Mayor opts not to go to DC to meet with Obama…right or wrong?
If we are honest, either way the Mayor would have been dissed, if he went to DC to meet with President Obama it would be said he was wasting tax payer dollars, if he doesn’t go he’s not pushing Toledo. That was my immediate thought last night when I first got a phone call about this and that didn’t change after reading Finkbeiner skips Ohio mayors’ D.C. trip.
I seriously doubt that any of the Ohio Mayors that get “precious face time” with President Obama are going to end up with any more money, our Mayor is correct that those decisions are in the hands of the State and our Governor. I also doubt the President is only going to meet with Mayors of Ohio. It is ironic to note that cities also facing large deficits, Columbus as one example, appear to be spending tax payer dollars for the trip. That said, from a impression stand point what message does that send to DC?
So, do you think he should have gone? Do you think he was right to stay?
The Mayor’s decision gets some coverage in Cleveland.
He was right to stay and I commend him for finally prioritizing the need to control the spending/budget in this spiraling out-of-control national economy. Shame on those other Ohioan mayors for going since they are in the same boat as Toledo.
February 20th, 2009 at 9:32 amI agree with Rocket. This was a good decision. There are only so many dollars to go around and our needs should be presented in D.C. by our Senate and House members.
The Mayor has too much to tend to in his own back yard to go to D.C.
And really, we shouldn’t need someone to watch over our Congresspeople, they should be doing their jobs at this difficult time.
February 20th, 2009 at 10:36 amI would be interested to see what remained in the budget after the memberships were cut. Did Carty keep some wasteful things in there while axing these memberships? We can all understand the value (or lack thereof, your call) these memberships represent. My point is that everything remaining in the budget better be of greater value to the majority of the taxpayers. I would consider this an opportunity to guage his fiscal judgement.
February 20th, 2009 at 10:56 amIf we were watching our Congresspeople, the stimulus bill, a.k.a., pork bill, would not have been passed. Then again, who in Congress actually read the bill?
February 20th, 2009 at 2:47 pmI think it was best for him not to go at this time. If he would have went, it would have been wasting money.
February 20th, 2009 at 2:54 pmI would have liked to read the bill, but a presidential promise about having that kind of thing on line before it was signed, didn’t happen. It does not sound like there were even enough copies had they wanted to read it.
February 20th, 2009 at 2:59 pmAm I the only one who was relieved because Carty didn’t have the chance to say something embarrassing?
February 20th, 2009 at 10:20 pmHow about “teleconferencing”?
Mr. President?
Mr. Mayor?
Anyone?
Hello?
February 21st, 2009 at 11:48 amTom wrote:
With teleconferencing, you don’t get your souvenir picture with the president.
February 21st, 2009 at 11:49 amUnfortunately, GMAC hit the nail on the head, teleconferencing or just something as simple as allowing that particular Mayor a 15 minute phone call to make their individual pitches would save the taxpayers of these Cities money.
February 21st, 2009 at 11:59 amPhotodan wrote:
Not at all. I think most of the city sighed a collective sigh of relief.
February 21st, 2009 at 12:12 pmIt had to hurt his tremendous ego not to be able to get his photo op with the President.
February 21st, 2009 at 2:03 pm