Community Mayoral Debate: Six Who Would be Mayor

By Tricia Hall
Sojourner’s Truth Reporter

The Toledo Branch NAACP, the Toledo Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated and The Sojourner’s Truth sponsored a mayoral forum on Thursday, October 15 at Woodward High School.

Mayoral candidates were asked questions from selected panelists and questions from the audience, every candidate wasn’t asked the same series of questions. This article documents exact responses to all questions.

Candidates:

·         Michael “Mike” Bell graduated from the University of Toledo. He was appointed Chief of Toledo Fire and Rescue Department in 1990, State of Ohio Fire Marshal in 2007, elected mayor of Toledo in 2009.

·         Sandy Drabik Collins is former Mayor D. Michael Collins’ widow and earned her law degree from The Ohio State University. Collins has 35 years of public service employment, including, currently, vice president of administrative services and general counsel for UT and current Ohio Building Authority member.

·         Mike Ferner served the City of Toledo during two-terms on Toledo City Council. He graduated from UT and served the United States Navy as Hospital Corpsman.

·         Carleton “Carty” Finkbeiner graduated from Denison University. He was elected mayor of Toledo in 1993, 1997 and 2005. He has hosted local television shows and previously coached at two local high schools.

·         Mayor Paula Hicks Hudson earned her law degree from the University of Iowa College of Law. She was appointed to Toledo City Council in 2011, became council president in 2013 and became mayor immediately following Mayor Collins’ untimely death in 2015.

·         Councilwoman Sandy Spang graduated from Bowling Green State University, opened a small business in 2009 in South Toledo called Plate 21. In 2013, she was elected to Toledo City Council and serves on several local boards.
 

Michael “Mike” Bell

“[Re: blacklivesmatters movement] It is apparent, when running for the mayor of the City of Toledo that all lives matter. What we have to do is focus on the areas where we aren’t as sensitive or educated, and make sure that everyone is treated fairly. All lives mater.

In dealing with gun violence, we need to take the initiative seriously. In order to do what we need, there must be discipline inside the police force which allows everyone to feel safe involving this particular issue.
 

When I was mayor, we had Police Chief Diggs, and we prepared all cases to ensure that the people felt safe. He was able to reduce crime through technology and deployment of officers, showing that it can be done. We have to have programs in place that deal with the cause of the problem.

While I was mayor we had T-Serve, where people were brought into the court room, we talked with them, and help them to understand that if you want to do right there are people to help you. If you want to do wrong, we’re going to take it seriously, which could include jail. What they should know is that number one, we’re trying to help them first, but secondly if you don’t chose to do right by the law we will arrest you.

[ Re the City hiring ex-offenders] Let’s be clear, there are people working who haven’t been caught for doing the exact same thing that they are accusing other people of doing. One of the biggest things we’re trying to work on, before I left, was the reentry program. To help people who want to get their lives back on track. We cause some of these problems, we create an environment here. Where people say ‘okay I paid my debt but we’re not going to hire you’.

Then we force people to positions that they don’t need to be in. What I’m saying is, inside the City of Toledo we need to set the example. It’s easy to say re-entry, but it’s different when you put this in action.

We will hire people who are qualified, so they can change their lives, and change their families’ lives. My intent is to work with regional agencies closely, but part of our problem here in Toledo is that people lose in that area. We haven’t changed our plan in a long time. We have not looked outside of the box in a long time. We have put all of our eggs in one hat.

[ Re: economic development] The automobile industry has been very good to us, but now it’s time to diversify and understand that this is part of our problem. What are some of the other things that can be done? I was working on this solution, just this past summer with individuals who were trying to bring digital and high tech type work to Toledo, and make it similar to Silicon Valley. Working on the University of Toledo and Bowling Green State University, we should be able to do this. These were young people who had ideas, and were prepared to come here from California. We need to start thinking outside the box. Our young people, are aware of digital, and understand high tech. We have people here who could do those things. What we haven’t done is market what we have done to the world, about what we sit perfectly ready to do.

