Toledo Free Press – Jan. 15, 2012 by Toledo Free Press

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Big dogs

JEFF PAYDEN’s TFP comic strip ‘Biff & Riley’ joins GoComics.com. Story by Jeff McGinnis, Page A6

A2 ■ TOLEDO FREE PRESS

JANUARY 15, 2012

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OPINION

JANUARY 15, 2012

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■ A3

LIGHTING THE FUSE

PUBLISHER’S STATEMENT

he chaos and dysfunction at the Lucas County Board of Elections have inspired Toledo Free Press to use this space to ask for oversight from Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted. Husted may or may not heed our request, but a Jan. 6 letter he sent to the BOE illustrates he is paying close attention. In his letter, he addresses three requests to break ties on votes the BOE could not decide for itself. Can there be any other county in Ohio that requires as much SOS attention as Lucas County? Husted declined to break ties in two cases — votes on allowing Republican staff member Meghan Gallagher to act equally with BOE Deputy Director Dan DeAngelis and a noconfidence vote on DeAngelis — because “The Lucas County Board of Elections did not timely send to the Secretary of State either the minutes of the December 13, 2011 meeting or the board members’ position statements related to the December 13 tie votes.” Apparently, even when the BOE asks for Husted’s help, it can’t meet procedure or demonstrate competency. Husted lightly chastised the BOE, writing, “the Lucas County Board of Elections must assume complete and total reThomas F. POUNDS sponsibility for oversight of the operations and the duties assigned to them. The Board must carry out its statutory duties and resolve these problems rather than relying on the Secretary of State to oversee the staff at the Lucas County Board of Elections.” Husted did break the tie on the third vote, on whether to certify the candidacy of Constantine Stamos, because, “None of the declarations of candidacy and part-petitions filed with the Lucas County Board of Elections included the candidate’s original signature as required … there is simply no tangible evidence to certify the candidate for the ballot.” Husted then gets a bit tougher. “The more troubling information provided in the board members’ position statements was the assertion that the staff is not competent to perform even the most routine function of accepting candidate petitions,” he wrote. “Furthermore, let me remind the members of the Lucas County Board of Elections, it is their responsibility, and theirs alone, to remedy the continuing issues of staff competency and workplace environment. Hopefully, a timely solution will prevent this office from the need to take separate action.” Last week, Toledo Free Press reported that former BOE Director Ben Roberts may have logged more than 65 hours of weekend work time but may not have been present during the hours he claimed. We strongly urge the BOE to place an investigative query on its February agenda, not just to ascertain any wrongdoing in this case but to ensure that all BOE employees are aware of policies for claiming hours that cost taxpayer money. It is somewhat comforting to know that Husted is watching the mess that is the BOE. We look forward to a day when his oversight is not required any more here than it is for other Ohio counties. And we bet he does, too. ✯ Thomas F. Pounds is president and publisher of Toledo Free Press and Toledo Free Press Star. Contact him at tpounds@toledofreepress.com. This editorial was co-authored by Toledo Free Press Editor in Chief Michael S. Miller. Contact him at mmiller@toledofreepress.com.

A publication of Toledo Free Press, LLC, Vol. 8, No. 3. Established 2005. EDITORIAL Mary Ann Stearns, Design Editor mastearns@toledofreepress.com James A. Molnar, Lead Designer jmolnar@toledofreepress.com Sarah Ottney, Special Sections Editor sottney@toledofreepress.com

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Husted watching Fordbeiner’s two cents nonsense T Michael S. MILLER

t has been unseasonably warm this winter. Local meteorologists talk about jet streams and warm air currents, but they’re wrong; winter has been neutralized by the immeasurable volumes of hot air Carty Finkbeiner and Jack Ford are expelling into the Lake Erie West atmosphere. The former mayors have been criticizing Mayor Mike Bell for everything from how he is handling crime to how he is managing the people who work for the city. Finkbeiner and Ford are like Statler and Waldorf, the curmudgeons who sit in the upper balcony, far from the action, hurling insults at the Muppets — except Statler and Waldorf are intentionally funny. Finkbeiner and Ford, who together ran Toledo for 16 consecutive years (just about long enough for someone to enter a TPS kindergarten, graduate from the University of Toledo and leave to work in another city), define intellectual mediocrity and apocryphal ethics. It is one thing for an elder statesman to offer counsel or help a young mayor navigate choppy waters; that would be appreciated and respected. But Ford and Finkbeiner, by grandstanding and attempting to embarrass Bell, reveal themselves to be the petty, sour, historical footnotes they are. They are like 4-year-olds trying to get their mothers’ attention with squirt guns. Their joint beef with Bell concerns his handling of personnel in the city’s neighborhoods department. “How do you build spirit ... if you’re trying to make a scapegoat of individuals whose integrity you do not question?” Finkbeiner said, throwing Thomas F. Pounds, President/Publisher tpounds@toledofreepress.com

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in his self-described “two cents.” As a Facebook friend observed, “Carty Finkbeiner preaching the importance of employee morale is like Captain Ahab doing a Save the Whales commercial.” Of course The Blade ($1 on weekdays, $2 on Sundays) is more than happy to encourage Fordbeiner and provide a platform for their out-oftouch and obstreperous nonsense. At least it provides some great irony; on the Jan. 8 front page of The Blade, a poorly manufactured slam piece on Bell — which featured unflattering ladles of Finkbeiner balloon juice — ran just inches above a photo for a story on dog rescue teams, which featured a dog looking longingly out of a car window. Finkbeiner historians will remember that in August 2007, Finkbeiner twice got caught locking his dog Scout in his car — once in a handicapped spot — while he report-

edly was being fitted for prosthetic testicles. Mighty funny for The Blade to run a Finkbeiner story near that dog-in-a-car photo; that’s a nice touch from the organization that published an entire book about Finkbeiner’s legacy of ineptitude and vulgarity (“The Little Book of Carty,” $8.95). The most offensive element of Finkbeiner’s blather is his quote from a Jan. 9 “news” conference, brazingly set at One Government Center: “It’s time for Mike to be a man and start doing his job and taking responsibility,” Finkbeiner said, aloud, in front of people. “Time for Mike to be a man”? Really, Carty? You, one of the most immature and emotionally stunted Toledo leaders in memory, dare to tell Mike Bell, a man who dedicated his life to rescuing people from burning buildings, to “be a man?” ■ MILLER CONTINUES ON A4

Michael S. Miller, Editor in Chief mmiller@toledofreepress.com

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Toledo Free Press is published every Sunday by Toledo Free Press, LLC, 605 Monroe St., Toledo, OH 43604 Phone: (419) 241-1700 Fax: (419) 241-8828 www.toledofreepress.com. Subscription rate: $100 /year. Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content in any manner without permission is strictly prohibited. Copyright 2012 with all rights reserved. Publication of advertisements does not imply endorsement of advertisers’ goods or services.

OPINION

A4 ■ TOLEDO FREE PRESS

JUST BLOWING SMOKE

JANUARY 15, 2012

DON LEE

Succession in silence

hether or not you liked usual” in these agencies. That Finkbeiner should go on to some of our recent presidents, you had to at least say that it was unprecedented for a give them credit for staying out of director to be fired for the misdeeds their successors’ business once they of underlings speaks volumes about left office. You couldn’t get a comment how his own administrations were from George H.W. Bush about the suc- run, and shows a complete lack of ceeding administration. Bill Clinton understanding of sound managelikewise kept his comments to an abso- ment principles and practices in comparable private lute minimum (at least sector operations. That until his wife ran for Finkbeiner and Ford the office) and George not only feel that they W. has been likewise know better than the silent on the policies, current mayor what successes and failures of should be done, but his successor in the past feel the need to tell him three years. For this I’m so in a very public way sure, each of those sucshows a lack of respect cessors was grateful to and good manners. his predecessor. That the two felt the There have been Tim HIGGINS need to say anything exceptions to this rule but they are almost exclusively lim- at all inspires curiosity as to whether ited to one rather egregious perpe- they still, much as it often appeared trator, who commented not only on during their respective tenures as his successor, but on his successor’s mayor, receive guidance from a cersuccessors. Jimmy Carter’s offenses tain absentee out-of-state landlord. In the end, what speaks far more may, however, be largely written off to a congenital inability to keep loudly than any of the public comhis mouth shut, a predilection for ments of these two former mayors mental instability, and the desire to is the self-serving nature of their apremain as irrelevant after office as he proach to the situation. Rather than was while in it — seeking credit for quietly reach out to Mayor Bell in priachievements in retirement that he vate to discover the facts behind the case, share their historic insights as could not achieve in office. The Glass City, as has far too to the department’s operation during often been the case, appears to be their tenure and offer observations as suffering from the exception rather to the character of the people in questhan the rule. On Jan. 9, former tion, they chose instead the public mayors Carlton Finkbeiner and Jack spotlight and the self-aggrandizing Ford sought a respite from their approach of a news conference in own “Carteresque” insignificance One Government Center. Not conto weigh in on current Mayor Mike tent to let the current mayor run Bell’s decision to fire Department things as he sees fit (his due as mayor of Neighborhoods Director Kattie and one they would have insisted Bond and Housing Commissioner upon in his place) they chose instead a “stunt” filled with the public rancor Mike Badik. Both mayors laid claim to long- and vitriolic rhetoric that both have standing relationships with the two long been known for. In a strange way, I suppose perdischarged employees, which might itself call their public pronounce- haps that we should be grateful to ments into question, as should the Mayor Bell’s only two predecessors fact that while the current mayor to hold the title of Strong Mayor in has been able to view reports of the Toledo for reminding us how lucky ongoing investigations, one would we are that they are no longer in assume that neither of the former charge. Perhaps we should also be mayors have. Neither former mayor grateful that Toledo now appears disputed that wrongdoing had appar- to have a mayor who sees fit to end ently occured under the watches of some of the “business as usual” Bond and Badik (and by implication, of city government and appears potentially under that of the former willing to “be a man” (as he was mayors). That this was ostensibly accused of not doing) and take the the case implies at best ignorance on heat for such decisions. At the very least we might be the part of both administrators and perhaps the mayors in charge about grateful that Finkbeiner’s dog Scout such improper behavior and at worst was not discovered locked in a car exhibits a form of tacit disregard for parked improperly during the news such things as part of the “business as conference. ✯

■ MILLER CONTINUED FROM A3 Exactly what advice are you offering, Finkbeiner? Should Bell start screaming at his staff ? Should Bell start bullying his team? Should he strike someone with a coffee cup? Should he hit somebody? Is that what would make him a man in your estimation? There is no room in civil discourse for this kind of hyperbolic, mean-spirited, name-calling diatribe. History will appreciate that TweedleCarty and TweedleJack offered their vaudeville act on the exact same day the wrecking ball hit Libbey High School and the Seneca County Courthouse. Jan. 9 will forever be remembered as the day a high school, a courthouse and the meager credibility of two former mayors came crashing to the ground. None of this is to imply that Bell is above criticism. Even as he has brought international attention and investment to Toledo, there are people in the community who question his focus on more pressing local issues. It’s chicken-or-egg territory. Without major investment and growth, Toledo, especially its central city, will continue to decay and shed

EXTRA-LARGE

pper DoubYourleChoicTo e Of 2 Toppings se &

population. Without major investment in neighborhoods, Toledo will be limited in its ability to attract investment and growth. No one mayor has the power to change such longterm megatrends. Bell is still two years away from defending his office at the ballot box, but he must feel as if the race has already begun. With The Blade utilizing its Finkbeiner chisel to chip at him, Bell finds himself spending more time on defense. Union interests with long memories of the SB 5 fight will be ready to back a Bell opponent; whether that will be Anita Lopez, D. Michael Collins or an unknown contender remains to be seen. One thing is clear: Toledo could elect a turnip to office and the city would be better off than it would be repeating any of Finkbeiner or Ford’s 16 years. At least the turnip would stay silent once it left office. ✯ Michael S. Miller is editor in chief of Toledo Free Press and Toledo Free Press Star. Email him at mmiller@ toledofreepress.com.

