Toledo Free Press – March 4, 2012 by Toledo Free Press

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Toledo 3/4 % income tax • Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum in NW Ohio District 9 House race: Herman Cain backs Joe the Plumber Lucas County Recorder forum • Mandel’s State Senate run • Green Party

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OPINION

MARCH 4, 2012

Elementary politics

Handle on Mandel

osh Mandel is the easy endorsement choice for the March 6 U.S. Senate Republican primary. He defines the term “rising star,” having been anointed by such conservative groups as Club for Growth, Jim DeMint’s Senate Conservative Fund and the state party and media such as The Plain Dealer. His background is the stuff of fundraising legend; he served two tours in Iraq, racked up public service time on Lyndhurst City Council and in the state legislature. His victory in the race for the state treasurer seat was as dominant as modern politics allows. He is young, he raises funds at an impressive clip (The Plain Dealer described him as “ferocious”) and his ambition is as clear as the spotlight the GOP is shining on him. There are caveats; Mandel seems more interested in a coronation than an election, failing to appear at a number of candidate events, including The Children of Liberty forum Feb. 16 at the Maumee Indoor Theatre. Elections should be earned, not predestined, but Mandel looks like he is coasting and that Thomas F.POUNDS should give educated voters a reason to watch him closely. As Toledo Free Press Staff Writer Caitlin McGlade reported, “The treasurer is also under fi re from Democrats for not attending a single State Board of Deposit meeting. The board determines which banks hold State money.” Mandel would be wise to avoid the appearance that his eye is always looking forward and he is not focused on the moment at hand. MANDEL There are two interesting people in the race who merit future consideration. Eric LaMont Gregory, McGlade reported, “researched how to reduce neonatal death in developing countries and he developed a better method than the standard treatment to keep blood flowing in premature babies. He has had to negotiate with rebel leaders to get through war zones in order to treat women and babies. And he invented a type of thermometer that charts temperature in color coding for people in developing countries who are unable to read numbers.” That translates into experience that could bridge the medical and political arenas. “What happens to you after that is that everybody with a major problem comes to you regardless of what that problem is in, because you have solved a problem that most people said had no solution,” Gregory said. Scott Rupert, who is running as an uncontested independent, is an energizing speaker with some clear-headed ideas. “I know that Americans are not as far apart as the loud voices say they are,” Rupert said. “We the people have surrendered our government to fear.” If Mandel wins the primary, he will face entrenched Sen. Sherrod Brown, the immovable object waiting for Mandel’s unstoppable force. There will be time to discuss that race later, but Mandel is the clear choice for March 6. ✯

Thomas F. Pounds is president and publisher of Toledo Free Press and Toledo Free Press Star. Contact him at tpounds@toledofreepress.com.

