Pimp my ride

If that thing doesn't have a fog machine yet, up my millage. Ground effects would be nice too.

Having some concept of what vehicles cost, what mayors actually do all day, the difference between "savings" and "value" and the greater context of the city budget and why a new SUV would be appropriate for the mayor, I can't in good conscience jump on the hater bandwagon for this one. Forced faux austerity for appearances sake is a stupid as waste for appearances sake. There is a happy medium between austerity and luxury. This purchase falls into that medium.

I am more confused about why he would wear the ripped jeans all the time than why he might need a decent SUV as the primary representative of the city.

I think the controversy is not so much that he needs (or has) new vehicles to use as mayor, but whether or not he procured them legally...

This thread doesn't answer any questions on legality. It simply throws some random slurs around about his hobby and his relatives.

Maybe a serious thread on the issue of legality will appear later.

As I drive on pot hole streets and go by city owned property with grass 3 feet high I wonder what are the priorities of this city administration . As I have said before I voted for Bell but have since regretted my vote. His administration is not honest and forthcoming on most issues. And this is one that is a lulu.

Does anyone know how, exactly, it WAS purchased?

It was purchased directly by the Mayors office under the pretext of "equipment replacement for public service". It was not voted on by Council. At this time the Mayors Office uses a 2002 Jeep Liberty for squiring folks around. With the Five Lakes Global Economic Forum coming up in Sept. the Mayors office didn't feel as though the current vehicle was suitable for MB to use in his capacity of host. Would a short term lease have been a better idea than this huge purchase. I am sure that a local dealership would have lent the city an appropriate vehicle if they could have posted some advertising on it. This was very poorly thought out. I do imagine that the Tahoe will do a better job of dodging pot holes! @justread...I think slur is a pretty strong word to use! As far as MB's ripped jeans I could care less. What does bother me is the fact that the Mayor of a large city chooses to wear a COWBOY HAT instead of a proper helmet when he is on his beloved Hawg!

That MB needs respectable transportation for visiting dignitaries is a sound reason to upgrade a ten year old vehicle. However, the purchase scenario certainly makes one uncomfortable. Any expenditure of that magnitude, in this economy, not going before council for review or approval first, or going out for bid, is bad form. The City of Toledo appears to have some pretty loose controls on minimum monetary purchasing and bidding requirements.

MB could have just rented something for the occaision.

I wonder if MB lets the visiting dignitaries use Cartys shower after a long drive around the city.