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OPINION

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■ A5

DECISION 2012

Romney makes history with New Hampshire win

week after the Iowa caucus, Mitt Romney strengthened his momentum with a large win in New Hampshire, the first state to hold a primary election. He made history by becoming the first Republican presidential candidate to win both the Iowa caucus and New Hampshire’s primary. Romney finished with 39 percent of the vote, slightly better than many entrance polls predicted, on a night when a recordbreaking 250,000 Republican voters showed up to the polls. Texas congressman and quasi-libertarian Ron Paul finished in a distant yet better then anticipated second place, receiving 23 percent of the vote. Although the state is considered a small fraction of the total delegation, much attention is paid to New Hampshire due to its spot on the primary calendar. New Hampshire historically tends to be more moderate than many of the other early primary states, like South Carolina. As a result, candidates often view New Hampshire as a mustwin. Doing so is an indication that a candidate could score well with the more moderate wing of the Republican Party and thus perhaps better in the general election. In 2008, Romney lost New Hampshire to Sen. John McCain by a slim 6 percent of the vote. This time, he was able to win several important counties he formerly lost, including Merrimack County, which includes the state capital of Con-

Paul will move his campaign forward after cord. He was able to pick up seven of the 12 pledged delegates from his win, bringing him nearly receiving a quarter of the total votes. to a total of 14 pledged delegates and 25 overall. Paul did very well among young voters, a huge Romney won a diverse array of the vote. He demographic for him, and independents. Paul’s scored very well with moderates, gaining 40 per- anti-government message resonates with many Republicans across the country; cent of their vote. In contrast, of the his stance on foreign policy does voters who considered themselves not. He promises to cut the fed“very conservative,” Romney won eral budget by $1 trillion while in with 33 percent to Paul’s 18. He office, bring troops home from Afalso won the plurality of votes from ghanistan and abolish the Federal people who favored the Tea Party Reserve. Critics say Paul’s views are and Christian conservatives. “dangerous.” In response to this, Critics have chastised Romney Paul states what might as well be for not being conservative enough. the slogan of his campaign: “We are If exit polling did not prove them dangerous to the status quo.” Paul wrong, perhaps his victory speech Ben OSBURN received three delegates. did. Shortly after the polls closed, Former Utah governor John Romney spoke like a candidate who had already won the nomination. He went on the Huntsman, who ignored Iowa to campaign in attack against President Barack Obama, claiming New Hampshire, finished with 17 percent of the that he is a failed president who puts his faith in vote and two delegates. Having formerly worked in the Obama administration as the ambassador government and not the American people. Romney sharply criticized Obama’s position to China, Huntsman tried to win the moderate on foreign policy, saying that Obama practices vote, but fared better with former Democrats “appeasement,” and does not adequately sup- and people who are satisfied with Obama’s port Israel. He also criticized the health care bill performance. Huntsman is campaigning on passed under his administration, saying that he fixing the “trust deficit” in Washington and frewould repeal it. Romney draws criticism himself quently preaches bipartisanship on many issues. for passing a bill as governor of Massachusetts Huntsman will move on to South Carolina. Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum battled it that was essentially the same thing on a state level.

out for fourth place, with Gingrich winning by 1 percent. Gingrich and Romney have been battling each other using campaign ads. Recently, Gingrich aired an ad targeting Romney’s experience at investment firm Bain Capital, portraying Romney as someone who gets rich by firing people. Gingrich spoke of investing in innovative technology to jump-start the economy and warned against the perils of overtaxation. Santorum was not able to use his second place Iowa finish to his advantage in New Hampshire. His campaign did not invest much in the state and is looking forward to South Carolina. The big question going into South Carolina is what it will mean for the lesser-known candidates like Huntsman and Rick Perry, who received less than 1 percent of the New Hampshire vote. Anything less than a second place finish for either candidate could be the end for them. Santorum and particularly Gingrich have a better shot at winning the South Carolina primary compared to New Hampshire. A win for either would be a boost to their campaign, as 25 “winner take all” delegates are at stake. However, a win for Romney could potentially seal his nomination. ✯ Columnist Benjamin Osburn is a graduate student in political science at the University of Toledo. Email him at letters@toledofreepress.com.

COMMUNITY

A6 ■ TOLEDO FREE PRESS

JANUARY 15, 2012

MEDIA

By Jeff McGinnis TOLEDO FREE PRESS POP CULTURE EDITOR PopGoesJeff@gmail.com

For the past four years, Toledo Free Press readers have followed the adventures of two dogs named Biff and Riley in the comic strip that bears their names. Now, many more readers will have the chance to sample the duo’s exploits — the strip has been picked up for online syndication by Universal Uclick, the nation’s largest independent press syndicate. New strips will be posted on the GoComics.com website on Mondays and Wednesdays. Creator Jeff Payden said the seeds of this new deal were planted when he first began posting “Biff & Riley” on a site named Comic Sherpa. “Comic Sherpa is also owned by Universal Uclick — essentially, Comic Sherpa is a site for aspiring cartoonists. If you’re developing your own strip, or a daily panel, and you wanna get it out there and let people take a look at it, essentially you pay to post,” Payden said. “A little over a year after I’d been posting on n Sherpa, I got an email from a lady by the name of Shena Wolf from Universal Uclick, saying, ‘We’ve We’ve been n reading your stuff ff, and we really lik like ke what we see, an and nd we’d be interested interesteed in offering ng you u a contract ct to move over from Comic Sherpa to GoComics. cs.’” The move to to Universal Uclick is the latestt step in a lifelong journey ourney for Payden, whose love for comics css stretches str tret ettch ches e es back to childhood. hildhood. He grew up loving “Peanuts,” Charles harles Schulz’s Schulz’ zs classic strip, ip, and as he grew so too did his appreciation for otherr artists, from m Garry Trudeau’s rudeau’s workk on “Doonesbury” onesbury” to

Berkeley Breathed’s “Bloom County.” “With comic strips, it’s kind of a combination of entertainment and art. I’ve read a little bit of the things that Bill Watterson, creator of ‘Calvin and Hobbes,’ has said before — it’s not just entertainment, it is an art form. If you look at his work, his line illustrations, his drawings, they’re just phenomenal, what he can do with just a few lines,” Payden said. Despite his appreciation for the art form, Payden didn’t begin working on his own strip until he was in college. “The other comic strip that appears in Toledo Free Press, ‘Dizzy,’ written by Dean Harris, is actually kind of an idol for me,” Payden said. “I was going to college for art, and Dean and I had a class or two together. And I just remember seeing his comic strip running in the college paper, and I thought, ‘Wow, that’s really cool.’” Payden developed his first strip, “Our Times.” That ran for several years in the early 1990s in Spectrum, a University of Toledo campus newspaper headed by then student and current Toledo Free Press Editor in Miller. Chief Michael S. Mil “Most Most readers do not realize how much creativity and work goes into prow ducing a consisd tently entertaining te strip, week ccomic co o after week, year aaft fter year,” Miller said. “Jeff ’s work is ssa funny but anchored ffu in the emotions dynamics aand aanyone who loves a pet immediately recognizes.” rec But eventually, B real life lif intervened, and Payden set comics aside several forr se fo seve ve years. “From time to time, I thought, maybe I should th hou ough ght, well, w dabble in that th h again. Maybe it’d be kinda fun to work on a comic strip again. this point in time, my wife aggain. At th and a d I had an ha had two or three kids. And I thought, well, I’m kinda busy right now,” Payden said. r

TOLEDO FREE PRESS PHOTO BY JOSEPH HERR/COVER ILLUSTRATION BY JEFF PAYDEN

TFP comic strip ‘Biff & Riley’ syndicated online

■

JEFF PAYDEN’S COMIC STRIP ‘BIFF & RILEY’ APPEARS IN TOLEDO FREE PRESS AND IS NOW SYNDICATED BY UNIVERSIAL UCLICK.

He finally decided to develop a new strip as a creative release. The original idea for “Biff & Riley” was notably different from the strip that readers now know, featuring the two title dogs as part of a larger family, with parents, kids and a fellow pet — a cat for the pair to torment. “I noticed as I was working on it that I really had a lot of fun working on storylines and gags with Biff and Riley, and I found that the storylines that involved the family or the cat were really hard for me to get into,” Payden said. Eventually, the dogs took front and center, giving Payden, who is senior

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art director for the local marketing and communications firm Hart, the freedom to experiment more and more with the kind of gags he could use. It’s that spirit of experimentation and joy that he hopes to keep intact, even with the move to Universal Uclick. “Obviously, you’re gonna be exposed to a bigger audience, more people are gonna be looking at it, you’re gonna have increased readership,” Payden said. “But one of the things I keep reminding myself is, put that out of your head, just go to the drawing board and have fun drawing and creating Biff and Riley all

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along — the way I’ve been doing it that just got me noticed in the first place.” Payden also said that he has hopes for the future, but they are tempered by realism. “I just have to take each day as it comes and see what develops. I’d be lying to say I wouldn’t be thrilled to have Universal Uclick or even one of the other syndicates reach out to me and say, ‘Hey, we really like what you’re doing, we’d love to offer you a development contract and syndicate you in newspapers and online’,” he said. “It’d be nice, but I realize that’s a tough road.” ✯

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United Way campaign donations increase TOLEDO FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER news@toledofreepress.com

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Diabetes is a common chronic illness that currently affects nearly 26 million American adults. When not controlled, it may lead to dangerous complications such as blindness, kidney failure and amputations. The good news is that diabetes can be managed. An important part of diabetes treatment is taking your medications correctly. This may be difﬁcult since proper treatment often requires two or more medications, multiple times per day. It can quickly become very overwhelming if you need to take medications for other illnesses as well. Your pharmacist can help you develop a plan to ensure that you are taking all your medications correctly. The Pharmacy Counter, for example, offers RxMap® as a tool. This punch card organizes all your medications by time of day and day of week into one easy-to-use package. This eliminates the confusion of having multiple prescription bottles and remembering when to take each medication. Talk with your pharmacist and your doctor if you have questions or concerns with managing diabetes. If you or someone you know could beneﬁt from RxMap at The Pharmacy Counter, please call 419-720-2170.

