Lindsay Webb: COSI, Gambling, and Governor Strickland

I read with great interest The Blade article COSI Toledo on the brink of breaking lease, Council is poised to help by Blade staff writer Ignazio Messina.

If you recall, Tim Higgins of Just Blowing Smoke weighed in on COSI when he wrote COSI - Titannic of Toledo.

I have made comments on other blogs and Internet forums on the issue of COSI to the effect that I like COSI but COSI of Toledo broke the promise to be self-sustaining; and, I have also suggested COSI merge with the Challenger Learning Center of Lucas County.

However, this Roland Hansen Commentary entry is not about COSI. Rather, it is about an interesting paragraph at the end of the Ignazio Messina article cited in the opening paragraph above.

It’s this part of that article:

Councilman Lindsay Webb yesterday said the city-owned building is not the right place for a children's science museum. "I just wish Governor Strickland would make gambling legal in Ohio and we could put a casino where COSI is," Ms. Webb said.

Lindsay Webb is a good person and I like Lindsay. But, as she has been informed and as most other politicos in the Toledo and Lucas County area know, I say and write what I think. I do not roll over and go-along to get-along. That brings me to the point of this Roland Hansen Commentary.

In addition to being an elected member of Toledo City Council, Lindsay Webb is an attorney. In her capacity as a political person, I understand the motivation for Lindsay Webb’s comments (if they were reported accurately) in regards to COSI, gambling and Governor Strickland. However, in her capacity as an attorney, I would expect her to be familiar with the existing laws of Ohio, the Ohio Constitution, and the limitations of authority placed upon the Governor of Ohio.

Since when has Governor Strickland or any Governor of Ohio had the authority to make gambling legal in Ohio?

Perhaps Lindsay Webb does know something about the existing laws of Ohio in regards to gambling and about the Governor’s authority in legalizing gambling of which I am not aware. Maybe, I am incorrect. Maybe, I am wrong. However, I do not believe the Governor has the legal authority of which Lindsay Webb attributes him. Please, someone, correct me if I am mistaken.

Lindsay Webb: The Subject of Trust and the Erie Street Market

Lindsay Webb is the elected Toledo city council representative for the district in which I reside. In the past, I have made complimentary remarks regarding Lindsay Webb and I have expressed some concerns about the councilmanic actions of Lindsay Webb. I shall continue to monitor her words, her actions, and her deeds as an elected official: and, I shall continue to make entries in Roland Hansen Commentary regarding her performance as an elected member of Toledo City Council as I perceive the need.

Today is one of those times.

I believe that Lindsay Webb hit the nail on the head with the comments attributed to her in the Blade article Toledo City Council grills city staff, promoter. There is, however, one comment with which I do not agree and that concerns the change in the City Charter as suggested by Ms. Webb. The City Charter of Toledo is such a hodge-podge as it is now; I'd rather we only revise that charter when absolutely necessary. Additionally, it seems cumbersome to make changes to the charter every time there is disagreement with a particular city administrative action, especially when there is a regular changeover scheduled in the CEO of the city administration (read that as Mayor for the present time) through the election process. Click on the embedded link contained within the title of that article and read the entire story and the words of attributed to Lindsay Webb.

I strongly believe in governmental responsibility, responsiveness, and accountability. I sincerely hope that Lindsay Webb continues on the path of advocating and practicing truth, openness, and honesty in the public service. That is what we citizens need; and, that is what we citizens deserve. Nothing less than that is acceptable.

Lindsay Webb: Buys Citizen Action and Community Involvement

Do you recall reading the previous Roland Hansen Commentary Lindsay Webb: Pushes to Downsize Toledo City Council? If not, please refer to and read it now in order to better understand this new Roland Hansen Commentary regarding Lindsay Webb, the Toledo City Council District 6 representative.

It now appears to me that the citizen action and community involvement that has been spearheaded by Lindsay Webb to effectuate a specific change to the size and structure of Toledo City Council is not really a grass-roots volunteer effort. It was upon reading The Blade article Webb is top money donor to 'Nine is Fine' that I have concluded that Lindsay Webb is attempting to buy citizen action and community involvement as opposed to garnering voluntary citizen action and support for her efforts to overthrow the present Toledo City Council.

Oh well, so much for the idea that the councilwoman has strong community support for her ideas!

