Ward to unveil the “Help the People” Plan – Updated!
This in via e-mail from the Ward for Toledo City Council campaign:
WARD REJECTS MONETARY DONATIONS FOR HIS CITY COUNCIL CAMPAIGN
Unveils The “Help the People” Plan
Toledo, OH – It is campaign season and many candidates have been soliciting money and having events to help fund their campaign. Candidates raise thousands of dollars to spend on campaign signs, billboards, literature, television commercials, radio ads, and much more! However, Stephen Ward has pledged not to accept monetary donations for his City Council campaign. On Thursday, July 30th at 10 AM on the steps of Government Center, Stephen Ward will unveil his “Help the People” plan.
Ward states, “We must redefine politics. It is not about buying a seat. It is not about campaign signs. Those things have a place and purpose to some candidates. My agenda is to serve the people, and sometimes you must deny yourself to do that. The greatest leader forgets himself and attends to the development of others.”
WHO: Stephen Ward, Toledo City Council At-Large Candidate
WHAT: Press Conference
WHEN: Thursday, July 30th at 10 AM
WHERE: 1 Government Center (outside)
WHY: To unveil his “Help the People” plan
Stephen Ward is an Independent Candidate for Toledo City Council At-Large. He believes in taking the Servant Leadership approach to government. He is the only City Council candidate that has been consistent with working to give all people a voice in government.
Updated – Statement from Stephen Ward:
WARD REJECTS MONETARY DONATIONS FOR HIS CITY COUNCIL CAMPAIGN
Unveils The “Help the People” Plan
Toledo, OH – It is campaign season and many candidates have been soliciting money and having events to help fund their campaign. Candidates raise thousands of dollars to spend on campaign signs, billboards, literature, television commercials, radio ads, and much more! However, Stephen Ward has pledged not to accept monetary donations for his City Council campaign. This morning on the steps of Government Center, Stephen Ward unveiled his “Help the People” plan.
Ward states, “We must redefine politics. It is not about buying a seat. It is not about campaign signs. Those things have a place and purpose to some candidates. My agenda is to serve the people, and sometimes you must deny yourself to do that. The greatest leader forgets himself and attends to the development of others.”
Campaign signs in Toledo cost from $2.00 – $5.00 per sign and those highway-sized signs cost $25-$35 per sign depending on the quantity of the order. Not to mention how much it cost for television commercials, radio ads, literature and other campaign items. The unemployment rate in Toledo is at 15.6% and there are 22,000 people unemployed in Toledo, and those numbers continue to increase. Just imagine if all the candidates would come together to raise money for things that matter?
Ward asserts, “My campaign is about helping people. After all, government exist to serve the people. I don’t want to ask people for money for things such as campaign signs, as they end up in the trash after the election is over anyway. That, in my opinion, would be a waste of your money. I would rather find ways to help people, raise money for things that matter. People matter!”
“Therefore, I am holding true to my pledge not to accept monetary donations to be used for my campaign. Instead, I have set up a donation link on my campaign website www.WardforToledo.com and I ask that my supporters please donate to the organization 1 Matters instead. 1 Matters is a great organization in Toledo that helps the homeless. I want to make a difference, as the homeless matter too! When you donate on my website, all donations will go directly to 1 Matters.”
1 Matters is an organization that was founded in Toledo by Ken Leslie. Their website is www.1matters.org. Every year they run the homeless awareness project called Tent City that has been taken place since 1990.
The donation link on the website www.WardforToledo.com has been set up and is hosted by First Giving. First Giving is an organization that has vetted nonprofit organizations to ensure that they have their 501C3 and are in good standing with the IRS. It enables people to raise money for any nonprofit that’s on GuideStar. They have a secure host site so that your donations will be processed securely.
Ward states, “When you choose to donate on my campaign website www.WardforToledo.com, all proceeds go directly to the organization 1 Matters. The Ward for Council Campaign does not process any credit cards, or accept any checks or cash. I am passionate about holding true to my pledge. I ask that you please join me in helping people, by supporting my efforts to donate to the organization 1 Matters. Your donation will be processed and forwarded to 1 Matters by First Giving.”
In addition, when elected to City Council, Stephen Ward has pledged to donate 20% of his council salary back to the city of Toledo to help with the current budget deficit. Ward says, “I believe that leaders should lead by example. It is time for the leaders of Toledo to step up and take pay cuts. I again challenge my opponents to join me in donating 20% of the council salary back to the city of Toledo if they get elected as well.”
The Ward for Council Campaign thanks you in advance, as we work together to continue to take action now to help all people!
Stephen Ward is an Independent Candidate for Toledo City Council At-Large. He believes in taking the Servant Leadership approach to government. He is the only City Council candidate that has been consistent with working to give all people a voice in government.
This man is simply awesome. When I read articles like this it inspires me. We need more politicians to step up to the plate and stop their graveling for political contributions. Just like President Obama did in D.C. with the lobbyist.
July 30th, 2009 at 3:20 amWe need people like Ward on council. Think of all we can accomplish TOGETHER.