The two high-powered universities are able to do that, and provide the education and attract a pool of young people who can provide that leadership.

[Re: closing of last abortion clinic] This issue came up last week in a debate.

My stance as mayor is you have to enforce the laws. It behooves you regardless of your personal beliefs. You have to make sure the standard of care is taken care of inside your city. I would use the mayor’s bully bullpen to get them to talk, Promedica or any other health system that are prepared to help. There are cases for both sides, as long as it’s legal within the city, you have to be able to take yourself outside the issue. The citizens should be able to seek health options.

[ Re: patronizing black-owned businesses] I patronize Ruby’s. I’m always over at Our Brother’s Place, and when I had hair I used to patronize Fez. If I was buying jewelry I would go to Henry’s, but I haven’t bought any jewelry lately. Those are just a few of the [black owned] businesses.

My position is to keep the temporary [city] payroll tax and increase by four percent, which would be allocated towards fixing the streets. I’ve been very clear on that position the entire time I’ve been campaigning here. We need to stop waiting on the federal and state government to come in, I don’t believe that will happen.

We need to allocate 70 million, move back from general fund to capital improvements. That gives us 30 million to work on roads. Then we can take the temporary tax, and plan 10 years out, so we can plan and be able to fix the roads. I think that would be more beneficial. We can leverage a lower interest rates will help us in these negotiation. If you want to have economic development you have to have drivable roads.

[Closing statement] I will support anything that will bring a higher quality of life to any area of this city. Anyone who knows me, knows where to find me on Saturday, which is near the basketball games or other programs in the community. I was the mayor that took over during the worse deficit, ever, in the history of the city.

Without a positive attitude and without the strength from my parents, I wouldn’t been able to do some of the things that I was able to do. Let me give you just a few of those things. First, we were able to balance the budget of $48 million deficit to $5 million surplus. During the period of time while doing that we were able to hire a 192 fire fighters, and 180 police officers, purchase 212 police cars, build three fire stations.

We talked about diversity today, we had the first African-American police chief and first Hispanic fire chief. We had the largest amount of contracts awarded to minority contractors in the history of the city. We also fixed 200 miles of roads and raised the level of participation within the city dramatically.

What I’m asking is for the opportunity to do this again. The budget situation isn’t as bad as when I took office the last time. I think that I can really take it some place. It’s all about thinking outside the box. It’s all about keeping a positive attitude. It’s all about the things that we can do together. I’m sitting up here because I care about this city. I’m looking for the opportunity to give back.”
 

Sandy Drabik Collins

“[ Re: blacklivesmatter] I would like to say that all lives matter, black lives matter, all lives matter. As a citizen of this city, there have been a lot of times where situations, I have seen that something less than fair has happen. All lives matter, and we all need to do our part to rectify any wrongs.
 

[Re gun violence] We need to deal with gun violence very seriously. In addition to the cameras, community policing and integrity can help relationships. This means that neighbors know police men and police men know neighborhoods. They all feel like one within the neighborhood. We simply need more police officers, more patrolmen on the street. It can’t wait, we need more police officers. Their visibility itself can cut this down. After we deal with that, we must find the money. I believe that we can. We can add 40 police officers each year, for the next two years until we reach 575 patrolmen. That number doesn’t increase by 80, it increases by half because of promotions and retirements. We must also deal with the causes and look at education.  Many times a cause can be dealt with if we provide more educational opportunities.  

[Re: developing the Southwyck area] The Southwick area are has sat far too long, it’s important not to lose that part of the city and tax base. I appreciate that my husband championed the city to buy that property, and so the city can do something. The city must do something. I understand that there are plans to work with the private sector, which I applaud. The city must be helpful by having that portion of the community included in planning. So we will know that it will follow the need the citizens within the city.

[Re: affirmative action in contracting goals] In the area of construction, we need to make sure that our affirmative action goals are met. We can ask for that. The city can be proactive and follow the affirmative action plans for construction.

