TFP: Konop says “pinch me”, Blog it’s back and more
We already have focused on a few of the stories in this week’s Toledo Free Press including the cover story on the “Take Back Toledo” story but there are more things happening in this area than the Mayoral recall, one that you want to make sure to read is Lucas County Commissioner Ben Konop’s guest opinion piece, Pinch Me. We’ve discussed the pros and cons of the conveyance fee, but Ben shares his thoughts, including:
I doubt there is a trained economist on either side of the aisle who would support this across-the-board tax increase on intellectual grounds in our current economic state. And I doubt there are many regular folks out there who could support this tax based on plain common sense.
However, there are some big wigs out there who support this tax hike, and don’t mind throwing your money around in their boardrooms and backrooms. $120 is just another steak dinner on an expense account for them. In fact, this “good ol’ boys network” may publicly blast me in response to speaking out on this, and standing up for the average Joe. But I won’t back down on this one. I’m sick and tired of reliving these bad dreams in Government Center, while our community continues to lose jobs, investment and hope. Enough is enough … let’s wake up, Toledo!
I’d heard a bit about AT&T’s new “U-verse” when I recently changed dsl providers, but I learned quite a bit more in reading Duane Ramsey’s article, AT&T launches new U-verse TV in Toledo. Those of you in the market for a digital television provider might be interested.
Blog it! Toledo is back after a two week break, with some Hellos and goodbyes with a look at a few new blogs and some older blogs have hung up their keyboards. There’s quite a bit more in this week’s edition, from football to suggestions on adding alittle dazzle and sparkle to your holiday parties. It’s one of the reasons I always enjoy the Toledo Free Press, there’s always something new awaiting you either online or in print.
In the name of shameless self-promotion, my first column is also included in this edition. I’m hoping to make it in every other week and will focus primarily on local politics.
Maggie is, by far, a superior policy wonk, so I won’t be trying to compete with her in analyzing policy. I’ve spent the last fifteen years learning about the relationships between the players in Toledo politics and how each person goes about achieving their ends. So I’ll be focusing on the politics in the region.
December 7th, 2008 at 11:58 pmBrian’s column is here and it’s a good column except for one small thing. Bill Copeland was not Phil Copeland’s father. Phil is the nephew of Bill Copeland…
December 8th, 2008 at 12:04 amThanks Lisa. I knew that because Bob Reinbolt corrected me on that when I worked on 22. I always write my first draft in free writing style and should have caught it in my rewrite.
December 8th, 2008 at 12:06 amWell, at least you were not like what was it, 16% of Lucas County voters who thought the two were the same. That would have been worse.
I’m not sure how much trouble Frank will have, it really depends on who else runs, since there is one open spot since Betty Shultz is term limited out, it will depend on who decides to go for it.
I know why he didn’t spend as much time as he should have during the last Council election, I don’t think that’s going to be an issue this time. So there is one open slot, who will end up getting that one and who ends up getting the most votes will be the issue and if either Sobczak or Sarantou decides to make a Mayoral run? They can’t run for both council and mayor….
December 8th, 2008 at 12:12 am