Glass City Jungle

Earlier today WTVG had this story, Mayor Bell’s budget proposal due Monday linked on Facebook, asking people how they would balance the budget. Reading the majority of the responses drove home to me how little the average Toledo area resident understands about where the majority of the General Fund Budget goes to. Salaries [...]

Toledo City Council had a Committee of the Whole meeting earlier in the month to discuss the red light/speeding cameras and the Bell administration proposal to boot/impound cars of those who owed more than one outstanding ticket. I did not get a chance to start transcribing/listening until a few days ago. I want [...]

The call came in from an unknown source, all that was known was the man was acting out and agitated and had not been taking his medication. The call responder had mace, a taser and a gun, after arriving on the scene and identifying themselves, saying that a call had been received to remove [...]

The day that I noticed the signatures for James Damas were not even close to being the same, this whole situation could have ended at the very beginning stages of it. Kelly Bensman could have admitted she signed them, because she felt she had the legal permission to do so. It could have [...]

Reported earlier today by the Toledo Free Press, Prosecutor drops GOP signature fraud case. Part of the article:
Cuyahoga County Special Prosecuting Attorney James A. Gutierrez released a report Feb. 26 in which he stated, “criminal prosecution is not appropriate” in the GOP signature fraud investigation.
Gutierrez reported that while Lucas County Republican Party Oversight Committee [...]

As discussed previously, I did not anticipate that any of the unions would be interested or willing to make any concessions in relation to the Mayor’s balanced budget plan that relied on cuts from the city’s employees of 6.7 million in savings with the elimination of all pension pick ups and 2.86 million in savings [...]

This is being reported by several media outlets using an AP news piece, by Larry Margasak, one example, from Atlanta:
WASHINGTON — The House ethics committee has ended an investigation of five lawmakers who steered government money and contracts to favored companies and also got campaign contributions from them. The panel says it found no violation [...]

I’ll learn the answer to that question tomorrow. I will be participating in the Toledo Police Department’s “Action-Response Community Education and Awareness Program” — this means a light posting alert for tomorrow since the program runs from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
I have several stories that I’m working on, including more on the red [...]

This was sent to me via e-mail from Josh Nelson of the The Hatcher Group. The information he sent may be of interest to some of you, I recommend if you are interested taking a few moments to read the linked material as well as the below post:
I’m writing of behalf of [...]

This in via e-mail from Ohio Representative Barbara Sears:
GOP Lawmaker Returns to the Campaign Trail
Rep. Sears continues the fight for jobs and economic growth
Columbus—This is 2010, and Ohio’s new job-rich economy is on the horizon! State Representative Barbara Sears (R-Sylvania) recently announced her candidacy to return to the 46th Ohio House District seat in [...]

This in via e-mail from the office of Ohio Senator Mark Wagoner:
Wagoner named “Watchdog of the Treasury” by the United Conservatives of Ohio
Columbus — State Senator Mark Wagoner (R-Ottawa Hills) has been named a “Watchdog of the Treasury” by the United Conservatives of Ohio for his commitment to fiscal responsibility and conservative restraint during [...]

Sarantou Petitions for Lucas County Commissioner Certified by Board of Elections
(Toledo, OH) — George Sarantou, longtime Toledo City Councilman – At Large, said today that his petitions for Lucas County Commissioner have been certified by the Board of Elections, making his candidacy official.
Mr. Sarantou submitted the maximum 150 signatures allowed on February 18, [...]

From the Toledo Free Press this morning, Toledo Free Press to publish twice each week; up to 12 jobs added.
It’s been an exciting time at the offices of the Toledo Free Press, I’m looking forward to the new Wednesday edition that will be called “Toledo Free Press Star” – and at a time when many [...]

Back when the whole incentive was created to try to encourage more Toledo residents to recycle, we actually were not losing money on our recycling program and we did not have an automated trash service. Every single person who has been given or will be given the new trash carts is being given one [...]

It’s a serious topic, I know, but I had fun with this Rant & Rave which aired tonight on FOX Toledo…
Link to video

This in via e-mail from the office of Representative Matt Szollosi referencing Sub HB 70. Szollosi is one of the 17 Co-sponsors of the legislation, Representative Peter Ujvagi is also listed as a co-sponsor:
Ohio House, State Rep. Szollosi Pass Measure to Impose Stricter Penalties on Negligent Kennel Operators
COLUMBUS- Legislation co-sponsored by Speaker Pro [...]

