Post-primary thoughts

Because I've just spent the last 11 hours driving from Memphis to Toledo, this post-primary blog post is a bit late...but better late than never.

My primary predictions for mayor were right on with Keith Wilkowski and Mike Bell ending up on the November ballot.

Complete unofficial results are available here.

Republican Jim Moody barely edged out D. Michael Collins for third place, with only 255 votes separating the two. Ben Konop was a distant fourth, garnering only 3,393 votes out of the 36,307 cast. His poor finish does not bode will for the county commissioner re-election campaign he has to run next year, but it does present a marvelous opportunity for either another Democrat (rumors are that several area mayors are interested) or a Republican.

I think the biggest surprise in the voting was the first place finish of former district councilman Rob Ludeman, with fellow Republican George Sarantou in second place. Their top finishes clearly indicate a problem with Moody's campaign, in that he could not earn the support of voters who put these other two well-known Republicans in the top places.

What is disappointing, however, is that incumbents (or names that sound like incumbents - as in Polly Taylor-Gerken, wife of current county commissioner and former city councilman Pete Gerken) on city council did so well, despite the poor performance of city council members over the past years when it comes to budgeting, spending and deficits.

What is encouraging is the defeat of the '9 is Fine' charter amendment to create super districts and eliminate the at-large council members - a proposal I opposed. Obviously the voters understood that changing the form of government doesn't always solve the problems, and reducing the number of elected officials responsible directly to the voter does not really increase representation.

Additionally, voters rejected the re-allocation of the 3/4% payroll income tax as well. I guess they agreed with me that changing the allocation of this tax four times during a five-year period was one time too many. I wonder if the council members who supported this plan now regret not accepting Mayor Carty Finkbeiner's back-up proposal to put a similar issue on the November ballot....

The biggest problem with this primary election, however, has nothing to do with the outcome - and everything to do with the number of voters. Only 40,069 people bothered to vote. That's only 18.45%. This means that less than 1/5 of those eligible determined what the other 4/5 will live with. That's just sad.

A back-up plan if voters say 'no'

Mayor Carty Finkbeiner wants to take money from the Capital Improvements Fund and move it into the General Fund to cover the budget deficit for 2009.

City Council has already voted to place an issue on the September ballot that would re-allocate our 3/4% payroll income tax to help cover a portion of that deficit.

Tonight, city council will deliberate on the following resolution which would place a back-up issue on the November ballot to do, basically, the same thing - on a one-time only basis, move $3.9 million from CIP into the General Fund.

Here is the text of the legislation:

RES. 488-09

Providing for the submitting to the electors of the City of Toledo at the Regular Municipal Election to be held on November 3, 2009, the question of the approval of the issue under Ordinance No._____ –09, passed by the Council of the City of Toledo on August 18, 2009, by amending Chapter 1905 of the Toledo Municipal Code, to provide for reallocation on a one time basis of funds allocated to the Capital Improvement fund to the General Fund; and declaring an emergency.

SUMMARY & BACKGROUND:
Currently Chapter 1905 of the Toledo Municipal Code (Code) provides for the permanent levy of a tax on income at the rate of one and one-half percent (1-1/2%) from and after January 1, 1967. Additionally, Chapter 1905 of the Code provides for the levy of a temporary three-quarters of one percent (3/4%). On March 4, 2008 the voters of Toledo approved the continuation of the additional ¾% income tax for the period of 2009 – 2012 with an allocation of one-third (1/3) for Police, Fire, and other Safety Department responsibilities, one-third (1/3) for the General Fund, and one-third (1/3) for the Capital Improvements Fund.

Due to extraordinary economic conditions that have impacted local and national economies the City of Toledo is facing a significant General Fund deficit for the year 2009. While several steps have been made to reduce the size of the projected deficit, it is likely that a sizable shortfall will remain unaddressed if immediate action is not taken. Ohio law and he Charter of the City of Toledo require that the City balance its budget.

Pursuant to the mandate of Chapter 1905 of the Code as enacted by the voters, the City has allocated one third (1/3) of the three quarters percent (3/4%) income tax to the Capital Improvements Fund. Fortuitously, the City has also been awarded funds in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 grants (Stimulus Funds) for capital improvement purposes.

The Council of the City of Toledo desires to reallocate an amount not to exceed three million nine hundred thousand dollars ($3,900,000) from currently allocated and unencumbered amounts in the Capital Improvement Fund to the General Fund to help address the projected budget deficit. This would be a one-time reallocation to address a pending fiscal exigency and would not affect future allocations to the Capital Improvements Fund.

