Mayor says LCIC mired in “political schmoozing”
Toledo Mayor Carty Finkbeiner, Councilman Joe McNamara and Councilman Frank Szollosi weigh in on the topic of LCIC in this morning’s Blade, Mayor says he’s ‘not pleased’ with LCIC effort:
Mr. Finkbeiner said the LCIC’s sole intent should be to create and retain jobs, and a lack of focus on those goals has led the county’s economic development wing into its current state of disarray.
“The LCIC, as it is now, has not lived up to the city’s expectations since its inception,” said Mr. Finkbeiner, who sits on the organization’s executive committee. “My concerns are a lack of job creation over there, and it seems like there’s too much of doing things as political favors.”
The mayor also said he had intended not to pay the LCIC any city money this year, but was convinced otherwise by his staff. Toledo City Council ultimately authorized $25,000 for the organization, which was far below the city’s 2006 payment of $140,000.
Councilman Joe McNamara:
Councilman Joe McNamara said Mr. Finkbeiner’s continued absences at LCIC executive committee meetings reflected a lack of protection of the city’s interests. Records show that the mayor has not attended any LCIC meetings this year, but Don Monroe, a senior development specialist for the city, regularly attends agency meetings.
“If there was more oversight, maybe something could have been done to fix those problems,” Mr. McNamara said. “He can either help retool the LCIC or hire a full-time economic development director.”
Councilman Frank Szollosi:
Councilman Frank Szollosi said the original intent when the LCIC was first revamped in 2005 was for the city and county to merge their economic development departments under it. Mr. Szollosi said things began to change when Mr. Finkbeiner succeeded Jack Ford as mayor, and the city and LCIC went separate ways.
Now Mr. Szollosi says he hasn’t seen enough from the county’s economic development wing to continue pouring city funds into it.
“I would have to be convinced that making contributions to the LCIC is worthwhile, and at this point I’m not,” he said.
Lucas County Commissioner Pete Gerken responds:
“Everybody around here ultimately believes in regional cooperation, and I’m sure the mayor does too,” Mr. Gerken said. “There have been a few missteps along the way with the LCIC and we’re looking to do better. … I will look for a way for the city and the LCIC to work together in a way that’s productive for both of us.”
What, Carty finally got Brian to read him the minutes from the LCIC meetings and that’s all he comes up with?
(downing whole bottle of bitter pills)
October 30th, 2007 at 11:38 amYou guys have a one man show down there and the sad part is, he was voted in.
How about a thread on the conflict of interest with the south Toledo city council candidate? I’d like to hear what people have to say about that…
October 30th, 2007 at 12:43 pmJeff,
Discussion on that issue from Friday when Fox Toledo broke the story.
October 30th, 2007 at 2:29 pmForgive me, but the criticism voiced by the mayor seems a bit late. It’s easy to say that the barn door was open long after all the animals have run away. The lack of criticism and participation by the city up to this point cannot help but be suspect as a consequence.
On the other hand, one cannot help but ask if the money withheld from LCIC by the city is that which has and will be used for the decoration of Southwyck.
One could then ask which would be the more ill-advised way to disperse these funds.
October 30th, 2007 at 2:46 pmThe none clothed emperor is once again trying to make his progress or lack thereof look better than it is.
October 30th, 2007 at 5:31 pm
October 30th, 2007 at 5:54 pm