Glass City Jungle

This in via e-mail from the 21st Century Democrats:
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, 21st Century Democrats announced its endorsement of Jennifer Brunner, Ohio’s Secretary of State, for the United States Senate. Secretary Brunner has consistently been supported by 21st Century Democrats throughout her career as a problem solver dedicated to finding new solutions to improve the [...]

Fisher announces re-election campaign as reported first by the Toledo Free Press.
Darlene Fisher announced her re-election campaign for the Toledo Public School Board on March 31.
Fisher will host a fundraiser at 6:30 pm. April 14 at The Distillery at 4311 Heatherdowns Blvd.
According to a news release, “Darlene heard the voices in our community asking that [...]

First I recommend reading the Dispatch where it’s pointed out:
The Ohio Inspector General’s office faulted Michael A. Dolan, executive director of the Ohio Lottery, for giving the trooper 100 promotional lottery tickets after he was pulled over in January and not cited.
Dolan, a former Cleveland councilman whom Gov. Ted Strickland named to head the [...]

This in via e-mail from Toledo City Councilman Joe McNamara:
Toledo, OH – The City of Toledo is receiving a $300,000.00 grant from FirstEnergy as part of a stipulation to end litigation over its Electric Security Plan. The stipulation states that this grant is for “economic development and job creation purposes.” The Finkbeiner Administration [...]

This in via e-mail:
March 31, 2009 – The Ohio Civil Service Employees Association / AFSCME Local 11 announced today that its union members voted to accept a new three-year contract that will run through February 2012.
More than 60 percent of OCSEA members participated in the balloting that concluded yesterday. A “yes” vote on the [...]

This in via e-mail from the Moody for Mayor campaign:
Moody Warns Against Landfill Sale
In response to recent calls for selling the city owned Hoffman Road Landfill, mayoral candidate Jim Moody called for “caution” and “thorough analysis”. “The landfill is our only defense against exorbitant tipping fees. If we are not careful, Toledoans could see [...]

This in via e-mail from the Brunner for Senate campaign:
BRUNNER CHAMPIONS EMPLOYEE PROTECTIONS AT LABOR RALLY
Accepts UFCW Endorsement
CLEVELAND — Declaring that workers should have the freedom to determine whether to form a union with either a public or secret vote Secretary of State and U.S. Senate candidate Jennifer Brunner Monday appeared at a rally [...]

This in via e-mail from the office of Lucas County Commissioner Tina Skeldon Wozniak:
WOZNIAK JOINS LOCAL ATHLETES TO SPREAD THE WORD TO END THE USE OF THE “R-WORD”
Commissioner Tina Skeldon Wozniak along with two Special Olympics athletes and MR/DD Director John Trunk will encourage citizens to change the conversation to help eliminate the demeaning use [...]

This in via e-mail from the Konop for Mayor campaign:
In just over two years as a Lucas County commissioner, 2009 Democratic Toledo mayoral candidate Ben Konop has compiled a long and impressive resume of bringing real, positive change and governing with the people’s interests in mind.
Since taking his seat as commissioner in January, 2007, Konop [...]

The Blade reports, Mayor Finkbeiner outlines new plan for balancing budget but once again the information provided isn’t complete it only adds up to 12.87 million dollars and there is no way laying off 40 police officers is going to generate 14.3 million dollars.
The mayor’s budget plan, previously rejected by council, would eliminate 50 [...]

This in via e-mail from the office of Ohio House Representative Peter Ujvagi:
Compromise Reached on Transportation Budget
Agreement paves way for economic stimulus, preserves passenger rail opportunity and protects key public safety resources
COLUMBUS – State Representative Peter S. Ujvagi (D-Toledo) today wrapped up successful negotiations as Chairman of a House/Senate Conference Committee in reaching an [...]

This in via e-mail from the Wilkowski for Mayor Campaign:
Statement By Keith Wilkowski On Ben Konop’s Announcement
“Toledo is confronting an unprecedented economic crisis that demands serious leadership committed to changing the way our city does business. I am the only candidate for Mayor with a proven track record in job creation and economic development. [...]

This sent in via e-mail from the Konop for Mayor campaign:
My name is Ben Konop, and as some of you know I have been a Lucas County Commissioner for a little over two years now.
In my time in public service, I’ve seen each and every one of your faces. I’ve seen them while teaching [...]

The ironic thing about Toledo is there are more women than men here, but you’d never know it when it comes to local politics where men outnumber the women all too often. Today the Blade wrote a small piece on the other 8 candidates who want

This in via email from Councilman Tom Waniewski:
There will be a public hearing in Toledo City Council chambers, One Government Center downtown (Jackson and Erie), Wednesday, April 1st at 4 p.m.
The purpose of the hearing is to discuss the flooding that has been occurring in the city. I have heard from many of you regarding [...]

