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Hicks-Hudson announces plan to run for mayor

By
Erin Holden
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Mayor Paula Hicks-Hudson officially announced her plans to run for Mayor March 18 at Wilson Park Pool in North Toledo.

Tragedy propelled her into a role she didn’t seek, but now that she’s here, Mayor Paula Hicks-Hudson intends to stay.

Standing outside the Wilson Park pool in North Toledo on March 18, Hicks-Hudson officially announced her intention to run for mayor in the November special election, as a group of supporters cheered.

Acknowledging the “tragic situation” by which she came to the office — the Feb. 6 death of former Mayor D. Michael Collins, five days after he went into cardiac arrest — Hicks-Hudson stressed the need for continuity and to move forward together as a community.

“My goal as mayor is to take this impetus of some great things that are happening and move forward,” Hicks-Hudson said, mentioning the negotiations with Fiat Chrysler and passing a balanced city budget as two major projects. “With ProMedica moving Downtown there’s going to be such a spinoff, such a synergy of other businesses and energy that I need to be in that place to help move those things forward.”

City Council passed a budget on March 19.

Hicks-Hudson said she chose Wilson Park because it symbolizes how community members can come together to solve a problem.

“This is an example of people who have an idea and who decide we’re not going to just accept things, we’re not going to complain about things, we’re going to do something about it,” she said. “And that’s what this administration is going to be about. Doing things.

“I want to take that impetus and take that collaboration and move forward as the mayor for the city of Toledo.”

Hicks-Hudson said good jobs, good neighborhoods and good stewardship of taxpayer money are important to her.

“From neighborhoods come cities,” Hicks-Hudson said. “If we have livable, workable, safe, strong neighborhoods, we have livable, workable, safe, strong cities.”

Hicks-Hudson said her strengths are working hard and caring about community, she said.

“My predecessors have their own unique skills, each of them do. But I think I come with [my own] experiences and just a belief that we can do better and we will do better in the city,” she said. “My difference is just being who I am.”

Hicks-Hudson is Toledo’s first black female mayor and said she’s honored to see young girls looking at her as a role model.

“It’s been really interesting to see young women, young girls, who say, ‘Oh, there’s the mayor. Oh, I know her. Oh, she looks like me.’ I think that’s important for young people to see.”

Asked about Collins’ widow, Sandy Drabik, who has said she’s considering running to finish her husband’s term, Hicks-Hudson said she welcomed all candidates, deferring to voter choice.

“That’s her choice to do and if she believes that she has those necessary skills to bring it forward, then she should do that,” Hicks-Hudson said.

“I want people to vote for me because they believe I’m the best candidate and I have done the best job I could do. … I have the role to govern and manage the city and I intend to do that, hoping that between now and November folks will say, ‘Yes, she is doing a great job. She’s doing what we need her to do and we want her to continue.”

Ruth Ashford, who plans to run in May for the District 4 Council seat vacated by Hicks-Hudson and currently held by appointee Scott Ramsey, said she supports Hicks-Hudson. “She’s a professional person. Very, very intelligent. Very competent to run the city,” said Ashford, whose husband is state Rep. Michael Ashford. “She has a vast amount of government knowledge and public experience.”

Rachel Richardson of Art Corner Toledo is also a supporter, having worked with Hicks-Hudson on arts funding for mural projects and other neighborhood initiatives.

“She has a community empowerment model that she lifts us up from the neighborhood communities rather than the 22nd floor down,” Richardson said.

Council members Ramsey, Larry Sykes and Matt Cherry were also present.

“I really like her involvement and vision in the neighborhoods and she’s also supported the business community,” Ramsey said. “She brings a good broad-spectrum perspective to the job and she’s already in the position. She stepped up through a difficult situation. I think that’s admirable and I like what she said about continuity.”

Hicks-Hudson deflected a statement about the day being about her.

“It’s not about me,” she said. “I disagree. It’s about keeping the city moving forward and making sure we are on the right path in what we need to do.”