[Re: attracting companies to Toledo] In order to attract new corporations, we must focus our minds on not losing the ones that we have left. Making it a better place for them. It’s hard to attract major corporations when the roads look like they do, and people don’t feel safe within their own houses. We have to address these issues right away. We also have to actively market. Why not market to the world, because that will expose us to the world. It will attract business here. We have to let them know it’s a great place to live because they could virtually move anyway for certain types of work. We have to be an ambassador of that, in the office of the mayor.

[Re: abortion laws and clinics] Elected officials should follow the law, and I would do that in all cases. When something is not in the jurisdiction of the office, regardless of personal views, which aren’t important. They must follow the law. I would not take an active role, with the respect to the organization like Promedica. But with respect to this particular issue, I would be compelled to talk with legislative because the law is passive. I would express myself to legislatures.

[Re: patronizing black-owned businesses]I always try to patronize small businesses, especially restaurants. There was a place on Westwood, I would visit often for their ribs. I have patronized a number of minority businesses.

I don’t know how many city employees live outside the city.

[Closing statement] In addition to finishing [the late D. Collins’] platform, which I believe was very solid. I also want to draw national attention to the water problem. We can’t just fix dangerous water, and spend millions of dollars trying to fix it. What we need to do is go to the federal government. This problem is bigger than any city, or state.

In addition to that, I have done a lot of work in making governments more efficient. I’ve worked alongside city deputies. I can bring things to the table and help Toledo businesses become more of a state business. When I did work for the state, I came here and tried to get more Toledo businesses, because everyone thought it was just Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati. I went around to the other cities, trying to convince them to see Toledo businesses as state businesses. I believe that this can become very effective.

We should have a clean city, with green spaces with transportation. A safe city, a livable city, an inclusive city with a stable government. I think we need to fix some pretty big problems. Those problems aren’t just the roads, safety, and water quality. We need to show our city government that they can do more and work more. Our response times can be better, we need to bring city government to the people, and make it work well before we bring in other money.

We need to bring in revenue and cut expenses. I want a government that will look for more service, provide good ideas, and start with the people of city government. That’s what I intend to do if given the privilege of serving. I intend to ask the city workers how they would improve government. I think that there are a lot of ideas and we need a lot of input to improve our city and roads. Thank you.”

Mike Ferner

“[Re: Issue 1 marijuana vote] As I told the Toledo Blade editorial board, I was there and they asked a very similar question. When you look at the table of organization chart for the city. It always has the citizens, and elected officials from various parts of the administration. It seems to me that the citizen spoke very clearly. In a brief email that I sent to Mayor Hicks-Hudson, a few days ago, I asked her to ensure, her administration will defend the ordnance against the attorney general suit as vigorously as possible.

If I was mayor, I would make it clear to the officers that the will of the people would be enforced. Through that suit filed by the Attorney General we would find out which parts are constitutional and unconstitutional. I would do everything possible to ensure that the terms are enforced.

[Re: diversity in hiring administrators] Yes, I will commit to make every effort to ensure my administration is as diverse as the city. The chief executive of the city should make every effort. The top administrations would know, that this is the way it will be. We will define good, qualified candidates that will help the administration reflect the diversity of the city. You won’t find people that are qualified to make the administration more diverse, unless you really go looking for them. Everyone has to look for them. The other part of your question about the affirmative action office. I’m assuming it needs strengthening, I’m not aware of the particulars of the office in recent years since I left council. I was at city council hearing when Jack Ford and Theresa Gabriel was there, I remember them questioning the contractors of the city and whether the affirmative action goals of the city were going to be kept during the Promedica construction. The company tried to weasel out of it, and the administration wasn’t up front about it. I testified about the parking garage and that I support affirmative action goals put in place.