This in via e-mail from Tom Morrissey:
At noon on Monday, March 30, 2009, Tom Morrissey and fellow concerned voters will gather on the steps of the Student Union facing Centennial Mall at the University of Toledo’s Main Campus to point out Lucas County Commissioner Ben Konop’s willful disregard of personal ethics and his own promises [...]

This in via email from the Bell for Mayor campaign:
Mike Bell Welcomes Konop to Campaign for Mayor of Toledo
Responding to Lucas County Commissioner Ben Konop’s announcement that he intends to run for Mayor of Toledo, Mike Bell issued a statement welcoming the Commissioner to the race.
“I welcome Commissioner Konop to the race for Mayor. [...]

Konop to join Toledo 2009 Mayoral Race Monday
Democrat to begin “For the people, for a change” campaign with major address on the University of Toledo’s campus
Who: Ben Konop
What: Toledo mayoral announcement
When: 9:30 a.m., Monday
Where: Outside the Health and Human Services Building, mall side, University of Toledo
Ben Konop, 33, a Democrat and Lucas County Commissioner, will [...]

There was quite a bit of information missing from the Blade article today, Budget ills may trash Toledo curbside recycling.
Information like, exactly how much as the City of Toledo generated from the trash fee which still does charge those who recycle, though at a reduced amount, what would happen to that trash fee [...]

This was sent to me via email to share with readers of the blog:
Caroline Kennedy hosts Brunner at fundraiser
New York – One of America’s most respected citizens, Caroline Kennedy, along with her husband, Ed Schlossberg, held a fundraiser at their home for Ohio Secretary of State and United States Senate candidate Jennifer Brunner Thursday [...]

My husband called me this morning to tell me that he heard on the news this morning that Lucas County Commissioner Ben Konop was going to announce his Mayoral intentions tomorrow.

As I’ve done before when I’ve been traveling, here’s a place for you to talk about local news or other hot topics without taking up a thread on a different subject. Just remember to follow the rules as far as civil discussion….
Am I having fun? Yes!

I may be out in California, but thanks to the wonders of the internets, I can stay up to date on what’s being covered, when I’m taking a break in the fun. Today during the 4:00 p.m. newscast part one of an interview with Mike Bell done by Shaun Hegarty was shown and is [...]

Since Michael Bell is the hot topic of the week, I wanted to point out that he’s the cover story of this week’s Toledo Free Press. Brandi Barhite continues on her series of Mayoral profiles, which you can read here.
Brandi’s done an excellent job on all three of the announced Mayoral candidates, this one [...]

Yesterday my second Fox Toledo Rant and Rave was taped, it was shown today and is now live on the Fox Toledo website. It covers one of the suggestions I made recently as to how some of Toledo’s budget issues might be solved.
I’m by far a teleprompter expert, but thanks to some advice/guidance from [...]

Last night I was invited to attend a campaign event for Ian English, who is the endorsed Democrat for Judge.  He is running for the seat held by Judge Lynn Schaefer who has decided to not run for re-election. Earlier I pointed out the Sojourner Truth article about Ian English, it’s a good introduction [...]

This in via email from the office of Ohio Senator Teresa Fedor:
Senator Fedor Applauds Northwest Ohio’s Share of the Federal Stimulus Money
TOLEDO – Governor Strickland today announced Northwest Ohio’s share of the federal stimulus money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), an unprecedented measure to address the massive economic crisis. Northwest Ohio [...]

District 6 Toledo City Councilwoman Lindsay Webb has released her quarterly newsletter:

Ohio Theatre Raises Much-Needed Funds
As part of its 88th birthday celebration, leaders of the Ohio Theatre announced “One Brick at a Time,” a fundraising effort to raise $500,000. They are asking people to buy symbolic bricks for $50 each. Each donor’s name [...]

For some reason the wheels of justice are moving slow, slower than normal. As Fox Toledo points out Sammy Villegas was scheduled to be sentenced for his role in point shaving that took place while at the University of Toledo in November of 2008, it was then delayed until March 26th, and now it’s [...]

The title of the post comes from the Blade quoting John Bibish, commissioner of Toledo’s budget office:
The latest projections anticipate a $27.7 million deficit for 2009, with the “rainy day” fund completely wiped out after last year’s red ink, said John Bibish, commissioner of Toledo’s budget office, during a presentation on the situation to City [...]