Richardson: Toledo art scene flourishing

By
Rachel Richardson
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     In 2010, when I posted the Art Corner Toledo Manifesto (written by Emily Rippe Desmond) on Facebook, I got a message from then Editor Michael Miller within ten minutes offering me the opportunity to write a column for the Toledo Free Press STAR.  That is not an exaggeration.  Ten minutes.  That’s how quickly the Toledo Free Press jumps to support and highlight the work of Toledoans.   That is not to mention the cover story the Free Press offered Independent Advocates in 2009 when we were in the midst of our campaign to convince Toledo Municipal Court to create a Domestic Violence docket.  In my experience, the Free Press is always on the right side of the story.  I’ve worked with people on projects who were wary of media and am always confident to tell them not to worry. The Toledo Free Press would present an objective story and truly do their best to move Toledo forward from their position.   When I heard that the paper was celebrating its tenth birthday, I was thrilled to have a chance to highlight their work and repay the favor.  Of course, I’ve been asked to not do that but to, instead, focus on art in Toledo and how it has progressed in the past ten years because in true Toledo Free Press form, they’ve turned the attention away from themselves and on to Toledo.  I continue to be immeasurably grateful to the paper for this habit of theirs. 

     To be perfectly honest, I wasn’t paying much attention to art in Toledo ten years ago besides the jazz scene.  Professionally, I was focused on victim advocacy for domestic violence survivors and my own career as a jazz singer.  I heard rumblings of things like “Meet&Greets” and knew that galleries seemed to come and go.  But, it wasn’t until the Arts Commission brought Artomatic 419 to town in 2006 that I felt like the local art scene was something I could participate in.  Then, came Bozarts.  Bozarts changed everything.  Giving creative people a place to gather and learn about each other while providing local artists a place to show their work and collaborate on shows, opened so many doors for so many people.  Independent Advocates became Art Corner Toledo there.  The mission to promote Toledo as a city full of artists and activists was born out of the fact that every time I went to Bozarts I was surrounded by both and they were all willing to get involved in each others’ work.  This atmosphere of cooperation and collaboration informed my attitude from that point forward. 

     Then, came the events.  Event after event after event.  Each one more and more focused on art in the community.  The Arts Commission became a party machine and  Toledoans began to participate in the arts whether they knew it or not, just by going to events downtown.   People were probably going to Mud Hens and Walleye games too but given that I’m not much a of a sports fan, I saw the evidence more clearly as artwalks grew and took over areas other than the Warehouse District.  Creative people saw that they could try their ideas, no matter how lofty, for an appreciative audience.  We gained a circus, for crying out loud! Birds Eye View Circus space came to town and found its home at the Collingwood Arts Center, showing us things we had never seen before.  I’m missing countless examples here between Artwalks and the circus but it would take an entire issue of the paper to list everything.

     Most importantly, in the past few years, public funding has become available for the arts in Toledo for programs other than those housed by large institutions.  Fledgling organizations have been given the necessary resources to impact the community in ways that had not yet been tried in Toledo.  Art has made its way into neighborhoods and into the infrastructure of the City.  It has been recognized as a tool for community organizing. It has brought together business owners, neighborhood residents, City Council people, building owners, developers, and artists in a way that, until now, had not taken place in this City.  It adorns large outside walls of buildings that sat empty until its arrival.  Those buildings are now being bought, developed, and renovated.  And to its credit, City government has recognized the value and importance of this work.  That is a major development that those of us working in the field are grateful for and will not take for granted. 

McGinnis: An unexpected journey

By
Jeff McGinnis
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Really, this is all Abby’s fault.

I met my friend Abby Bollenbacher as we both attended Bowling Green State University. We traveled in the same social circles (both being theater geeks to some extent) but never really connected until one day, when she saw me in a funk and asked what was wrong. I was in the darkest days of my depression. She offered to be an ear if I needed it. I took her up on that offer, and have been forever grateful that I did.

I often say that Abby saved my life, and I mean it. When I was at my lowest point, she took my hand and pulled me (often kicking and screaming) toward the light. I don’t know how lucky I was to find a friend like her, but I have never forgotten what she did for me, and never will.

Beyond being a loyal and wonderful pal, Abby is one of the most ridiculously talented people I’ve ever met. She competed multiple times in the Miss Ohio pageant. She is an incredible singer, actress and model, to boot. When she was named the second “Face of Fox Toledo,” a spokesperson for the station, I was thrilled — but not surprised.

What did surprise me was a year later, when Abby began encouraging me to try out to be the new Face of Fox once her reign ended. Honestly, I assumed I wouldn’t have a chance in hell. An on-camera spokesperson is usually attractive, at-ease, comfortable in their own skin — attributes that I clearly lack. But as she had before, Abby saw something that I didn’t, and all but dragged me to my first audition.

