First Culp…Now Chabler…
The Blade felt this was important enough to list as updated news:
Toledo City Council members voted 9-2 Tuesday afternoon to appoint Jerry Chabler to the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority
There’s something wrong with the city of Toledo when we claim we want change, we claim we want new ideas and that we want to only seek out the best and the brightest. Then Council folds under pressure to pick a 73 year old man who quit the last time he was on the Port Authority.
There’s more to this story, but this is also the City where fear lives and very few are brave enough to say “enough” with ironically my word for the day is pusillanimous “lacking courage or resolution; cowardly; faint-hearted; timid.”
audio from Troy Neff interview with Chabler…some of our questions asked, you judge the answers.
Yep, the same people that put this guy back in power are the same people who say McCain is too old for the presidency. What a crock of politics! Here is a reliable voting guide: Whatever The Blade supports, just vote the opposite. TOM WASNIEWSKI should be Toledo’s next mayor. He is beyond this crap and gives a damn about the city’s people.
September 23rd, 2008 at 9:16 pmI’m still learning about the board, but if it is the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority, why is Toledo City Council making all these appointments instead of something at the county level? I also noticed that there were two members from the same legal firm and not really anyone from the transportation industry, unless the management team are members of the board too.
Just looking for more information on this entity.
September 23rd, 2008 at 9:24 pmIsn’t Chabler a Progressive = Socialist?
September 23rd, 2008 at 9:25 pmI thought the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority was supposed to bring in business, not chase it away.
September 23rd, 2008 at 9:29 pmJerry will be on my program @ 7:30am. I will be asking him about resigning last time. If you have questions feel free, I’ll check here in the morning.
September 23rd, 2008 at 9:45 pmTami N: There are 13 port board members, six appointed from the county, six from the city of Toledo. One is a joint appointment by both bodies.
September 23rd, 2008 at 9:46 pmTami, the City owns the actual airport and they get to make some of the appointments to the Lucas County Port Authority Board, Lucas County Commissioners also get to make appointments to the Board.
The official break down is:
September 23rd, 2008 at 9:47 pmMaggie beat me too it.
September 23rd, 2008 at 9:48 pmTroy, I’d like to know how Mr. Chabler would describe his relationship with the owners of the Toledo Blade.
I’d also like to know how many of the members of Toledo City Council he spoke with prior to the vote that was taken today.
Also…I’d like to know what special skills he brings to the Port Authority Board that would make him the one candidate better than any of those who reside in the Toledo area.
It’d also be interesting to know when he flys into to Toledo, does he come into Toledo Express or Detroit?
Those would be just off the top of my head.
September 23rd, 2008 at 9:53 pm1) Jerry – what have you done since you resigned from the Port Authority to deserve another opportunity at being on the board ?
2) Is your position with the Racing Commission of Ohio that you were appointed to by Gov. Strickland going to present any conflicts of interest at the Port Authority ?
3) Did you make a backroom deal with Finkbeiner to get him a position with Port Authority the next time he becomes unemployed ?
4) Whose ass did your old-ass lips kiss to get this offer ?
September 23rd, 2008 at 9:55 pmGood ‘Ole Boys rule………jrb….you da man.
September 23rd, 2008 at 9:57 pmFrom the Lucas County Commissioner’s website relating to their search for someone to fill an unexpired term for this very board:
Which would create the additional question of Mr. Chabler’s current experience in business and financial administration as well as what diversity he would bring to the Port Authority Board.
September 23rd, 2008 at 9:59 pmAs a woman, I’d also like to point out that since Doni Miller was replaced with Culp, there is only one woman on the Lucas County Port Authority Board.
Chairman
William J. Carroll
Highland Jeb Co.
Vice Chairman
G. Opie Rollison
Marshall & Melhorn
Bruce Baumhowerreplaced by ChablerUnited Auto Workers Local 12
Brian H. Bucher
National City Bank
Margarita De Leon
BRAVO Magazine
Dennis C. Duffey
IBEW Local Union No. 8
R. Michael Frank
Arnold & Caruso, Ltd.
Doni Millerreplaced by CulpNeighborhood Health Association
Jeri A. Milsteadstepping downMedical University of Ohio
Thomas W. Palmer
Marshall & Melhorn
Nadeem S. Salem
Savage & Associates
Daniel L. Smith
American Maritime Officers
A. Bailey Stanbery
September 23rd, 2008 at 10:07 pmStanbery Homes, Inc.
So not only are we lacking a representative from the transporation industry, but are losing our education representative? Maybe Rich Martinko or someone from ITI would be a good addition to the board? Just a thought.
Also, thanks Lisa and Maggie for your answers!
September 23rd, 2008 at 10:34 pmWell, if the goal is diversity, it’d be nice if they found a woman who could be from an educational background.
