Campaign Commercial Review - Toledo Municipal Judge

I've just heard another Judge Mike Goulding commercial on the radio and I have to say that I'm a bit disappointed.

His commercials up to this point have been issue-oriented and positive. This latest one, however, has what could be considered by some to be an inaccurate statement. It starts with circus music which, considering the general premise of 'can you believe this?' is rather ear-catching. I'm sure it's rare to have two brothers-in-law running against each other, and this commercial plays upon that aspect. (I could not find a campaign website for Jim Bishop.)

But the statement I take exception to is the description of former auditor Larry Kaczala who is the third candidate in the race. It says that Kaczala 'saw to it' that our property values were increased - and that's not a good description of the role the auditor plays in appraising property values every three years as required by law.

Lake County Auditor Edward H. Zupancic has a good explanation of what is done and how such valuations are determined. After reading this, it's clear that no county auditor 'sees to it' that property values go up or down...

I doubt that the wording in this radio ad constitutes a campaign violation, but it perpetuates the incorrect idea that the county auditor's valuations are arbitrary - and Judge Goulding didn't need to do this in the ad, especially considering his other commercials (radio and tv) and the standard he's set so far in the race for Toledo Municipal Court Judge.

Campaign commercial review - City Council District #2

Toledo City Council District 2 candidate, Molly McHugh Branyan, has a campaign commercial running on local radio stations.

As she's running against the former president of the Toledo Police Patrolman's Association, D. Michael Collins, her choice of Sheriff Jim Telb to do her commercial makes a lot of sense from a strategic standpoint.

However, in focusing on safety, Telb says that Molly will keeps kids safe going to and from school - and while in school. Of course, there is nothing that Toledo City Council can do about keeping kids safe while in school - that's the role of the Toledo School Board which has seven candidates running for two seats.

Sadly, this major flaw detracts from what would otherwise be a good campaign commercial. Fortunately for Molly, very few people will recognize it.

*I do not live in District 2 and will not be voting on this race.