Little did either one of us know the door this effort would open for me.

My first attempt at becoming the Face of Fox could be termed a dignified failure. I made it past the first round of auditions (which stunned me) into on-camera testing, at which point I was eliminated. But the bug had bit, and bolstered by the fact that I had gotten further than I ever expected, I resolved to try again the following year.

As I walked into the first round of auditions the next summer, I had no clue that I was about to make the most important career connection of my life. I went through my prepared monologue and chatted with the judges — one of which happened to be Michael Miller, the Editor-in-Chief of the Toledo Free Press. As he watched me audition, answer questions and mention that I had a degree in Journalism, an idea apparently took root.

Bolstered by support from tons of my friends (whose love I cannot possibly repay), I made it all the way to the final round that year. After I got the call from the Fox producers that I hadn’t gotten the job, I will admit to being crestfallen at first. But then, they told me that Michael wanted to get in touch with me. Soon after, I found myself sitting in Mr. Miller’s office at the Free Press, surrounded by his collection of comic and Star Wars memorabilia. Michael told me his idea — coming on board at the paper to write a weekly pop culture column.

I thought, “I’m home.”

Five years and several hundred writings later, my life is in an amazing place — better than I could have dreamt before. I’ve gotten to interview the famous and the fascinating. I’ve become a regular cast member for multiple shows on local radio. I’ve won awards. I got to write short stories that were published in print. I’ve gotten to converse with heroes. Roger Ebert — a lifelong hero — wrote to tell me he liked my work. It’s simply too much for me to believe sometimes.

I try to do my best to show gratitude toward everyone who I owe a debt. To Michael, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for believing in me and giving me the chance to grow into, well, whatever it is I’ve become. To Sarah Ottney, thank you for continuing to give me a forum, and providing steady, assured leadership. To Tom Pounds for being the engine that keeps this train running. To my friends and family for giving me support and guidance when I needed it.

To everyone at 92.5 and WSPD, for offering me time on your airwaves to grow as a broadcast personality. To all my fellow writers, who humble me with the chance to have my work run alongside theirs. To Jim Beard, who gave me the chance to stretch into writing fiction. To every reader who has ever given any of my pieces a glance — I am honored to have the chance to chat with you.

And, of course, to Abby, who kicked the domino that started all this in the first place. I can never thank you enough for having confidence in me when I had none in myself.

Cheers to the Free Press for the first ten years. Looking forward to the next ten — and beyond.

Martini Rox: A home for hip-hop

By
Martini Rox
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I came to the Toledo Free Press as a Star contributor along with Lil D. I remember meeting with Mike Miller and after his honesty about the need for urban music, specifically from Toledo to be represented, I knew I had found a home. His love for real Hip-Hop was impressive and I loved remembering the passion music once played in street culture. Major newspapers in Toledo fail the urban community and seemingly save our contributions for the crime blotter sections. It has been therapeutic and nostalgic being able to write over 100 articles about the culture I grew up in during its most transitional phase.

I have received priceless feedback from artists that could never imagine gaining a mention in a paper as reputable across the city as the Toledo Free Press. The dedication to finding talent to represent in article and musical CD form has touched the hearts of many in the community. I have learned that with this privileged power comes great responsibility. I started out writing mainly about artists, but it was my “How to” articles on imagery and the music business that garnered attention. Those articles have led to speaking engagements from schools in Toledo to Detroit, MI. Helping aspiring artists/musicians has been the greatest reward as a writer for the Toledo Free Press. Gaining a broader audience beyond my radio listenership has allowed me to inform readers of all backgrounds about urban music in their city.

One of my most memorable articles would have to be my interview with the legendary Young MC. His business sense was phenomenal and I only wish I could have written more about his advice on staying paid in the music business. The main message in every article has been about teaching artists what it takes to make it and to show them that they can achieve greatness. There is urban talent from this city receiving award nominations like R&B singer Lyfe Jennings and Grammy nominated producer Tubb Young. There have been many great artists and interviews over the last 5 years and I challenge myself with articles that cover entertainment beyond music artists such as my article with Christian Aziz Bishop, a photographer from Toledo who resides in Atlanta and is “kind of a big deal” in the entertainment industry, who knew? Locally, in my opinion, every artist I have written about is a major musical standout. Inspiring stories from artists like B.Wills, Falease Sophae, IndiSoul REY, Chris Shutters, Blaq Smurph, Jameil Aossey, Krystal Monique, Clemmye B and Tatiana Owens are just a few artists that represent the range of Toledo talent gone worldwide. In terms of popularity, “My Favorite Things” gift recommendations for music lovers during the holiday season is always fun to write. The responsibility of seeking out quality performers with above average content can be challenging but I owe it to my readers to be honest about the music.