■ A7

PHILANTHROPY

By Brigitta Burks

Managing

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Despite tough economic times, United Way of Greater Toledo increased the money it raised during its annual campaign for the second year in a row, collecting $13,607,300 in 2011. “The community really should be thanked. It’s a tremendous effort,” said Bill Kitson, president and CEO of the United Way of Greater Toledo. The sum is a 1.5 percent increase above 2010’s $13,409,320, but still short of the 2011 goal of $13.8 million. Funds from the campaign will go toward United Way’s efforts at improving health, educa-

tion and income in 2012. “The fact that we were able to increase 1.5 percent is just a great testament to the engagement and the generosity of this community at both a personal level as well as a corporate level,” said Tom Manahan, 2011’s campaign chair and president of The Lathrop Company. 2012’s campaign chair will be Randy Oostra, president and CEO of ProMedica. The campaign, which officially kicked off in September and ended Jan. 12, received contributions from about 30,000 donors. 2011’s campaign featured a Leadership Matching Challenge Grant, sponsored by Mercy and Medical Mutual, which matched any new or increased leadership gift of $1,000 or

more, creating $3.5 million. The Education Matching Challenge Grant, sponsored by SSOE Group and Lathrop, matched education-designated gifts of $100 or more, garnering $615,000 in education designations. “The fact that education designations doubled this year shows the fact that the community shares our passion for graduKITSON ating kids. We’re very concerned that every child have an education,” Kitson said. Tocqueville Society gifts of $10,000 plus, spearheaded by George and Leslie Chapman, were another source of funds. The Chapmans were able to increase the number of these donors by 20 percent, resulting in a 9 percent increase in dollars donated for Tocqueville Society gifts. About 95 individuals donated at this level, bringing in more than $1.3 million. Workplace donors included The Andersons, Chrysler Toledo Assembly Plant, Owens Corning, the Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo Refining Company, the Wood County Government Offices and OwensIllinois, which set the record with $785,318 in donations. Many companies offered to match employees’ volunteer hours with cash contributions to United Way or other organizations, a strategy that the United Way may use in next year’s campaign. “There absolutely is a strategy to this

volunteerism. If you could deploy volunteers in very strategic ways, they could be almost as useful as dollars,” Kitson said. Another unique part of 2011’s campaign was that it kicked off with a week of Days of Caring, where employees give their time to volunteer work, instead of the standard one Day of Caring. Instead of the typical 300-400 volunteers, 1,200 volunteered that week. “Not only is it the impact of all the hours they put into that volunteer activity, but just the fact that they’re out there in the community, they tend to get a much better feel for the need in the community, and then they get more engaged, which tends to snowball into more gifts, more volunteers,” Manahan said. The campaign concluded with a Victory Celebration on Jan. 12 at Courtyard at the Docks, sponsored by Dana Corporation. At the celebration, Best Buy received the Spirit of Caring —Outstanding Company award. “It’s a company that’s really done fabulous work in our community, beyond dollars and cents, getting into the neighborhoods, helping folks with very real issues,” Kitson said. Some of Best Buy’s work in 2011 included running a “Geek Bus” into low-income communities, where staff taught a computer course. The United Way also awarded Olivia Summons and her team at the Toledo Refining Company the Campaign Team of the Year award. It is the first time since 2008 that the company raised more than $100,000, something Kitson attributed to Summons and her team. Visit www.unitedwaytoledo.org to learn more. ✯

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A8 ■ TOLEDO FREE PRESS

JANUARY 15, 2012

EDUCATION

By Caitlin McGlade TOLEDO FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER news@toledofreepress.com

A new scholarship program intended to help children with disabilities might also harm public schools budgets. Up to 5 percent of Ohio’s children with identified disabilities could take scholarships — ranging from $7,196 to $20,000 per student — and use the funds to attend private schools they think better suit their needs. Like pre-existing voucher programs such as the Autism or EdChoice Scholarships, the money will come out of public schools’ general funds that the state provides. The goal of the program, called the Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship, is to give parents the freedom to send their children to private schools or other public districts if they feel their children are not getting adequate attention at their present district. Families must apply by April 15 to enroll by August, or Nov. 15 to enroll by January, according to School Choice Ohio. Awarded children must use the scholarship at one of the approved schools and service providers for the program. The Ohio Department of Education is in the process of identifying these schools, said Patrick Gallaway, spokesperson for the department. Fifteen schools in Lucas County have been approved providers for the Autism Scholarship since 2003.

Boxed in Families with children who have special needs often feel boxed in, said Sarah Pechan, director of community programs at School Choice Ohio. Private therapy and health care drain families’ budgets, which tends to make private school or switching districts financially impossible, Pechan said. Jacqueline Sierra has paid $4,400 a year for four years to send her son Eddie, who has expressive and receptive speech difficulties, to a private school. She said her family is not in dire financial straits, but that the scholarship would be a relief for her and other families from the school. Some live from year to year not knowing whether they will be able to afford next year’s tuition, she said. Students already enrolled in private schools, are eligible for the scholarship if they go to their resident district and obtain an Individualized Education Program assessment. This records the child’s level of development and what

types of aid he or she needs. Sierra’s family moved to the Toledo area from Findlay and Eddie attended public schools before the move. “His self-esteem was really low,” Sierra said. “He would always come home and say, ‘I’m dumb.’ And I wanted to try this to see if maybe a private school would be more beneficial.” Now Eddie attends Mary Immaculate School, a Catholic school that educates children with special needs and those who fall behind in more traditional settings. Almost every member of the staff is a trained intervention specialist. Class sizes top off at about 15 students. The philosophy includes a hefty dose of sensory learning and social skill building, as well as customized care for each student. Students exercise different areas of their brains in a room that looks like a dissected jungle gym. Mattresses and jumbo pillows cushion the floor beneath hooks that hold cloth swings and wooden bars to the ceiling. Blue, red and yellow colors pop from the chairs to the walls. There is a circular ball pit by the windows. This — swinging, jumping, crawling and climbing to focus the brain — is part of the answer for families like Eddie’s.

Opening doors The other part is the environment. Principal Shelli Staudt said students who were otherwise embarrassed to talk before their classmates in a traditional setting often feel empowered to speak when their peers are more like them. Staudt has 47 students but said she’d like to fill classrooms with more. The recession has worked against her school, but she’s eyeing the Jon Peterson Scholarship to drive up numbers by at least 10 percent. “I think it’s going to open doors to families who think they are stuck in a district that they feel isn’t serving their needs,” Staudt said. At the same time, the scholarship might drive down numbers at public schools, depending on how many families take the money. Toledo Public Schools (TPS) has consistently lost students to voucher programs — and the money follows the child. Forty-two students in the district have received the Autism Scholarship, a program that works like the Jon Peterson Scholarship that began in 2003. Awards range but the maximum is $20,000 per student. Because of EdChoice, a program that allows students to leave a school

under academic emergency or watch for two of the past three years, 1,885 students have left Toledo Public Schools and stayed at their private schools. “This will fall in line with the other scholarships — we continue to come up with these ways of being able to drain and transfer money from the public schools,” said State Sen. Edna Brown, (D-11). “We will soon have very little money left to run our public schools.”

Closing the gap Jim Gault, TPS’ chief academic officer, said he’s seen families leave and come back. Along with a list of nurses, special education teachers and counselors, TPS employs 35 speech and language pathologists, 33 one-one-one paraprofessionals, 13 occupational therapists, five physical therapists and seven sign language interpreters. This is the pilot year for the “transformation plan,” in which the district is immersing these students in a typical classroom with their peers. The district has had separate classes for students with special needs up to this year. The idea is to close the gap that forges the disparity between students with special needs and the other students. Putting them in traditional classes — along with whatever aides they need — challenges these students to catch up with their peers, Gault said. “There’s always a concern when you’re pulling dollars from public education that you may have parents who decide to go and try another avenue and then once they go, they take their dollars with them,” Gault said. “And when they decide to come back, the district may not have those dollars; it would make it tougher to provide the services we have.” TPS is not aware yet of how many scholarships they will give out or what the monetary limit is. The rules are constantly evolving because the program is so new, Gault said. The subject got little discussion even on the senate floor. The program was written into Gov. John Kasich’s budget this July, so, like other statewide changes that become buried in budget bills, there was little vetting of this program, Brown said. A similar bill was vetoed by former Gov. Ted Strickland in 2007, Pechan said. Gault said Toledo Public Schools is trying to stay optimistic that families will stay in the district. “If you go to our graduations, you’ll see students who are blind students, who are deaf students, who are in wheel chairs graduating,” Gault said. “That’s what makes public education public education and we’re proud of that.” ✯

TOLEDO FREE PRESS PHOTO BY CAITLIN MCGLADE

Scholarship relieves families, could be drain on TPS budget

■

EDDIE SIERRA IS A SIXTH-GRADER WHO ATTENDS A PRIVATE SCHOOL.

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COMMUNITY

A10 ■ TOLEDO FREE PRESS

HISTORY

By Vicki L. Kroll SPECIAL TO TOLEDO FREE PRESS

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” — Martin Luther King Jr. Equality. Unconditional love. Respect. Faith. Peace. These are a few of the things Martin Luther King Jr. stood for and believed in. The iconic activist will be remembered at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Celebration. “STAND!” is the theme of the 11th annual event, which will take place at 9 a.m. Jan. 16 in Savage Arena at the University of Toledo. The program will be carried live on FOX Toledo. Offering words of inspiration will be UT President Lloyd Jacobs, Toledo Mayor Mike Bell, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur and area students. Hari Jones, curator of the AfricanAmerican Civil War Museum, will give the keynote address. The Toledo Interfaith Mass Choir and a choir featuring area youth will perform. The 2012 MLK Scholarship recipients also will be recognized. A free community luncheon will follow the ceremony. “It is appropriate for community and elected leaders, as well as representatives from religious, business,

UNIVERSITY OF TOLEDO

UT sponsors MLK event ‘STAND!’

■

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DELIVERS HIS ‘I HAVE A DREAM SPEECH,’ AUG. 28, 1963.

educational, social, youth, international and community organizations, to stand united at this special event,” Jacobs said. “It is a time to come together to reflect and look to a brighter future of unity and service.” “Each year this program evolves a little more and demonstrates to the community, through Dr. King’s teachings from the past, the importance of collaboration and cooperation in order to move us forward,” Bell said. “Together, with our partners at the University of Toledo, we will continue to work for the ideals he fought for — unity, social justice, education and peace.” All attendees of the Unity Cele-

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LGBTQA leadership meeting Jan. 16 The leaders of several area lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and allied (LGBTQA) groups have decided to meet quarterly to talk about community needs and collaborate efforts. “The goal is for the LGBT community to be working together to have increased collaboration and focus our energy and efforts to mutual programs and events,” said Sherry Tripepi, executive director of Equality Toledo. The group, which is still deciding on a name, had its first meeting in October and its next meeting will be Jan. 16. “There was good energy within the group to meet quarterly and combine efforts,” Tripepi said of the initial meeting. Among the groups involved are Equality Toledo, PFLAG TRIPEPI (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), Rainbow Area Youth, Pride of Toledo Foundation, Transgender Support Group and more. Potential long-term plans include collaborating to start an LGBTQA community center, which will be discussed at the Jan. 16 meeting, Tripepi said. Lexi Staples, executive director of the Pride of Toledo Foundation, said she is excited about the collaboration. “Everyone is trying to do something good for the gay community, but now we’re coming together, which I think is super important and very exciting for us,” Staples said. “There are a lot of ways we can help each other.” Leaders of any LGBTQA groups are welcome to get involved. For more information, contact Sherry Tripepi at (419) 407-6225 or info@equalitytoledo.org. ✯ — Sarah Ottney

COMMUNITY

JANUARY 15, 2012

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■ A11

RESTAURANT WEEK 2012

By Sarah Ottney TOLEDO FREE PRESS SPECIAL SECTIONS EDITOR sottney@toledofreepress.com