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LIGHTING THE FUSE

PUBLISHER’S STATEMENT

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eb. 27 began with a visit to a group of elementary stu- McAvoy, the forum attracted 35 people to the West Toledo dents and ended with a forum for Lucas County Re- Branch Library. There are three Democrats and one Repubcorder candidates, with more common ground than lican in the March 6 primary. Two of the three Dems, Kevin Eff (pronounced “EEf”) and James Seaman, were present; such disparate events might be expected to engender. St. Joseph School in Sylvania celebrates Right to Read Phil Copeland declined the invitation, to his abasement. Week with a series of student events, one of which features Republican George Sarantou, who is uncontested and didn’t really need to attend, did so anyway, members of the local media visiting classto his credit. rooms and reading books. I greatly enjoy Outgoing Lucas County Recorder these annual visits and the chance to talk to Jeanine Perry set the stage for the fierce curious elementary students about books, competition with a brief presentation on language and media. what the recorder’s office does (spoiler alert: Librarian Mary Ann Wisniewski of the The recorder’s offi ce is responsible for inSt. Joseph Right to Read committee invited dexing and maintaining land records like me to participate again this year. She disdeeds, liens and mortgages in addition to played great pride in the school as she led military records). me to a table loaded with books to choose It was my job to introduce each candifrom for the elementary classes. Not seeing anything by Anaïs Nin or Stieg Larsson, I Michael S. MILLER date to the podium. I began a flawless presentation by mispronouncing Eff ’s name as chose “The Legend of Ohio” by Dandi Daley Mackall and Chris Van Dusen’s “King Hugo’s Huge Ego.” “Ef,” like the letter. Eff is a young attorney whose preThe fi rst stop was Mrs. Becky Skelton’s fourth-grade sentation focused on the recorder’s offi ce and some of class. The students listened closely to “The Legend of Ohio’s” his ideas for improving efficiency. One of his ideas, postory of Dikewamis, a young American Indian girl whose tentially adding staff to the offi ce, was not popular with tribe migrated from the barren glaciers of the north seeking the other candidates. Nor was Eff ’s describing the other the fertile land they would name “Ohio,” for its beautiful candidates as “career politicians” well received. Effwas also tripped up by an audience question about the emriver. The story focused on the importance of water and the conflict people felt as they tried to understand the decisions ployment structure of the recorder’s office and the ability to hire and fire staff. Eff is clearly a smart and ambitious made by their leaders. After the reading, the class asked several questions about man, and if this race doesn’t work out, he will hopefully media, writing and the role of an editor. We’re way past any continue to seek public service. Sarantou and Seaman made similar presentations, more cultural relevance for Lou Grant, so I always assume the fi ctional touchstone editor for younger people is J. Jonah about their experience than about any clear plans for the Jameson from “Spider-Man.” There are signifi cant diff er- recorder’s office. Both said the office needed to make do ences between Jameson and I: he is a grouchy, rumpled, with its current staff and rejected Eff ’s idea to expand the number of employees. obsessed, finger-pointing, self-righteous,fashion-clueless The three men took questions from the audience. cigar-chomper; I don’t smoke. I read the same book to Mrs. Mary Jorgensen’s fourth- Straying from the realm of recorder, some questions fograde class, then walked to Mrs. MyLien Floyd’s third- cused on the importance of water and the conflict people grade class to read “King Hugo.” That book tells the tale felt as they tried to understand the decisions made by of an arrogant, egocentric king who treats his kingdom their leaders. King Hugo rasied his head once or thrice, badly. Hugo learns the error of his ways through the tough but I can not say with any certainty that he learned the love (and magic spells) of a good woman. I greatly enjoyed error of his ways. Aft er the event, I spoke with a number of audience reading the book, although I could not personally relate to members, discussing media, writing and the role of an edit in any way. itor. They asked insightful questions about newspaper story The students in all three classes asked insightful questions about newspaper story choice, delivery and tech- choice, delivery and technology. These are politically active people, and they have a clear nology. They do not yet have a clear understanding of how media works, but they accept and trust it, like they still ac- understanding of how media works. They do not accept or trust it, any more than they accept any authority figure’s cept any authority figure’s declarations. declarations. They’ll learn better. They know better. ✯ The day that began with innocent children ended at the other end of the human spectrum, at a forum for the men running for Lucas County Recorder. Sponsored by Michael S. Miller is editor in chief ofToledo Free Press and ToThe Children of Liberty and organized by that group’s John ledo Free Press Star. Email him at mmiller@toledofreepress.com. Thomas F. Pounds, President/Publisher tpounds@toledofreepress.com

