Angle Blog, as one example, it's being stated that this ruling could create a situation where Strickland is kicked off the ballot.

Yet, from the same Cleveland Plain Dealer article that has several paragraphs taken from it on Right Angle blog it clearly states:

The complaint seeking to boot Strickland from the voting rolls might endanger his right to vote in November, but is unlikely to disqualify him for the ballot, according to Ohio election law experts.

and:


Moritz College of Law professor Steve Huefner said the time to question Strickland's eligibility for the ballot was in the spring, when he filed his nominating petitions.

"It might be that a court presented with this would say that they don't have the jurisdiction to rule on this anymore," he said.

While the deadline to formally change his voter registration has passed, Strickland could also vote with a provisional ballot merely by showing up at the Franklin County Board of Elections and signing a form under oath declaring a Columbus voting address.

The challenge will hinge mainly on whether Strickland had a residence in Lisbon and an intention to return, according to Huefner. He called it "rather a high hurdle" to prove that Strickland does not plan to return to Lisbon.

The Columbus Dispatch doesn't even mention that aspect only stating:

A determination against the Stricklands would prevent them from voting in the upcoming election because the deadline to change their residency passed last week.

Even in the Dayton Daily News where law suits are being discussed it focuses on the issue of:

...over a challenge to Strickland's eligibility to vote.

So it can't be both ways, if Ted would be eligible to vote a provisional ballot if it is ruled he can't use the Lisbon address, that still makes him a "qualified elector" even under the strictest interpretation of the Ohio Constitution.

15.04 Who is eligible to office

No person shall be elected or appointed to any office in this state unless possessed of the qualifications of an elector.

5.01 Who may vote

Every citizen of the United States, of the age of eighteen years, who has been a resident of the state, county, township, or ward, such time as may be provided by law, and has been registered to vote for thirty days, has the qualifications of an elector, and is entitled to vote at all elections. Any elector who fails to vote in at least one election during any period of four consecutive years shall cease to be an elector unless he again registers to vote.

However, I do have to point out that this part of the Ohio Constitution could be open to some interesting interpretation on both sides of the political spectrum at times:

5.06 Idiots or insane persons

No idiot, or insane person, shall be entitled to the privileges of an elector.

:-)

McNamara on recent Toledo City Council vote on lighting

From the Joe McNamara for Toledo City Council campaign:

McNamara Blasts City Spending on Decorative Lighting in Face of Potential Budget Deficit

Following the revelation by City of Toledo Finance Director John Sherburne that the city is facing a potential budget deficit of $800,000 in 2006, Democrat Joe McNamara will hold a press conference today, Thursday, October 19 at 1 PM at One Government to call on City Council to reverse its decision to spend $90,000 on decorative lighting for the Anthony Wayne Bridge.

“Capital improvements to our bridges are the responsibility of the Ohio Department of Transportation,” notes McNamara. “Why are we spending city tax dollars on something so unnecessary at a time when good jobs are scarce and citizens are fearful for the safety of their neighborhoods?”

“City Council is acting as a rubber stamp for the mayor and his reckless spending,” says McNamara. “For Lourdes Santiago to grandstand on a $6000 sign expenditure and then vote for $90,000 for decorative lighting is the height of hypocrisy. Team Finkbeiner is out of control and out of touch with the needs of Toledoans.”

Still on the topic of Trash in Toledo...

While in the post below is a person or persons who are pretty trashy in my book, it's time to once again turn to the topic of alley garbage collection with some updated information and some questions that have still not been answered.

Thanks to one of our readers of the blog we know:

An informational meeting regarding curbside pickup for all members of the Teamster Local 20 employed at the City Of Toledo Division of Solid Waste has been scheduled for Saturday October 28. Yes, this is two days before the new policy takes place.


I'm going to list the concerns I have stated both here and thru emails and will provide the responses in italics where they have been given.

The City Journal states trash collection in alleys must be done in cans and that curb collection can be in bags or cans. There is no mention of the discontinuation of alley service. Can you clarify?

Effective Monday, October 30th, all alley collection (except for those residents specifically notified in writing) will be moving from alley to curbside. For those few residents that will remain on alley collection, they cannot utilize bags for their refuse collection.

How will residents be informed of this change? Most of my neighbors were not aware of it.

We will be distributing flyers door-to-door to the affected areas

I expressed my concern that in neighborhoods such as mine where a great deal of people must use street parking since they don't have usuable driveways that it will be more difficult for curbside trash pick up here and that it is going to be difficult for garbage to be placed in a manner that the Sanitation Crews will even be able to see it. We have experienced this once with recycling and as I pointed out, that cannot be blamed on the Recycling Crew, they cannot pick up what they cannot see.

I'll update when I get either the flyer or written notification, if you receive either please post so we can track how this is working and of course we will continue to monitor all of the trash here at Glass City Jungle...

:-)

Who to me is one of the lowest most despicable people in Toledo right now...

Not to long ago I wrote about my oldest daughter trying to raise funds for the Sunshine Children's home with her fraternity Theta Tau who was holding a 24 hour teeter totter marathon.

These students worked hard and believed they had raised a little over $3,000.00. Yet this weekend, some lowlife asshat decided to steal $630.00 in cash and two checks that were locked in their office until their treasurer could deposit it.

It has been reported to the police, and apparently this is not the first time money has been stolen from UT, last spring the UT Engineering Student Council had money raised from their Casino Night event for the Pregnancy Center stolen from their office as well.

Whoever did this had a key to the office, yet it doesn't appear there is going to be any investigation at this point by either the police or the University. So where ever this person is? Congratulations, you stole money that was intended for children at Sunshine Children's Home and you have won the Lisa Renee Asshat of the year award.