[Re: Southwyck] While I was talking to some people on my campaign. I remember a city recreation center that I once visited. It was a city-owned facility, it offered reasonable membership rate and seemed to meet the needs of the city. It went far beyond our facilities, what we need is a first-class plan process, so we can reflect more than just one or two people’s ideas. [Re: heroin epidemic] We have to think realistically that we are not going to end drug abuse, the next best thing, is to arm ourselves about what could happen with transmission of diseases. We will need support from the medical experts in Toledo and beyond. I would like to see substance abuse and mental health problems seen as health problems.

When you have health problems you see a doctor, you go to a hospital and not a jail. If we start treating people like human beings, and do everything possible to help get them through these types of problems instead of putting in jail. The prison system isn’t a mental health system. We need to get smart on how we deal with these problems. We will never be able to hire enough police to deal with that capacity. We need to place the people who want treatment in facilities where they can receive treatment.

[Re: affirmative action] Anyone that says color doesn’t matter, doesn’t take into account affirmative action, because it does matter. To answer your question I would make sure the city affirmative action numbers are abided by. I would go beyond that. I’m interested in following models used in Cleveland right now. In inner-city areas of Cleveland, the city and a leading foundation and major institutions collaborated and formed worker-owned for-profit business. People work in these businesses and own them. The people earn a wage and earn equity in that company. When they retire or leave that company, they get a cash settlement which is not insufficient, and they can do something else. They are building wealth within that community and that is one thing that our current economic development practices don’t have. We take offers from jobs, even if they don’t build wealth, we don’t consider the workers.

[Re: black-owned businesses] My insurance guy is white, and my barber is white. I mostly shop at Kroger’s and belong to a food co-op. I also get most of my clothes from Salvation Army and Good Will. So I guess I don’t do very well in this area.

[Re: Why me for mayor] What sets me apart is my background. I’ve been an organizer, sometimes paid but most times unpaid. I’ve also organized for environmental groups and labor groups. I have experience helping people come together to take on the struggle of power. Even when they believe there is nothing they can do about it. As a good organizer, I was able to help and inspire them, knowing they need to work together and build on their good nature that most people have. Too often people don’t put that to good use. In the office of mayor we will need some organizing to deal with some of the problems that we have. Anyone that runs for office knows that jobs are very important, we all believe that true.

[Closing statement] One thing that I do differently, as I mentioned earlier, is to find ways to build wealth within the community. That means for example, difference between regular wage job verse worker-owned companies. That won’t happen overnight or be able to employee thousands of people right off the back. If the city maintains a focus on that, that is something overtime that can make a difference. There is something as simple as energy saving programs, I know that sounds very boring, but when people save money on their utility bills they can keep that money in their pockets. They can spend the money locally and maintain wealth within the community. There are programs in the city that will go a long way, with very little money spent. This is just a few ways to keep money in the community as much as possible, so a community can build wealth.

I’ve been told by some friends that I need to do better job explaining that not only do I want to be mayor, but that I’m interested in the nitty gritty details of city government, including working on bigger picture issues. So I want to let you know what I did on Toledo City Council, during my two terms. There is no one up here that has done what I did, which was support for over a year to change the city’s tax formula so that it got things done and corporations no longer got a free ride. What it meant for the schools, it offered an additional 10 million dollars to the schools and other agencies that relied on property tax. That took a lot of work. I don’t know too many people who can say they generated $10 million for the schools budget over a 10 year period. Also, sponsored a program where city invested over a million for energy efficiency over city buildings, it may be boring, but saves $3-4 million on utilities. I followed up on a proposal from a student at the Friendly Center, street outreach program worker, Celia Williamson. She is now a national leader in human trafficking.”

Carleton “Carty” Finkbeiner

“[Re: Issue 1 marijuana] I agree with everything that Mr. Ferner has said, plus the Toledo Blade editorial board summarized it beautifully. There are 24 wards in this city, and all 24 voted to decriminalize marijuana. That is a resounding message, that we should fight as vigorously as we are fighting the red light cameras along the Anthony Wayne Trail. There is no question that Toledoans support decriminalize.
 