The approval of the electors of the City of Toledo is required to reallocate portions of the Capital Improvements Fund to the General Fund because the original allocation was mandated by the people. NOW, THEREFORE,

Be it resolved by the Council of the City of Toledo:

SECTION 1. That there by submitted to the electors of the City of Toledo at a Regular Municipal Election to be held on November 3, 2009, the question of the approval of reallocation on a one time basis of funds allocated to the Capital Improvement fund to the General Fund.

SECTION 2. In accordance with Ohio Revised Code Section 718.01, the Board of Elections of Lucas County, Ohio is directed to provide for the submitting of the question of passing Ordinance No. ___-09 at the Regular Municipal Election on November 3, 2009.

SECTION 3. That the Clerk of Council be and he is hereby authorized and directed to file with the Board of Elections of Lucas County, Ohio a certified copy of Ordinance No. ___-09 and a certified copy of this Resolution for the submission of the aforesaid Ordinance at the Regular Municipal Election to be held on November 3, 2009, and the said Clerk of Council is further directed to request the aforesaid Board of Elections to provide for the submitting of the questions of passing said Ordinance at such election.

SECTION 4. That is the desire and request of this Council that ballots for said questions shall be substantially in the following form:

Proposed reallocation in 2009 on, a one-time basis, of funds in an amount not to exceed three million nine hundred thousand dollars ($3,900,000) allocated pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 1905 of the Toledo Municipal Code, for the Capital Improvements Fund to the General Fund.

A Majority Affirmative Vote is Necessary for Passage.

Shall Ordinance No. ___-09, providing for the reallocation in 2009 on, a one-time basis, of funds in an amount not to exceed three million nine hundred thousand dollars ($3,900,000) allocated pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 1905 of the Toledo Municipal Code, for the Capital Improvement fund to the General Fund be approved?


______________For the reallocation of Capital Improvements Funds to the General Fund.

______________Against the reallocation of Capital Improvements Funds to the General Fund.

SECTION 5. That the Clerk of this Council shall and hereby is directed to file a copy of this Resolution with the Board of Lucas County, Ohio no later than the 19th day of August 2009.

SECTION 6. That this Resolution hereby is declared to be an emergency measure and shall be in force and effect from and after its adoption. The reason for the emergency lies in the fact that same is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety, and property and for the further reason that this Resolution must be immediately effective in order to comply with the statutory deadline for submission of the question to the electors at the November 3, 2009 Regular Municipal Election and for the further reason that this Resolution must be filed with the Board of Election at least seventy five (75) days before the election.

Carty did send a letter to city council stressing that if the September issue is approved, they could remove this item from the November ballot, but if voters reject the transfer of funds in September, this measure could still be supported and allow the city to have a balanced budget, as required by law.

Teamwork Toledo coalition down to five candidates

This just in via email:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE LEAVES TEAMWORK TOLEDO

The group of six candidates running as Teamwork Toledo will see itself whittled down to five candidates as David "P.R.E.Z." Washington, the last of the six to join the team has decided to leave as of today.

When asked what prompted him to make the decision, P.R.E.Z. commented, "It's become apparent that we simply have very different methods on how to attain and reach our goals. After a time of prayer and contemplation, it became clear that it would be best for me to move on and pursue things separately."

P.R.E.Z. is one of several individuals running for the six Toledo city council at large seats. He was active in the Toledo Tea Party and is a member of the civic organization the Children Of Liberty.

"There's no ill will here. I have formed some great relationships and I will still help in endeavors to get others onto city council."

P.R.E.Z. is running a campaign based on "Less is more: less taxing, less spending, less government." He's currently wrapping up his petition drive and will announce his idea platform by July 7th.

Anyone interested in following his campaign can go to www.prezforcouncil.org.

Teamwork Toledo statement (also via email):

The following statement is in response to David "P.R.E.Z." Washington's decision to leave Teamwork Toledo and pursue his own campaign for Toledo City Council:

"David made a tough decision that involves his campaign. We wish him well in his personal, professional, and political endeavors. We all have similar and strong core beliefs and look forward to working together on Toledo City Council in January."

Side note: I'm impressed by the professionalism and amicability exhibited by these individuals...I think Toledo's city council could use more of this type of behavior.