Parking Tickets while Parking at Home, another embarrasment for Toledo

Shame on the Mayor, this is ridiculous, is the city administration this desperate? We hit the national news again:

Added just this afternoon
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/31390180/ns/us_news-weird_news/

http://www.autoinsane.com/2009/06/16/news/government-policy/city-of-toledo-ohio-issues-parking-tickets-to-drivers-parked-in-their-own-driveways/
http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/06/toledo_residents_find_25_parki.html
http://forum.thedailyshow.com/tds/board/message?board.id=story_suggestions&message.id=9574
http://www.torontosun.com/news/weird/2009/06/16/9812656.html
http://www.cantonrep.com/ohio/x702343198/Toledo-residents-ticketed-for-parking-in-their-own-driveway
http://blogs.kansascity.com/crime_scene/2009/06/toledo-tickets-citizens-for-parking-in-their-own-driveways.html
http://www.chillicothegazette.com/article/20090616/UPDATES01/90616001
http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/article/id/122858/group/home/
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090616/ap_on_re_us/us_odd_ohio_driveway_tickets
http://www.startribune.com/nation/48147072.html?elr=KArks:DCiU1OiP:DiiUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aU7DYaGEP7vDEh7P:DiUX
http://www.kfsm.com/news/nationworld/sns-ap-us-odd-ohio-driveway-tickets,0,7207199.story
http://privatopia.blogspot.com/2009/06/holy-toledo-city-acting-like-hoa.html
http://features.csmonitor.com/politics/2009/06/16/park-in-your-own-driveway-youre-a-criminal/
http://www.wtte28.com/template/inews_wire/wires.regional.oh/33babf9c-www.wtte28.com.shtml
http://www.dailymail.com/ap/ApTopStories/200906160125
http://snackfeed.com/videos/detail/a3891efc-abdf-102c-8790-00304897c9c6/Ticket-for-parking-in-driveway_s=s (from CNN Most Popular)
http://blog.taragana.com/n/ohio-residents-ticketed-for-parking-in-own-driveways-under-toledo-law-about-unpaved-surfaces-82796/
http://www.rocketnews.com/2009/06/ohio-residents-ticketed-for-driveway-parking-source-the-globe-and-mail/
http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/19764866/detail.html
http://www.wdsu.com/news/19764866/detail.html
http://www.wmtw.com/news/19764866/detail.html
http://www.wmur.com/news/19764866/detail.html
http://www.wyff4.com/news/19764866/detail.html
http://www.wisn.com/news/19764866/detail.html
http://www.wxow.com/Global/story.asp?S=10538958
http://www.wqow.com/Global/story.asp?S=10538958&nav=menu1364_2
http://www.wxii12.com/news/19764866/detail.html
http://www.wbtv.com/global/story.asp?s=10538958
http://www.kitv.com/news/19764866/detail.html
http://www.wgal.com/news/19764866/detail.html
http://www.4029tv.com/news/19764866/detail.html
http://www.wapt.com/news/19764866/detail.html
http://digg.com/world_news/Ohioans_ticketed_for_parking_in_own_driveways

and let’s not forget this
http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1968071/posts

IF I WERE MAYOR COMMENTARY

The Toledo Free Press published an interesting series of articles, which asked local politicians and high school students what they would do “If they were Mayor”. After analyzing the comments, I have a three-part commentary on the results of the review with an assessment of these comments. After listening to Politicians comments on being Mayor over the past years, it is frustrating that in this time, there is so little process offered by any of the possible candidates to move us forward.

Just stating, “green energy” does not explain how a Mayor can move this initiative forward. Being interested in “education” does not explain how a Mayoral candidate can effect improvements in education or explain how to implement the “Toledo Promise”. These are “hot buttons” of interest to the electorate, but we need solutions not just “hot buttons”.

Almost completely ignored was the infrastructure, refuse collection and safety issues. Nor was there mention of how they would balance the budget or create a “business friendly” environment in our Community. We need a cohesive government, but there were no suggestions on how or on what issues the potential candidates would work with City Council. There was no content on how to handle these problems.

It is disappointing to have so little content on how to manage Toledo. We need a candidate who has the courage to face the hard issues, fix the budget and begin reducing fees and fines, which have been created to enhance revenue. It is our right and expectation as voters to demand real answers not just open-ended rhetoric with lofty goals.

There was a great deal of information presented in paragraphs by the politicians and students. I consider this important enough to analyze, categorize and tally the comments to make it easier to assimilate the information. This has been accomplished in three separate commentaries.

Commentary One is a summary of the politician’s comments. It reduces their paragraph responses to bullet points and a category assigned to each comment. Finally, a tally of the categories for each comment by author is included.