Lindsay Webb: The Broken Promise

It’s a brand new year; and, it’s a new City Council in Toledo, Ohio. At the organizational meeting held on January 2, 2008, a new President of Council was selected as a result of the newest DIRT.
Having just taken office as one of the three newest members of city council, Democrat Lindsay Webb joined Independent D. Michael Collins and Republican Tom Waniewski, the other newest members of Toledo City Council (DIRT), in a coup d'etat, albeit a nonviolent and legal one) by voting to toss out Michael Ashford as President of Council and by voting to install Mark Sobczak as the new President of Council. The vote of these three DIRT members along with the concurrence of three veteran councilpersons (Republican George Sarantou, former Democrat/now Republican Betty Shultz, and Democrat Mark Sobczak) and the opposing vote of six Democrats (Michael Ashford, Wilma Brown, Phil Copeland, Mike Craig, Joe McNamara, and Frank Szollosi) resulted in a tie vote. The tie vote allowed the Democrat/former Independent/former Republican Toledo Mayor (more DIRT) Carty Finkbeiner to cast the deciding vote.
Read this newspaper report of the upheaval on Toledo City Council.
Is this more politics as usual in Toledo?
And what of Lindsay Webb, the new councilperson who is also an attorney? She had promised to vote for Michael Ashford. Has anyone ever heard the phrase breach of promise?
Why did Lindsay Webb make a promise, and then break her promise? Could it have anything to do with new additional information or some type of political deal or something else entirely?
I may or may not agree with the ultimate decision on the selection of Toledo City Council, but that is of no concern to me.
Actually, the answer to the question of why Lindsay Webb broke her promise is irrelevant as far as I am concerned. A promise is a promise is a promise.
There is a question that always enters my mind when confronted with a situation involving anyone who has broken a promise:
What other promises that have been made in the past or that might be made in the future will be broken?

Lindsay Webb: Pushes to Downsize Toledo City Council

Every once in awhile, I notice something in the handy dandy FEEDJIT Live Traffic Feed I have installed over at the bottom of the left column of Roland Hansen Commentary that really catches my eye.

Such is the case when I noticed someone had done a google search with the text "Toledo city council reduction of members" which brought up several results, from one of which that person came on over to Roland Hansen Commentary: Changing Toledo City Council -- Again!

That in turn brings me to Toledo City Council member Lindsay Webb of whom I have made a few previous entries here on Roland Hansen Commentary.

I speak of the same city council member Lindsay Webb, who married Robert B. Carter back on Monday, August 18, 2008, at the Little Church of the West in Las Vegas, Nevada, but who it appears did not take the last name of Carter. The only reason I mention this is for folks who might not be aware of her use of name but who also may desire to obtain further information about the public official in which knowing that information might be helpful.

Back to the topic at hand. Webb has been making a big push to downsize Toledo City Council. Its all over the local blogs, local electronic bulletin boards, local forums, and local broadcast and print media. Here, take a look at:
FOX Toledo: 9 is fine for the city of Toledo
WTOL 11: Council reduced to nine?
Toledo Free Press: Petition drive to reduce city council to launch
Toledo Blade: Petition initiative seeks to reduce Toledo City Council size

I do not necessarily have a problem with the proposal as advocated by Mrs. (or is it Ms. or Miss? - I really and truly do not know which form of address is appropriate in today's society) Webb (Carter); however, I really do wonder why she did not push this concept to downsize Toledo City Council and to eliminate at-large city council members prior to this year's election of Toledo at-large city council members or even prior to her own election two years ago as a Toledo district city council member.

Given the actions of Lindsay Webb at the January 2, 2008 Toledo City Council organizational meeting, is it any wonder that I wonder?

Is this all political posturing or what?

Lindsay Webb: Toledo City Council Member Weds in Las Vegas

Congratulations are extended to Lindsay Webb, Toledo City Councilwoman, 6th District, who recently wed Robert Carter.

Apparently, the councilwoman chose not to get married in Toledo, Ohio. Instead, she chose Las Vegas, Nevada as the location for the nuptials rather than the City of Toledo in which she is an elected member of city council.