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LEGALLY SPEAKING

OPINION

MARCH 4, 2012

DON LEE

Trying him as an adult

fter the tragic events in finds that: The child was 14 or older Chardon, Ohio, I have heard at the time the act charged; the child people discussing whether the is charged with an act that would be perpetrator of these attacks would be a felony if committed by an adult; tried as an adult. Although no charges there exists probable cause to believe have been filed as of press time, the that the child committed the act perpetrator is identified in many charged; and the child is not amenable to care or rehabilitation in the media sources as being 17 years old. Most people understand that in juvenile justice system. Before considering some instances juveniles a discretionary transfer, are tried as adults, but the the juvenile court must law in Ohio gives specific order a mental examiguidelines as to when nation of the child by this can happen, whether a qualified agency or it is mandatory or the person. However, if judge has discretion, and the juvenile refuses to if the judge has discresubmit to a mental extion, what factors can be amination he or she has considered. This column the requirement is meant to give a brief Mark SKELDON waived and no mental examioverview of the way the nation is necessary. Ohio law works in this area. One of the factors that is considWhen a prosecutor in the juvenile court makes a motion to have a case ered in whether the child is amenable transferred to adult criminal court the to care or rehabilitation in the juvejudge must transfer the case if the mo- nile system is the victim of the act tion is properly supported, and prob- charged. For example, if the victim able cause exists. The following situa- suffered physical or psychological tions require a judge to transfer a child harm, or serious economic harm, or if the harms were caused to a vulnerfor proceedings in a criminal court: 1. The complaint filed in juve- able victim, transfer is more likely. nile court alleges a crime that would On the other hand, if the victim of be aggravated murder, murder, the alleged acts induced or provoked attempted aggravated murder or at- the acts charged that would work tempted murder if committed by an against transferring the case. Another factor considered is adult. If this situation applies and the juvenile is 16 or 17 the court must whether there is sufficient time to certify the juvenile to criminal court rehabilitate the child within the where he or she will be tried as an juvenile system, and whether the adult. Also, if the 16- or 17-year-old child is emotionally, physically or is charged with certain other serious psychologically mature enough for offenses and uses a gun while com- the transfer. A few other factors that are conmitting the act charged, certification sidered include whether the act is mandatory. This is very likely going to be the charged was for hire or gang related, situation for the juvenile in Chardon. and if the juvenile had a firearm and 2. If the juvenile commits one used, displayed or threatened to use of the acts named above, is 14 or 15 the firearm. Again, there are other factors and has previously been pronounced delinquent (juveniles are not found considered but this list shows that the guilty, rather they are adjudicated court is given specific factors when delinquent) of certain other crimes considering a transfer. It should be (manslaughter, rape, aggravated bur- noted that if the child is eligible for glary to name a few) then the judge mandatory transfer, these factors are must transfer the case to criminal not considered. This process is guided by the court where he or she will be tried Ohio Revised Code, giving the judge as an adult. There are other situations in guidance as to when a child should which the trial of a juvenile as an be tried as an adult and when they adult is mandatory, but these are the should be left to the care of the juvebasics. Because these situations re- nile justice system. ✯ quire mandatory transfer to criminal court, there should be much less Mark Skeldon is a local attorney and disagreement and uncertainty sur- practices of Counsel to the Law Ofrounding them than a discretionary fices of Borgstahl & Zychowicz Ltd. This column does not constitute legal transfer to criminal court. The juvenile court may (not advice. He can be reached at mark must) transfer the case if the court skeldon@att.net or (419) 654-4752.