Jim Tankersley fact checks Issue 3...it's a start...

As I read the Toledo Blade article written by Jim Tankersley, I had the same response to myself as when I watched Bill Hormann talk about this on WTVG. "Okay...that's a start".

What the article doesn't mention that I think is important is that the years it is going to take before any of these children who meet the other qualifiers is even going to take place.

The math is questioned but not enough, if the numbers touted by Learn and Earn are false (which we already know they are) then simple logic follows that "if" every child qualified for these scholarships once we get beyond the top 5% (2012 I believe) there isn't going to be enough money to follow thru on what Learn and Earn is promising.

Then of course the whole issue of should we have a constitutional amendment that is created basically to help a select number of gambling company owners profit. It's obvious how important it is to them since it's being reported:

As of last week, Learn and Earn had dropped some $1.3 million onto Toledo airwaves. That's more than any single candidate or committee on the fall ballot, and it's close to the $1.7 million that was reserved for Ohio's hot U.S. Senate race.

Learn and Earn spokespeople continue to demonstrate they can't be honest about anything:

"Everybody's covering this thing, warts and all," Mr. Caputo (Learn and Earn spokesman) says. "Just because we don't put it into a very brief ad ... that's not a valid criticism."

Sorry Mr. Caputo, but I'll tell you the same thing I told Todd Hoffman over and over again before he switched over to working for the Ohio Democratic Party...You are being dishonest, you are being misleading and if there was one shining example of why campaign advertising in Ohio needs to be looked at? It would be because of your group.

I should also add, after hearing Linda Chavez Thompson, of the AFL-CIO speak at the UAW Local 12 event for the state candidates about how we need change in Ohio and that it wasn't about turning red or blue it was about doing what was right that I am very disappointed that the AFL-CIO would support Issue 3. It goes against the message that was displayed on the wall behind her as she spoke, "The purpose of the union is to seek the truth and obtain justice".

Sherrod Brown V Mike DeWine debate here in Toledo...

The following info from the Sherrod Brown Campaign:

Debate: Sherrod Brown v. Mike DeWine
5:30 – Arrival
6:00 – Doors & Principal Arrival
7:00 – Debate Begins
Stranahan Theatre
4645 Heatherdowns Blvd.
Toledo, OH 43614
(419) 381-8851

http://www.stranahantheatre.com

Sounds like there is going to be a huge turnout so it's suggested you go early not only to cheer but to get a seat.

:-)

Ben Konop to unveil more on his job plan...

This from the Ben Konop for Lucas County Commissioner Campaign:

Konop to Lay Out Third Prong of Jobs Plan for Lucas County

Initiative focuses on combating brain drain

(Toledo, OH)- Building on his vision for creating jobs in Lucas County and getting our economy moving again, Democratic candidate for Lucas County Commissioner Ben Konop will today discuss his initiative to help stem brain drain in Lucas County. Konop will be speaking to a Senior civics class at Northview High School (5403 Silica Dr) at 9:15 AM and will outline his proposal at that time. Area media are welcome to attend the class at Northview.


“In order to attain long term economic growth, we need to make a concerted effort to stem Brain Drain and keep young people from leaving our community,” stated Konop. “In the 21st century, having a skilled and educated work force is often the key to a region’s economic well-being. As Commissioner I will visit every high school in the county during my first year in office and not only market Lucas County to the students, but find out what they are looking for in a community,” added Konop.

Konop’s brain drain initiative is the latest in his job creation program for Lucas County. Recently, Konop has called for the creation of a high-tech incubator as well as a beefed up small-business loan program administered by the county. “Creating 21ST century jobs and growing our economy is my number one priority,” stated Konop.

In a poll conducted by the respected Zogby polling firm and released on Sunday, Konop was leading his Republican opponent in the race for Commissioner by over 17% (48.3-31.2). “I’m encouraged by the results, and will continue to work hard and spread my message of fresh ideas and real change for Lucas County,” added Konop.

On Ted and this whole "pedophile" issue...

I heard about this whole topic when it was first mentioned in the primary and now from reading some of the blogs and the news it's coming up again. A few blogs today in the Carnival of Ohio Politics focused on this and it's also been a topic of conversation on other blogs such as Buckeye State blog and others like Plunderbund as can be seen by using Blog Net News Ohio.

I don't always agree with Russell over at BSB, and I think despite my hope that it would be otherwise that negativity will be a part of campaigning and blog discourse more often than I would like, but I'm troubled over this one. I agree with Russell that it is wrong the way this former staffer has had information that was supposedly expunged released. I don't think what the conservative bloggers who released this information were right and I agree with the attorney as quoted in the Dispatch:


"He got the help that he needed," she said. "He’s a father, he’s married, he’s a Christian and he leads a good life. The irony is that a lot of the qualities Ken Blackwell’s campaign says it represents, my client is now living, and leading a productive life."

"Here’s a guy who has done everything he could to make amends for his mistake … and he can’t put it behind him," she said. "To have assumptions made that he’s some sort of pedophile, I don’t know how any person could not be upset about that, especially since there is no factual basis."

Hinners said her law firm is exploring possible legal action against bloggers who have identified her client and posted details of the expunged record. She said Blackwell’s campaign also has been contacted, adding, "We don’t threaten litigation lightly."

While I think very highly of Paul Miller, I can't say I agree with some of his post in this week that is a part of the Carnival of Ohio Politics. Especially this one statement:

Blackwell is obviously doubting Strickland's judgment as a leader and employer here. On such a serious charge, due diligence would require at least some investigation of the man's past. After all, isn’t that why folks are upset with Republican leadership over the Foley scandal? Even Strickland has not claimed he asked for such an investigation.