Commentary Two contains suggestions on how to achieve some of the points offered by the politicians. These suggestions are essential for the success of Toledo.

Commentary Three lists the main ideas of the many High School student comments. This list gives insight into the fears, hopes, dreams and desires of our students and helps us understand what is important to our youth. Along with the list of student concerns is a brief commentary on what our government must address if we are sincerely interested in recognizing our youth to avoid “brain drain” and thus help ensure a positive future for Toledo.

As we move forward with this campaign to elect a Mayor, we must ask the hard questions. Just listing “hot buttons” without solutions, processes or programs to effect change is not acceptable.

Please read and review the analysis of the three commentaries.

IF I WERE MAYOR COMMENTARY No. ONE, Review of Comments

A summary of the responses by the politicians offers open-ended rhetoric with lofty goals and sweeping praise of Toledo potential. Each expounded on the need for jobs, growing the economy, offering alternative energy, and improving education; however, no one offered a platform of processes to attain such lofty goals or reach Toledo potential.

The tally by classification has (24) references stressing the qualities or lack of qualities of Toledo; because Ludeman solely focused on Mayoral qualities, “ethic”, was second followed by education. There was very little reference to infrastructure and safety, which is surprising since these are two of the major mandates of the city.

Finally, there was no mention of refuse collection or recycling even though it has been the center of debate and controversy since the refuse fee was passed 2 years ago and the refuse department is preparing to spend millions of dollars to invest in new equipment.

Tally by classification (click on image to enlarge)



Politician/Comment/Classification
Collins/Future of Toledo/Vision
Collins/Opportunity for academic, economic and cultural advancement/Growth
Collins/Join together (regionally)/Vision
Collins/Realistic goals/Vision
Collins/Location 2nd to none/Vision
Collins/Crossroads of America and Canada/Vision
Collins/Adjust from an industrial/manufacturing economy/Economy
Collins/To research, development and service economy are limitless/Economy
Collins/Excel in the areas of alternative energy and biological/pharmaceutical development./Green
Collins/Void of respect, communication and trust/Vision
Collins/Unable to partner with our neighbors/Vision
Collins/Ensure we will provide for future generations (children)/Vision
Konop/Don’t like what we see/Vision
Konop/Lead country in solar technology and manufacturing/Green
Konop/Children and displaced workers receive quality college education free/Education
Konop/Bolster work force to draw employers/Jobs
Konop/Envied by neighbors/Vision
Konop/Pass torch from “good ol’ boys” network/Ethic
Konop/Scratch each other’s backs/Ethic
Konop/Fight for Toledo/Vision
Konop/Stand up to special interests/Ethic
Konop/Make sure your voice is heard/Social
Ludeman/Encouraged by many to run, needs ½ million to run/Ethic
Ludeman/High financial cost of high profile race/Ethic
Ludeman/Toledo wants change/Vision
Ludeman/Qualities needed for mayor:/Ethic
Ludeman/Conservative, specifically – financially/Ethic
Ludeman/Allegiances should be to citizens and taxpayers/Ethic
Ludeman/Background rooted in business community/Vision
Ludeman/Run city like a business not a political team or sports team/Ethic
Ludeman/Surrounded by good staff, hard workers/Ethic
Ludeman/Delegate, not control, tempo of work force/Ethic
Ludeman/Be honest, admit mistakes, move on/Ethic
Ludeman/Have faith, treat others well/Ethic
Ludeman/Have good, solid working relationship with City Council/Ethic
Ludeman/Need “change” in City Council at next election/Ethic
Ludeman/Replace those who have proved they are self-serving/Ethic
Ludeman/Issues change with time, core values should not./Ethic
Moody/Hard working and innovative/Vision
Moody/Confront and overcome challenges/Vision
Moody/Don,t rely on Federal Government to bail us out/Vision
Moody/Listen to suggestions and recommendations of neighbors/Ethic
Moody/Jobs/Jobs
Moody/Form team to work with current economic development agencies/Growth
Moody/Create environment in which business can flourish/Business
Moody/Get out of the way of business/Business
Moody/Create right environment for growth/Growth
Moody/Promote home ownership/Social
Moody/Prevent neglect and decay of homes/Infrastructure
Moody/Promote public safety/Safety
Moody/No government subsidies to accomplish the above/Ethic
Moody/Properly manned police force/Safety
Moody/Punish criminals to discourage repeat offenses/Safety
Moody/Much to be done/Vision
Moody/Infrastructure/Infrastructure
Moody/‘Brain drain’/Social
Moody/entertainment/Social
Moody/Tourism desirability/Social
Moody/Education/Education
Moody/Public perception/Social
Moody/Population flight/Social
Sarantou/3 issues will dominate/Vision
Sarantou/Economy/Economy
Sarantou/Energy/Green
Sarantou/Education/Education
Sarantou/Toledo hit hard by economy: lost jobs, employers and wealth/Vision
Sarantou/Seize opportunity; diversify economic base and work force/Business
Sarantou/Growing reputation as solar energy hub/Vision
Sarantou/Private sector encouraged by UT/Business
Sarantou/Intensify work to become world leader in alternative energy/Green
Sarantou/Must confront education obstacles and opportunities/Education
Sarantou/Support UT efforts to support region and educate work force/Education
Sarantou/Face challenges of K-12/Education
Sarantou/Quality schools are prerequisites to future success/Education
Sarantou/Anticipate future trends/Vision
Sarantou/Willingness to take risks/Vision
Sarantou/Conviction to make difficult decisions/Ethic
Wilkowski/Running to bring jobs back to Toledo/Jobs
Wilkowski/Real plans and best team to implement/Vision
Wilkowski/Rebuild Toledo, create construction jobs/Infrastructure
Wilkowski/Re-power our homes and business with clean energy/Green
Wilkowski/Revitalize manufacturing through solar panel manufacturing/Green
Wilkowski/City has done nothing to spur growth of clean energy economy and green collar jobs/Green
Wilkowski/Economic opportunity begins with education/Education
Wilkowski/Put college in reach of everyone/Education
Wilkowski/“Owens Success” “UT Guarantee” for education/Education
Wilkowski/“Toledo Promise”/Education
Wilkowski/Every graduating public student receives tuition-free Ohio college education/Education
Wilkowski/Community where/Vision
Wilkowski/Industry wants to invest/Growth
Wilkowski/Family wants to live/Social
Wilkowski/Young people want to stay/Social