THE COMMUNITARIAN SOUL

Politicians, affections and stupidity

hen it comes to questions about the human soul because they believe certain theologies are “phony.” Our naand its destiny, there are three core options in life: tion would be greatly impoverished in spirit if they did. Yet, when many in public attempt to talk about these a theistic option, an atheistic option and an “I things, they get angry or stupid. We only have to look at don’t care enough to think seriously about it” option. As I read the Constitution of our great nation, it seems the present race for the White House to see both of these things in play. The language either gets belclear to me that all three options are allowed, licose (“The President has declared war on the and legally protected. There is no law that proCatholic Church,) or silly (“The President has hibits Harvard from hiring an atheist to be a a phony theology”). In democratic societies part of the team of chaplains that looks after there will be competing interests, such as the the needs of students. There is no law that debate between some in the church and those prohibits a group of Muslims from opening seeking to provide affordable access to birth a community center near Ground Zero in control. In democratic societies there will be New York City. There is no law that prohibits diverse interpretations of human and relia loud, boorish street preacher from shouting gious experience, such as the president’s protat me as I walk to the car. And there is no law estant Christian faith shaped by the United that prohibits the agnostic from playing golf Eric MCGLADE Church of Christ or Rick Santorum’s Roman on Sunday morning. Chances are reasonably high he would run into some of my parishioners if he did. Catholic faith shaped by pre-Vatican II influences. These things are allowed and require serious and honest converThis is all, in constitutional law, pretty much settled. We live in a nation that is as much about space as it is any- sation, not angry accusations and cheap characterizations. The sad part about all of this is that there is a need in thing else. Our Constitution allows each of us to carve out a sliver of personal space and call it ours. What we do with this our country for a healthy conversation on how we allow space is our business. My sliver is handed over to Christianity each of these personal “slivers of space” to fit together in in the tradition of the United Methodist Church. One of my such a way as to form a “people.” Judging how others may friends who likes to share reading lists with me has camped use their sliver of space will never get us there. The desire out in atheism. A middle-aged Roman Catholic friend likes to control how others live their lives will not get us there, to email me “Catholic jokes.” A Jewish scholar I have met and either. Only tolerance, the willingness to risk conversation shared conversation with writes commentaries on New Testa- nd the desire to celebrate the numerous ways people have ment texts. A Muslim college student sat down with me one used their sliver of space to discover wonder and meaning afternoon and delighted me with a conversation on prayer. will get us there. Until we figure this out, the forecast for A dear friend who recently passed away taught me much on this election cycle looks to be more bellicosity and stupidity. How embarrassing and sad. ✯ Lakota spirituality and how it relates to my own faith. And so it goes. These slivers of space afforded each of us by our Constitution have become so entangled in American life that Eric McGlade is an ordained minister in the United Methit would be impossible for anyone to remove them from us odist Church and pastors a congregation in Bowling Green.

MARCH 4, 2012

OPINION

DECISION 2012

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CITY OF TOLEDO

Romney surges in Arizona, The case for renewing wins close race in Michigan the 3/4 percent tax

