Toledo Mayor's Race

pretty depressing list

I'll stick with the current Mayor. Overall, I think he's been pretty good. Things I disagree with? You bet. But, given the politics of this city/county, I think he's largely played fair.

Opal for Mayor !!!!

Foodie: Are you being serious or did I miss some intended sarcasm?

At this point, I am highly skeptical of Mayor Bell and anyone closely associated with him. All signs point to shady dealings and no desire to fix the things that are truly wrong with this city. I was very hopeful that he would make substantive changes, but that just hasn't happened. Instead, he has conducted business as usual, except maybe the beneficiaries of the abuse may be different.

As for the list above, I agree that it is depressing. There is not a name on there that will lead to a new political culture in Toledo. I would vote for a Snyder-esque (Michigan Governor) candidate who has no current connection to politics. Unlike the situation in state government, a Mayor may actually to independently make changes. If only he has the intention to do what he says.

bell - nice guy easily corruptable with friends and family. most things are run in the background by others with him doing public appearances. his record makes him extremely vulnerable

collins - splitting police and fire unions could be dangerous for both of them. can't imagine the cast of characters he would bring in.

carty - going after many of same underlying groups for support but carty is too unpredictable... they will stay on the horse they currently ride

wade - is too cautious to try something that bold. without real prospects outside of government and aiming to maintain his pension, he won't rock that boat.

anita - might try... her closest avisors are more ambitious than she and could be pushing her toward running - but she is prone to paranoia and bouts of firing staff for questionable reasons

joe - other than his close relationship with the blocks, which of course would be an asset for an election, he would be a very good candidate. i think his independence, honesty overall, grasp of issues, and even his desire to do "right" are good - like wilkowski but with blade support

george - similar to joe... honest, well intentioned, grasp of issues... but hasn't gotten blade help and hurt by still weak game-playing republican party and a still strong left. i wouldn't agree with him on national issues but a sound local pol

Correction: may actually BE ABLE to independently make changes.

I agree with Foodie. MTR, can you cite actual events? There was the issue with his daughter getting a bid, but other than that, what's been shady?

I think Bell is doing a good job. Like Foodie said, are there things I'm not happy with? Absolutely. But that's politics, nobody will ever be 100% happy with someone: not even themselves. As long as you have to keep so many people happy to keep your job, it'll never be perfect.

He's done a number of things I'm very happy about. Seeking foreign investment is something any city in Toledo's situation should be doing right now. He's shown he isn't in the union's pocket, which I think surprised/angered a lot of people. And posters on here are probably aware that I'm downtown biased, but I strongly supported his decision to override city council and put funds toward the renovation of Promenade Park - a move I think will go a long way toward revitalizing downtown.

I can quickly point to the mess with the Neighborhoods Dept. Until significant reporting was done by the Blade, nothing was done to correct what can only be described as out and out corruption. When he was first presented with the Blade investigation, his office indicated there would be no formal investigation. Only after even more bad dealings were reported did the Mayor's office take any real action.

Or I could focus on the sale of One Maritime Plaza. This matter is not as clearly illegal as the Neighborhoods mess, but still stinks. The Mayor's office negotiated to essentially give away the building while ignoring the interests of United North. Even if they had a legal right to do what they did - which is highly questionable - the Mayor's office made a purposeful end-around move.

These are just two high-profile examples that go all the way back to his front stoop. Mayor Bell is responsible for everything his employees do. So, when you hear stories like HockeyFan's trials and tribulations with Denny Garvin, the buck stops with Mayor Bell. If he was serious about changing up Toledo politics, like he said when he ran, he should be addressing these things. He has repeatedly chosen not to take action. When you add in the shenanigans with his niece, things just don't smell right.

The racism here is obvious to any tennis player.

Phil Copeland?

Yes, I am serious. Overall, I believe he's done a pretty good job.

As Johio said "He's shown he isn't in the union's pocket, which I think surprised/angered a lot of people"

Exactly - and in this town, that takes some cajones.