Let's say the worst is true, I don't believe it is but let's say for just a moment that Ted Strickland knew at some point that this man had a conviction for exposing himself to children. How many elected officials routinely order background checks on their staffers? At what point does this type of a conviction ever go away? It's obvious the man was never arrested again, he got counseling and until recently was trying to live a normal life. Do staffers have a position where they are in close contact with children? I could see if this staffer was to be employed in a school or some other setting where he would have contact with children but let's be real here. He was a campaign staff person...

My largest problem with this is what is being made an issue by Blackwell at Strickland isn't something that should even be an issue. My second issue is this man did not deserve to be treated in this manner and my final concern with this is it is evidence of the deeper problem in politics. Rather than campaign on which candidate offers the best solutions to our problems we instead waste too much time on trying to dig in the dirt for anything that can be found to run with. Trying to imply that someone supports homosexuals or is homosexual or trying to imply that someone supports pedophiles or is a pedophile may make great little attack sound blurbs but it does nothing to improve our state or our country. Nor to me is the way to win elections and I hope no matter who the candidate is that if they or their campaign feels something like this is the only way to win? The voters send them the message that it doesn't work...So, I don't believe that either voting "present" on a bill in 1998 or the actions of a staffer that was dealt with thru the legal system is any reflection on Ted Strickland's ability to lead.

And incase anyone wonders how I feel about Democrats who do the same thing as what some of these Republicans are doing? I feel exactly the same, wrong is wrong no matter who is doing it.

Press Release from McNamara for Toledo City Council campaign

This just in from the Joe McNamara for Toledo City Council campaign:

Joe McNamara Pledges Support for Democratic Candidates

Council candidate vows to campaign for all party nominees chosen by Democratic voters, releases sample ballot

Toledo, OH – Responding to criticism from Lucas County Democratic Party bosses that his presence on the November ballot could hurt the full Democratic slate, Toledo City Council candidate Joe McNamara pledged today to campaign for all of the party’s nominees chosen by primary voters and to distribute a sample ballot urging general election voters to do the same.

“It’s crucial that we elect Ted Strickland, Sherrod Brown, Richard Cordray, and the entire Democratic Team to state and county office this year,” said McNamara. “I agree with party leaders that we can’t allow one local race to become a distraction from that goal.”

McNamara’s Democratic sample ballot will be distributed door-to-door by campaign volunteers and mailed to some absentee ballot voters.

Joe McNamara is the Secretary of the Lucas County Young Democrats. Keith Wilkowski, former chairman of the Lucas County Democratic Party, serves as McNamara’s campaign chairman.

Some good news and some not so good news from Toledo City Council yesterday....

First the good news that was towards the bottom of one article in the Toledo Blade:

Don Moline, assistant chief operating officer, said the administration is trying to recruit a director of development. Mr. Finkbeiner has been heading the department this year, drawing criticism from some on council who say economic development needs its own director.


It should be pointed out that several City Council candidates feel the same way, one (Joe) even put out a television commercial on this issue.

Still staying with the good news front, another Toledo Blade article about something we have focused on here - Trash. I met Mike Craig yesterday at the UAW 12 event and he had told me that they were working on this issue but still no word on the alley clarification that he had requested from the City Administration for me. However, what is noteworthy from the article:

Officials are reconsidering a regulation, set to take effect Oct. 30, that would prohibit residents from putting their garbage cans and trash bags at the curb any earlier than 8 p.m. on days before collection instead of the current 4 p.m. rule, Brian Schwartz, a spokesman for Mayor Carty Finkbeiner, said.

According to the above article, this is thanks to Lourdes Santiago who deserves kudos on that one because it was a huge concern for our elderly.

I'm sure all of you will feel good knowing that yesterday:

In other action, council adopted a resolution requiring city employees to give first consideration to flying out of Toledo Express Airport for official travel, and adopted a resolution commemorating the 50th anniversary of the failed Hungarian revolt against rule by the Soviet Union.

Now on to the not so good news, the $90,000 for the lighting project for the High Level Bridge was approved. However it does appear this was something that was listed as a possible cost from the way the article reads:

The vote was 9-3, with Councilmen Frank Szollosi, Ellen Grachek, and Michael Ashford voting no.

Mr. Szollosi tried to have the vote postponed until after Nov. 15, when Mayor Carty Finkbeiner's 2007 budget is due to be presented to council. He predicted the $90,000 will be needed to fend off a budget shortfall for this year and 2007.

But several of those supporting the light project noted that it was included in the capital improvements blueprint council passed earlier this year.

Still in the not so good news, while it is related to the City adding a Director of Development, we don't need more City Council Committees:

Also, council voted 9-3 to separate the Department of Economic and Community Development into two departments,

I agreed with Jack Ford's combining of the Department of Economic and Community Development Committees. We need to find a plan and stick with it, unless something drastically has changed since Jack Ford received the approval of City Council to combine these committees? Not everything that Jack did should be undone...It's just not right...(okay, I couldn't help myself.)

:-)

UPDATE: I did receive this from the City of Toledo, Department of Solid Waste that addresses some of our earlier questions:

Effective Monday, October 30th, all alley collection (except for those residents specifically notified in writing) will be moving from alley to curbside. For those few residents that will remain on alley collection, they cannot utilize bags for their refuse collection.

Blog it! Toledo is back in action!

Now that the Toledo Free Press is once again fully on the net, Blog it! Toledo is also back with some other awesome exclusive online articles that I recommend checking out.

I loved Michael Miller's suggestions for Halloween though it had me wondering what I should be and how I could go as a blogger...besides wearing pj's and carrying around a box of cat food.

The cover story about local clubs having to pay fees to ASCAP was very informative. I had no idea the fees were that high.