Happy 10th Birthday and Thank you Toledo Free Press! It has been a privilege and an honor to serve the community in an informative way and I will continue to do so as long as you will have me.

As we continue on…

Idol anniversary: It was Crystal clear fun five years ago.

By
Tom Konecny
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When Crystal Bowersox began her inspiring climb to “American Idol” fame in January 2010, her bio’s hometown was stated as “Elliston, Ohio.”

Some of us had to consult a map for that exact location, but it didn’t matter; Bowersox’s unofficial hometown was starting to grow. We all claimed her. That hometown entry of Elliston morphed into Ottawa County, then to Toledo, and eventually to all of Northwest Ohio.

Indeed, she was from the 419. One of us.

Idolatry in church

Finding Elliston didn’t prove to be that hard after all. One only had to listen for the shrieks coming from the Trinity United Church of Christ, where more and more were starting to gather for weekly Idol worship.

“One day in church, someone mentioned that our neighbor, Crystal Bowersox, was doing well (on ‘American Idol’),” said Ron Geisler, of nearby Graytown. “After church one day, I happened to be parked in front of (Crystal’s) dad’s house. We said, ‘let’s get together and we’ll just have a little potluck.’ One guy said, ‘we’ll bring a TV and we’ll watch (American Idol) together.’ And every week it grew a little bit as (Crystal) grew in popularity.”

Each Wednesday night, as the number of people attending Trinity’s Idol showings escalated, it wasn’t just church members anymore – people came from all over, thanks in part to a FOX Toledo news story.

Geisler recalls that as the weeks went by and Bowersox advanced, more TV crews visited, including one from Cleveland. Geisler and friends even had t-shirts printed for the growing crowds.

“By the end of the final show, I think I had six or seven TV networks broadcasting live, one out of Cleveland,” Geisler said. “We had people from ‘American Idol.’ It was kind of a remarkable time to see that many people show up.

“It put Elliston on the map,” Geisler said. “Some days people would stop and buy t-shirts just to see where all this happened, because of all the news clips at night.”

Where everybody knew her name

Papa’s Tavern was one of Bowersox’s favorite proving grounds. As young as 11, Bowersox started playing there in front of regulars.

“She performed good whether she had five people or 50,” said Tim Stahl, owner, whose bar can hold 100. “Before Idol, crowds were average, maybe only a dozen on Wednesday nights. During Idol, we went from an average of 12 people on a Wednesday night, to 80-100 people. It was wall to wall people.”

But then things got really crazy.

Bowersox visited Toledo on May 14, 2010 during her peak of fame on the show – just nine days before the finale – and made several stops in the area as part of a show-contrived hometown tour. A parade was held in her honor, she held free concerts in Downtown Toledo and at the Ottawa County Fairgrounds.

She also made a stop at Papa’s Tavern.

Stahl knew of Bowersox’s surprise appearance, but could not disclose it to anyone. Still, that didn’t stop throngs of fans who knew she was in the area, to sit by Papa’s Tavern and hope that their hometown hero would make an appearance.

“You could not believe it, there were 400 people, at least, out in front of a little neighborhood bar,” Stahl said. “We probably had 150 in the bar, and 75 of those were security, FOX crew, and different ones with them. There were no media allowed in at all, yet I had people showing credentials, trying to get in. But, I had about 50 of my regulars that I let in, who were sitting on the floor and just enjoying her music. These were the people that hadn’t seen her since she left the bar (years ago). It was awesome.”

When Bowersox arrived, Stahl said she did three or four songs, and then was whisked away.

 “I still do get people, who, to this day, if (Crystal’s) visiting her mom, I guarantee I’ll have 10 people stop in to ask if she’s going to play,” Stahl said. “And I still have people coming in to see where she once played.”

Stahl said he hasn’t seen her since 2012, but still keeps in touch, though her parents stop in regularly. He takes pride in his very blue collar, regular group of patrons.