We need to stand up to the not-so-big brothers in Columbus Ohio, and let them know where Toledo stands on this issue. We need to stick by it legally and vigorously as we can, and for as long as we can. Having been there, I can tell you that we had a cabinet of 25 members. At one time, we had more minorities and women, than the good old white boys, which historically controlled Toledo City government. I can also tell you that I had the good old boys white network had basically run over the mayor and city hall, then I brought in an African-American woman named Theresa M. Gabriel, who broke it up very quickly. She told the truth, whether I liked the truth or not. Even when the good old white boys would give it to me.

I don’t care about gender or color, I want the best and brightest people who want to bring about change. If change will make the city of Toledo stronger and better. I want to strengthen each and every department, including Affirmative Action Office.

[Re: attracting major companies] The city plays a major role in attracting middle class jobs, along with regional partnership like Port Authority and University of Toledo. The Midwest has been crunched ever since the housing foreclosures and bail outs. We have to bounce back, the whole economy of America needs to bounce back. The Midwest is really suffering. I think we need to look inside first before going outside. We need to provide more money, more support, and more encouragement for small business in Toledo that could grow into large companies.

There is also alternative energy, CNN called us the energy center of the future. It kind of hurt us, we have First Solar and University of Toledo, which has a good infrastructure for alternative energy. Even the state of Michigan is making a big push to alternative energy. Automobile supplies, and related industries is another opportunity. We’ve made some progress in this step. [Re: heroin epidemic] The Lucas County Sheriff department and his team are taking new steps. I applaud them for doing so. He has officers trained in intervention, and therapy solutions. I think the city of Toledo police need to take a similar approach. Also over prescriptions by doctors have added to the heroin addition on this area. I would like to see a successful approach to this issue. There are steps in the right direction. I am hopeful it can make a positive different in the right direction.

[Re: economic development] This is a real issue, automobile jobs were very helpful to minority families, they were able to put their kids through college and buy homes. The automobile jobs are shrinking. What can we do? First, more vocational education training within our public school system, everyone is not going off to college. We have a great vocation training within our city and the superintendent wants to go in that direction. I would like to see the city have a higher percentage of minority construction. I can’t believe that the building of this beautiful school like this, that some of the things that have taken place with public fund dollars. We have allowed minority constructors to get a percentage of work, I have given that testimony. In Philadelphia, they encourage local hiring by local corporations, like hospitals and law firms. They will hire college graduates from the city of Philadelphia over outside schools. Lastly, all of our regional corporations need to what they can to hire multicultural, as well as in the public sector.

[Re: black-owned businesses] I patronize Henry’s Jewelry store, Al Smith the photographer, and the Quality Inn. I know one thing that we talk all the time about is more policeman and public safety.

We need more city inspectors to get out and make certain that the city codes are being followed, daily and religiously. They need to be out in the field, we need more city inspectors to make sure that our housing stock is being kept up to date. Since Detroit has been struggling with that in the last few years, they just put together a project to focus on houses that are fixable and tearing down homes that are no longer fixable. The ones that are fixable, are provided with help and assistance from the city and the county of Wayne in rebuilding those homes. For the properties that are torn down, they take one of 16 alternative ways that the property can be reused, like agriculture, building another home, or things of that nature. There is work to be done in our city but it starts with us enforcing the housing codes in the city much more vigorously. That may require even more participation from Block Watch groups, they can let city authorities know which homes are running down. If there is a resource to clean that up, we need to find that resource. The city needs to find resource between the city and private sector.

[Re: a suit by former employees during his tenure] The team that I was working with felt that two individuals in particular had failed to go to work, that was the official charge, failure to report and complete professional duties. The team felt these two should be dismissed, I supported and agreed with it. I was close to the situation and our legal counsel said that we would win that case. It was turned over to the next administration and they decided to strike a deal which the Councilman Mike Collins believed was a waste of the tax payers’ money. I think he was right. I wouldn’t have done anything differently up until the time I left office, and turned that responsibility over to the next administration.

