|
“We are here on behalf of
a lady who is not getting her due for the job she has done
for this city,” said Finkbeiner leading off the campaign
love fest for the “unanimously endorsed candidate” as
described later by Lucas County Democratic Party Chairman
Josh Hughes.
Next up were Baldemar
Velasquez, founder and head of the Farmers Laborers
Organizing Committee and Bruce Baumhower, president of the
UAW Local 12. Velasquez spoke of the mayor’s efforts to make
neighborhoods safer through her efforts to brng LED lighting
in the area, and her work with the Unity Coalition which is
“working to improve relations with the police.”
Baumhower touted her for
her accomplishments in business development. “She’s done a
masterful job,” he said, pointing to downtown development
that she has promoted to bring in the four elements he noted
are essential to growth – residential, retail, entertainment
and safety. He mentioned projects such as the steam plant,
the revitalization of The Docks, the Owens Corning
Fiberglass Tower, a new Metropark and the Marina District
development. “It’s an unbelievable story on both sides of
the river,” added Baumhower.
“This year our lake was as
ugly as it’s ever been but our water was as clean as its
ever been,” he added praising the administration’s handling
of the water issue plaguing Lake Erie communities. Baumhower
also took the occasion to poke fun at the mayor’s opponent,
Lucas County Treasurer Wade Kapszukiewicz for his tendency
to label himself an outsider. “He spent 10 yeas riding the
elevator on this side of the building and the next 10 years
riing the elevator on that side of the building and now he
wants to ride the elevator on this side again.” The
reference was to Kapszukiewicz’ years with the City of
Toledo on City Council, then his stint with the County and
his current ambitions to lead the City.
“He’s not an outsider by
any stretch of the imagination,” said Baumhower.
Finkbeiner used a turn at
the podium to regale the audience of Hicks-Hudson supporters
with press clippings reviewing the progress the City of
Toledo has made over the last three years during
Hicks-Hudson’s tenure. He cited articles on job growth,
business arrivals, health improvements and, above all, a
recent article in the Chicago Tribune.
“”The city has never been
in better shape,” the Tribune quotes Toledo-born financial
planner Bob Savage.
In addition to Velasquez
and Baumhower, a number of other union officials came to the
podium to laud Hicks-Hudson’s leadership including: Dennis
Duffy; David Fleetwood, Laborers Local 500; Steve Kowalik,
AFSCME; Dan Morey, Carpenters’ Union, George Tucker,
AFL-CIO.
“She not only cares about
the city; she cares about the people in the city,” said
Fleetwood.
Other notable supporters
at the press conference/rally were: State Senator Edna
Brown, Toledo Clerk of Court Vallie Bowman English, Bishop
Pat McKinstry, former Lucas County Commissioner Sandy
Isenberg, Bishop Robert Culp and a host of local pastors.
“Re-elections are about
producing,” said Finkbeiner as he continued his enthusiastic
cheerleader role. “She produces. She gets better every
week.”
|