With last year’s inaugural Restaurant Week Toledo, the Glass City joined dozens of other large and midsized cities nationwide in hosting successful Restaurant Week events. Organized as a fundraiser by local nonprofit Leadership Toledo, the second Restaurant Week Toledo will be Jan. 29-Feb. 4. The event is also meant to showcase the variety of local culinary options and promote dining locally. “We are really pleased with the enthusiastic support from the community and the restaurants,” said Becca Gorman, co-chair of Restaurant Week Toledo. “I think people really know it’s going to be an exciting thing for Toledo and they want to be a part of it.” Seventeen area restaurants are participating so far this year — Bar 145, The Blarney Irish Pub, Bobby V’s American Grill, Burger Bar 419, Dégagé Jazz Café, Fifi’s Reprise Restaurant and Lounge, The Hungry I, ICE Restaurant and Bar, LaScola Italian Grill, Manhattan’s, Plate 21, Poco Piatti, Rockwell’s, Rosie’s Italian Grille, Spicy Tuna Sushi Bar and Grill, Tea Tree Asian Bistro and Ventura’s. Each restaurant creates a special Restaurant Week menu with a price point of $10, $20 or $30 (drinks, taxes and gratuities not included) and donates a portion of the proceeds to Leadership Toledo to benefit its youth programs. Kyle Dumkow, dining room manager at Bobby V’s American Grill in Holland, said he was familiar with the Restaurant Week concept from when he worked at The Real Seafood Com-

Jnouusntced!

pany in Ann Arbor. “We knew it happened last year (in Toledo). We were familiar with Restaurant Week from Ann Arbor, where it was very successful. So we were watching for it here because it was very worthwhile for that company in Ann Arbor,” Dumkow said. “We agree with the concept. We have seen it work in other cities. Things that work elsewhere do generally work in Toledo.” Dumkow said Bobby V’s, which opened in June, chose to participate as an opportunity for exposure as well as a desire to offer a more geographically convenient dining option for Holland area residents. Gorman said organizers researched Restaurant Weeks in many cities before launching Restaurant Week Toledo. “We wanted to see what ideas were working for other cities and take the best ideas that we could to integrate into our event,” Gorman said. “Our team researched Ann Arbor, Detroit, Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus, Cleveland, Akron, Chicago, New York, Atlanta, San Diego, Phoenix, Austin, Indianapolis, Charlotte, Traverse City, Baltimore, Madison, Philadelphia, Raleigh, St. Louis, Boston and Washington, D.C. We spoke with the organizers at about half of these cities.” Organizers also traveled to Akron, Detroit and Ann Arbor to experience Restaurant Weeks in person. The events in Detroit and Ann Arbor are both well-established and well-received, Gorman said, while Akron is similar to Toledo in terms of population and is also new to Restaurant Week. “We gathered menus and samples of their promotional materials and went to various restaurants and even

TOLEDO FREE PRESS PHOTO BY JOSEPH HERR

Toledo joins other successful Restaurant Week cities

■

BAR 145 IS ONE OF 17 PARTICIPATING EATERIES IN THE 2012 RESTAURANT WEEK, SPONSORED BY LEADERSHIP TOLEDO.

talked to owners to get their perspective on Restaurant Week and why they participate and how they feel it helps their businesses,” Gorman said. “We came home energized to help our area restaurant owners to feel that same success with our Restaurant Week. These events are a lot of fun, and they are really good for business.” After feedback from last year’s inaugural event, organizers made some adjustments for this year, Gorman said. “Many people told us that they wanted more restaurants to offer

lunch options, and we now have more than half of our restaurants doing so,” Gorman said. “We have been asked from attendees to have restaurants in more parts of town and we are working hard to make that happen.” Feedback also indicated area residents were interested in more restaurants at lower price points, so they would be able to afford visiting multiple restaurants during the promotion. Fifi Berry, owner of Fifi’s Reprise Restaurant and Lounge in Toledo, said she participated in Restaurant Week Toledo last year and will participate

again this year because supporting Leadership Toledo and the area’s youth is important to her. The event is also good for business, Berry said. “It brought people to our restaurant who had not been there before, which is nice, and they had a wonderful dining experience,” Berry said. “I would encourage more of the local restaurants to get involved. I think they will be surprised. I’m happy to be a part of it.” Toledo Free Press is a media sponsor of Restaurant Week Toledo. For more information, visit www. restaurantweektoledo.com. ✯

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A12 ■ TOLEDO FREE PRESS

JANUARY 15, 2012

COMMUNITY OMBUDSMAN

Toledo’s monthly utility billing to help customers budget The launch of Toledo’s monthly utility program is costing the city $60,000, which includes postage to mail 109,000 packets to those eligible. While some might question this expense during a critical economic crunch, Department of Public Utilities Director David Welch said customers and council members Brandi have been asking for such a program. Quarterly bills were becoming overwhelming for some people, Welch said Jan. 11. Now that the bill includes the cost of supplying water and disposal of water and storm water, plus refuse pickup, customers wanted the option of paying monthly as opposed to receiving one larger bill every three months. This launch is cheaper than a true monthly program, which would have cost upward of $2 million, because the city’s program is voluntary and primarily includes city residents, Welch said. Customers can choose to pay the monthly bill in full, pay a portion of the monthly bill or just wait until the quarterly statement is sent. If a customer

pays monthly for a little while and then goes back to quarterly, that is fine, too, he said. No signup is required. The packet that people should be receiving in the mail includes the stubs to pay monthly. Eight of the stubs will list an amount to be paid during the first two months of each quarterly billing period, which is based on the customer’s BARHITE water usage during 2011, Welch said. The four other stubs remind customers to watch for their quarterly utility bill in the mail. This bill will list the monthly payments made and the balance due. “The one thing that hasn’t changed is the need to pay your utility bill in full at the end of every billing period. The amount you pay voluntarily during the first two months of the billing period is flexible. As long as the customer makes the payment shown on their bill at the end of the billing period, everything will be fine,” Welch said in a news release. All residential customers, who receive a utility bill directly from the City of Toledo are eligible to participate. This obviously applies to those

who live within the city limits, but it also includes those in suburbs who receive a bill directly from the Department of Public Utilities, Welch said. However, if a township sends a bill for the city’s water those customers are ineligible to participate.

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For example, I live in Monclova Township and have a Maumee mailing address. I receive my water bill directly from the City of Toledo; therefore, I am eligible to participate, Welch said. The best indicator of eligibility is receiving the packet in the mail.

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HEALTH ZONE

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JANUARY 15, 2012

TECHNOLOGY

By Brigitta Burks TOLEDO FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER news@toledofreepress.com

Dr. Richard Cooper, a radiologist at Mercy Women’s Care, scrolls across a scan of a 70-year-old woman’s breast, stopping to reveal a 3-centimeter mass that wouldn’t have been visible if it weren’t for a new technology. Mercy Women’s Care at St. Anne and St. Charles hospitals are the only facilities in the area to offer tomosynthesis. The new technology provides radiologists with a 3-D view of the breasts in addition to the 2-D view traditional mammograms offer. “What the 3-D does is instead of sending one beam of radiation down, it goes in an arc and it’s a bunch of low-dose images that go around to create a volume, so rather than try to make the breast, which is a three-dimensional object, into a piece of paper, now we want it to be a volume,” Cooper said. Tomosynthesis yielded 77 images, divided into 1-millimeter slices, of the patient’s breasts. A typical mammogram would have provided two images. After the scan was read, the woman was scheduled for a biopsy. When asked if he would have been able to see the mass with a standard mammogram, Cooper replied, “100 percent, no.” Mercy Women’s Care has had the new technology since November, said Susan Jaros, director of Mercy Women’s Care. The actual exam process is akin to a regular mammogram. The technology officially debuted after Jan. 1, but Cooper had already been using it on all patients. “It’s almost an injustice if we have [tomosynthesis] and not give it to every patient that comes in now,” Jaros said. “So poor [Dr. Cooper], he’s here to 8, 9 o’clock at night. It’s a little more for the radiologist to read. They have a lot more to look at.” However, Cooper said the extra

work is worth it. “You don’t mind staying when you’re doing so much more good,” Cooper said. Jaros has been keeping a close eye on tomosynthesis, which was FDAapproved in February of 2011. “For years, I’ve been watching and budgeting for it,” she said. The four machines, two at St. Charles and two at St. Anne, cost $1.8 million. Despite being state-of-the-art, Mercy doesn’t charge its patients more for tomosynthesis. “The unique thing about this is there’s no additional reimbursement,” Jaros said. “It’s the same as what we get for regular mammograms.” The addition of tomosynthesis also meant more training for Cooper and the technicians. Cooper flew to Boston, where tomosynthesis was developed, for additional training and an expert came to Mercy to instruct technicians. Massachusetts General Hospital has been developing tomosynthesis for 10 years. The technology is a fusion of past and present, blending older techniques used to find kidney stones and GPU, or “graphic processing units” — newer technology used in video games. GPU enabled the technology by allowing faster information transmission. “They transfer data and they process it so fast that now you can take a series of images to create a normal model,” Cooper said. Since tomosynthesis’ Toledo debut, several women have called and asked for the new procedure. One woman, who wouldn’t have come in if it weren’t for the new technology, found she needed to have surgery to remove a mass. “She’s doing great. It was nice and early and she’s already done with surgery and doing great,” Cooper said. Early detection is one of the major benefits tomosynthesis offers.

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“It’s decreasing the number of women that have to come back from the screening mammogram for extra views and it’s increasing the ability to find breast cancer earlier. Those are the two big things we’ve noticed so far,” Cooper said. Tomosynthesis, which Cooper called the biggest discovery he’s seen in his 12 years of practice, could have implications in other fields, too. “This is something that will get expanded. There are already people looking into chest (lung) tomosynthesis,” he said. Some women have called in with concerns about possible increased radiation from tomosynthesis. However, Cooper said Mercy’s equipment does not apply more radiation to breast tissue than a standard mammogram. “You’re taking that same ‘x’ amount of radiation distributed through breast tissue, so the amount per unit of breast tissue is less as it goes through,” he said A standard mammogram has no more radiation than an airplane ride, he added. In the next three to five years, both Jaros and Cooper believe tomosynthesis will become the standard of care. It has already drastically changed Cooper’s job. “It’s like you take a 100-question,

TOLEDO FREE PRESS PHOTO BY BRIGITTA BURKS

Mercy offers latest in breast screening technology

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DR. RICHARD COOPER LOOKS AT A BREAST SCAN MADE WITH TOMOSYNTHESIS.

multiple-choice test every single day and then finally, one morning someone comes in and gives you 75 percent of the answers every time you take it,” Cooper said. Cooper recommended women 40 and older get screened for breast cancer every year and women be-

tween 35 and 40 get screened once during those five years. Women younger than 40 with a family history of breast cancer should consult their doctors. Visit www.mercyweb.org/women sservicesmammogram.aspx for more information. ✯

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By Duane Ramsey

TOLEDO FREE PRESS SENIOR BUSINESS WRITER dramsey@toledofreepress.com

Gary Thieman has become the face of Medical Mutual in the company’s latest advertising campaign, launched to increase its brand awareness and business in Northwest Ohio. “I really don’t covet my picture being in newspaper ads and my voice on radio but people really seem to like the campaign as we’ve had some positive comments about it,” Th iemansaid. “We’ve had a pretty darn good year in 2011, one of the best we’ve ever had, and I’d like to think some of it is the result of the campaign,” he said. Offi cial year-end results for 2011 will not be available until later in January, said Thieman, senior vice president of sales and customer relations for the Northwest Ohio region for Medical Mutual.

