On approaching deadline for Recall Carty petition…
On August 19th, the headline for a story on WTVG was “Recall Carty” comes close to goal and it was being reported by WTVG that supporters of the Recall Carty effort were expecting to meet their goal. In this morning’s Blade, Tom Troy’s article, Time may be running out for ‘Recall Carty’ petition brings up the issue of when the petitions had to be in by. From what I understand, while everyone knows Sunday could not be a valid turn in date since government offices are closed, it was thought the date could be Monday or if it had to be before Sunday on Friday. Now it’s being said the last day would be Thursday.
Then, there is the issue of validating signatures, as quoted in the Blade, City Law Director John Madigan is correct in that between a fourth to a third of signatures end up being thrown out due to various issues. I did not support the recall, but I do think no matter the outcome that those who were involved demonstrated this was an important issue to them and while I’m sure it’s no consolation, they did get more numbers than any previous recall attempt here in Toledo. Chad’s written about the fear factor, having heard that as a reason why some did not want to sign petitions, but I don’t think that is the biggest part of it. While I love my City of Toledo, the reality is many complain but when it comes down to doing anything, they don’t act. If a large enough number of Toledo residents wanted Carty Finkbeiner to face a recall, this was their chance, and it appears at this point, not enough did.
Totally agree with you Lisa. In fact, I was approached twice this past summer to sign the petition and turned them down politely because I didn’t support the recall. If there isn’t enough valid signature for the recall that means two things 1) people don’t support it and/or 2) people don’t simply care.
As Chad pointed out that “fear factor” is the reason for people not signing up the petition, yeah yeah, same logic as pigs fly in Toledo. (eyes rolls)
August 21st, 2007 at 5:07 pmWe can always vote Carty out of office in 2009.
August 21st, 2007 at 8:32 pmToledojim, it’s called term limit. Carty’s done as mayor by 2009.
August 21st, 2007 at 10:10 pmI feel it highly inappropriate for Mr. Madigan to comment about the recall effort while it is still in progress.
I use to have a lot of respect for Mr. Madigan, however, since being named as Law Director, his objectivity has gone out the window.
August 22nd, 2007 at 11:13 amFrank, so what?! He is entitled to make a professional observation of what the reality may be in the outcome of the petitions. Like many of us have said in this site we applaud the people exercising their democratic rights to do a petition drive in recalling the mayor, but frankly in many of our opinions they don’t have enough to make it to the ballot. Reality of life.
August 22nd, 2007 at 12:19 pmRockets……it’s not about the reality of life, it’s about integrity.
August 22nd, 2007 at 12:35 pmI use to have a lot of respect for Mr. Madigan, however, since being named as Law Director, his objectivity has gone out the window.
If that’s true, then to me that explains why Mr. Madigan looks like a beaten man. I saw him a few days ago and he looks like the weight of the world is on his shoulders.
A.A. Milne’s character, Eeyore appears more cheerful than Mr. Madigan.
August 22nd, 2007 at 12:39 pmRockets Man
I’m confused — isn’t Carty in his first of two years’
August 22nd, 2007 at 12:56 pmeligibility? Doesn’t he have the opportunity to run again for one more term before he is term limited?
@ Mel – This is Carty’s third term as Mayor.
August 22nd, 2007 at 1:07 pmFrank, integrity in the halls of government??? LOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!! Stop killing me!
August 22nd, 2007 at 1:13 pmRobin —
I guess I wasn’t clear in my message. Yes, this is Carty’s third term as mayor, but there was an intervening year (Smiling Jack Ford) between Carty’s first two terms and his election to the term he serves now. The “term limit clock” re-set after the Ford gap. My understandig is theat Carty is eligible now for another four-year term at the end of this term.
Is that correct?
August 22nd, 2007 at 1:14 pmMel, Robin just answered your question correctly.
August 22nd, 2007 at 1:14 pmFrank, I think it was appropriate for Mr. Madigan to comment on the date the petitions were due by, since that is an important factor of the discussion. His additional information on the number of signatures typically found not valid I also think was an appropriate addition. However, I can see why this:
Was not necessary for the story and I don’t know what they would have had to “delve into” if there was a valid number of signatures, it would seem it would be pretty clear.
August 22nd, 2007 at 2:34 pmSection 87D. Term Limitations.
(a) No person shall serve more than twelve (12) consecutive years on the Council and shall not be placed on the ballot for election for any term if service for the full term would constitute a violation hereof; except that the two (2) year term served by district Council members during 2002 and 2003 in order to commence “staggered terms” will not count against the permitted total of twelve (12) consecutive years or be considered an “interruption” for purposes of determining the twelve (12) consecutive years a person has served. For purposes of this section no distinction shall be made between an at-large or district Council member except for the district Council members serving two years terms during 2002 and 2003. A Council member who has completed service of twelve (12) consecutive years may be elected or appointed to City Council if such term or partial term for which the Council member is elected or appointed shall commence no earlier than one year from the date on which such Council member completed his or her twelve (12) consecutive years of service on City Council.
(b) No person shall serve more than two (2) consecutive four (4) year terms as Mayor; provided, however, that service in the position of Mayor pursuant to appointment or succession to that office, or service on the Council pursuant to appointment to the position of Mayor, shall not be credited toward any term limitation.
(Amended by electors 11-7-00; 11-7-06)
August 22nd, 2007 at 4:07 pm