So, head on over and get a copy of your Toledo Free Press in print and don't forget to stop by and visit them on line for exclusive articles. Many great articles await you...and for those political junkies out there? Get Ready!

Tickets are available for the Nov. 2 debate between Lucas County Commissioner candidates Ben Konop and George Sarantou. The debate takes place at 6 p.m. Nov. 2 at the McMaster Center at the Main Library in Downtown Toledo. The tickets are free and can be obtained through either candidate or media partners Toledo Free Press, WSPD 1370 AM or FoxToledo. The debate will be broadcast live and commercial-free on WSPD and FoxToledo, with yours truly live blogging here at Glass City Jungle. For more information, call the Toledo Free Press offices at 419 241-700, ext. 2.

We had a fantastic time during the primary debate so I'm looking forward to this one as well. A shout out to the wonderful staff of the downtown Toledo Public Library because they are amazing.

:-)

Notes from the Democratic State bus tour...

I thought what I would do is share some of the quotes of interest that I wrote down or taped today while we were at UAW Local 12. I've been covering some of these events for quite a few months now so it was nice to see some of the people who have become friends during this time. Miguel was with me as my photographer, as most of you know he considers himself a conservative yet he commented to me that he liked Barbara Sykes speech, she was very exuberant. I have to compliment Mr. Shanahan on the excellent job he did in leading the singing of the National Anthem.

Now on to the selected quotes:


Bruce Baumhower - "The UAW supports the entire Democratic Slate from the top down".

Chris Redfern pointed out something that other parts of Ohio seem to forget, "One Mayor stood up early and said I have to help because our communities need it." (That mayor is of course our Mayor Carty Finkbeiner.)

As an aside, Ron Garcia appeared to have gotten the largest round of applause when his name was read in the list of union representation that was present.

Robin Weirauch stated she was the "dark horse candidate" in Ohio. She also as a former cheerleader created a cheer, "We can't wait for 08 We have to set the fix in 06".

Jeanine Perry said, "Nothing is more important than what we are doing here today".

Barbara Sykes started with, "Show me some love!", she then continued with "A change is coming and we aren't going to be investing in Beanie Babies". Her speech about "why do I rise" got a great deal of response from the crowd.

Ben Konop who joked when the microphone was acting up that "I think the Republicans are controlling this microphone", got a laugh from the crowd followed by an even larger one when someone from the audience responded, "Not in this house".

Rich Cordray stated, "I appreciate that they had a rising star like Ben introduce me because it makes me look little older". He also stated that we as Ohioans "deserve to know that our money is safe".

Teresa Fedor stated that "Sherrod Brown says the October surprise is Mark Foley" and she also pointed out how she had worked with Marc Dann on some of the corruption issues.

Marc Dann pointed to the statement that was on the wall of the UAW hall, "The purpose of the union is to seek truth and obtain justice," he then stated that "the purpose of the Attorney General was to seek truth and obtain justice and that hasn't happened here in Ohio since Lee Fisher was Attorney General".

Anita Lopez said "We need to stay focused on the prize, we have an opportunity to send the message that you can't avoid the truth".

Sherrod Brown stayed on his message of the differences between himself and Mike DeWine, he stated that "Mike DeWine voted for a tax cut for 800 of the wealthiest Ohioans yet turned his back on 132,000 middle class tax payers who wanted tuition tax credits". He asked for each person present to talk to five people about the candidates and the issues. He got a large amount of applause when he stated, "Every headline in Ohio will read"...Ted Strickland got up and came to the microphone, "Ohio turns blue!".

Linda Chavez Thompson - Executive Director of AFL-CIO wanted people present to talk to ten potential voters. She added, "it's not about red turning blue, it's about doing the right thing".

Carty Finkbeiner then stated that "John Irish wanted me to mention that Judge Osowik couldn't be here today, he's involved in an important case".

Lee Fisher said, "The eyes of the Nation are on us today". He also continued on his earlier suggestion that people write a diary and put in it, "I was a part of American History, 21 days before the political earthquake that shook the Nation". He further suggested that people write, "Sherrod told me to talk to 5 people, Linda told me to call 10, I ignored them, I called 25." He suggested that the last entry of the diary as an epitah for Ken Blackwell, Mike DeWine and Betty Montgomery, "Never have so many done so much for so few who needed it so little".

Ted Strickland said, "Ohioans have been wandering in the wilderness for a long, long time. We have put up with a leadership that has been incompetant, often times corrupt, sometimes criminal in their behavior. They have failed the people of our state, and the people of Ohio, not just Democrats but Independents and increasing numbers of Republicans are crying out for change and in 21 days we will give them change in Ohio." Ted then stated later, "One of the things that has pleased me most about this campaign is the fact that I sense a spirit out there that we need. A spirit of people coming together, willing to work in common purpose for the common good for all of us. That's the spirit that built America, that's the spirit that built Ohio, that's the spirit that will bring about change in 21 days." Ted promised, "promised that if those present help elect the Democratic ticket that, "every day we are in those offices that we will understand they don't belong to us, they belong to you the people, and that we will have been given the awesome responsibility to live up to the confidence that you have placed in us".

This is of course a rough transcript, some of the tape was hard to transcribe because of the moments of overwhelming applause.

State Ticket Candidates visit Lucas County UAW Local 12

I have lots of notes, and tape recorded most of the speeches that were made that I'll work on later. We had some technically difficulties getting the pictures to upload but that has been resolved.

So, while you are waiting for the rest, it was a really great event today, many great comments, the turn out was awesome and I'm glad I was able to attend.

click here for the pictures.