"When you add in the shenanigans with his niece, things just don't smell right."

What shenanigans? - other than what the Blah tried to make of it - which turned out to be nothing.

IMHO - he's done far more to try and move this city forward than his previous two predecessors - Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dumb.

I'm sure the unions have it in for him big time since he's refused to kiss their a$$e$ - unlike most of those on city council. The Most Worthless Lindsay Webb being the prime example.

Maggie for Mayor!!

You want to elect a known Republican criminal to public office, one that sold out democracy by circumventing campaign contribution laws, using what was likely to be ill-gotten gains from public money, yet you scream about how crooked the Dems are?

What the bloody fuck is wrong with you Teabaggers?

How many people would vote Anonymous Coward if I moved inside city limits and ran as an independent?

The biggest criticism I have for Bell is that he seems "too distant" or "disconnected" from those under him. Sure, the neighborhood bid fiasco got Katie Bond fired, but others who also were responsible, were just "transferred" to other departments. Plus, when it was found out that numerous items and equipment were missing from the city, not one person was held accountable. Nor was a new procedure or policy put in place to prevent it from happening again.
I don't expect a mayor to micro-manage, but he has to be held accountable for what happens on his watch. Whether it started before him or not.
With these two huge fumbles, there should have been some kind of proactive review of all departments. After all, it's silly to believe those 2 incidents are isolated.
Before he makes jumps to China and Texas, maybe he should make sure his staff and city is really ready to assume more responsibility and can be held accountable.

Were these incidents isolated, or do city employees not fear punishment or being caught because no one supervises them?

^ <crickets>

Sorry HF, <crickets> was meant for AC's question.

Aw come on man, you know you'd get all the entertainment of Czarty da Fink along with better results, with much fewer blatantly stupid comments. I can tell you the frigging potholes would get patched if I had to take the dump truck out of the garage and fill it with asphalt myself (and the unions can go fuck themselves if they want to file a grievance over it). Hell, the first thing that I'd do is have camera crews crawling all over all the broken infrastructure on Day 1 documenting exactly what the hell is wrong with everything, and the city's books would be turned over to the public as well for complete auditing, and the announcement would go out to all employees that anyone who is on the take or otherwise fucking off, fucking around, or spending their time on the clock fucking someone else has 24 hours to clean out their desk and resign, no questions asked.

I agree Hockey Fan, not 100% happy with Bells Response, But I also I feel the same way as Foodie, I think Bell is at least trying to bring in business and advocate for Toledo in new ways.

When it comes to the Neighborhood Department I do have hard time believing that any other Mayor would not have had some of the same problems. Seems to me the issues in that department were around long before Bell came along. As for the One Maritime Plaza sale, they handled it poorly but I am not up in arms over it either. I personally think that ignoring Terry Glazer and United North’s interest is in the best interest of the rest of the city, but that's me.

AC

I could get behind someone who could do that. But, not to be negative I feel easier said the Done. The unions will make those sorts of things very difficult for you to accomplish if indeed you did become mayor.

AC: If you could accomplish just those things you listed in one term, I'd be your biggest fan and advocate for a 2nd one.

"Aw come on man, you know you'd get all the entertainment of Czarty da Fink along with better results, with much fewer blatantly stupid comments."

With that kind of attitude, how do you ever expect to get on The Daily Show!?

I was a Wilkowski supporter last time around. We'll see about this time around--early to tell.

I will likely be supporting the next best thing. Joe McNamara.

AC I will come to Toledo and campaign for you.

You should steal the Alfred E. Neuman line "You could do worse. And you usually do."

AC what is your stance on Toledo surpassing Minnesota with the "World's largest ball of twine?"

Think big, act big.

I wish that a non-career politician would run. A business savvy person maybe or one that just has a level head on his/her shoulders.
Yes, the neighborhood problem did not just occur on Bell's watch, but after he found one department doing this type of business, he should be looking at and reviewing others. Or at least putting out the word that everyone is going to be held responsible.