Here is a copy of the announcement that appeared in The Blade:
08/24/2008 Webb ~ Carter
Robert B. Carter and Lindsay M. Webb were married Monday, August 18, 2008, at the Little Church of the West in Las Vegas, Nevada. Rob is the proud father of Mindy, Nathan, Brittany and Addison, and the son of Barbara L. Carter of Sylvania Township and the late Frank E. Carter. Rob is a journeyman insulator and the Business Manager of Insulators and Allied Workers Local 45. Lindsay is the daughter of Thomas S. Webb of Toledo (Point Place) and Michelle Lever of Ottawa Hills. A graduate of The University of Toledo College of Law, Lindsay is a coordinator for a non-profit organization and serves on Toledo City Council. Rob and Lindsay will welcome their family and friends at a reception at her mother's home in mid-September.

You may also read The Blade on-line Webb - Carter wedding announcement.

If you recall, Ms. Webb had previously suggested the former Portside Festival Marketplace and home of (the former - or not) COSI of Toledo as a potential site for a gambling casino.

Lindsay Webb: Toledo City Council District 6 Newsletter

Lindsay Webb, Toledo City Council member from the sixth district, has an electronic newsletter available.

The electronic newsletter is an "opted in" service delivered to your e-mail account. If you wish to opt in, you may do so by following this link.

I wish to express my appreciation for having received an e-mail invitation from Lindsay Webb to sign up for the electronic newsletter

Dave Schulz: Toledo Politico Aspirant

Earlier this week, I had the occasion to be on the Facebook page of my Toledo City Council district representative Lindsay Webb. It was on Wednesday, June 2, 2010, that she posed a very good question to which quite a few people responded with comments, included politico aspirant Dave Schulz, a former candidate to Toledo City Council, and me.

Here, I'll tell you what, instead of trying to accurately summarize what transpired between Dave Schulz and me, I'll just put a 'copy and paste' of our dialogue following this paragraph. Please note that I have placed only the original question and the comments between Dave Schulz and me. I have omitted all other comments as they are not relevant to this entry of Roland Hansen Commentary.

Lindsay Webb
So, on refuse collection: is anyone else out there upset about the Administration's proposal to limit unlimited pick up?
Wednesday at 9:39am

Dave Schulz
I am fine with the limit. I have done 3 this year mostly due to a renovation project. All in all they were good about it. You can always work with a neighor on overflow you might have from time to time. I do have an issue with the recycling portion. I am single and an avid recycler since the beginning. I have a large can and it takes me 6-8 weeks to fill it up. I could just work around that by putting it out more frequently.
Wednesday at 10:01am

Roland Hansen
You know me - I always hold back on my opinions; because, I do not wish to offend anyone. But seeing how you asked: I am mad as hell with this administration and the whole thing about garbage. It's all a bunch of trash! We Toledo voters of yesteryear approved the city income tax on the promise that it would be used for garbage pick up and disposal, and that it would pay for the construction of a municipal garbage incinerator. The incinerator was never built but at least we got no-fee garbage collection. Later, an increase in the income tax was a result of the promise for unlimited garbage collection. The original broken promise has escalated into an imposed garbage tax and now a proposal to impose a limit on collection. I am not opposed to taxes or user fees; I am just sick and tired of being deceived. Liars have no place in public service!
Wednesday at 1:57pm

Dave Schulz
It's overly simplistic to say that a promise has been broken because the tax revenue based on current demoraphics only pay for police and fire. Times change and we have to adapt to the changes and slowly but surely the right-sizing of government and its labor costs will take place.
Wednesday at 2:32pm

Roland Hansen
Dave,
That is a BullSh** response and you know it. I agree times change, but there is an open and honest way to make the necessary adjustments, and then there is your way.
Wednesday at 4:26pm

Dave Schulz
Our elected officials have been telling us for awhile now that the current tax doesn't support the "promised" services....that's no BS lol. You can quibble about how they have handled the refuse tax but we all have to make adjustments, including the payroll and benefits structure of our employeess. What should be more outrageious is that alot of the "cuts" this year were just punted down the road to be paid next year and we will be in the same cycle again.....
Wednesday at 7:55pm

Roland Hansen
Well, Dave Schulz,
The fact that you have totally sidestepped the last sentence of my first comment in which I firmly stated "I am not opposed to taxes or user fees; I am just sick and tired of being deceived. Liars have no place in public service!" does not surprise me. You are, after all, a wanna-be politician.
I will put my credentials up against yours, any day.
ref: http://tiny.cc/bgftg
Now, let us stop discussing our differences on Lindsay's facebook thread. It is not the purpose of the thread, nor is it our place to do so.
Sorry Lindsay, but he started it: no, I started it; no, he started it; no, .... Bye. No more from me on this message thread.
Wednesday at 9:34pm