:-)

Mark Dansack sends open letter to residents of District 46

This just in from the Dansack for District 46 Campaign:

Open letter to residents of District 46

Residents of District 46,

Please be on the lookout for a series of pathetic brochures misrepresenting my position on taxes in Ohio. The mail pieces(distributed by the ORP) include quotes, taken out of context
from a more encompassing discussion regarding public school funding and the need to reduce the burden on property owners and comply with the Ohio Supreme Court rulings that have found on four occasions over the past decade that the way we fund schools in Ohio is unconstitutional.

I raised several alternatives in a broad discussion, not taking a position on any solution, and merely talking about the need to address this situation (reform of education funding) that the current leadership has ignored for over 10 years.


The rabid GOP leadership is grasping at straws to hold onto the death grip of power they have in Ohio and will stop at nothing to keep the pay to play culture of corruption functioning in our great state. In other words, they won't let the truth get in the way of some seriously flawed and immaturely put together flyers.

Please join with me in rejecting this trash that the state GOP is spewing. As one resident of Maumee wrote me in an email this evening, "This attack on you is disgraceful. You have my support". Let's reject the negative politics of the status quo from the Republican party in Ohio and work together towards the bright future for our citizens that is within our grasp. Join with me and reject this type of gutter politics which does nothing to further solutions to issues in our state.

This all out attack on the truth occurs as the GOP sees their internal polls sagging as they have no record of accomplishments to run on, so going negative is all they have left to try.

Please understand that my opponent has voted to permanently raise the sales tax in Ohio and has also voted for the new Commercial Activity on business entities for the "priviledge" of doing business in Ohio.

Thanks for reading and have a nice day. I would be glad to answer any questions you may have regarding taxes and other issues in Ohio.

Mark
(419) 460-1084
dansack4rep46@buckeye-express.com

The myth of how the "endorsed" and the "unendorsed" are supposed to behave...

I heard about the whole Anita Lopez situation where she and/or some of her supporters put flyers on cars at the UAW hall last night, during the "Endorsed Candidate Night", I'm not a big fan of flyers on cars but this is to me is about more than just Anita. Liberal_Dem over at Politics in Mudville seems to feel that Anita was acting like a spoiled teenager. I disagree but rather than just leave it as a comment, since this is an issue I think is important I'm going to post why I disagree here.


If you are creative and you buck the system and you don't "behave" as you are supposed to it ruffles feathers. According to this myth, if you are not endorsed by the party you are not even supposed to run for office. You will discover that people that openly supported you before now don't want to appear in a photograph with you because they could face the wrath of the party. You will hear things like if you don't drop out of the race you could cause the *gasp* other guy to win, because many believe once you get that magic party endorsement that no one else should have the right to run for office. The voters are not supposed to make these decisions, these decisions are supposed to be made by the political party powers that be and many times these decisions are not based on who would be the best candidate, it's based on other factors. In some situations this is the very essence of the whole pay to play system that so many people are supposedly against. We see this over and over again in politics, "You can't run because you haven't paid your dues yet"; "You haven't done enough for the party"; "Don't run in this race and we promise we will support you for this instead"; "Well, we wanted you to run until 'he' decided to run, so please drop out"; "Sure it's a primary but you need to drop out so that we can save money for the general"; I could go on and those of you who know Ohio politics know those quotes while fictional for the purposes of this blog posting are based on accurate recent events.

The same can be said with most union endorsements. It is very similar to the way political parties select who will be endorsed, because the majority of those union members don't vote on who gets the endorsement. The endorsement process for most of our local unions and other organizations that do endorse involves a screening process. The few that are selected to make that decision do so on behalf of the larger group.

So, just like many people will have a mind of their own and vote for a candidate who is not endorsed by "their" political party, people will vote for a candidate who was not endorsed by "their" union. While I do realize that union and other endorsements are important they are just one facet of the decision that voters make as to who to support or who not to support. I look at what Anita did last night as no different than an unendorsed candidate showing up at a party event, it's saying "I know they may have picked 'him' but I want you to consider me".

There's nothing wrong with that, to me it's what our democracy is supposed to be all about, voters having the choice of who they want to elect to represent them. While in Anita's case I think she should have been there handing out the flyers rather than putting them on cars, I don't disagree with the message she was trying to send.


:-)

Michael Goulding releases campaign ad online

If you have visited Michael Goulding's website for his judicial campaign for Lucas County Court of Common Pleas recently, you've probably noticed a new addition. A video of his television campaign commercial, which can be viewed here was released on the internet yesterday.

If you have not seen it yet, I recommend stopping by to view it.

As an aside, one of the difficulties our local candidates face this election season is the increased price of television air time and trying to get their message out during the barrage of other campaign commercials. So kudos from me to all of our local candidates who are using the internet to help increase their ability to reach voters of Lucas County.

:-)

Sitting down with Mark Davis, Judicial candidate for the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas

Meeting with Mark Davis was an informative interview, if you have seen him campaigning especially during those moments where he is standing on various street corners holding one of his signs or have talked with him, he is very focused on his goal of being elected as a judge. He does not have a campaign website but there is some resume and biographical information on his law website. I would describe Mark Davis as focused and intense, yet he also has a good sense of humor and at one point in the interview stopped to point out how beautiful the snow was that was coming down at that moment. We also discovered in the course of our conversation that we share a favorite movie, "Twister".