September 23rd, 2008 at 11:08 pmAgreed, Lisa. The only demographic NOT represented on the Port Board is also the largest demographic in the city and county: a white woman.
Help! Help! We’re being oppressed!
September 24th, 2008 at 8:04 amLisa Renee – Love your word of the day! It fits soooooooo many people from both parties!
September 24th, 2008 at 8:13 amThen Council folds under pressure to pick a 73 year old man who quit the last time he was on the Port Authority.
Let’s hope the votes don’t fold under pressure to pick a 72 year old man for President.
September 24th, 2008 at 8:40 amI think voter would make a good Port Board member. She meets all the criteria, and she is a good growler.
September 24th, 2008 at 8:45 amI guess the mayor did not stick to his almost fanatical adherence to the residency rule when he made this appointment. Evidently, he could not find anyone living in the city to be Toledo’s representative on the board. How many days will the mayor give Mr. Chabler to move into Toledo to keep his position.
September 24th, 2008 at 9:20 amOk…lets see, Chabler is a JRB / Carty sychophant and we all have seen how those 2 put Toledo’s best interest OVER their agendas for themselves…I’m failing to see where the residents will benefit. They may as well have had JRB or, Carty himself just take control of the whole port board. Toledo is fucked (sorry lisa but this merits the f-word exclaimation)!
September 24th, 2008 at 11:30 amChabler is a puppet of those two and history shows that JRB and Carty might be cheerleaders but, they both always walk away with fat pockets while Toledoans get the bill for it.
The ONLY thing Carty and JRB have done is make Toledo property cheaper…sucks to be a land owner in this town!
Whew! I am dumbfounded, but shouldn’t be.
This is one of the most boneheaded moves that could be made. It’s counter-productive, antagonistic and downright indicative of the lack of interest our elected officials have in the true progress of Toledo. Plain and simple.
We now have one more of the good ol’ boys (that hasn’t done anything noteworthy by way of creating jobs, improving the economy locally, etc) that can sit and chat over the way things “used to be” instead of getting on board and making things happen for our future.
Ya know – as you come into Toledo from just about any direction, there are signs that say “Welcome To Toledo – An Award Winning City.” Well, IMO, the only award we should get is the “I don’t have the balls to effect change” award. Or perhaps the “High Unemployment Rate” award. Or perhaps the “Toledo – JRB’s Very Own Dynasty” award.
I am currently in the process of packing up my household and liquidating what doesn’t need to be moved. The moving truck will leave Toledo on November 1. And while I will miss my friends here, I will be very happy to take up residence in an area that has low unemployment, good schools, a thriving housing market and a bit of common sense when it comes to regulating the every move of the populous. An area where I can make a real living, pay my bills, and relieve some of the stress that comes from being in Toledo.
No location is without issues … I know that. But it’s how the local governments and the residents respond to those issues that defines the success of an area. And around Toledo? It’s not going to happen in my lifetime.
September 24th, 2008 at 12:44 pmWhy are there 2 from the same law firm? What is the point of that?
September 24th, 2008 at 1:07 pmGreat postings. Now, how many of you actually took the time to write or call your councilperson and tell them before the vote what you wanted them to do? They got calls from Jerry and were buttonholed by the mayor, so how did you personally counter that? Blogs are fun, you can come on here and bitch all day and argue under screen names ’til American Idol comes on, but what actions did you take to stop this appointment?
September 24th, 2008 at 2:15 pmAccording to Frank Szollosi he voted yes because it’s what council people do when the mayor suggests an appointment. WHAT? WHAT? WTF? That’s not what I expect and Frank will hear from me, what about you?
As a “geezer”, I’m a bit disappointed that seversal of the posters above seem to think that being 72 years old is an automatic disqualifier.
As to Mssrs Culp and Chabler, I have met them both at one time or another. I am able to restrain my enthusiasm for each of them.
To those who carp endlessly about the imagined stranglehold of “JRB”, I’ve known him for a number of years, and the gossip about him is not valid in any sense. I challenge the detractors of Mr. Block and
The Blade to take a good look at the primary newspaper in any U.S. town of size comparable to Toledo. They will be hard put to still maintain their negative view of The Blade.
One thing about being a geezer is that one does get a sense of history. In the mid- or late-forties there was a rape case in Toledo that was tinged with racism. The Blade reported the incident but did not acknowledge the race of either victim or perpetrater. That was a very wise move, in my opinion. At the end of WWII, The Blade spent over $250.000 (real money, in those days) to fund a plan for Toledo’s post-war growth. For those interested in looking up the facts, they will find that The Blade almost single-handedly got the community and state movers and shakers to organize the Port of Toledo. Same for the Medical Colege — without The Blade’s almost singular efforts there would be no mediacl coolege here.
The list goes on and on.
I do not work for The Blade, nor do business with them. I’m not fraternally nor socially in the circles of The Blade.