Although he’d love to have Bowersox back for a return show, Stahl said he’ll never formally invite her.

“Honestly, I’d rather have her stop in stone cold, out of the blue, and just play two or three songs without anyone, including me, knowing,” Stahl said. “The people that really want to see her are already going to be here anyway. Don’t get me wrong, I love the crowds, but we’re more about enjoying the music than packing them in.”

Stahl said he enjoyed the fun five years ago, and Crystal remains a huge part of the tavern’s history.

“It was pretty unreal when it was happening,” Stahl said. “She definitely is a big name now, but if you look all-time, I would say she is one of the biggest from our area. Between us, the Village Idiot and the church, we were the epicenters of it all.”

Village people

At the Village Idiot in Downtown Maumee, Bowersox often played with local bassist Frank May to small crowds. But the crowds loved them, and Bowersox was a fixture at the Conant Street staple known for live music every night.

Although she didn’t visit the Village Idiot during the show’s media-frenzied hometown tour, that didn’t stop the masses from coming on that May 2010 night.

“The Blade had printed that she would be here, but she wasn’t coming, and it was horrible,” said Tom Sullivan, employee of 14 years. “We have 75 seats, and could fit in maybe 100, and the Maumee police were here, and we told people right at the door that she wasn’t going to be here. It didn’t make any difference.”

Sullivan said she visited the Village Idiot once last year, and was soon mobbed by fans.

“She’s just a really nice person,” Sullivan said. “She’s young, and exposed to a lot that someone her age (normally) isn’t.”

Sydney Mahaney, Ron Giesler and Dylan Mahaney at Trinity United Church of Christ in Elliston, five years after Elliston native Crystal Bowersox appeared on “American Idol.” TOLEDO FREE PRESS STAR PHOTO BY CHRISTIE MATERNI

Where were they then?

By
Dock David Treece
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In March 2005, when Toledo Free Press published its first issue, here’s what our current elected officials were doing:

*Mayor Paula Hicks-Hudson: Attorney with Department of Taxation.

Toledo City Council

*Matt Cherry: sheet metal worker.
*Mike Craig: Auto title clerk at Lucas County Clerk of Courts.
*Theresa Gabriel: Retired, but would return to city government in January 2006 as part of Mayor Carty Finkbeiner’s new administration.
*Jack Ford: Mayor of Toledo.
*Rob Ludeman: Toledo City Council District 2 representative; ran for mayor, defeated in primary.
*Scott Ramsey: Indoor air quality specialist with Clean Air Systems in Holland. Opened Ramsey Brothers Restorations with his brother in October 2005.
*Tyrone Riley: Attorney in Toledo, private practice.
*Sandy Spang: Residential and commercial real estate.
*Larry Sykes: Vice president of Fifth Third Bank Northwest Ohio, president of Toledo Public Schools Board of Education, president of Metroparks of Toledo Area board,
chairman of the State of Ohio Minority Finance Advisory Board, board member of Lucas County Children Services.
*Steve Steel: Teaching at Bowling Green State University. That summer he became the statewide field director for Ohio Fair Schools campaign and then ran for Toledo Public Schools Board of Education, winning the election in November 2005.
*Tom Waniewski: Producer for WTOL-11 morning show, chairman of United Way of Greater Toledo board.
*Lindsay Webb: In law school at the University of Toledo.

Lucas Co. Commissioners

*Carol Contrada: Sylvania Township trustee.
*Pete Gerken: Took office as Lucas County commissioner in January 2005.
*Tina Skeldon-Wozniak: Took office as Lucas County commissioner in January 2005. O

Here’s to 10 years … and many more

By
Toledo Free Press
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In thinking about the 10 years that have passed since the birth of Toledo Free Press, I was surprised to discover how much of that time we had shared together.

It was March 2008 when then- Editor in Chief Michael S. Miller contacted me about a feature TFP wanted me to participate in called Brain Gain. Fascinated by the irony of having this category be one with which my name might be associated, I agreed. Strangely, the subject of TFP staff writer Racheal Tafelski’s effort had to do with a blog I’d been writing for about a year titled “Just Blowing Smoke.”