I am not particularly up in arms over United North and One Maritime Plaza, but it is another questionable move by the mayor's office. As for his niece and her dealings with the City - there was more to that than a little Blade puffing. In any event, my main point was that Mayor Bell is no different than the vast majority of his contemporaries. They take what they can get for themselves and their associates, pay lip service to the voters, and look for the next election.

He may be trying harder than past Mayor's to bring in investment, but I am not willing to give him a pass on everything else. If he wanted to be the city's economic development director, he should have applied for the job. he ran for Mayor, so I expect more.

Because instead of "let's move the deaf people to by the airport" and "let's put picnic tables out on the unfinished parts of the Cherry St Bridge", you'd have me on camera reading the riot act to city workers, city council, the city's slum lords, the city's gang leaders, and any random citizens who are fucking up my city.

I can't say I've spent a good deal of time discussing Toledo politics, but Bell isn't in the pocket of the unions so he gets points from me.

Mayor Bell's niece must be out the housing rehab business. She was our tour guide at the Hollywood Casino recently. Wonder how many other local politicians lobbied to get friends & family on the casino payroll.

But I do think Bell has been good for the city andits financial difficulties. Being in charge is not a popularity contest.

"Because instead of "let's move the deaf people to by the airport" and "let's put picnic tables out on the unfinished parts of the Cherry St Bridge", you'd have me on camera reading the riot act to city workers, city council, the city's slum lords, the city's gang leaders, and any random citizens who are fucking up my city."

I don't understand why you would be upset with the people above you mentioned.They most likely are Democraps and also voted for Obama your hero.This city has been controlled by Democrats,good ole boys and Unions for as long as I can remember and look at the results.Can you say time for a change?We have so many important issues that need to be fixed in this city and all they are talking about is benefits for gays.

Bell > Carty and Ford so far. He probably overall deserves a B- grade.

However, so far my vote among that list is Anita Lopez.

Carty needs to be a council member if he wants to re-enter Toledo's main stage.

Opal always is entertaining, but I thought she said she wouldn't be running again.

Mike Collins will just further give away the city's resources to the public sector unions, so I cannot vote for him.

All the others on the OP's list don't have any shot of winning to further discuss.

One you may want to add to this list is former city councilman and current state rep. Michael Ashford. He has been talking about running for mayor for several years.

Out of that list, only Anita Lopez would get my vote.

If you're going to be such a goddamn thick-headed partisan asshole, then go join your Teabagging buddy Liney and start money-laundering, er I mean fund-raising for Mags. Lucas County Republicans are a prime example of why I am disgusted with the entire GOP... you either have the Noe/Mags crooks, the pussies who blindly follow the party line right off the cliff, or the Stainy "let's Teabag ourselves into control of the party" assholes, who are just as much crooks if my sources are correct. Not a one of them is worthy of licking the soles of their so-called hero Ronaldus Maximus Reagan's shoes. And all the dipshits in the Dems who couldn't find anyone better than Czarty or hold themselves to higher standards than the LCRP aren't more than the thickness of a paper ballot better.

AC,it appears that the only person that you like is yourself.If someone has a different viewpoint other than yours they are a partisan hack or a Koch sucker.Me thinks you need to get off those drugs that are causing you to be in love with yourself and your opinions.

See, here we go with the absolute ad hominem attacks again. Bring on the Teabagger Chorus of "AC is a moonbat on mental meds". But hey, I call you TeaTards and suddenly there's an uproar about how I slander the mentally disabled.

Just because I smack down almost all the Teabaggy views espoused on here doesn't mean I'm not down with any of the non-Teabaggy views. I just don't see a hell of a lot of point in highlighting someone else's post just to reply "YES, THIS!"

Oh, and get over yourself.

The weatherman Stan satchelk , spelling ?

I would vote again for George Sarantou but it looks like he is cursed here in Lucas County.

Isn't there any new blood in either party with good credentials and ideas? Recycling the same old political names gets this town no where.