[Closing statement] Thank you NAACP, ladies and for the questions. You gave us a good cross section of questions. I would like to recognize, a former mayor, who wasn’t recognized. She did great work for our city, Donna Owens and thank you for being here with us tonight. She is the only former mayor, besides the ones at this table.

Also, I want to say tonight, ladies and gentleman, you have a pretty visionary group of candidates. Present company excluded, these other folks are pretty sharp. As I listened to them over the last two weeks, I can say only one will be elected. I hope the other five will remain involved with helping this city move forward with the NAACP and all the other organizations. We need to have anybody and everybody involved. I want to encourage the people at this table, to join hands with the new mayor.

Just a few things I will tell you in 30 seconds. I helped build a new Jeep plant not far from where we are right now. I repaved 36 street miles every year. I did not touch the street money for anything else, it was just used to repave streets. I had the best record of anyone, following Donna Owens. She was a little bit ahead of me. In 2007 was rated fifth best drinking water by the U.S. Congress of Mayors, and we became an all American City. I think that record speaks for itself, and I would be grateful for your vote.”

Mayor Paula Hicks Hudson

“[Re: Issue 1] Before I received Mr. Ferner’s email, I had already directed the law director to defend the vote and will of Toledo citizens from that lawsuit. Now back to your questions about enforcement by the police. I haven’t had that conversation with the chief of police, because of just all that has transpired. My statement to the law director should be an indication, because that will be my statement to the police chief. The citizens of the city have spoken, we have an ordinance on the books that will be enforced, and enforced properly. I think the ordinance shows the progressive nature of our community, in that we recognize what a misdemeanor conviction could mean to someone in the area of employment. The citizens of the city have spoken, and I think that our ordinance is a responsible way to deal with an issue of marijuana use in our city. A person convicted of marijuana possession with qualified skills won’t be discriminated against for city employment.
 

[Re: hiring ex-offenders] I believe that we have to hire these people. Looking back as a former defense attorney, there are many people who make mistakes and pay for those mistakes. When someone comes for employment, we need to look at those who are qualified to do the work. The city used to have on its application, a box, which you checked if you had a conviction but that has been removed. It is no longer a barrier. When that person passes the first hurdle, we have to look at other possible issues include bonding. Which is required for various positions. A person with just a general felony conviction is able to apply and be considered for a position within the city.

[Re: economic development] One of the things standing in our way of economic development is our inability to redefine ourselves, and discuss this. We have a diverse economy with Promedica and Mercy Health Partners.

Secondly, we have to provide more opportunities and programs for small business in manufacturing and development. The City of Toledo is the largest metropolitan city in the region of northwest Ohio, which is an important fact and we must have true partnerships, and more unified approaches. I’ve met with other mayors and other departments and discussed ways to market our area, and find natural connections in our area. The mayor should provide that type of information for development in our area.

[Re: heroin epidemic] The city of Toledo has partnered with the county on an initiative to deal with reforming the criminal justice. Heroin and opium addiction is currently facing our city and community at large. It requires health care professionals, the courts, social workers, everyone in education, and parts of the community to help educate us all on addiction.

I was working with the juvenile court system, and was appalled at the number of families that were torn apart by this addiction in our community. The juvenile court system has a holistic approach which includes education, social, welfare, health care professional, and law enforcement to surround and help this individual who is found convicted as a user of this drug. The city must continue to be a partner in this process, instead of just expecting law enforcement to only handle this.

[Re: black-owned businesses] I patronize my insurance company, my dentist, and an African American Credit Union. Before I became mayor I was a small business owner, my own law practice. While growing up in Hamilton Ohio, my parents had their own dry cleaning businesses, so I understand the need for having businesses and customers. It was always a struggle with having to compete with a major dry cleaners. It was important for me to learn this. In order for us to develop wealth in our communities, neighborhoods, or geographic community, you need to keep those dollars as much as possible within that community. I understand that my ability to earn a higher education is because of the work that my parents did as small business owners and keeping those dollars in the community, in order to spread the wealth.

