Media

This is was just reported not long ago on the Toledo City Council approves 2009 budget:

The budget includes $21 million in cuts from 2008 — including about 45 layoffs from general fund positions.

I saw this on Fox Toledo at 4:00 p.m. where it has been reported that Deshawn McCardell, the 17-year-old suspect accused of shooting and killing Antonyo Phillips in December, will stand trial as an adult.
What I noticed I missed was Bishop Stephen Ward, who talked to Fox News on December 29th about teen violence and what he’s trying to do to prevent it:

The recent edition of La Prensa has an article from the Associated Press that was not covered online in this area on the Protest rally that took place on December 30th in Dearborn.
Two of my daughters were in Dearborn at the time, this article confirms what they had told me they witnessed:

The Blade has a small blurb but I recommend reading the Columbus Dispatch article since it has more details. Apparently:

I actually noticed the new design earlier when I was looking for something there, then just a few moments ago I saw this in the Blade announcing that Sylvania City Council was going to host a demonstration of their new site at their Council Meeting.

State of the City 2009: “TRANSFORMING TOLEDO TOGETHER!”
Mayor Carty Finkbeiner’s 2009 State of the City Address will boldly declare Toledo is now America’s most progressive and innovative alternative energy center — and how we will further this transformation in 2009.
Here it is, thanks to the Toledo Free Press:
STATE OF THE CITY — 2009 MAYOR CARTY FINKBEINER
Monday, January 5, 2009

Ignazio Messina tackled the story of Council Attendance today in the Blade which if you followed the earlier reporting by Fox Toledo, Is Toledo Council Earning their Pay? you can come up with a good idea of the total numbers.

Not long ago when the Toledo Blade allowed comments on articles, I wondered to myself how long it would be allowed to continue without some type of moderation, because to be honest, some of those who commented there made some of the really insulting comments made here that I let stand seem like compliments. In Sunday’s column by Jack Lessenberry, it addresses in part why the ability to comment was removed:

Sometimes I think it would be helpful if when someone writes a letter to the editor there was some type of a way to put in an official response or to actually be able to share information. As an example, a letter in today’s Letters to the Editor states that the Lucas County Treasurer’s office has changed the way the Homestead Exemption is done. That’s not true..

I had a hard time getting the line from the song from the Wizard of Oz, “if I were King of the Forest” out of my head when I look at this week’s theme which is mentioned in the cover story about a local girl, Emerald Woodberry, who recently was awarded a $200,000 scholarship to the University of Notre Dame through the QuestBridge National College Match program.

This week’s Conklin & Company on WTVG with Lee Conklin focused on Housing, Ben Konop and Take Three, Lucas County Commissioner Ben Konop was the first guest. The first focus was on the two commissioners and why all three can’t get along, with the budget being the most recent example. Ben said the budget issue was simple to him, there will be less public safety, no sheriff’s class and less patrols with the budget spending money on things like windows, selected raises, he took issue with the priorities. He felt crime tends to go up when the economy is in failure.

It appears that the best we can hope for at this point is for Southwyck to be demolished according to this report from WTOL who spoke with District 2 Councilman D. Michael Collins earlier today:

I was reading the Toledo Business Journal’s recent edition, and this article caught my attention, Tech firm aims for global water purification. It’s a great story about how Innovative Water Technologies, LLC is working with the University of Toledo to develop a solution for a pressing global problem, access to clean water.

According to the article:

The Top Local News Stories of 2008 are the focus of “This Strikes Us” in the most recent edition of the Sojourner’s Truth. I recommend reading the reasoning behind each selection, here’s the basics, I’ve added a few words where necessary…

One option not mentioned in the article today about Christmas Tree disposal was recycling the tree yourself, which doesn’t mean loading it up and driving it somewhere (though really people you loaded it up and brought it home) it means finding ways to use the tree. This Chicago Sun article has some suggestions on how you can use the tree for a variety of things, including as a bird feeder.

Since we focused on this story and the topic of curfew violation I wanted to share this link where the father of the 17 year old accused of killing 15 year old Antonyo Phillips not only talked to WTOL but is a minister:

The same week Herman McCardell saw his 17-year-old son Deshawn in cuffs, in court and facing a murder charge, this local pastor is spreading the message that something needs to be done.

The announcement was made today at the ceremony at the Main Library to present the Library system with copies of the music compilation, “Legacy: Songs in the Key of Toledo” earlier today. The two set CD collection will be available for your listening pleasure in approximately two weeks. More information on what happened today and the announcement of the creation of an exploratory committee for a Toledo Music Hall of Fame can be found at the Toledo Free Press.

Fox Toledo reported this earlier today, stating:
TOLEDO - The Finkbeiner administration announced late Tuesday that a week-long furlough for all non-safety service employees will go into effect Friday, Feb. 13.
Jason Webber, Mayor Carty Finkbeiner’s spokesman, said all layoff and recall procedures relating to the Glass City’s union contracts “will be scrupulously followed.”

No return date has been announced.

It appears there is some agreement from those in both parties when you read the full article, Even in bad times, Ohioans to get tax cut.

Sometimes, I get the chance to become involved in projects that I would never have been able to be even a small part of had I not started blogging, this edition of the Toledo Free Press is one of those times. As you can see by the cover that has a picture of Randy Sparks, the main focus of this issue is a the journey to create a moment of musical history. Songs in the Key of Toledo.

If you read the Blade, it doesn’t list any of the names beyond Tom Noe:

Last night about 8:15 p.m. I got a phone call telling me about what at the time was thought to be one lone Toledo City Garbage truck, who was not running what appeared to be a regular route but went to one specific house on Ketner Street. At the time that seemed rather odd, it then seemed even a bit odder after reading WTVG this morning:

This week’s Conklin and Company on WTVG was the final show for the year which took a look back at the last year in politics. Interviews with President-elect Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, John McCain and the interview with Charles Gibson were replayed. Then a video interview with one of the lead designers for the Extreme Make Over was replayed.
That was about it, no discussion of local politics and no Take Three this week.

While this week’s This Strikes Us in the Sojourner’s Truth makes it clear they don’t agree with all of the positions taken by Rev. Rick Warren; the editorial shares their reasons why they applaud it:

I’ve had the opportunity to participate in Food for Thought in the past during the Friday nights when the lunches are being put together and the Saturday when the bagged lunches are being given out. If you haven’t read the Blade article, More than a meal is offered through Food For Thought, I hope you head over and read it.