Aft er a strategic review of what Medical Mutual is in Northwest Ohio, the company began looking for a strong leader for the region, according to Jared Chaney, executive vice president and chief marketing and communications officer for Medical Mutual of Ohio. “Gary is the one we found and we could not have made a better choice,” Chaney said. The company had not done a lot of advertising previously and it wanted to establish Thieman as the face of Medical Mutual in the Northwest Ohio region, Chaney said. The campaign was developed to distinguish Medical Mutual from its competitors as a company that takes a consultant’s approach to solve problems and meet the customers’ needs rather than just selling products. “We decided to put Gary in a position where he’s having a conversa-

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tion about what real businesspeople have on their mind about health insurance. Now, the conversation will change where Gary will be listening to a client,” Chaney said. Medical Mutual sells health insurance directly to some businesses but much of it is sold through brokers and independent agents. “The message is that we want to be helpful to them and their clients,” Thieman said. About 60 percent of companies renew their contracts for insurance around the fi rst of the year. Thieman reported that Medical Mutual has experienced good results with renewals for Jan. 1, 2012, when compared to previous years. As one of four senior vice presidents in the sales and customer relations division, he is responsible for all sales regions in Ohio, Indiana, Georgia and South Carolina, small group business and expansion in other states. Thieman’s insurance career began at Medical Mutual’s predecessor, Blue Cross of Northwest Ohio in 1971. He also worked for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kentucky, now Anthem BCBS, rising to executive vice president. In 1989, Thieman joined Findley Davies Inc, a human resources consulting fi rm in Toledo, where he was employed for more than 20 years. He was a member of its board of directors and management committee, national health and group benefits consulting practice, and led its business develop-

TOLEDO FREE PRESS PHOTO BY JOSEPH HERR

Thieman becomes face of Medical Mutual in NW Ohio

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GARY THIEMAN IS FEATURED IN PRINT AND RADIO ADS FOR MEDICAL MUTUAL.

ment and marketing efforts. Thieman said he consulted with large companies on health insurance and continued his relationship with Medical Mutual and businesspeople in Toledo during that time. He returned to Medical Mutual and now has a new offi ce in the distinctive building on Sylvania Avenue that was designed by the SSOE Group and built by Rudolph | Libbe. “We’re still tweaking it,” said Thieman, who said they are creating a

more welcoming entrance with a new first fl oor lobby designed by SSOE. He is the immediate past president of the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce and currently serves on its executive committee. He graduated from Start High School and the University of Toledo, where he met his wife Cheryl. Both born and raised in Toledo, they have been married for more than 40 years, have three children and six grandchildren. ✯

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DEVELOPMENTVISIONS 2012

CITY OF TOLEDO

UNIVERSITY OF TOLEDO

Progress offers roles for everyone

Merging education, entrepreneurship

artnership has been a running theme in economic development throughout my administration and it’s a track I will continue to pursue because I believe it is working. It’s no secret the Toledo region was hit hard by the recession over the last five years, but we have collectively worked to build on the solid industrial foundations of our past while diversifying our efforts to attract new business. As a result of this collaborative effort and unified message, we are positioned at the center of the new manufacturing economy with a world-class work force, educational assets, research and development resources and logistical capabilities that provide access to much of North America. By partnering to promote this message we have attracted interest nationally and inMike ternationally. We began to see the fruits of this effort in 2011 and I believe we will see even greater progress in 2012. Manufacturing has provided the foundation for our local economy for years. Libbey Glass, GM Powertrain and Jeep have been staples of our local economy, and they were hit by the recession just like every other business in Northwest Ohio. Yet these three corporations remain major employers in Toledo and continue producing products that are used across the globe. Even better, they are beginning to see growth. The city and our partners continue to work together to make the case for these companies continuing and expanding their operations in Toledo. As we look forward to 2012, I’m excited to see the capital expansion plans, job creation efforts and community involvement of our major employers continue and expand in Toledo and the region. This will be key to Toledo’s ongoing recovery in 2012 and beyond. Also in 2012, we look forward to the opening of Hollywood Casino Toledo. Over the past year we have watched impressive development on the east bank of the river take place for what could be Ohio’s first casino. Already, Penn National has begun to hire employees for all roles once the facility is open to the public. The economic impact of this project has been felt in our city for months as men and women worked

on the bricks and mortar portion of this project due to collaboration between labor and business. The next step will be collaborating with our hospitality industry to welcome those visiting Toledo to take advantage of this new attraction. In 2012 the city will continue to reach out with our partners to tell our story around the country and the globe. As I have traveled throughout the last year with other members of the Toledo region’s economic development team, we continue to be received with awe as we describe this region’s assets. Property is affordable; there is abundant access to fresh water; you can reach half of the nation within one day’s drive and we have access to unlimited educational resources through the University of Toledo, Bowling Green State University, BELL Owens Community College and many other technical and trade school programs. Our arts and culture opportunities could compete with any other major city in the country when you consider our zoo, symphony, opera, multiple ballet companies, theater programs and local live music. Yet these are assets that we continue to take for granted in our community. The City of Toledo has been part of the effort over the last two years to get our business community and economic development contributors moving in the same direction. My goal for 2012 is to get our citizens to join in that movement. I’m frequently approached by people who want to help turn Toledo around. I tell them to be positive. When someone asks you about Toledo, tell them about the good parts — the reasons you stay and the things that make you proud. Tell them why you think they would like it here. Toledo is making progress and there is a role for everyone to help, from the big corporations, to researchers in university labs and students in the classroom. Everyone can play a role in the partnership we have worked to build over the last few years and everyone’s role will be essential to continuing our revitalization in 2012. ✯ Michael P. Bell is mayor of Toledo. Email him at mayor. toledo@toledo.oh.gov.

or half a decade, organizations involved in economic development in Toledo and Northwest Ohio have been working together to leverage each other’s strengths and maximize the use of finite resources to promote, foster and incubate entrepreneurial activity in the Glass City. Last July, University of Toledo Innovation Enterprises (UT-IE) — UT’s economic development arm — and the Regional Growth Partnership (RGP) formalized a long history of collaboration and came together to form Rocket Ventures LLC. The new partnership saves money that can now be pushed to entrepreneurs instead of duplicative backroom expenses. It has brought UT-IE and RGP employees together (literally in the same building on UT’s main campus) to share ideas and improve the region’s economic outlook. Rocket Ventures serves as a philosophical model for our interactions with the City of Toledo, Lucas County, the Port Authority, the Toledo ReRick STANSLEY gional Chamber of Commerce and so many other organizations working to grow the local economy. By building relationships and coordinating with each other as extensively as we have, more money, time and brainpower is invested in helping the innovator and the entrepreneur enter the marketplace. Twice a year, UT’s Savage Arena is filled with well-educated graduates, many of whom would love to establish roots and careers in Northwest Ohio. It’s the mission of Innovation Enterprises to work with researchers and inventors, the public and private sectors and entrepreneurs from the area and across the globe to help create an environment where industries thrive by hiring the outstanding men and women earning their UT degrees. In the past year, companies from Germany (TecnoSun Solar) and Spain (Isofotón) have established North American operations in Toledo. Whether in advanced or renewable energy, the health care industry, transportation and logistics, or other high-tech firms, UT-IE and our partners in the region are creating a tremendous return on investment that is bringing capital dollars, new industries and jobs to this region. Lloyd Jacobs, my friend and UT’s president, has done much during his tenure to ensure the education the university offers maintains its relevance to the needs of students, employers and society holistically. UT’s work in economic development and its partnership with public and private organizations in the area and around the world is a natural extension of the increasingly interconnected societal role universities are being called upon to play. As we look to greater successes each and every year moving forward, UT Innovation Enterprises is proud of the role we play to ensure a stronger future. ✯ Rick Stansley is chairman of the board for University of Toledo Innovation Enterprises and previously served as a UT Board of Trustees member, including three years as its chairman. Email him at richard.stansley@utoledo.edu.

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REGIONAL GROWTH PARTNERSHIP

Building a high-tech, high-performance economy

erhaps more so than at any other time in the history of the organization, the Regional Growth Partnership (RGP) is moving into 2012 with a focused, defined strategy that provides a clear road map aimed at best fulfilling its mission of growing the regional economy. This fresh sense of energy is not limited to the RGP. A renewed spirit of collaboration among all regional entities has helped bring forth enhanced communication, a willingness to partner and utilize joint resources, an eagerness to share in successes, and most importantly, a commitment to excel. Specifically for the RGP, it has re-established itself as the true one-stop shop for businesses and site consultants potentially interested in investing in the region. Its more concentrated approach internally focuses strictly on sales and marketing. The RGP is committed to devoting all resources to the attraction of new business and marketing of the region. The organization will support expansion efforts

inside the region, but it will not phase for the RGP as a private ecomanage traditional retention and nomic development organization. expansion programs, leaving that In 2007, the regional business comfunction to the respective counties munity led the privatization of the RGP with five-year funding comwithin the RGP footprint. mitments. Today, the A major operational RGP sets forth its 2012 change in strategy is strategic plan primarily that the RGP no longer focused on attraction manages day-to-day acand marketing, but with tivities for Rocket Ventwo major enhancetures, the early-stage ments designed to supventure capital firm port these efforts. focused on technologyFirst, the RGP has based startup compataken a lead role for nies. The RGP and the Ohio in University of Toledo Dean MONSKE Northwest developing new interInnovation Enterprises recently announced a joint venture national investment and trade opbringing together the technology- portunities. Initial interest from based resources of both entities to Chinese investors came through create Rocket Ventures LLC. Still relationships developed with the maintaining ownership in Rocket City of Toledo’s economic developVentures, the RGP fully supports the ment team, eventually leading to necessary efforts for developing a investment projects on the Downtechnology-based economy and will town waterfront. Since then, the RGP has coorcontinue partnering with the venture dinated multiple delegation trips group moving forward. In addition to the transitions to China, Japan and Dubai, and renoted above, 2012 marks a second cently opened two new sales offices

in Beijing and Shenzhen. With these initial successes and others on the horizon, the RGP has implemented international attraction as a significant component of its economic development strategy. With that, the RGP recently hired an international business development specialist to lead these efforts. Second, the RGP has been designated by the State of Ohio as the lead agent for 17 Northwest Ohio counties to manage and direct the new JobsOhio program. With support from many partners, the RGP developed a plan to best advance the entire region and support the state mission with the new $2.1 million in funding allocated under the program. Already the RGP has hired four people to administer and manage the program, including our international development specialist, and will soon hire a fifth person under this new initiative. In particular for business development, the cornerstone of RGP’s efforts will focus on a direct outreach program to site consultants and C-

level executives. The primary conduit for these efforts will continue to be COACT, a Toledo-based contracted firm charged with establishing initial relationships with these targeted audiences and setting face-to-face meetings for RGP staff. Another major initiative will be an investor network program, where business development staff meet with RGP investors to learn of potential expansion opportunities and “at risk” companies. The marketing department will continue with its successful editorial marketing program, which has generated top-tier print and electronic placements in media outlets worldwide. In addition, marketing will provide support to our site consultant outreach program, as well as the development of sales materials. Finally, marketing will maintain a local public relations program to communicate the functions of the RGP, its programs and successes. ✯ Dean Monske is president and CEO of the Regional Growth Partnership. Email him at monske@rgp.org.