Dave Schulz
Good bye!!!!
Thursday at 7:55am

Okay, so I went to the Facebook page of Dave Schulz and hit the "Add as Friend" icon button. I figure, I have many friends, both in real life and on the internet, with whom I have had some exciting, political disagreements and we remain friends. It makes for stimulating discussions. Now, here it is already a few days later. I see that Dave Schulz has made some comments on the "walls" of mutual "Facebook friends." Consequently, I know that he has gone onto Facebook since I sent my request to add me as a friend on Facebook, but all I have gotten thus far is the Facebook message: "Dave Schulz * Awaiting friend confirmation."

I am anxiously awaiting the decision of Dave Schulz to either add me or to deny my request. I hope he adds me. He may find that while I may be argumentative and abrasive and that while I may fly off the handle (can you believe that some folks have labeled me a loose cannon!) that I really can contribute to good political debate (of course, that is just my own unbiased opinion of me - LOL). I may be old; I may be washed-up; I may be a has-been; but, I ain't dead yet.

Meanwhile, you may wish to take a look at:
Dave Schulz on MySpace
Dave Schulz on Facebook

Lindsay Webb: Toledo City Council District 6. Wade Kapszukiewicz: Political Hack.

I read a press release that caught my eye over at Glass City Jungle from Lindsay Webb.
As a resident of the district in which Ms. Webb is a candidate, I have a keen interest in the area. I am speaking of Toledo City Council District 6.
I, myself, sought election to this very same district back in 1999 when a special election was held to fill the seat for the unexpired term created by the resignation of the incumbent, Jenine Perry, who moved on to a different elected position. At the time, I ran for the position without the endorsement of a political party, even though I had been extensively active within my party for over two decades at the time. And also at that time, I knew very well that the chances of winning that election without the support of a political party was nil, none, zip, nada, zilch! None-the-less, I threw my hat in the ring.
The reason I sought the seat at the time was that the political party appointee who had run in the special election desired the position only as a stepping stone to another future position. I know this because that person had previously been elected to a different position on a School Board to which I had been serving in my third elected term. I did not seek re-election to that school board in 1997, partly because of the political maneuvering of that person.
That person is none other than Wade Kapszukiewicz, a Political Hack if ever there was one.
I had met Wade Kapszukiewicz, aka Skippy, before his election to that school board (i.e.the Governing Board of the Lucas County Educational Service Center, aka LCESC, fka Lucas County Board of Education) back in 1995 in a private meeting between Wade Kapszukiewicz, the political party chair and executive director, and me. It was in that meeting that I was told of Wade Kapszukiewicz's true political aspirations. I then got to see Wade Kapszukiewicz's strategies and maneuvers put into action in my less-than-desirable dealings with him on the LCESC Governing Board on which we both served. He had no real interest in serving in that capacity; he only ran for that spot to get his name out. I know that because I was told that in the private meeting before he actually won that election to the school board. Well, whatever, Wade Kapszukiewicz has since moved on to his third elected position and he has his sights set on something more in the future.
Back to the topic at hand. Even though I knew I did not stand a chance back in 1999. I thought it would afford me the opportunity to make my concerns and ideas for the district known through the media. WRONG! I received little to no press coverage and received only one invitation to a candidates forum, which I did attend and of which the media only reported on the "major" candidates.
I still have something that I called "The Hansen Platform" which is a listing of my ideas for Toledo Council District 6, all of which are still very pertinent today. I had sent that to the media back then but it, like me, never received any mass media exposure.
The press release that I mentioned in my opening sentence is of interest and it addresses a very important issue, but there are far, far more issues in this district that need attention.
I will be happy to share "The Hansen Platform" with anyone who is interested. If that is you - or you - or you, get in touch with me and we'll discuss it over coffee in a Toledo City Council District 6 restaurant.

The Invisible Toledo Ohio City Councilman, Chris Delaney

PREFACE: I live in the Third Ward of the City of Toledo in Ohio. The Toledo Third Ward lies within the jurisdiction of Toledo's city council district 6.