I just have a good memory, and believe in presenting balanced views.
September 24th, 2008 at 2:27 pmFred, I did attempt to let it be known how I felt about both Culp and Chabler, it didn’t make a difference. I have no idea how many others did but I agree with your point, if we don’t pressure them to stand up, they won’t.
Mel, it’s not just the age factor, it’s the fact that time and time again rather than to pick someone new who might actually present new ideas to move this area forward, we recycle…
While I am an avid supporter of recycling, that only relates to trash, not ideas or appointees.
September 24th, 2008 at 2:30 pmMel, wonderful fireside chat memories, thanks. Now, on to the present meaning anything since the JRB took over. Stories in the paper routinely include race, addresses of victims and perpetrators, slanted views, bias toward particular people and ads for strip joints and escort services. Hold on to your memories Mel, it’s all that’s left of one of america’s great newspapers.
September 24th, 2008 at 2:47 pmI am old enough to be a geez…but not a geezer.
The senior Mr. Block apparently had Toledo’s best interest at heart back in the day, but once JRB took over the regime, the paper has done nothing but swirl in the commode.
JR looks in the mirror and sees Citizen Kane. He is actually a boy trying so hard to be a man. Carty seems to be content to be under his thumb…that is not very manly either. It is all about power and control.
Our city WAS once the Glass Capital of the World and was the 4th largest railroad center in the country when I earned my railroad merit badge back in my “Be Prepared” days….
JRB? Carty? The Blade? The swirl continues….. Our leaders should stand up and take a bow….Toledo today is because of them. I wish I could say …Well Done….but I have to be honest.
September 24th, 2008 at 3:47 pmA history lesson:
In 1989 or 1990, Pete Culp was fired from the City of Toledo for misappropriation of funds. He then sued the city citing a technicality associated with the firing process, and city council – including Carty Finkbeiner – voted to pay him off to settle the lawsuit.
I called city council before that council vote in ‘89 or ‘90 in my very first act as an outraged citizen. Carty was the only council person to call me back, and he promised to vote against the settlement because he agreed with my concern that we should not reward bad behavior. A week later when they voted, Carty voted to settle despite his assurance he would not. When I called to ask why, he said it would be to expensive to fight it.
THE BLADE AND EVERYONE ELSE HAS EITHER OVERLOOKED THIS SIGNIFICANT ISSUE, OR THEY FORGAVE IT. ARE YOU AWARE OF ANYONE WHO HAS BROUGHT THIS TO LIGHT?
I’m bringing it up now only because I did not hear about Culp’s appointment until after the fact.
September 24th, 2008 at 4:40 pmThe Mayor of Toledo actually lives in Pittsburgh. JRB really is the mayor, and Carty is his marionette. And if a 73-year-old man is qualified to be on the port authority, I guess a 72-year-old is OK for president. Can’t discriminate against 70-year-olds, can we? I’m sure the next mayor of Toledo will also genuflect at the knee of JRB.
September 24th, 2008 at 7:58 pmWhile it is nice everyone is so concerned about questions for Chabler, board diversity, etc., everyone should be more concerned why nine council people did not have the guts to say no. They know damn well the appointment sucks but said nothing. Nothing will change until this herd mentality thinking changes. So scared. And maybe The Blade was once a great paper but that was yeaterday. Nothing but an agenda today.
September 24th, 2008 at 9:23 pmIn response to Fred’s question:
Now, how many of you actually took the time to write or call your councilperson and tell them before the vote what you wanted them to do?
Those that know me know that I am not shy about expressing my opinions/desires as to what I would like my representatives to do. But, in doing so, I have found that there is a lot of, “OK, sure. Thanks for calling.”
Then the vote comes, the administration has its’ way, and we are back to square one. This practice leads to a tremendous feeling of defeat – often long before we, the adoring public, even get started.
Toledo has the makings of being a great place. It has the waterfront, the interstate highways, and the long, rich history of manufacturing. What it doesn’t have is a forward thinking administration. And this will be the continual Achilles heel until there is some brave soul that is willing to step up, take the bull by the horns and hold on for a full 8 seconds.
One can only expect another person to walk up and be knocked down just so many times before they just don’t walk up anymore. It’s that old self preservation mechanism that kicks in.
September 24th, 2008 at 9:34 pmThe more things “change”, the more they stay the same. There was a no vote from district 5.
“Toledo has the makings of being a great place”, if only we had visionary leadership which demands an informed and active electorate.
Let’s get out there and make it happen!
September 24th, 2008 at 9:58 pmLooking through the list of Port Authority board members gives you a clear indication of why this area leads the state in unemployment: lawyers, union leaders, and someone from BRAVO magazine(whatever that is).
September 28th, 2008 at 7:48 amNice observation Jenny!
September 28th, 2008 at 8:49 am