DEVELOPMENTVISIONS 2012

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Toledo is the heart of the new manufacturing economy. Whether you are a new entrepreneur or a business that has called this corner of the state home for generations, northwest Ohio is ready to support you from research and design to manufacturing and delivery. With universities and colleges providing leading education and development partnerships, highways and waterways creating a logistics hub and collaborative agencies working to provide access and affordability for new business creation and expansion, the Toledo region has world-class assets in a mid-sized package.

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Northwest Ohio Regional Economic Development (NORED) is a non-profit association of economic development practitioners and partners in 12 counties throughout northwest Ohio working to increase job opportunities and improve the quality of life throughout the region. NORED provides professional development programs, advocates for legislative changes, and implements programs to market the benefits of locating in northwest Ohio.

419.480.9656 www.nwored.com

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The Regional Growth Partnership, through private sector leadership, is leading a transformation of our economy to one that is growing, more diverse and globally competitive. Developing this innovative business environment will accelerate the attraction, growth and creation of new business, helping carry our region to new heights.

419.252.2700 www.rgp.org

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Our business was built to move, with an airport that’s home to one of the busiest international cargo hubs in North America and the largest landmass seaport on the Great Lakes.± The Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority has also developed a national reputation for innovative business financing, assisting more than 300 projects with an investment of nearly $1.1 billion and creation and retention of nearly 16,000 jobs.

419.243.8251

NORED

Northwest Ohio Regional Economic Development

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By working together with unity of purpose, we are moving northwest Ohio forward in the new manufacturing economy.

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With an able and well-trained workforce, educational resources, a diverse community that celebrates its heritage, and river and lakefront views available in few other venues, Toledo is poised to compete globally. Working with our partners around northwest Ohio, Toledo’s leaders are prepared to take our story to the world and invite them to experience the Toledo we love. Office of the Mayor

419.245.1007

www.toledo.oh.gov

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The Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce is the organization of choice for tomorrow's entrepreneurs and leaders in the new manufacturing economy. Through the strength of our membership, we deliver the buying power, business expertise, connections and advocacy necessary to maximize the success of both business and our community. www.toledochamber.com

Education is key to the economic success of northwest Ohio. UT is working with public and private organizations to transform the region into a magnet for the new manufacturing economy. By contributing knowledge, resources and facilities to economic development, UT is preparing for the primary economic drivers: highly educated graduates who can help Toledo with their entrepreneurial ideas, innovative thinking and leadership. www.utoledo.edu

DEVELOPMENTVISIONS 2012

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JANUARY 15, 2012

TOLEDO-LUCAS COUNTY PORT AUTHORITY

2012 focus includes brownfields, transportation, growth

lection years are generally interesting years and 2012 will likely not disappoint. Slower global economic growth coupled with a recession in Europe will surely have an impact on our region in the coming year. The significance of the recent announcements by Chrysler and General Motors regarding hundreds of new manufacturing jobs coming to Toledo reaches far beyond the jobs; it is the opportunities behind the jobs that create a multiplier effect for our region. Toledo is the heart of the new manufacturing economy and we need to support not only our traditional manufacturing sector industries, but continue to expand on creative ways to develop new companies in highPaul tech manufacturing, technology development, transportation and logistics and technical support services. We must also foster and grow those small companies in our community that represent more than 85 percent of our jobs. The focus of the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority in 2012 will include three major areas: continued investment in redeveloping our community’s brownfields, expanding the reach of our transportation assets and fostering economic growth in our region. Current brownfield redevelopment projects include the 110-acre former Overland Jeep property, the 182-acre former Chevron refinery property and the 48-acre former Toledo Coke property. We anticipate the Port Authority will invest in excess of $20 million in those sites in 2012 for cleanup, infrastructure and redevelopment. We will also continue to work with our regional partners on the development and connection of our critical transportation infrastructure, including the Port of Toledo, Toledo Express Airport and both the CSX and NS intermodal facilities, which will both be fully functional in 2012. Finally, we will continue to develop and implement creative financing solutions to attract new investment into the area, as well as support the expansion of existing businesses throughout the region. It is clear that Northwest Ohio has the opportunity to strengthen our economy and it is imperative that our regional economic development agencies continue to work cooperatively to position ourselves to capitalize on these opportunities. As a region, the economic de-

velopment partners have identified several goals and objectives that we will cooperatively work toward completing in 2012. These goals will provide a concentrated strategy which will be measurable and provide accountability to the community and clearly define where we focus our collective resources. From a high level, these goals include continuing with the existing business outreach efforts and developing and implementing financial resources which currently do not exist in Northwest Ohio — including New Market Tax Credit allocation, an International Investment Fund and a Community Development Fund. The economic development partners will also work cooperatively on TOTH grant funding opportunities, support the continued integration of government services to ensure the region remains competitive in the future, and support the continued development of core competency industries. During the past several years, the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority has launched programs to help this region grow and rebound. Our Diversified Contractor Accelerator Program provides financial solutions to encourage increased participation by Northwest Ohio-based minority and women-owned contractors in publicly bid work and privately funded construction projects. More than a dozen projects were able to move forward last year due to this program. BetterBuildings Northwest Ohio, a program that finances energy conservation improvements, allows building owners to save on energy costs while increasing the value of their investment. BetterBuildings Northwest Ohio has completed several projects and is currently assisting the City of Toledo with energy upgrades in a large percentage of city-owned buildings. The Port Authority continues to provide an array of innovative financing programs for our region — assisting close to 300 economic development projects representing a total investment of more than $1 billion while helping to create and retain more than 15,000 jobs. The Port Authority also recently purchased several parking garages from the City of Toledo, allowing the city to reduce debt and balance the city budget. Our recent success with BX Solutions at Toledo Express Airport and more than $25 million in investment at the Port of Toledo during the past two years reinforces our commitment to de-

veloping transportation and logistics in our region, and we anticipate substantial growth in this industry. While our community will face significant challenges in 2012, many factors indicate this could be a very

good year for our region. The Toledo region is proud to be home to the new manufacturing economy and the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority has made a commitment to move at the speed of business to ensure we do

our part to assist in capitalizing on all of these opportunities. ✯ Paul Toth is president /CEO of the ToledoLucas County Port Authority. Email him at contactus@toledoportauthority.org.

you built it; we can help you grow it Business Banking Services You’ve got your business up and running. Now it’s time to take it to the next level. That could mean exploring new financing strategies, setting up employee benefits, managing your cash flow, or minimizing risk factors that could impact your business. There’s a lot to consider. Call or visit your local KeyBank branch—we’ll take the time to get to know your business and help you develop solutions that stack up.

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DEVELOPMENTVISIONS 2012

JANUARY 15, 2012

NORTHWEST OHIO REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION

Northwest Ohio poised to turn the corner in 2012

012 will most likely be a year of continued economic distress at the global and national levels, but there is good reason to believe this will be the year Northwest Ohio begins outperforming the national economy. With global factors such as the Euro crisis impacting our economy from abroad, and domestic burdens such as the loss of home equity and high consumer debt impeding our economic recovery, one might expect the Toledo region to continue to underperFord form the national average. However, a number of positive developments are combining to reinvigorate our region’s economy. First, manufacturers are making major investments in our region. For example: ✯ Chrysler recently announced a $500 million investment in the Toledo Assembly Complex and the addition of 1,105 jobs (in 2013) as well as a $72 million investment in the Toledo Machining Plant in Perrysburg Township that will retain 640 jobs. ✯ GM Powertrain is investing more than $200 million in its Toledo plant to create 250 jobs. ✯ Johnson Controls is investing $138 million to retain 400 jobs and add 50 jobs. ✯ Whirlpool is investing $175 million in its plant in Clyde and adding more than 900 jobs, while also adding 100 jobs in Ottawa. ✯ Isofoton is building a $30 million solar panel manufacturing plant that will create 300 jobs in Napoleon. ✯ FWT is creating 200 jobs in Defiance County by investing $500,000 to renovate a closed manufacturing facility. Second, our advantages as a transportation and logistics hub are paying off with major investments such as: ✯ CSX is developing a “game

changing” intermodal hub in North Baltimore at a cost of $175 million that will directly create 200 jobs and lead to as many 2,000 additional jobs. ✯ Midwest Terminals is investing $5 million in the former Chevron site near the Port Authority docks. ✯ BX Solutions has risen from the ashes of the closure of BAX Global’s Toledo Express Airport facility to create 200 jobs in only two months of operations. ✯ Menards is adding up to 350 jobs at its distribution center WEBER in Williams County. Third, regional collaboration is improving. Our political, civic and business leadership is recognizing that all of us share the same regional strengths. Our skilled, hardworking regional workforce enables businesses to draw on talent from a multicounty regional “commutershed.” Jobs that are created in one community within the region are no longer seen as an opportunity lost by other area communities but as employment and business opportunities to which all of us have access. The Toledo Region branding initiative is one of the best examples of our new regional collaboration. I encourage you to visit www.ToledoRegion.com and see firsthand how we are marketing our region’s strengths and competitive advantages. Fourth, our local schools, colleges and universities are continuing to produce skilled workers for the modern economy. As baby boomers accelerate their rate of retirement, the need for a flexible, highly skilled work force will be greater than ever. Our strong mix of educational institutions should enable Northwest Ohio to meet these challenges more effectively than many other regions. Northwest Ohio Regional Economic Development Association’s (NORED) members have played major roles in the projects mentioned

Area businesswomen invited to networking event An upcoming networking event aims to foster connections among local businesswomen. The event, called Women Mean Business, is set for 8 to 10 a.m. Jan. 17 at insurance company New York Life’s office building, 1684 Woodlands Drive, at Arrowhead Park, in Maumee. The free, informal gathering will be an opportunity to exchange business cards, discuss ideas and learn about career opportunities in a comfortable atmosphere, said Diana Shively, recruiting assistant for New York Life. Light morning refreshments will be served. In town from New York City for the event will be Barbara Cerf, corporate vice president of the women’s market for New York Life, who will lead participants in an informal networking session. To RSVP or for more information, contact Shively at (419) 887-4775 or dshively0a@ft.newyorklife.com. — Sarah Ottney

above. In 2012, NORED will continue its core mission of promoting regional collaboration, advocating for economic development programs and policies, and furthering the professional development of local economic

development practitioners. In doing so, we hope to usher in a broader and deeper economic prosperity. ✯ Ford Weber is president and CEO of Lucas County Improvement Corporation

and vice president of the Northwest Ohio Regional Economic Development Association (NORED), a 12-county nonprofit association of economic development practitioners and partners. Email him at fweber@lcioh.com.