In response to the question why did he want to be a judge, “a lawyer fights for justice, a judge delivers justice. I want to make a difference in people’s lives, everyone on earth, I think yourself included, we want to leave it a better place and as a lawyer when you try to fight for justice, you win some, you lose some. As a judge you are able to do much more and I have a passion for the law, I have a passion for helping people and I have a passion for justice. I want right to prevail so I would like to be a judge not only because it’s a great a job, I mean you have the title, and the prestige but that would become boring and empty after a while if it didn’t have some type of fulfilling aspect of it. I’ll give you an example, I did accounting, international revenue, for a Fortune 500 company, sounds impressive, it was great but in the end, I prepared some financial numbers that I gave to my boss for people to look at and it didn’t have any real fulfilling value, I didn’t feel like I made the world a better place. A lot of people go to law school with that idea that they are going to save the world or make the world a better place and after a while you can become jaded or kind of lose that passion and I’m looking to just take it to the next level as a judge.”


From an intellectual/educational aspect Mark Davis is qualified, his resume can be viewed here; in addition to his degrees, he is fluent in several foreign languages, he was on the Law Review at Ohio State and received a degree in International Business Transactions and learned Japanese as well as being an chess player at a national level.

Mark stated the following in continuing why he wanted to be a judge, “In chess you look at complex situations and you make decisions, the law is no different. The law is a set of rules and the pieces are the facts, you take a complex situation and you are making legal decisions on it. So other people seem to think that I would be very well suited for the bench based on my skill set. When I look at wanting to make a difference in the world and wanting to have a job with intellectual stimulation, judges have a lot of intellectual stimulation especially at the Common Pleas level. You can have cases from medical malpractice to environmental EPA cases to murder cases.”

He feels that his business background in having three business degrees and his legal experience from a civil standpoint would be of benefit to Lucas County, especially when it comes to cases involving very complex issues. Mark pointed to a recent EPA case as one example of his ability to handle the intricate areas of governmental regulations and civil law.

I’m familiar with martial arts and some of the mindset that is involved with breaking bricks, which is something that Mark has had experience with, so we discussed that briefly. For those of you not familiar with this, the idea is to not concentrate on the bricks but concentrate on following thru the bricks, you have to focus and channel your energies. Mark uses this example with his students and also feels this philosophy relates to anything, including campaigning.

I asked Mark how he felt about the bar ratings, he was happy that 12 attorneys of those who participated in the poll gave him a highly recommended rating. He pointed out that if you look at other barometers as one example at the University of Toledo where he taught international marketing, international management, business law and international law for the last five years, last year he was tied as the top professor as rated by the students.

As was stated in a Toledo Blade article, Mark briefly discussed several concerns with Judge Doneghy, the 21 continuances granted in the Mickles case, a comment from Roy Williamson the life partner of David Larabee who stated the Judge “blocked the prosecution at every turn” and the pension issue. Mark also pointed out that the mandatory retirement age for a judge is age 70 so that at age 68 this would be the last term Judge Doneghy could be elected to and if he wins this re-election and retires before that term would be completed there would be an appointee rather than someone who was selected by the voters.

Mark Davis is running as an independent, and he was very open in stating that there is a common belief within the legal community you are not supposed to run against a sitting judge of your political party. Many times judges run unopposed which does not give the voters an option, it creates a situation where judges are “elected for life”, and he believes voters should have a choice. Mark then related a story where he was approached at a gas station by a man who saw the stickers on his car and asked him if he was the Mark Davis who was running for judge, when he replied yes, the man looked at his bald head and said “You’re the Jesse Ventura of Ohio”. After we laughed, he continued that he was encouraged by that because “Jesse Ventura was independent and he won”. Mark has made the fact that he is running as an independent a part of his campaign as well as his belief that his personal life experiences and his professional experience would bring a new perspective to the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas. He feels very strongly that the insight he has learned thru these experiences would be an asset to Lucas County.

So, in closing, Mark Davis was very specific in the reasons why he wants to be a Common Pleas Court Judge, he feels that if the voters of this area meet him and learn more about him that he will earn their vote. I thank him very much for taking the time to sit down with me to do this interview and I hope you find the information Mark shared helpful in making your decision on November 7th.

Chris Myers Media Release on new website...

October 16, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Chris Myers, an advocate for accountable, quality, and citizen friendly public education, will be announcing an innovative Web site to help the Toledo Public Schools save money.

"The Internet has evolved into a medium for people to come together to share knowledge and ideas; this is the idea behind Internet 2.0. Government can learn something from sites like digg.com, flickr, myspace, youtube, Wikipedia, even the OpenSource movement and harness the knowledge its citizens possess to assist in solving problems." Chris said. He added, "This site is my attempt to harness this potential of the community to help the district financially."

Chris said, "Toledo Public School administration and even some school board members have said the district can do no more to help the budget. Since they seemed to have thrown up the white flag of surrender, we need to apply more heads to the problem and this Web site will be the forum to do so."

Chris will announce his site and ask the community to participate. He will also detail the reasons behind it at the press conference and answer questions from the media.

The press conference will be held at the Toledo Business Tech Center, 1946 N 13th St on October 17, 2006 at 2 PM.

As an additional note, after the press conference tomorrow I will link the URL for this new website as an update to this post.

UPDATE: As promised - the website: ideasfortps.com - Chris prepared a written statement which I have included in full in the comments.

In Toledo, the new reason is "Pride"

I realized I've watched too many cheerleading movies with my youngest daughter when the first thought that came to me after reading parts of today's Toledo Blade was:

I've got bridge pride, yes I do! I've got bridge pride, how bout you!

I completely understand the safety aspect which requires working lights on the High Level bridge. Here's my problem though and it's one that is repeatedly played out over and over again in our fair city. The failure of these lights did not just happen over night.

For most of us when we know we have a large list of items that need to be done, we prioritize. We do the projects that are the most important first then, we do the other items as our budget allows us to. Just this summer $38,340 was spent on decorative lighting, I'm sure the lighting issue with the High Level bridge was known then, or at least it should have been known. Things do deteriorate as they age, but it would really be nice to see some long term planning as far as required repairs such as the lighting for the High Level bridge. Not only does planning make good fiscal sense but it would also help cut down on some of the discussion that happens when these items come before City Council. Rather than hearing as quoted in the Blade by Frank Szollosi:

"Don't we have all the bridge pride we can possibly handle right now?"