Earlier this year of 2018, Chris Delaney retired as a Toledo Police Detective Sergeant in order to accept the January 30, 2018 appointment to the vacant District 6 Toledo City Council seat. The Lucas County Democratic Party executive committee had recommended Mr. Delaney for the open seat and the remaining members of Toledo City Council Council members voted 8-3 to appoint Delaney to the open seat. This city council seat had become vacant when the previously elected City Council member, Lindsay Webb, resigned upon accepting the Lucas County Democratic Party appointment to the vacant position of Lucas County Treasurer. The Treasurer's position had become vacant because the incumbent Democrat, Wade Kapszukiewicz, had resigned that seat after having won election to the office of Mayor of the City of Toledo.

Not too long after Mr. Delaney's appointment to Toledo City Council, the City of Toledo held a special election for the District 6 seat on May 8, 2018 in compliance with the law in order to complete the remaining term for that seat. Appointee Chris Delaney won that special election and is now serving the remainder of Lindsay Webb's term that expires in 2020.

Initially after Mr. Delaney received the appointment to the Toledo City Council District 6 seat, I supported him, even to the point of contributing financially to his special election campaign. In the time since then, things have happened which have led me to withdraw my support of Chris Delaney. Let me recap some of those things that have led to my decision to rescind my support of Chris Delaney as a Toledo City Councilman.

On March 31, 2018, I provided this message to Mr. Delaney:

"FYI copy of what I sent City of Toledo via Facebook -- Could you advise me as to the status of Greenwood Park and its Shelter House? Does the Park Board have regularly scheduled meetings?  Is it possible for the Shelter House to be used as a mini community center and to offer regularly scheduled activities for senior citizens residing in the surrounding neighborhoods? Thank you, Roland Hansen"

Chris Delaney responded on April 6, 2018 by telling me that a city official had told him that I should

"call Acting Parks and Recreation Director (name redacted) at (telephone number redacted). ... Please give (name redacted) a call. Thanks!"

To that, I responded to Mr Delaney with:

"I guess the ... person for the city could not get the answers to my questions. I just wanted to know the answers, not get into a discussion. The questions are pretty straight forward and the answers should be pretty simple without getting into a dialogue. I served on the Ottawa/Jermain Parks Board for 6 years and am familiar with how a Park Board should operate. I also was intricately involved with the Ottawa Park Shelter House/Community Building and was responsible for its use under a 5-year lease agreement with the NPO of which I was President. 

New reply from City ... person as follows:
'Sorry it’s not an easy answer. (Name redacted) can answer your questions. He is awaiting your call.
If you want to provide an email, I’ll have him email you' 

I am also familiar with the bureaucratic shuffle."

In response to which, Chris Delaney stated to me:

"I’m not sure why other than maybe it is not an easy answer. I know they just hired a new Commissioner of Parks and Rec. maybe they’re waiting for her to be briefed before saying something contrary to her plan. (Name redacted) was announced as the new Commissioner on April 2nd."

The conversation ended and I never heard anything further from Chris Delaney on the subject.

It was on April 4, 2018 that Chris Delaney posted the following message on Facebook:

"As many people in District 6 know, I am not in support of the Lucas County Jail moving to our District. ..... Please know that I am fighting for us and I continue to let the Commissioners know we do not want the jail in District 6!"

It was on July 26, 2018 that I responded with:

"Why hasn't our District City Councilman Chris Delaney introduced a resolution to Toledo City Council in order that the entire Council may vote and go on record in opposition to the proposed Lucas County Jail location at Alexis and Detroit?"

To this very day (September 29, 2018), Mr. Delaney has steadfastly refused to respond as to why he has not introduced a resolution to Toledo City Council in order that the entire Council may vote and go on record in opposition to the proposed Lucas County Jail location at Alexis and Detroit!

On April 7, 2018, I wrote the electronic message:

"It would be nice if some community meetings could be held in the 3rd Ward occasionally." 

I received an electronic date stamp that Mr. Delaney received that message; and yet, to this very day (September 29, 2018), Mr. Delaney has failed to respond.

On May 20, 2018, I wrote the following electronic message to the Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio, Inc., a copy of which I sent to Chris Delaney:

"Is it possible to have some senior programs in the Greenwood Park Shelter House, aka Ted Carrothers Community Buillding, 6150 Jackman Road, Toledo, Ohio 43613?"

I received an electronic date stamp that Mr. Delaney received that message; and yet, to this very day (September 29, 2018), Mr. Delaney has chosen not to acknowledge this suggestion of providing senior programs within the Toledo Third Ward neighborhood to the senior citizens of the area.