IF I WERE MAYOR, COMMENTARY No. 3, Students

The Free Press received responses from a number of High School students who listed their concerns which are classified and tallied in the example. From the list, the students most frequently mentioned social amenities, community and safety. Safety and social issues were among the lower concerns of the Politicians. The contrast equates to a disconnect between the Politicians and the students. So much has been made of “brain drain” of our youth leaving Toledo, perhaps it’s time we listen more intently to their issues.

Click on image to enlarge

Letter from Keith Wilkowski

It is only fair to share a letter of apology received today from Mr. Wilkowski. It is for you as the reader to assess and decide the value of the apology. During the 3 years I campaigned, not on any one occasion did Mr. Wilkowski make any attempt to speak to me or even acknowledge my existence after he split from the Pac in 2005. As the consummate politician in Toledo, this method of shunning a candidate for office is not a mistake when repeated over a number of events. It is a method used to ensure the newcomer running for office fully understand his/her place in the political hierarchy of Toledo.

Mr. Wilkowski, thank you for the apology. It is the first acknowledgment I have received from you since 2005.

Mayor 2009 -- commentary 1

So what of Wilkowski.. is he the person for Mayor? After his stint at Chairman of the LCDP, he jumped ship in 2005 and helped Jack Ford form the Lucas County Dems Pac, was the treasurer and sat in on the screening of those who were going to run for office with the pac. Surprise! His power ploy pushed him away from Ford and the pac after he ran a survey to prove his was a better candidate for Mayor. He jumped ship again, this time from the pac he helped form, to run his own bid for Mayor. Late in 2005, he then supported Vasquez in Bob's bid for City Council at Large and was pictured on lit pieces for Bob which were distributed in Point Place and Old Orchard. Ah, but Bob was not elected. Then McCloskey was thrown out when convicted but Santiago was appointed to the at-large seat. Bob decided to run for the seat anyway and did Wilkowski support him again (just months after the last race) --- no... he then supported McNamara. I asked for 5 minutes of his time before the district seat race started, he not only ignored me, but turned his back on me. I wasn't looking for anything, I knew he would support Cichy, I just wanted to talk. He put me in my place and let me know how worthless I was by his rude refusal to grant an "audience". I wonder if this is the type of person we want for Mayor. I was hoping Toledo would find someone who considered everyone of some value. Who will he represent? Who will he support. He turned his back on the Democratic Party, on Jack Ford and the Lucas County Democrats Pac; and on Bob Vasquez. Does this speak well of him? With the offices he has held, what has he accomplished which was memorable? Wilkowski with represent Wilkowski and Wilkowski will support Wilkowski. Show me something that says otherwise.

Who Should be Mayor

I have a question for Tom Morrissey... who does he believe should be Mayor. If Carty is recalled, does he believe Rob Ludeman is the right person for the job?