We'd hear:

"Yes, this item is on our list of repairs that need to be completed and it has a higher priority than..."

While it would be nice if someone like the Blade did donate the funds as was done 21 years ago, and if the unions once again donated some of the necessary materials, even doing something such as trying to coordinate private fundraising for a project like this needs planning...

:-)

Lucas County Young Dems and Jason as Tom Noe...

I blogged about our trash collecting adventure on Saturday, and Kevin Cooper was kind enough to send me two photos that he took from the part of 475 he and some of the others were working on. I wasn't on that section of the road so I didn't realize until we met up later that the sign was already up.

Then this morning Jason Hill sent me some photos of he and Murphy in the Sylvania Fall Festival where Murphy was awarded First Prize.

So, here they are for you to enjoy, click on the picture to see a larger image:

Zogby numbers on Toledo City Council race....

This from WTVG at 6:00 p.m. - percentages of when asked if the election were held today who would receive your vote for the one Toledo City Council spot:

0 - David Davison

2 - James Mohn

5 - Dave Schulz

8 - Bob Vasquez

13 - Lourdes Santiago

17 - Joe McNamara

55 - Undecided

More is supposed to be reported at 11 p.m. and in tomorrow's Toledo Blade.

UPDATE - 10/16:

The link to today's Toledo Blade article about the poll results for the Toledo City Council race.

Ohio Gubernatorial Debate (The Excluded Candidates), 2006

With a curtsy to Andrew Warner below is a video of a debate between two of the Gubernatorial candidates. I haven't finished watching it but I wanted to post it here so those of you who are interested have access to it.

A conversation about Ohio, featuring candidates excluded from corporate debates.

Mark Dansack and Mark Wagoner face off on Conklin and Company...

I think we all know I am a political junkie, that said, it would have been nice to have had the segment of Mark Dansack and Mark Wagoner be longer. I would have preferred to not have to sit thru Yonke's promotion of his book, I can't help believing who represents voters in the 46th District of the House is a bit more important than someone trying to profit from a murder. That written, on to my notes:

Wagoner stated that economic development, education and utility costs are the "big three" issues

Dansack stated jobs, education, education, higher education funding, that because of the corrupt activity people want confidence that government and elected officials are spending their money wisely.


Wagoner - on Economic Development, we have to innovate our economy giving the example of the third frontier, mentioning one product as ethanol. Reported there is 8 million dollars in a private capital fund - we need to be outfront in developing new ideas.

Dansack on Education, public funding of schools is still unconstitutional and after years of Republican control of government we still have the education funding problem. He suggests reducing the property tax burden on seniors, replacing this with other forms of taxes. Possibilities of sales tax or income tax. He then brought up what he referred to as "Sleezy flyers" from the Ohio Republican party that claim that Dansack is going to raise your taxes. He stated to reduce property taxes going to have to make up funding some place else. That is not increased taxation.

When asked by Conklin on the topic of Education and the statement that funding for public education was still unconstitutional, Wagoner stated they have made progress. He stated that they have doubled the money we spend on public education - seeing test scores improving. Wagoner stated we need to continue focusing our resources - medicaid is 38% of our state budget - restrain spending in those areas so it can be spent on funding. He stated Ohio needed to be disciplined and make hard decisions that he would not increase taxes.

Dansack reponded that of the three sitting there that Wagoner is the only one who voted to increase taxes, he pointed out the commerical activities tax on small business permanently and voted to increase the state sales tax. Dansack continued that Wagoner should publicly "repudiate this garbage coming out saying that I'm going to raise their taxes." Dansack stressed his proposals would replace not increase tax dollars.

On the Issues:

Minimum wage - Dansack - Yes. Wagoner - No, he felt minimum wage should be addressed thru the legislature.

Smoking bans - Wagoner supports Smoke Free Ohio (4). Dansack supports Smoke Less Ohio (5).

Slot Gambling, Issue three - Both are against. Dansack stated we're not prioritizing our budget in Ohio for education.

Then on to Bill Hormann and Jim Tankersley for the political expert portion of Conklin and Company.

Lee just said 502 respondents to the Zogby poll, which Tankersley confirmed so it could be WTVG reported the information incorrectly in the video news story.

On the LCC race, Tankersley said that Konop started as the underdog in the primary - Ben has worked very hard and has targeted his message to those who vote. It's a really bad year to be a republican in Lucas County.

Hormann - Ben is an agressive candidate and Strickland - Sarantou is banking on independents but not in the numbers that he needs. George really believes come election day his community support will help him get votes that republicans don't normally get. He wants experience to be the issue.

On the Auditor race Tankersley stated it's a bad year to be a republican bad year to be an incumbant that Kazcala was the best liked, best known candidate in the poll but you need to be over 50 if you need to win. Anita Lopez is encouraged by the poll results and we have a dog fight on our hands.

Hormann stated on the topic of Noe that Republican candidates are hoping people separate Tom Noe from them.

Tankersley added that Ben Konop had clubbed George Sarantou with Tom Noe, will voters make that separation.

Those are my notes written while the show was on - yes I should probably get a VCR.

:-)

On a personal note, whenever I hear a candidate state that we need to make disciplined, hard decisions it usually means those who can least afford it take the hit. While I am sure there are costs related to Medicaid that can be cut that one comment was of particular concern.

Blade and WTVG Zogby poll releases some information

Well, I was either one of 619 (as reported by WTVG) or one of 502 (as reported by the Blade) who participated in the recent Zogby poll.

