Business owner announces run for Toledo City Council

Press Release:

Sandy Spang, small business owner and real estate investor, will announce her candidacy and pull petitions for an At Large Toledo City Council seat at the Lucas County Board of Elections, One Government Center, Friday, April 5 at 1:30 PM.

In her own words:

“I am running as an independent candidate not by default, but by design. I will reach decisions based on research and thoughtful consideration, not by party dictates.”

Further:

“My focus as a Councilwoman will be on small business incubation, especially in underserved neighborhoods. Small businesses are the largest generators of jobs in our country and add to the safety and quality of life in a community.”

“Too often, economic salvation is seen only in terms of a large, outside industry coming to Toledo. Corporations, however, do not invest in communities in order to rescue them. They look for well-run cities with a skilled, collaborative labor force and compelling quality of life amenities including a vibrant arts scene, interesting local businesses and thriving neighborhoods. We need to maximize our outstanding physical and human resources to be just such a city; and by doing so, we will raise the quality of life for every citizen.”

Additional information on Sandy Spang

Ms. Spang was nominated for the vacant At Large Council seat created by the election of Phil Copeland to Lucas County Recorder and received the second highest number of votes.

Sandy Spang is the owner/manager of the very successful and award winning Plate 21 coffeehouse on Rugby Drive in South Toledo. She and her husband Mark, a journeyman Ironworker with Toledo Local 55, own and manage a several residential and commercial properties in the City of Toledo.

Sandy and Mark are the proud parents of two college aged young adults, Ben and Lily, and Eli, a senior at St. Francis de Sales High School. They reside in the Harvard Elementary School neighborhood of South Toledo.

Ms. Spang has a noteworthy history of public service and life experiences. Sandy graduated from Bowling Green State University, Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Fine Arts. She applied her degree as an art educator, gemologist and appraiser at several Toledo retailers.

Since founding Plate 21, she has acted as a mentor for small business development in the City. She recently graduated from the Leadership Academy of the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce and has been an active participant in the Future of Toledo Initiative on the “Eliminate Blight and Repurpose Land” project.