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This was the building trades construction union’s
(approximately 1,300 members) first ever “Meet the
Candidates” event.
The union’s Business Manager David Fleetwood served as
facilitator. The forum began with judicial candidates. That
was immediately followed by talks by the three Toledo
mayoral candidates: Lucas County Treasurer Wade
Kapszukiewicz; District 5 Toledo City Councilman Tom
Waniewski and Mayor Paula Hicks-Hudson.
In years past, the Local’s executive committee and/or
screening committee would speak with candidates requesting
endorsements and make recommendations to the membership for
approval. This year, with many more countywide candidates
seeking endorsement, Fleetwood decided to widen the
selection process to more members by allowing whoever wanted
to come and hear the candidates to be able to do so.
Over 100 members attended representing a cross-section of
demographics in the county including African Americans,
Latinos, Caucasians, men, women and senior citizens. They
listened as 20 candidates offered a three-minute
introduction of their candidacies and then answered
questions from the Local’s members.
Six of the Toledo City Council at-large candidates are
endorsed Democrats and their speaking order was
pre-determined. The following candidates participated in the
forum: Toledo City Councilwoman Cecelia Adams, PhD; local
business owner Gary Johnson; community organizer Nick
Komives; Food for Thought former Executive Director Sam
Melden; Toledo City Councilman Larry Sykes and Toledo City
Councilman Kurt Young. MLK Kitchen for the Poor Executive
Director Harvey Savage, Jr. was the one non-endorsed
Democrat who participated in the forum.
Sykes explained his campaign slogan and plans to continue
his focus on affordable housing. “In the cases of the Alpha
Towers, the old Cherrywoods, Oakwood homes, and Rivera
Manor; they were all in horrible conditions. We, City
Council, worked with HUD, the City of Toledo and the housing
courts to deal with these properties,” explained Sykes.
Adams has previously served on the Toledo Public School
board and mentioned the predatory lender’s legislation as a
milestone for her. The legislation regulates zoning, number
of vendors permitted within city limits and lender
pre-payment periods. “I come from a family of service.
During this short time serving on city council, I’ve pass
this predatory lender legislation, with the help from my
colleagues,” explained Adams.
“I’m Sam Melden,” said the former Food for Thought executive
director. “I’m married and father of three. I think about
what will our city look like when my kids are in their 20s
and will they live in the city or outside the city. For me,
those questions then become, are you willing to step up and
do something about it.”
Savage has worked with organizations including Community
Shares, Junction Project, and Toledo Metropolitan Area
Council of Governments. “I see City Council as a
continuation of my community service, keeping the Savage
legacy going. I understand this city. I believe I have the
pulse of this city.”
Komives worked previously for America Votes and Hillary
Clinton’s presidential campaign, and after years of
traveling for work decided to return home. “I wanted to
return to Toledo. I’ve worked with teachers’ unions to fight
for good pay and benefits. I’ve helped with 42 school
districts in Ohio to ensure teachers are paid well for the
benefits they deserve.”
Johnson credits his business success with understanding the
city’s future vision. “We need to make sure we move Toledo
to the next level. Johnson means Jobs, without jobs we can’t
do the social programs. We have to make sure Toledo is an
aggressively friendly small-business city,” he explained.
Young, who was appointed to council two months ago to fill
the spot vacated by Councilwoman Theresa M. Gabriel, works
full-time as an attorney. “I’ve represented several union
members in worker compensation claims and a small business
owner. I know what it means to make payroll and keep good
employees. I have fought for at-risk youth, to protect
collective bargaining, and work place safety,” Young said.
In addition to the mayoral and City Council candidates,
others in attendance running for office were: Maumee
Municipal Court Judge candidates incumbent Judge Gary Byers
and Maumee Councilman Dan Hazart; Sylvania Municipal Court
Judge candidate Greg Bonfiglio; Oregon Municipal Court Judge
candidates Lou Kovacs and Clint Wasserman; Toledo Municipal
Court Judge Michelle Wagner (unopposed); Toledo Municipal
Court Judge candidates (to replace Judge Christiansen) Dale
Emch and Nicole Khoury; Toledo Municipal Housing Court Judge
candidates (to replace Judge C. Allen McConnell) Jim
Anderson and Joe Howe.
No candidates were excluded.
Local 500 is also reviewing requests for endorsement from
candidates running to Toledo Public and Washington Local
school boards.
Toledo’s primary election is September 12, 2017 and general
election is November 7, 2017.
Ed. Note: Teresa Moore, Community/Political Affairs
Coordinator for LIUNA Local 500 contributed to this report.
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