A number of changes have occurred in the years since, and new postings for that effort ended a while back. But the name remained in over 200 efforts that transitioned to TFP beginning later that year. While I have occasionally questioned the sanity of those in charge for allowing such material in print, I have never questioned the dedication, the abilities or the professionalism of the people involved.

Now for those of you who don’t know, I spent over 30 years in the newspaper industry before I ever produced a word in print. As I consider the years and changes that have slipped by, I’m reminded of an exchange I had with an executive upon the opening of their new production facility. After having their Pulitzer Prize plaques pointed out to me, I asked, “Would you consider yourself an award-winning newspaper that occasionally makes a profit, or a profitable newspaper that occasionally wins an award?”

I failed to get a legitimate answer to that question at the time, but have no doubt what the response would be from those at TFP celebrating their 10th year: “Why can’t we do both?”

My friends, five straight years of being voted Ohio’s Best Weekly Newspaper prove that you can, even at a time when things are trying for so many of those around you.

Congratulations and my best wishes for the 10 you’re celebrating and for the 10 and more I know are ahead.

Tim Higgins can be reached at [email protected].

Cornett: Bridging the LGBT gap

By
Rick Cornett
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I first became associated with Toledo Free Press in 2010. Feeling the newspaper wasn’t giving Toledo’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community enough coverage, I shot off an email to then-Editor in Chief Michael Miller.

I didn’t expect to receive a response, but within minutes — and I do mean minutes — he responded with a quick and friendly note asking if we could meet for lunch and discuss my concerns.

At that first meeting we became fast friends and he offered me a job writing this OK 2B Gay column to represent the local gay community. As we talked, I told him about the Holiday with Heart Charity Gayla, for which I’m a committee member, and he offered the support of TFP as an official media sponsor for the event.

With the mainstream support of the paper, attendance grew and this now-38-year-old event started to gain respect, legitimacy and corporate sponsorship.

In 2011, TFP began endorsing another Toledo LGBT cause that is dear to my heart when I helped link them up with the annual Toledo Pride festival and parade and they became the official media sponsor for this event as well.

Toledo Pride debuted in 2010 with a little over 1,500 people in attendance at the Erie Street Market. Last year, the event at Promenade Park saw an attendance of almost 15,000.

Over the past five years, I’m happy to say, TFP has covered many LGBT issues beyond my column and featured cover stories on gay marriage, Opera Ain’t No Drag, Holiday with Heart Charity Gayla, Toledo Pride, transgender issues and more.

I’m very honored and proud that I could serve as the bridge between Toledo’s LGBT community and TFP. Toledo is currently without a local monthly magazine or newspaper that represents the gay community, but TFP offers us a voice, with regular coverage of the people, places and events that affect us.

I would also like to point out I’m helping TFP distribute Outlook magazine in the Toledo market. Outlook is a monthly LGBT publication based in Columbus that covers the entire state of Ohio. This glossy magazine is packed with news, events, a bar guide and information on statewide issues. As a contributing writer, I supply them with news on the Toledo market.

When Miller decided to leave TFP last year, I feared the support for the gay community would lessen within the publication. My worries were unwarranted as new Editor in Chief Sarah Ottney is also an ally and friend, as is publisher Tom Pounds.

I’m happy I sent off that email rant five years ago asking TFP to respect and honor the local LGBT community. When we open our minds, hands and hearts, great things happen for all involved.

Happy Birthday, Toledo Free Press! I’m honored to be a part of this Toledo tradition that has lasted 10 years now.

Rick Cornett is a historian, activist and promoter of the Toledo LGBT community serving on the Holiday with Heart Charity and Toledo Pride committees.

Ottney: … and counting

By
Toledo Free Press
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It’s been fascinating these past few weeks sorting through Toledo Free Press issues dating back to March 16, 2005.

I was the editor of my college paper when TFP launched, but I remember seeing an early copy when I was home on a break. In my mind, it’s the very first issue, but I could be mistaken.

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Nationally, Scott Peterson was sentenced to death for the killing of his pregnant wife, the controversy over removing Terri Schiavo’s feeding tube was raging in Florida and Martha Stewart had just been released from prison.

Locally, the Tom Noe coin scandal was heating up, developers David Ball and Jimmy Jackson had a plan to transform the steam plant into luxury apartments and the Mud Hens were soon to be riding high as Governors’ Cup champions. The Veterans Glass City Skyway wasn’t there. Neither was Huntington Center. Southwyck Mall was still open. Later that year, Carty would be elected to his third term.

