Lucas County

Two releases from the Ohio House of Representatives tonight:
Armond Budish Elected as Next Speaker of the House
Szollosi, Garrison, Heard, Goyal, Sayre Round Out New Majority Leadership Team

This in via email:
Toledo Young Republican Club Seeks Advisory Opinion From Ohio Elections Commission
TOLEDO, OH — The Toledo Young Republican Club has requested an advisory opinion from the Ohio Elections Commission following the passage of a number of property tax levies in Lucas County on November 4, 2008.

I received emails from the offices of Representative Peter Ujvagi and Senator Mark Wagoner today on the approval from the State Controlling Board. Rep. Ujvagi’s came in first so it is listed first, Senator Wagoner’s follows, while each contains information related to HRC Manor Care, each shares a different second local business. The decision to combine was based on the fact that both releases relate to funds from the State Controlling Board.
Rep. Ujvagi Announces State Approval of Job-Creating Support

TOLEDO, OH — The Toledo Young Republican Club has requested an advisory opinion from the Ohio Elections Commission following the passage of a number of property tax levies in Lucas County on November 4, 2008.
The request is regarding the phrase “not a new tax,” which often appears in the marketing material for levies that are seeking a replacement. The Club has determined that this language is misleading because the levy will actually raise the average resident’s property taxes due to the re-evaluating of it to current levels.

This in via email from the office of State Representative Peter Ujvagi:
Rep. Ujvagi Announces State Grant for Port of Toledo
$5 Million for Dredging to Make Port the Largest on the Great Lakes
COLUMBUS – State Representative Peter Ujvagi (D-Toledo) today announced the Port of Toledo will receive a $5 million grant from the Ohio Department of Development.

Back in early October the Toledo Journal wrote about the resignation of five of the Equal Opportunity Planning Association Board members. It pointed out some of the problems and I was surprised that no other media outlet covered this, especially with as contentious as it was described:

I think I have a fairly good idea of what the real motivation is behind cities like Waterville or Ottawa Hills placing more stringent residency requirements on where registered sex offenders live within their city limits. It’s a way of telling those who have these types of backgrounds, “you aren’t welcome here”.

This in via email from the Office of the Mayor:
Dear Friends of the Mayor,
As we approach the November 4th elections, I want to remind all of you that we have an important task ahead of us that affects every single Toledoan whether they know it or not - saving COSI.

The cover story of this week’s Toledo Free Press is an interview with John Glenn on the topic of Science education key to U.S. competitiveness. While the former astronaut and Senator supports the COSI levy, the interview provides some indepth material on more than COSI, no matter your position on that local levy issue, it’s a recommended read.

If you have been following the series written on the Blade on Poverty it’s pretty clear that no matter who you hold responsible, more Ohioans are at the poverty level than before. Those who provide services are experiencing an increased demand:

I recommend heading over and reading the full post, as it has updates on Tent City but I wanted to point out this part of the post written by Ken Leslie:
Urgent News
We wanted you to be alerted to a situation. Cherry Street Mission and Food for Thought are two very strong supporters of Tent City.
But due to such an increase in need, both organizations are going through a shortage of resources to help those they serve.

Lisa Renee took some photos of the event and I noticed Jon Stainbrook protesters at the McCain event (no Aaron Lewis of Staind was not there). Interesting that there was a Megan Gallagher mug shot being used on the one sign.

This in via email from the Fallen Timbers Republican Club:
The Fallen Timbers Republican Club joins other area clubs denouncing the endorsement of Levies by the Party Chairman

If this is an example of the "New Party", then we are in for only more disappointment. It sounds very Rinoish. Thank goodness that the Young Republicans (I am Vice President) are standing up for lower taxes and good government. If you did not hear Jon this morning on Fred's show you should.
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Young Republicans oppose Republican Party Levy Endorsement
This in via email from the Lucas County Young Republicans:
Toledo Young Republican Club Opposes Republican Party Levy Endorsement

This release in via email from Tom Morrissey:
Toledo, OH - In his 2006 campaign for Lucas County Commissioner, Ben Konop twice took an “ethics pledge” in which he stated “I will serve the full duration of the term for the office of which I am elected to.”
Now an online petition at www.onetermis.notlong.com is calling on Konop to honor that pledge to Lucas County voters.
(more…)

Today on Bridges, on 13abc, Jon Stainbrook said that Lynn Olman and Patrick Kriner "are not loyal Republicans". He called them that because they do not listen to him.
Jon also cast doubt on the results at the board of elections, by saying he is scared of what will happen in the presidential election, and even said that everyone should mark his words, almost assuring there will be problems.
He said the job of the chair of the Lucas County Republican party is to look out for Republicans and the voters of Lucas County.

My curiosity got to me when I read the article in the Blade about the new charter flight service that was coming to Toledo, and it appears Direct Air prefers smaller airports. While announcing their launch here, they also announced launching service to Worchester, MA which had not had any passenger service since 2006.

In this Toledo Blade article published Friday, “State wants more arena information on financing,” apparently the State of Ohio finds that the Lucas County's Arena Project doesn't quite pass The SMELL TEST...And good for them!What appears to be an infection of Loco Politico Arrogance, is spreading and Lucas County is the latest to come down with the symptoms, sending alarms to the State of Ohio's purse string holders.

1. Visit the Ohio Secretary of State Website
http://www.sos.state.oh.us/

2. Click on "Candidates"

3. Click on "Candidate Requirements"

First the Blade article on yesterday’s Press Conference held by Jan Scotland, who is running against current Lucas County Commissioner Tina Skeldon Wozniak, then the text of the statement made by Mr. Scotland yesterday that was received by email and is shared below as received:
THE KEYSTONE KOPS LIVE ON IN LUCAS COUNTY

A few stories caught my eye that I wanted to point out. First, did you think that with the welcome mat not being out for lobbyists that the Democratic National Convention would be different this time?

For those of you looking for the salacious part of the story?

For those of you looking for the salacious part of the story? E-mails trace path to James Hartung’s firing shares some of the details many have speculated about. Kathy Teigland has not spoken to the press on the record but she is quoted in the Blade article and has sent in a statement via email that the Blade also has online.

This in via email:
Statement by William J. Carroll Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority chairman
Last week, all 13 members of the Port Authority Board unanimously voted to terminate the employment of President James Hartung. Questions have been asked about the reasons for the termination. When disseminating information the Board has a responsibility to consider the public’s need for information as well as the impact such information may have upon potential litigation.

We don’t get many candidates who visit over here in my part of South Toledo, some supporters during campaign season to drop off literature but just a few moments ago, Jan Scotland stopped by doing door to door in this neighborhood. He braved past the Hillary Clinton for president sign on the door, and two little yippy dogs to drop off a small campaign card that states:
Scotland for Commissioner
Jobs - We need to make Lucas County more friendly to Businesses because it’s businesses that hire people, not politicians.