On July 22, 2018, I wrote the electronic message:

"There is a desire and a need for a Community Center to be located within the boundaries of the Third Ward in Toledo, Ohio that would provide social services, passive and active recreational activities, entertainment programs, and other socialization opportunities for individuals, families and senior citizens."

I received an electronic date stamp that Mr. Delaney had received that message; and yet, to this very day (September 29, 2018), Mr. Delaney has chosen not to respond or even acknowledge the subject.

On July 24, 2018, I wrote the electronic message:

"Northgate Park located in the Toledo Third Ward should be converted into a dog park."

Although I received an electronic date stamp that Mr. Delaney received that message, I note that to this very day (September 29, 2018) Chris Delaney has chosen not to respond or even acknowledge the subject addressed in my message.

Former Toledo Policeman Chris Delaney ran his political campaign for Toledo City Council on a platform of keeping our streets and neighborhoods safe.

It was on July 25, 2018, the block on the dead end street on which I live was placed on safety lock down from approximately noon until 9:00 p.m. allegedly because of drugs. There was no way in or out of the block in which I live.

Indeed, it was on July 25 at 1:25 p.m. that Chris Delaney posted on the Facebook account entitled Toledo City Council District 6 the following message:

"HAZMAT incident 6100 Rolland involving TPD. TFD responded. They are asking folks to avoid the area and seek alternate routes while they do their work."

Mr. Delaney never did post any follow-up of any kind to that chilling announcement

In regards to that horrific incident, the entire Toledo HAZMAT team did an excellent job. Kudos to them!

However, nobody, not one person, from the City of Toledo ever came around to personally speak with any of the neighborhood residents of what was really happening, of what we could expect. of when the lockdown had been lifted, of what health or safety concerns may or may not exist, or of anything! Zero, nada, zilch, nothing. They all simply left.

Where was the public information from the City of Toledo administration, from the mayor, from our district 6 council representative Chris Delaney? There was none.

The Mayor and District 6 City Councilman Delaney have no problem going door to door during the election season as they campaign for our vote; but, not so much during the interim when they are not up for election.

Where were the Mayor and Toledo City District 6 Councilman Chris Delaney?

It is an understatement to say that I was and am extremely disappointed that my district city councilman, Chris Delaney, a newly retired Toledo Police Department officer, and the mayor, Wade Kapszukiewicz, the son of a retired Toledo Police Department officer, have both failed to ever visit our neighborhood to assure us, the resident tax-paying citizens and voting constituents, of our safety in regards to the hazardous materials incident. Chris Delaney never showed up to answer the concerns of neighborhood residents.

That terribly frightening incident originated in a house just two doors down from me and the entire block was sealed off. It is now more than two months later. No one ever informed us folks in the neighborhood when the lock-down was over. To this very day, no one from the City ever told us residents what the situation actually was or whether it is safe in the neighborhood as it relates to area air and/or ground contamination or whatever. WE HAVE HEARD NOTHING from the Mayor or from Toledo City Council District 6 representative Chris Delaney or from the City administration.

We still do not know whether or not there has been any hazardous contamination in our neighborhood. There has never been any follow-through or follow-up!

Has Chris Delaney made me  feel safe -- HELL, NO!!!

Continuing on to one other concern, it was on August 12, 2018 that I wrote the electronic message:

"Why can't Toledo Lucas County Public Library locate a branch library in any one of the several vacant "box" buildings in the Alexis Road corridor between Lewis and Douglas?"

I received an electronic date stamp that Mr. Delaney received that message. While, I realize that a branch library comes under the purview of the Toledo/Lucas County Library System, District 6 City Councilman Chris Delaney could have championed the cause. He chose not to address the topic even to this very day of September 29, 2018.

The trend has been fully established by Toledo City District 6 Councilman Chris Delaney. He chooses not to be engaged in the concerns of his City Council District 6 constituency who reside within the third ward of Toledo. Mr. Delaney has decided to ignore the wants, needs, and desires of the citizens for whom he is supposed to be not only a representative but also an advocate.

As a matter of fact, Chris Delaney has consciously taken action to isolate himself from the resident citizen and voters of District 6 by using the ultimate sidestep of bureaucracy! Indeed, Toledo District 6 City Councilman Chris Delaney has made it official. He does not wish to be bothered by constituents via social media. He prefers to be less accessible, less accountable, and less responsive to constituents and to make it less easy to keep the lines of communications open and transparent.