Last night's release by WTVG and this morning's article by the Toledo Blade focused on the Commissioner, Auditor, Gubernatorial, Senate, Zoo and COSI ballot issues. The video included with the WTVG article is where the number of those participating is stated.

Information on the Toledo City Council Candidate race is expected tomorrow, no mention of the other questions asked such as the one related to if the Mayoral race was held again, or how those asked feel about the direction of the City and the County but that could be included in future reporting.

:-)

Ben Konop and George Sarantou on the new arena project...

As I read the article in today's Toledo Blade and from prior encounters with both Ben Konop and George Sarantou they both do have similar beliefs when it comes to support of the plan for a new arena downtown. After I read this section of the article:

Despite the new restaurants and businesses that have sprung up near Fifth Third Field in Toledo's Warehouse District, a 2003 survey of academic research on new arenas and stadiums by economists Dennis Coates and Brad Humphreys undermines claims by politicians of job and income growth.

"No retrospective econometric study found any evidence of positive economic impact from professional sports facilities or franchises on urban economies," it reads.

The study notes that government subsidies, which would cover about 70 percent of the Toledo arena's costs, often come at the expense of police, street repairs, and education.

It attacked "economic impact" studies on arena proposals.


So I became curious as to what else did this study say. In searching for a 2003 version, it became clear that both Dennis Coates and Brad Humphreys have written previous studies that make similar claims. In 1998 they released a study entitled, "The Growth Effects of Sport Franchises, Stadia and Arenas". The abstract for that study states:

This paper investigates the relationship between professional sports franchises and venues and real per capita personal income in 37 Standard Metropolitan Statistical Areas in the United States over the period 1969 - 1994. Our empirical framework accounts for the entry and de- parture of professional football, basketball and baseball franchises, the construction of arenas and stadia, and other sports related factors over this time period. In contrast to other existing studies, we find evidence that some professional sports franchises reduce the level of per capita personal income in metropolitan areas and have no effect on the growth in per capita income, casting doubt on the ability of a new sports franchise or facility to spur economic growth. We also find evidence that results obtained from estimating reduced form relationships, a common practice in the literature, are not robust to alternative reduced form specifications.

I then located "Professional Sports Facilities, Franchises and Urban Economic Development" which was written in 2003. The abstract for this report states:

Local political and community leaders and the owners of professional sports teams frequently claim that professional sports facilities and franchises are important engines of economic development in urban areas. These structures and teams allegedly contribute millions of dollars of net new spending annually and create hundreds of new jobs, and provide justification for hundreds of millions of dollars of public subsidies for the construction of many new professional sports facilities in the United Sates over the past decade. Despite these claims, economists have found no evidence of positive economic impact of professional sports teams and facilities on urban economies. We critically review the debate on the economic effects of professional sports and their role as an engine of urban economic redevelopment, with an emphasis on recent economic research.

I suggest reading the information, especially the 2003 report and making your own conclusions. I think there are some valid concerns about this arena project that doesn't mean it should not be built but that looking at all of the information presented on both sides can be helpful.

LCYD demonstrate a real clean sweep..

This morning a group of us gathered to pick up trash along the exit and entrance ramp of 475 off of Airport Highway that was sponsored by the Lucas County Young Democrats. Here's some of us at the very beginning getting our cute safety vests and garbage bags:



Here's a picture of a certain Toledo City Council candidate who put in a few hours work:



Over fifteen large bags of garbage, a tire and other assorted items were picked up. The live mouse that Aubrey discovered when she went to pick up a plastic bag was left there to scamper off to find another home...

:-)

Rich Cordray joins the You Tube revolution...

Quite a few of our candidates local and state alike are seeing the benefits to putting campaign commercials online. Democratic Candidate for State Treasurer Rich Cordray has joined in:

watch here

:-)

Toledo Free Press website back live and...

It appears the Toledo Free Press is back in action after a brief period of downtime due to some technical difficulties. Blog it Toledo isn't back yet on line but it should be again soon. Meanwhile, this week's edition has several very good articles about last year's riots that I highly recommend. Michael Miller has a very thought provoking opinion piece and I also recommend Keith Bergman's article.

If the Toledo Free Press alone and their numerous other articles aren't enough to demonstrate why it's so important to have a varied print media, anyone who is skeptical only needs to visit some of the other media sources linked on the side bar, such as Toledo City Paper and their political information and Sojourner's Truth who in addition to Jack Ford's article has an article about Bob Vasquez's being given the Toledo Police endorsement. There is also an article I recommend about Sherrod Brown.

I very strongly believe that having access to many different viewpoints makes us all more informed and a better community.

:-)

Speaking of Former Mayor Jack Ford....

Since one of my anonymous commenters asked if Jack Ford would be suggested by Joe McNamara as the "Gang Czar", it reminded me to stop by Sojourner's Truth and see what was the topic of Jack's weekly column. Our former Mayor is reflecting on the riots of last year. I recommend reading the whole article, a few selected parts are below:

A year later, I can reflect on that day’s activities and see some patterns and raise a few remaining questions. The National Socialists had a constitutional right to march in Toledo. As repugnant as the ideology of that group may be for many Americans, the National Socialists have a guarantee afforded them by our Constitution, the supreme law of the land.

I was also surprised that no press publication ever looked to see whether there was any link between the call for the march and the political campaign going on at the time. I do not believe in coincidences in politics but no one lifted the covers on this one.

In looking at the community response to October 15, we see that not much has been done save for some modest funding by United Way for the Caldwell Center and some changes at the Zablocki Center. There remain vast depressed areas of north Toledo that are ripe for something untoward to happen.