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The highs and lows of life
tend to average out, so the old adage goes. For certain the
saying seems to be true for last week’s election results.
There were many highs and a few lows, but overall November 5
was a good day for the residents of Toledo.
Here are a few of my
takeaways from the election.
Change is Good:
Although provisional
ballots remain to be counted, Theresa Gadus seems poised to
succeed Peter Ujvagi in District 3 while Sam Melden was
overwhelmingly elected to replace Tom Waniewski in District
5.
The change is good as we
will witness fresh perspectives. I predict that the infusion
of youth will generate optimism and an excitedness that will
replace the stale spirit that we have experienced for a long
time on council.
Gadus and Melden both have
bright visions for their district beyond providing basic
services, including a focus on what Toledo should look like
for its citizens for the next generations.
Oh, and did I say that I
won’t miss the cantankerous arrogance and cultural
insensitivity as Waniewski transitions to his post-City
Council life?
A Knockout:
Yvonne Harper won District
4 over former Councilwoman June Boyd by garnering nearly 75
percent of the vote, which was the largest spread in any
district race.
There is no other
councilperson, perhaps, that fights for every single person
in the way that Harper does. She is seen as a beloved
warrior for those both inside and outside her district and
an eager combatant on behalf of anyone who comes to her and
the issue fits within her principles.
Representation Matters:
Top vote getter and
first-time candidate Sheena Barnes has children who are
going through Toledo Public Schools, including a child with
special needs. Her successful candidacy is an incredible
feat and shows that she’s willing to work hard and that she
will work hard.
Barnes is frank, open and
has proven in other arenas outside of education that she is
also a gladiator, like Harper, who brings heart and soul to
everything that she does. The fact that she identifies as
LGBT, is a woman, an African American and open about how
those things impact the lives of those in our community
changes the whole dynamic of the school board.
Name Recognition:
When it comes to judicial
races, name recognition is the key and there was a lot of
familiarity with the candidates in the Puffenberger –
Lanzinger judicial race. Some, however, believe that Tom
Puffenberger may have had a better result in this razor-thin
contest had he attempted to connect more in black contexts
and other communities of color.
From A Bad Spot To a Good
Place:
Councilman Tyrone Riley
began his campaign amidst several controversies in the
media, mudslinging and accusations, and most notably,
without the support of the Lucas County Democratic Party.
Yet Riley prevailed because his constituents have seen him
out in the community doing the work and believe in him
despite the Party’s lack of endorsement.
Like Harper and Barnes,
Riley shows that he is a battler for his district. District
1 residents may have felt as if “the establishment was out
to get” or punish Riley.
I am told that on two
separate occasions before the election, the Dems’ executive
committee refused to endorse Riley following a motion to
endorse and discussion on the topic. The Dems’ unwise
decision smacks of exclusion at a time when the Party needs
to expand and must be more intentional in supporting all the
people that are in our community, including women, people of
color, LGBT and others.
The truth is that Tyrone
Riley has paid his dues, brought a lot of support to the
Party, is qualified and has the skills and values to be
effective and can win.
Despite the fearful and
the naysayers, it was a Good Day for Riley and for others.
Contact Rev. Donald Perryman, D.Min, at
drdlperryman@centerofhopebaptist.org |
