Szollosi Statement on City Finances
This in via email from the office of Councilman Frank Szollosi:
Mayor Finkbeiner would have Toledoans believe that his leadership is characterized by fiscal prudence. The record proves otherwise (see attachment). Many of us on City Council have insisted on real cuts and structural changes – rather than tax and fee increases supported by the Mayor, the Council President and the Finance Chair. In fact, it was over the strenuous objections of the Administration and Council ‘leadership’ that many of us took steps to reign in spending – from voting no on labor contracts we simply couldn’t afford to stepping up and taking the lead on health insurance co-pays, as well as drawing a hard line on assessments attached to Toledoan’s property taxes.
As the attached record demonstrates, and as a budget hawk myself the past several years, Mayor Finkbeiner has a record on increasing spending – not cutting the budget – despite his grandstanding this afternoon.
I find cold comfort in satisfying Wall Street bond traders through the imposition of the Finkbeiner/Sobczak Garbage Tax of 2007 on strapped Toledoans.
Editorial addition, this pdf was included as documentation.
“In fact, it was over the strenuous objections of the Administration and Council ‘leadership’ that many of us took steps to reign in spending – from voting no on labor contracts”
Frankie, aren’t you the idiot that wanted to drive up cost of the Marina project by requiring the use of Union labor? You bloviating pinhead.
July 16th, 2008 at 3:14 pmI can’t believe I will be doing this, but I co-sign Not Again’s #1 post.
July 16th, 2008 at 4:38 pm*Thud*
The sound of me hitting the floor…I need…smelling salts…
Seriously though, if you look at the pdf, Frank does raise a valid point. Lecturing others on why they should make cuts is a bit difficult to swallow when that’s not exactly been something that has been a total priority from the Finkbeiner administration. It’s been selective…
Now, can you argue others are selective? Of course…it’s a constant battle of selectiveness with our mission being one to try to find the truth that lies between the selective selectedness…
July 16th, 2008 at 4:49 pmTo borrow a recent quote by the fink, it is and always will be, “business as usual”.
July 16th, 2008 at 5:01 pmIt was council president Sobczak, who made the business as usual comment.
“It’ll be business as usual and we will say thank you to the voters who know that we have been spending their money wisely,” Mr. Sobczak said.”
http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080305/NEWS09/803050325
Council didn’t have the votes to defeat the trash tax, what with the well rehearsed statements made about the budget.
The budget was even noted recently to be a concern, already. Finance Director has said that incoming receipts have dropped off the table.
July 16th, 2008 at 5:57 pmNo NC, I was referring to the letter by fink to the judges. He also made a business as usual comment. I guess they are all trying to get on the “business as usual” band wagon.
Here is the link.
http://media.myfoxtoledo.com/WUPWMISC/mayorlettertojudges.pdf
July 16th, 2008 at 7:26 pmYou need to get up to date on the local “business as usual” quotes. The one you linked was from way back in March.
July 16th, 2008 at 7:29 pmI hope he was smiling when he made that oxymoronic (new word) comment. See below.
July 16th, 2008 at 7:32 pm“It’ll be business as usual and we will say thank you to the voters who know that we have been spending their money wisely,” Mr. Sobczak said.”
“The budget was even noted recently to be a concern, already. Finance Director has said that incoming receipts have dropped off the table.”
Maybe because smart people are dropping off the Toledo map. Expect a tax increase, sole survivors.
July 16th, 2008 at 7:36 pmDoes this mean they’re not going to continue to try to just squeeze more money out of fewer people and have a real dialogue about spending?
Naw……
July 16th, 2008 at 9:58 pmI’ve been preaching that for over six months now – enjoy the 3/4% while it’s still in play because next time around it will definitely go up to a full 1% – that increase will have to do a lot with many Toledoans finally leaving the area so they have to increase it in order to break even. Dark days ahead for the remaining survivors.
July 16th, 2008 at 10:02 pmFranks blathering is a classic example of a Toledo career politico blowin with the wind.
…just keep saying what you think they want to hear Frank…depending on the audience.
Roman, the “remaining survivors” will be screwed…if they happen to work for a living!
July 16th, 2008 at 11:27 pmToledo’s population of slugs will prosper since paying taxes has no effect on them and LESS police is better for business!