[Re: police body cameras] We have already begun to address body cameras for officers. Two weeks ago, we had a press conference to show the body cameras that we had purchased. My goal is that all police officers have them. Community polices is where it’s a partnership with police and community. I will continue to work with the chief and others to make it more inclusive. You have to have a better communication and understanding on how police operate, and also understand the community in which officers operate in. That requires more communication, understanding, better training, and more inclusiveness of the needs of the department. There are some things that I have learned since becoming the mayor that are not culturally specially, that is all part of that communication in community policing that we have to do.

[Closing] I too want to say thank you for having this opportunity to have this conversation and answer questions that were posed to us. I want to tell you about the last few months of my life. I didn’t seek this position but sometimes when opportunities or fate or karma enter a situation you have to answer the call. That is what I have done for the last eight months.

Those of you who know me, know that I work more in the background and believe that actions speak louder than words. I believe that thus far you have seen my actions as mayor of this fine city. First and foremost, the time that I ascended to the 22^nd floor, which is the mayor’s office, was a time in which the city was hurt. I wasn’t sure how we were going to move forward or if we were moving forward, or just standing still. My actions have been one of moving us forward in a measured, reasonable and thoughtful process. While looking at situations and gathering information, to make the best decision that one could make with all the information that one has received. Looking at and having discussions with experts. I pledge to you today, if you chose to vote for me, that I will continue to focus on what’s best for the city. I will always, always put what’s best for all of us in the forefront. Together, we can make a difference, in the community, we can make a difference in the lives of young people that we are so desperately talking about. So thank you again.”

Sandy Spang

“[Re: police force] I think a question like this has an initial enforcement piece and root problems, which need to be addressed. It should be commended that the police have increased community policing. I think that’s a positive move. Mayor Collins’ had increased community officers from three to 10 officers. That is important, but we also must look beyond our police force. As the chief has indicated, an appropriate size force is over 700. Of course funding has to be found for that. I think we also have to identify the root causes and opportunities. We can have a strong youth commission. Let’s redefine what the youth commission does. There is also peaceful resistance, which you can see some examples in Wilson Park.
 

This gives a voice to our youth. We need to both address this issue within the police department and within the community by providing more opportunity and more alternatives. Toledo is a city that serves a population of over 400,000 folks, and we’ve lost over 120,000 of those residents. We need to tell a new story and bring everyone along. We need to provide an opportunity for everyone.  

[Re: Issue 1] I concur with that the mayor has said, and I think that the people of Toledo have spoke clearly about penalizing marijuana. I don’t think that should be an impediment of the ability for employment. It’s also important that we are able to focus more on opium. We are losing sons and daughters to cocaine addiction. The discrimination of marijuana shouldn’t affect employment, education or financial aid. I think the people have spoken and should have a greater impact as it’s applied to employment.

[Re: economic development] In my administration, economic development will be structured from the top down and bottom up. What I mean by that, every department will understand their role in economic development. The police department has an innovative program for environmental policing. It can help businesses that are pressured by high crime. Our inspection department can work more closely with a small business navigator to help entrepreneur. It will also work from the bottom up, which means we start with the people and the places that are here. I’ve worked with that neighborhood economic development, and too often we are looked over by site selection committees. It could be because we don’t have small neighborhoods, we don’t have small public transportation. If a company is going to come in with a $15.00 an hour job, can people get to work and buy goods and services in their neighborhood. So neighborhood economic development is a part of building up to that larger part of economic development of success. We need to retain a growth of small to medium-sized businesses that are here and on really big projects it takes collaborations. Cities that win get all the partners together, higher education, regional growth partnership, like the Port Authority. The schools, can also prepare people for the jobs that are emerging. We need to diversity our economic network and we need be ready for the jobs that are coming forward. I think that it has to be a holistic approach in partnership within our community.