Here is what Mr. Delaney wrote on the Facebook page of Toledo City Council District 6 on September 6, 2018 at 12:13 p.m.:

"My official webpage is available at: https://toledo.oh.gov/…/chris-delaney-council-member-distr…/.
Please use ENGAGE Toledo (4199362020) to report your concerns, questions or complaints regarding city services. If you wish to address your concerns, questions or complaints to me directly, this site has both my direct email( Chris.Delaney@toledo.oh.gov ) as well as the phone number for me at City Council. This website will be the location where constituents and citizens may find key information and official messages from me. I will not be posting to Facebook, other than a link to the page, or a link to new content on that page."

An elected public official, such as Toledo City Council District 6 representative Chris Delaney should avail himself/herself of as many means of communication as possible, including social media, in order to increase interaction with constituents.

To require all communication, including expressions that are in regards to public services, be conducted only via "official" bureaucratic channels is paramount to stifling citizen participation.

For an elected public official to limit accessibility to himself/herself, especially so at the local level such as a district city councilperson, by instituting bureaucratic roadblocks is like erecting a high wall isolating the elected official from the citizens that the official was elected to serve.

Chris Delaney should be encouraging greater community involvement and citizen participation, and as just one of the means of doing so, he should utilize the modern communication medium of social media.

HEY CHRIS, WAKE UP! This is all about citizen voice and action, and about transparency, responsibility, responsiveness, and accountability of any person holding elected office.

Learn the Newest DIRT

That's right. Do Toledoans and others want to know the newest DIRT?
I'm talking about the three newest members of Toledo City Council here.
Do you really, really want to know?
Okay. I'll start off with this:
D = Democrat Lindsay Webb
I = Independent D. Michael Collins
R = Republican Tom Waniewski
T = Toledo City Council
Now, let's get to the nitty-gritty.
All you need to do to learn the latest is click this.

DIRT Is Flying Again!

If you recall, I have written about DIRT before in Roland Hansen Commentary. If you do not recall, you may review those previous commentaries by clicking the following embedded links:
Learn the Newest DIRT, Monday, December 3, 2007;
Lindsay Webb: The Broken Promise, Friday, January 4, 2008;
Lucas County Republicans: Wack Off, Stainbrook One, Reichert Zero, Thursday, May 15, 2008.

While the DIRT composition and DIRT players may vary from time to time, it is DIRT none-the-less. Well, it appears that this time the DIRT is flying again in Toledo municipal government. Mayor Carleton S. Finkbeiner, aka Carty Finkbeiner, has sent another letter chastising Toledo City Council. Well, the DIRT flew right back into the face of the Mayor.

Hey, I cannot help it if you haven't already read the latest Toledo daily newspaper article. But, I can help you by linking to the article so you can read it now. Go on, be informed, read Mayor shares blame for political feud, Toledo council trio says by Ignazio Messina, Blade Staff Writer.

Gee, I cannot help but wonder if any of the players in DIRT have taken any seminars or other specialized educational training in communications skills.

Timothy W Higgins Just Blowing Smoke on Toledo, Ohio Water

The following sentence is the watered down version of what I originally thought of writing:
Mi Amigo Tim Higgins has written a little piece about the Toledo, Ohio "water crisis" experience of this past summer.

ref: re: water crisis:
* The Blade, COLLINS’ TAKE ON EMERGENCY, Mayor says water crisis is similar to 9/11, Both were wake-up calls, led to second-guessing, BY TOM TROY BLADE POLITICS WRITER, Published: Tuesday, 8/19/2014.
* FOOD & WATER WATCH >; BLOG >; BLOGS > The Toledo Water Crisis Won’t Be the Last, By Elizabeth Nussbaume, August 18th, 2014

Aw, shucks! Go on over to read:
Just Blowing Smoke... TFP Column (not): Water Water Everywhere

Is Timothy all wet or is the City of Toledo, Ohio throwing the baby out with the bath water? Is this a wash job? Who is wet behind the ears? Who is all washed up --- Tim Higgins or Toledo Mayor D. Michael Collins or Toledo City Councilwoman Lindsay Webb or the City of Toledo Department of Public Utilities (aka The Water Department)???

Oh, and by the way, I wrote a little something myself a few years back about the City of Toledo and its opprobrious Water Department. Read it for yourself:
Toledo, Garbage, Water.

"All politics is local."
~ Tip O'Neill