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DEVELOPMENTVISIONS 2012

JANUARY 15, 2012

Visit www.toledofreepress.com m

■ A23

TREECE BLOG

Attitude adjustment needed for Toledo to capitalize on assets

iven this week’s edition focuses on the business and economic outlook for the Toledo region over this coming year, I thought I’d weigh in with my objective opinion of that state in which we find Toledo presently, and what I see coming in the

area’s future, both short-term and further down the road. First, let me say that in the long term we are extremely bullish for the Toledo region. Many of the sectors that originally drove the development of this region are now poised for major

resurgence and renewed growth. The automotive sector, which has suffered over recent years, seems to be shifting back into high gear, and Toledo should benefit from increased production. Even more signifi cant have been the recent discoveries of oil and nat-

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ural gas deposits, which have caused fastest route for shipping liquefied several economic booms in this part natural gas from Europe to the center of the Midwest during the past cen- of the United States (not that they tury. Given all the newly discovered need to, now that we found our own) reserves of natural gas, the price of would be via cargo ship through the that commodity should remain stable St. Lawrence Seaway, down through for the next 50 years or more, pro- the Great Lakes, into the Port of Toviding a cheap source of energy for ledo, then via pipeline to Colorado. The problem is not that Toledo isn’t years to come. But it takes the right attitude — good energy policy — for strategically located, or that it lacks resources, but that it doesn’t have the that to come to fruition. friendly business climate Th e question of atnecessary to take advantitude is why I am, untage of our many assets. fortunately, fairly negaIn the same way that tive on this region in the Toledo falls short of short term. The state of other areas in Ohio, Ohio Toledo today is the result itself is not the best state of 30-plus years of longfor business — far from term trends that have left it. What that means is this region in sad shape. that companies that don’t Today we find ourselves with a serious lack Dock David TREECE have to stay here won’t. A number of businesses in of private-sector leaderthe past decade have already been lost ship. The people with answers to problems facing the area aren’t in positions to more friendly — and less unionto eff ect necessary change, while the ized — states like Tennessee, Texas, people who are in those spaces fail to and the Carolinas. Getting back to my long-term think far enough outside the box. Business within this region is no optimism, the good news is that all diff erent than business in any given the bad news that has plagued this sector — it’s competitive. Just as busi- region is encouraging change. Necesnesses within a sector compete against sity breeds innovation. People and each other, regions also have to com- businesses are becoming increasingly pete for business. Unfortunately, over aware of the problems facing Ohio, the years leading up to today, other and the Toledo region particularly, areas of Ohio have used and are using and are demanding more of this retheir more business-friendly focus to gion’s leadership. The good news — and it is good their advantage — to take business news — is that this region doesn’t lack away from Toledo. For example, Honda recently an- assets. It has plenty of competitive nounced it is opening a new, state- advantages. What it needs is simply a change of attitude that will allow of-the-art facility in Ohio. This is no surprise; I knew it was coming and it to reap the benefits. The same way said so months ago. I also said Toledo a change of attitude toward energy should be competing for that business. policy in Washington would take the The simple fact is we aren’t competing. price of oil down to $60 to $70 per Instead of opening its new facility near barrel, the right policies in the Toledo Toledo, Honda’s plant will be near its region could make this area one of the current operations in Marysville and best places to do business, not just in Ohio, but in the entire Midwest. ✯ East Liberty. The bottom line is that sending envoys to China to develop relation- Dock David Treece is a discretionary ships doesn’t make us more competi- money manager with Treece Investment Advisory Corp (www.Treece tive on paper. This region has all the resources it needs to be a great busi- Investments.com) and is licensed with ness center. A better transportation FINRA through Treece Financial hub is difficult to fi nd. Not only do Services Corp. He has appeared on roughly two-thirds of the American numerous television radio programs population and half the Canadian including CNBC’s The Kudlow Report, population live within 600 miles of and also writes for several financial the I-80/I-75 intersection, Toledo is news websites including MarketWatch also home to arguably the best fresh- (www.MarketWatch.com) and Green Faucet (www.GreenFaucet.com), where water port in North America. Aside from Chicago, Toledo is he previously served as an editor. Th e perhaps the largest railway hub in above information is the express opinion the Midwest. We also have pipelines of Dock David Treece and should not be leading to every major junction in construed as investment advice or used North America. An example: The without outside verification.

A24 ■ TOLEDO FREE PRESS

VISIONS 2012

JANUARY 15, 2012

SPORTS

Visit www.toledofreepress.com m

ROCKET FOOTBALL

Page to enter NFL Draft By Zach Davis TOLEDO FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER zdavis@toledofreepress.com

After three record-breaking seasons at Toledo, junior wide receiver Eric Page has decided to forgo his senior season and enter the NFL Draft. “It’s always been my dream to play in the NFL and I think right now is a great opportunity for me,” Page said. “This would have never been able to happen without my teammates, coaches and my family.” Page, who says he is projected to be drafted between the third and fifth rounds, will leave Toledo with 306 catches — just 43 behind NCAA

record-holder Ryan Broyles (Oklahoma, 2008-11). He also is tied for the Mid-American Conference reception record with Jordan White (Western Michigan, 2007-11). Toledo head coach Matt Campbell was unavailable for comment. The first-year head coach will have to replace 2,613 total yards of offense and 23 touchdowns between Page and senior running back Adonis Thomas for next year’s roster. “Eric was an outstanding player and role model for Toledo football,” said Illinois head coach Tim Beckman, who coached Page all three years at UT. “I wish him the best in the NFL.” Page had intended to stay with the

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team following the Rockets 42-41 victory over Air Force on Dec. 28 in the Military Bowl but his decision changed as the Jan. 15 deadline to declare for PAGE the NFL Draft approached. Among those he spoke with about his decision was former Toledo receiver Stephen Williams (2005-09), who has spent the past two seasons as a member of the Arizona Cardinals. Williams signed as a priority free agent following the 2010 draft with Arizona, picking the Cardinals over 14 other teams. “I have been keeping in contact with Eric and I talked to him a bit earlier today,” Williams said. “I told him if he thinks he’s ready and if he can live with it being either the best decision or worst decision he’s made, then go for it.” Williams, who has nine catches for 101 yards in his two-year career, said he fully intends to recommend the Cardinals get Page to join him in Arizona. “One thing about Eric is he makes an impact,” Williams said. “He can play in the NFL, there’s not a doubt in my mind. Now he has to prove himself all over again. We know in college how talented he is. He has had a chip on his shoulder and he will play in the NFL and compete.” Page amassed 306 catches for 3,446 yards in his three seasons at Toledo, all of which broke school records held by Williams. He also is tied for the career touchdown mark with former Rocket and current New Orleans Saints wide receiver Lance Moore at 25. “I have had the best three years [in my] hometown and I want to thank everyone for the support and believing in me,” Page said. ✯

TOLEDO FREE PRESS PHOTO BY CAITLIN MCGLADE

JANUARY 15, 2012

■

TAMMY WILSON RIPS THE ARM OFF HER REFEREE STRESS DOLL SHE TYPICALLY USES DURING GAMES.

Local woman wins 49ers playoff tickets By Caitlin McGlade TOLEDO FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER news@toledofreepress.com

It all began when Tammy Wilson was 5 years old. She would visit her grandparents and the family would spend time together in the living room and tune in to their favorite programming — while mercilessly shouting and waving fists at the television. Decades later, the San Francisco 49ers couldn’t be any more entwined with Wilson’s life. Aside from the signed footballs, signed jerseys, signed helmets and a player’s old glove, her love for the team is evident even in her offspring. Wilson named her daughter Montana Jo as a tribute to Joe Montana, her favorite quarterback. Montana was the 49ers quarterback 16 years ago when Wilson was pregnant. “I almost wish they would adopt me as a family member,” Wilson said of the team. This weekend she could theoretically hand them the papers. In December, she won free front row end zone tickets to the playoffs in San Francisco, along with free passes to walk onto the field. Her good fortune is thanks to her daughter’s name. A little wary of Twitter, she was finally persuaded to try the service by her son when he told her she could follow all of the 49ers players’ feeds. Just as she started, she noticed that 49ers President/CEO Jed York posted a contest to win free tickets. He asked for fans to send in reasons why they deserve four tickets to the playoffs. Wilson submitted her daughter’s story and within 24 hours received confirmation from York that she was a finalist. He asked for Montana Jo’s birth certificate to prove Wilson’s story. At 1:30 a.m. on Christmas, Wilson found out that she won. She screamed so loud she was surprised the neighbors didn’t call. “I about died,” she said. “All I saw was ‘Congrats’ on the (iPad screen).” ✯

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A26 ■ TOLEDO FREE PRESS

JANUARY 15, 2012

OPINION: A VIEW FROM THE GULCH

A total lack of understanding

his week the latest mantra for the mainstream media has been to vilify Mitt Romney for his connection with Bain Capital, a private equity firm that purchased distressed companies, restructured them and sold them. I am no friend of Mitt Romney and don’t want to defend his actions, but I do want to make the point that most people in this country have a total lack of understanding about eco- Gary L. nomics and capitalism. Maintaining the status quo will not create anything, including jobs. If a company is distressed, there is a reason. Generally, it is poor management decisions, obsolete processes or products or competition from betterrun companies. One of the major tenets of capitalism is that something must be destroyed before something can be created. What is the difference if a poorly run company divests itself of unprofitable divisions or someone else purchases the company and restructures it into a more profitable enterprise? For some reason in this country, “capitalism” and “profit” have become derogatory terms. If I pay an employee $20 an hour and I profit $200 for that hour of labor, where is the problem? No one puts a gun to the heads of my employees and forces them to be my slaves, no one has to purchase my product that gives me that profit and I certainly pay tax on that profit. General Motors Co. is a great example. They were not profitable and entered bankruptcy. In a normal

bankruptcy, which would take a long time to process, the company would probably be restructured or liquidated. Depending on the filing chapter, the bondholders would be first in line for settlement then preferred stockholders and common stockholders. In this case, with the government involved, the bondholders received around 28 cents on the dollar for their investment and were vilified for RATHBUN even getting that much. Remember the protest of these individuals for wanting what they were legally entitled to. One of the very few purposes of the federal government is to protect the private property rights of individuals, especially with regards to contract law. For this country to survive, we need to get back to basics, that is back to what made this country great in the first place: freemarket capitalism without shame or apology. We have outsourced our manufacturing to emerging market countries and have focused on creating service jobs in this country, such as education and health care. Our financial markets created new products such as short selling currencies, subprime lending, securitization, leveraged investments, hedge funds and a multitude of others. The trouble with these “products” is that they don’t really create anything in the form of a real business, significant jobs or a rise in real trade. This did create an opportunity to abuse the system over and over and manipulate the market for even greater profits.