The intro was a bit over long, given by a representative of the University of Toledo. I don’t know who he is at the time of this post since the streaming video took a few moments to start. It did not appear it was a crowded room, there were empty seats, Bell stated [...]

This in via e-mail from the office of Ohio Representative Tom Letson, since if it passes it could impact our area, I’m sharing it in full:
Ohio Schools Could Face Significant Cuts Under GOP Proposal
Plan to eliminate state income tax could gut state aid to schools by over $2 billion
COLUMBUS – The Ohio House Ways [...]

Since previous polls were covered, the latest from the Columbus Dispatch:
Bolstered by a strong showing among women, Gov. Ted Strickland reclaimed the lead in the Ohio governor’s race over Republican John Kasich, a new poll shows.
The Democrat holds a 5-point lead, 44 percent to 39 percent, compared to a deadlock at 40 percent in Quinnipiac [...]

By way of reminder:
Bell To Hold First State of the City, February 24th
Mayor Michael P. Bell will hold his first State of the City address at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, February 24, 2010 in Nitschke Auditorium on the campus of the University of Toledo. The event is free and open to the public. [...]

The following is rough notes from today’s Toledo City Council Agenda Review. The items listed below are ones that generated discussion or may be of interest to readers of the blog.
All members were present.
Encroachment in right-of-way along A. W. Trail for two 4′ x 8′ LED signs for Toledo Zoo
Martinez was [...]

Back in December of 2008, a 15 year old boy was shot and killed by a 17 year old both out after curfew. That death took place at around 2:00 a.m. Approximately two weeks prior to that a 16 year old boy was killed by an adult a few moments after midnight in [...]

Sedric Joplin, a guard at Toledo Correctional Institute came back to his home on Galena Street on Saturday night and reportedly found three men inside his home. Joplin is reported to have a concealed carry license, and fired shots directed at least two of the three intruders. Two of which various media reports [...]

This in via e-mail from Toledo City Councilman Joe McNamara, the referenced legislation can be read here:
McNamara Urges Senate Action On Foreclosure Crisis
Toledo City Councilman offers resolution in support of land bank legislation
Toledo, OH – City Councilman Joe McNamara believes that legislation currently before the Ohio State Senate would create a powerful new [...]

This in via e-mail from Toledo City Councilman George Sarantou:
TOLEDO CITY COUNCILMAN GEORGE SARANTOU SPEAKS OUT AGAINST MAYOR BELL’S PROPOSAL FOR ELIMINATION OF THE 100% TAX CREDIT AND WILL PRESENT AN ALTERNATIVE TO HELP CLOSE THE BUDGET DEFICIT
WHO: Councilman George Sarantou
[...]

A friend/reader of the blog called me earlier tonight to tell me he received a recorded message from the Superintendent of Washington Local Schools to tell him that Trilby was going to be closed due to budget cuts. There is no additional information on the Washington Local School website at the time of this [...]

This in via e-mail from the office of Ohio House Representative Edna Brown:
Rep. Edna Brown Announces State Assistance for Local Company Expansion
HCR Manor Care Services to add 52 new jobs in downtown Toledo
COLUMBUS –State Representative Edna Brown (D-Toledo) this afternoon announced that the state will spend $65,000 to help HCR Manor Care Services [...]

Toledo Free Press has the update, Voter fraud case dismissed on a story that was much discussed here:

The Lucas County Board of Elections voted Feb. 22 to deny the voter registration challenge made against Lisa Cherry and stated no fraudulent voting took place by her or Ruthann Cherry.
The board found that Lisa Cherry, [...]

This in via e-mail from the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles:
BMV POLICY REGARDING CERTIFIED COPIES OF BIRTH CERTIFICATES
Due to a recent change in Puerto Rico law, the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles will no longer accept certified copies of birth certificates as proof of identity, effective immediately.
Legislation approved by the Puerto Rico Legislative Assembly [...]

It’s been the focus of some media, read the 76 page report for yourself, link to pdf.
I’m interested in your thoughts from those of you read it…
I found the focus on a global economy interesting as well as the focus on the federal government. Some examples from the report:
Second, this report understands Ohio in [...]