It’s true that 10 years is only a blip on the radar in the grand scheme of things, but I hope you’ll forgive us the indulgence of marking the milestone by revisiting some of our past coverage this week. Just because it’s our birthday, of course, doesn’t mean today’s news stops. All our regular coverage can be found online at toledofreepress.com.

I’ve been with TFP since September 2010, almost half its existence. Founding Editor in Chief Michael S. Miller isn’t here to write a new Lighting the Fuse column, but we hope he looks back on the legacy he left in Toledo with pride.

Republished online are Miller’s first column along with TFP President and Publisher Tom Pounds’ first column. They highlight their hopes for the paper: to offer a fair, independent, community-focused voice, to focus on the positive while not shying away from hard questions, to have a mission but not an agenda. Ten years later, those goals are unchanged.

Our coverage is written by local writers, about and for the local community. After 10 years, we’re still refining each day our role in the community and how we can best and more responsibly serve our readers and earn their trust.

Happy birthday, TFP! Here’s to many more.

Thanks for reading.

Sarah Ottney is editor in chief of Toledo Free Press.

Gerken: County’s next 10 years look bright

By
Toledo Free Press
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My first year as Lucas County Commissioner in 2005 was the beginning of what would be one of the nation’s and our community’s toughest economic periods. We faced a widespread foreclosure crisis, endured devastating cuts to local government funds and saw many businesses close.

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Lucas County, through the sheer grit and determination of its citizens, weathered the storm. We focused on fiscal stability, urban revitalization and quality-of-life issues. Now, 10 years later, we are poised to see a revitalization that promises to bring economic prosperity and good jobs back home.

Sound financial stewardship has helped keep Lucas County moving forward. The commissioners made tough decisions, including taking steps to reduce costs to ensure a balanced budget, in order to continue to deliver services that citizens expect.

Lucas County has a proven track record when it comes to urban revitalization, having invested nearly $200 million in Toledo’s Downtown core. As the owner of Fifth Third Field and Huntington Center, we remain committed to the success of Toledo. Fifth Third Field, in particular, has been the catalyst for the Toledo Warehouse District’s revitalization. Lucas County is proud to be a major partner of the Mud Hens’ planned Hensville development. We believe the $19 million project will help transform this rapidly growing neighborhood into a showcase for our region that will attract even more residents, employers and visitors.

The commissioners also acquired the old Hotel Seagate located on the same block as the SeaGate Convention Centre, directly across from the future ProMedica headquarters. We simply could not stand idly by while this abandoned structure blighted an otherwise vibrant corner. Now, with a strong private-public partnership blossoming, we are taking steps to tear down the building. We will engage our community and stakeholders about redevelopment and further investment.

In August, the algal bloom event shed light on the need to address the water quality of the Western Lake Erie basin. Just last week, the board led a statewide conference, bringing in 19 elected officials to focus on the protection of water quality this season. This conference led the effort to a collaborative plan, which is the first step toward a real discussion on water in the region.

We are fully engaged in the process of rebuilding the Lucas County Corrections Center, an outdated, over-capacity and functionally inefficient facility. Along with fixing the dilapidated facility comes the opportunity to restructure our criminal justice system in Lucas County. We are working with key stakeholders in the criminal justice system to understand root causes of issues and find solutions that will have a measurable impact.

This past year, the board streamlined its economic and workforce development efforts with the creation of the Department of Planning and Development. With this step, economic and workforce development in our county began anew, focused on driving economic growth through a data-driven, results-oriented process and with a special emphasis on matching employers’ needs with potential employees’ skills.

In 2014, unemployment in Lucas County dropped to levels not seen since well before the recession. The year’s annual average rate of 6.3 percent was a large improvement over the 2013 annual average of 8.5 percent and only slightly higher than the 6.2 percent annual average last seen in 2006.  When combined with the increasing number of people returning to the workforce, Lucas County gained approximately 6,200 workers over the course of the year. If projections based on data during the past three years are correct, it is possible by the end of 2015 that unemployment in Lucas County may drop below 5 percent.

The board is optimistic about the future and looks forward to the next 10 years to see Toledo and Lucas County continue to revitalize neighborhoods, grow our economy and cultivate a talented, diverse and innovative urban community.

Pete Gerken has been a Lucas County Commissioner since 2005.

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