Regulators assisted in this scheme by providing a safety net for their cronies and sharing in the profits by way of political contributions. Efforts to reform capitalism are more likely to divert from the steps needed to

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■ A27

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ARTS LIFE

A28. ■ TOLEDO FREE PRESS

JANUARY 15, 2012

IN CONCERT

By Vicki L. Kroll TOLEDO FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER vkroll@toledofreepress.com

It’s been nearly 20 years since The Lemonheads’ “It’s a Shame About Ray” disc was released. Some consider the original collection of 12 songs that clocked in at less than 30 minutes pop perfection. “I think it’s just a good bunch of songs and it’s sort of different from a lot of stuff,” frontman Evan Dando said. “It has a place in my heart anyway; I think it’s a good record. It’s got its own thing.” The singer-songwriter-guitarist said he knew the disc was special when the Boston band was making it. “We had never gone to LA to make a record, so that was kind of fun. We came out here, it was like early ’92, and we came out and stayed at this place called Oakwood Apartments. We had a good time,” he said during a call from Los Angeles. Dando, bass player and vocalist Juliana Hatfield and drummer David Ryan cut the record at Cherokee Studios. While on the West Coast, the trio hung out with several stars, including Johnny Depp, who appears in the video for the title track. The Lemonheads will play “It’s a Shame About Ray” in its entirety Jan. 17 at Frankie’s Inner City. Doors

open at 7 p.m. The Shining Twins and Hound will open. Tickets are $15 in advance and $17 night of the show. For the tour, Dando, the one constant member in the group, will be joined by guitarist Josh Lattanzi and drummer Brian Nolan. “Cheap Trick might have started this whole thing with bands that play old records,” Dando said. “It’s a good way for people to come out and enjoy; they know what they’re getting.” Fans will have a sweet treat next month: The Lemonheads will release “Hotel Sessions” on Feb. 7. The 14 songs, including the band’s breakthrough hit, “Into Your Arms,” were recorded by Dando circa 1992 in a hotel room in Bondi Beach, Australia. “[‘Hotel Sessions’ is] just an old cassette we found that’s kind of coolsounding, and we just put it out because it’s got a fun feel to it. It was very intimate, sort of a demo kind of thing,” he said. Meanwhile, Dando is working on new music. “The more I tour with this 20-year-old record, the more I’m like, man, I’ve got to get this [new] record finished. It’s a good catalyst to make me get it done. one.” ✯

PHOTO COURTESY CHARM SCHOOL PR

Pucker up, Toledo: The Lemonheads to play Frankie’s

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■

EVAN DANDO OF THE LEMONHEADS SAYS THE MORE HE PLAYS THE 20-YEAR-OLD ‘IT’S A SHAME ABOUT RAY,’ THE MORE HE LIKES IT.

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ARTS LIFE

JANUARY 15, 2012

RELIGION

Goodwill reopens Reynolds Road store

Trinity merges with St. Mark’s Episcopal When she was approached, Rev. Elizabeth Hoster, who has been with Trinity for four years, was excited news@toledofreepress.com about the prospect of merging the two Two different worship styles with churches, she said. “We’re blending families here and one mission will fuse Jan. 15 at the first joint service of Trinity and St. Mark’s anyone who’s ever blended families knows there’s a Episcopal churches. St. Mark’s had its last services Jan. lot of excitement, 6 and Jan. 8 with about 500 in atten- but it does take a lot of planning dance. The church is closing its doors aft er 123 years largely due to finan- and it really recial hardship. However, parishioners quires flexibility,” remain optimistic and focused on she said. Part of that helping the community. has “Buildings come and go, ministers planning come and go, congregations come been figuring out HOSTER and go, but the work doesn’t,” said how to merge worship Bob Meeker, a 15-year member of St. two styles together. Both parishes have Mark’s vestry, or leadership council. Th e vestry realized it had to strong musical backgrounds, Hoster do something when faced with a said. However, St. Mark’s is more trashrinking endowment and high up- ditional in nature, while, “[Trinity] keep costs of an old building. How- could be doing a third-century Rusever, it didn’t want to shut down or re- sian chant one minute and an Aflocate to an area that took the church rican song the next.” Ultimately, what brings the conaway from its mission of helping the urban area. The vestry approached gregations together is their common Trinity in the spring and meetings goal of community outreach. “The two churches have very, very began in June. “We’ve been very transparent all similar missions. They’re both very the way along,” Meeker said of the inclusive and progressive and very process, adding that there hasn’t welcoming, especially to those who been any protest or discord between maybe feel sometimes they haven’t St. Mark’s congregation of 80 and been welcomed in other churches,” Hoster said. Trinity’s of 180. By Brigitta Burks

TOLEDO FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

The two churches’ fi rst outreach together will be serving lunch at St. Paul’s Community Center after Sunday’s worship. St. Mark’s actually started out as part of Trinity’s Sunday school program and held its fi rst services in 1889 while Trinity was first chartered in 1842. “They were digging up the black swamp and starting Trinity all at the same time,” Hoster said. “They kind of spawned us and we are coming home again,” Meeker said. Because of the two congregations’ common past, “coming home” is a major theme for the merger. The next three weeks will be spent focusing on getting to know each other, Hoster said. Trinity is also incorporating several pieces of St. Mark’s into its church, including the altar and baptismal font, in addition to naming the chapel after St. Mark’s. About 15 urns from St. Mark’s were transported to Trinity this week and placed in temporary niches in the columbarium, or vault. Trinity plans to bring St. Mark’s columbarium over as well and will move the ashes back. “It’s an emotional time if one of your family members was represented,” Meeker said. A ceremony was also held to commemorate the occasion.

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St. Mark’s is for sale at $199,000 and has had about five prospective buyers so far, Meeker said. The building, appraised at $1.7 million, is “cheaper than a suburban house,” he added. Keeping up the building has proved expensive, he said. Trinity, also an old building, watches its utility bills and cut back on costs about four years ago, Hoster said. Several full-time staff went to three-quarters time while Hoster took a pay cut. “We just had to shave back and what we did not want to shave back was our outreach,” she said. With the changing economy, mergers like St. Mark’s and Trinity’s could become the norm, she said. However, change isn’t anything new for the church. “Every 500 years, there’s some big change in the church. The fi rst was the fall of the Roman Empire, the second was when the Eastern church and the Western church split, then the Reformation, and oh my gosh, here we are at another one of those 500 year points,” she said. Rev. Kelly O’Connell, formerly the rector at St. Mark’s, will continue to minister, Meeker said. O’Connell was not available for comment at press time. Trinity is at 316 Adams St. in Downtown Toledo. Worship is at 10:30 a.m. Sundays and an 8:30 a.m. service will be added Feb. 5. ✯

On the web visit www.trinitytoledo.org/ l d for more information.

Goodwill Industries of Northwest Ohio plans to debut renovations and reopen the doors of its largest volume and highest grossing store Jan. 16. The store, at 2021 S. Reynolds Road, closed in late November for remodeling although the donation area stayed open. “Donations are key to our ability to continue to serve those who need our help the most in our community,” said Bob Huber, president/CEO of Goodwill Industries of Northwest Ohio in a news release. “We thank all who continue to support Goodwill with their donations during this process.” Th e remodeled store features better lighting, wider aisles, new carpeting and paint and an updated layout with the children’s section in the front. “[The store] hadn’t been remodeled since 2002, so we were just looking to update and freshen it up,” said Sheila Miano, regional office manager. “We are very proud of this remodeling,” Huber said. “Support from our customers and donors is overwhelming and we are grateful for their continued patience during this effort.” The location fi rst opened in December 1990 and served more than 44,000 donors in 2011. The retail locations support Goodwill’s mission of providing jobs and training to people with disabilities or challenges that may have kept them from employment in the past. The store will resume its normal hours of Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Donations are accepted during these times. ✯ — Brigitta Burks

Saturday - 10 am to 5 pm Sunday - Noon to 5 pm

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Visit www.toledofreepress.com m

Saturday Activities Ice Carving Demonstrations Dueling Carvers Winter Warm-Up Walk Snowshoe Races (Weather Permitting)

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ARTS LIFE

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AFTER

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were before? Do I impress upon them just how wonderful that can be? Maybe and maybe not. Motherhood is meant to be a sisterhood. We should be offering up our best advice and helping one another all along the way. We should also be

listening to those who came before us and bending their ears when need be. However, like most of life’s odysseys, there are certain parts that just can’t be appreciated until they’re experienced firsthand and reflected upon. To every motherhood there is a season — a time

to clean splattered paint off the wall, a time to realize just how beautiful that splattered paint on the wall was. ✯ Columnist Shannon Szyperski and her husband Michael are raising three children in Sylvania.

Upcoming Events at WCM!

THE WCM CHEF’S TABLE PRESENTS:

The Prime Rib Dinner Saturday, January 28th 6-9 p.m. at our Maumee Location

• Potage St. Germaine Per Person/Dinner • Caesar Salad Includes Tax & Tip • Oysters Rockefeller • Prime Rib • Apple Crisp w/Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams • Limited Seating – Reservations Required • Contact Chef Kolhoff for details or reservations: 419-794-4000

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AT THE CHEF’S TABLE

Turn! Turn! Turn!

try not to read too many opinion nothing short of heart-wrenching. Still, there are also times when I hear or slice-of-life pieces. As obnoxious as that likely sounds from someone for the twentieth time, “I hope you’re who writes opinion and slice-of-life writing all of this down” and all I can think is, “I hope you’re pieces, I do so with good writing all of this down, intentions. I have a deepbecause I’m kind of busy seated fear that somecleaning paint off of the thing, even just a vague wall.” I have to admit that idea, might creep into instead of the advice elicmy subconscious and iting a profound awarefind its way into my own ness of the preciousness writing. While a great and finite nature of childmemory is fantastic for hood, I am more apt to things like Trivial Purjust feel worse that my suit, it also keeps me in Shannon SZYPERSKI first child has dozens of constant concern that hours of his life recorded the wrong things will while I’m not really sure where the tape become wedged in my brain. That being said, I will occasionally of my third being born even is. Perhaps more importantly, having pop on over to a column or blog that one of my friends thinks highly enough it out in the open that newer moms of to post about. I was recently handed don’t always take heed of the wellsuch relief while reading an entry on meaning advice of moms who have a blog called “Momastery.” The author already been there also reminded me addressed something that has crossed that I’m actually starting to cross over my mind on more than one occasion into that veteran mom territory. Even but that I’ve never actually expressed though my youngest is only in her in writing. She nicely vented a bit about third year, I know quite a few moms the frustration caused by veteran moms having their first that are a decade to constantly encouraging those of us still a decade and a half younger than my in the throes of small childrendom to 36 years and nine years behind me on make sure we soak up every moment of parenting experience. I can’t help but take into considthe wonder that is motherhood. My hesitation to make my own eration my own upcoming role as the prior statement on the matter was mom who already knows. Who already twofold. One, I know that the sug- knows how hard it is. Who already gestion is actually heartfelt and well- knows how many mistakes are involved. meaning and, two, I know the veteran Who already knows how quickly it moms are right. I am, without a doubt, goes. Who already knows how much it going to miss all of the little moments aches when you realize that. Do I say something to the upthat I now take for granted or even wish away at times. I already can’t and-comers? Do I tell them that the stand the fact that I can barely carry nursery color and the number of bath my oldest two across a room and that towels and the brand of bassinet aren’t I can’t even remember the last time my quite as important as they might seem? youngest had to wear a diaper. There Do I let them know that they are never are times when such realizations are going to be the same person that they

FAMILY PRACTICE

JANUARY 15, 2012

Chef Bill Kolhoff

Are you ready for SOME CHILI? WCM Announces the 4th Annual Super Chili Bowl! Friday, Feb. 3rd » 4-8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4th » 11-8 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 5th » 11-8 p.m.

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at BOTH Locations

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Hours: Mon-Sat 7:30 a.m.–9 p.m. Sun 8 a.m.–9 p.m.

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A30 ■ TOLEDO FREE PRESS

TV LISTINGS

JANUARY 15, 2012 Sunday Morning 8 am ABC 13 CBS 11 FOX 36 NBC 24 PBS 30 A&E BRAVO COM DISN ESN FAM FOOD HGTV LIF MTV TBS TCM TNT USA WTO5

8:30

January 15, 2012

MOVIES

9 am