[Re: closure of abortion clinic] It’s important as an elected official that you respect and inforce law. This isn’t a situation that I would feel the need to take action. This isn’t about my personal belief, because I understand that I would have to serve the citizens and understand that it’s important to enforce law as it stands. I would not take an active role in this situation.

[Re: city hiring minority contractors] I think the really important question here is what kind of opportunities are available for minority contractors and minority businesses in Toledo. Recently a project labor agreement was placed before city council without any anticipation that this company for immediate consideration. I think that would have had a very damaging affect on our minority business contractors and I stood against that contract labor agreement. I stood almost alone against that contract labor agreement, it didn’t get passed. I believed it would have a very damaging effect.

[Re: black-owned businesses] Over the years I have patronized various contractors doing work on my properties. You put me on the spot, since I can’t think of a particular business that I selected because of they were African-American owned business or not. I have used businesses based on their value of price on offers. I think the bigger question is what opportunities are being created for businesses. As a small business owner myself, we need neighborhood businesses in every neighborhood. We need them.

[Closing] On the city level, the issues that we are dealing with at the city level, frankly party politics won’t make a difference. I’ve been able to work with all members of city council collaborative. If we’re going to be able to build wealth, not just provide services, but really build wealth for all citizens. We’re going to need to be collaborative, I think we need to set aside party politics, because it’s holding Toledo back. I think it’s time to be collaborative, and really that’s my strength really connecting with people and working with people across barriers and I want to be that collaborative person in the center of Toledo’s next chapter.

I serve on the board called, Northwest Ohio Food Council, so this is an area that I’m really interested in. Also, since I own a food establishment. This is a special interest to me. We have too many hollow neighborhoods, there is housing but you can’t buy groceries or fill a prescriptions. You can’t buy a cup of coffee and these are economic development questions. How do we encourage people, entrepreneurs, to bring these serves to neighborhoods? I believe the entrepreneur spirit is across all barriers, we have a lot of empty buildings in Toledo that could be thriving local businesses. If they are owned by the land bank, we can transfer them to potential owners for little or no cost. If we have grants, we could bring them up to Ohio building codes standards.

Working with the small business administration, there are entrepreneur who would like to bring businesses to their neighborhoods. I think is where we need to start. We need a business to focus on food desert in every neighborhood, we need access to fresh produce and groceries. There is program called Live well program, which puts produce in convenience stores. That’s a start, but not the same as having a full range of groceries available to you. It concerns me that most of the major groceries stores have left neighborhoods. We have Dollar Stores now that provide access to food, but this is an important issue. I certainly want to be involved in finding a good solution. We covered a lot of diverse topics and as you can imagine every question that I got was not the question that I wanted. I would like to take this opportunity to over a few things. I was interested in the opium question.

Former Attorney General Holder said that we need to fight the opium problem, through education, enforcement, and treatment. I want to speak about the treatment piece. There was an article in The Blade over a year ago, that stated it can be very difficult to get treatment. Some treatments require certain types of insurances, and may be appropriate for more out-patient options. She suggested one call to reach treatment, I believe that is a terrific idea. A different treatment program will be better for each person. The other question came up, but I really wanted to focus on that. My focus on economic development really does start with neighborhoods, we really need to strengthen our neighborhoods. Make them distinct, everyone lives in neighborhoods, because they are the building blocks of our city. I think we need to have strong neighborhood associations, which can really speak for their own individual needs in their community. I would like to bring those neighborhood associations together, because I think they can learn from each other. There are neighborhoods with over 200 people at block watch. I think those folks should talk to the people who only get four people at their block watch. I think a lot could happen if we could bring the neighborhood associations together. The focus on neighborhoods is really important to me. Thank you for having this forum this evening, it’s been great to have this conversation.

Copyright © 2015 by [The Sojourner's Truth]. All rights reserved.
Revised: 08/16/18 14:12:22 -0700.

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