Both candidates had previously stated that they midst several weeks of slipping in the national polls, the Mitt Romney campaign rested easy opposed the auto bailouts, but it did little to help eion the night of Feb. 28 with needed wins in ther candidate, as Michigan Republicans were spilt on the Arizona and Michigan primaries. According to the issue. Romney won big with the majority of voters who said that the economy was the most the latest statistics, Romney narrowly beat important issue, something that he has Santorum 41 to 38 percent. He was able been touting the entire campaign, but to pull off Arizona, a less contested state, it’s a topic on which Santorum has been with 47 percent to Santorum’s 27. silent lately. Michgan’s unemployment rate Michigan is the Romney family’s home. is at 9.3 percent, a percent above the Romney’s father, George Romney, was the national average. 43rd governor of Michigan and once chaired However, of the voters who felt that the now defunct American Motors Corpostrong moral character was the most imration. Romney’s mother, Lenore, also dabportant issue, Santorum won with almost bled in politics, running unsuccessfully for 60 percent. One reason for this might be the U.S. Senate in 1970. George moved the Ben OSBURN because of social issues. Santorum’s focus family to Detroit in the late 1930s to focus on the family and views against abortion on his automobile career. They became involved in the Detroit Stake of the Church of Latter-day resonate well with social conservatives. Santorum especially holds strong views against Saints. It was in Detroit that Lenore gave birth to Mitt, the youngest of the couple’s four children. Mitt attended same-sex marriage and government-funded contraschool in Bloomfield Hills and there met his wife, Ann. ception. Santorum did well amongst very conservative Early in the year, pundits would have never guessed voters, a field where Romney has consistently faltered that the fight for Michigan would be this close. How- in, and must do better to win states like Tennessee and ever, previous wins in Colorado and Minnesota gave Oklahoma on March 6. A question on the mind of Ohioans is how well both former Sen. Rick Santorum the momentum needed to compete with Romney in his backyard. Additionally, candidates will do in the March 6 primary. Both canSantorum’s strong stance on manufacturing growth may didates made recent stops in the area. Romney held a have been the deciding factor for many Michigan Re- rally at American Posts on Feb. 29. American Posts is publicans. In the words of Romney, “We didn’t win by a the only remaining American manufacturer of steel Ulot, but we won by enough and that’s all that counts.” To posts for the garden and lawn industry. It was there that which Santorum responded, “We knew it was going to Romney took the opportunity to speak about American be Romney’s big night. The question was how big. And manufacturing’s biggest competitor: China. If elected, Romney would apply tariffs to Chinese products as a it wasn’t very big.” What remains to be seen is how the results will af- means of addressing what he calls their “currency mafect both candidates in terms of delegate allocation. nipulator,” problem. He also spoke of bringing entitlement programs back Arizona, a winner-take-all state, will allocate its 29 delegates to Romney. However, Michigan, which had to the state level as a means of cutting the budget deficit. Santorum spoke at the Holiday Inn French Quarter its delegate count cut almost in half because it made its primary date too early for Republican National in Perrysburg on Feb. 28. There he stressed increasing Committee standards, has a unique way of allocating domestic energy production and stopping the proposed delegates. The state divides its 30 delegates by the now decrease in defense spending. A University of Cincinnati poll shows that Santorum 14 Michigan congressional districts. Each district receives two delegates and the remaining delegates are has a double-digit lead against Romney in Ohio, 37 to 26 percent. distributed according to the popular vote. Contrasting previous elections, it is unlikely that As of Feb. 29, it appears that Santorum and Romney have tied, with each candidate given 13 delegates from after Super Tuesday a clear front-runner will be dethe state. Michigan’s 13th congressional district is still cided. Not only will there be fewer states voting this being disputed. This means that even though Romney year, but there are few favored candidates in the states won the popular vote, he could walk away with fewer that are. Romney is expected to win Massachusetts and delegates than Santorum, or more likely tie with him Virginia, but a Gingrich win in his native Georgia would slow Romney’s nomination bid. at 15 delegates each. Likewise, any state Gingrich can win, Santorum has The Romney campaign chastised Santorum for engaging in what it called “mischief making” during the a shot at winning, if not a better one. There is also the continued impact Ron Paul has on primary. Michigan is an open primary state, meaning each state’s race. that any voter can vote in the either party’s primaries. If there is one thing that is certain in all of this, it is Knowing this, the Santorum campaign sent automated telephone calls to registered Democrats, telling that this year’s GOP nomination process will resemble them to support him. Members of the liberal media that of the Democrats in 2008 — be prepared to wait called on Democrats to do the same, insinuating San- until June. ✯ torum is less likely to beat President Barack Obama than Romney is. While Democrats only counted for nine per- Ben Osburn is a graduate student in political science cent of the vote, CNN polls show that more than 50 per- at the University of Toledo. Email him at letters@toledo freepress.com. cent of them voted for Santorum.

n 1983, Toledo voters passed will begin this September. These the first 3/4 percent income classes will help us to increase our tax. Back then, the City of To- vital safety forces. However, we ledo employed 2,963 people. The need additional police and fire classes in 2013 due unemployment rate to many upcoming was 10.6 percent. retirements. The population was In the general 354,635 and the fund only, employees city was comprised in the City of Toledo of 84 square miles. are now 1,596; in 2002 The three-quarter it was 2,126. This is a percent brought in reduction of 530 em$16.5 million and ployees. Public safety the total 2.25 percomprises 1,351 gencent paid for police, fire, refuse and most George SARANTOU eral fund employees or 85 percent of the general fund other general fund departments. Fast forward to 2012 — the employees. That means the other City of Toledo employs 167 25 departments including human fewer employees than it did in resources, building inspection, fi1983. The unemployment rate is nance, council, economic develop8.7 percent for 2012. The popu- ment, parks and taxation operates lation is 287,208 and the city on 15 percent of the general fund is still comprised of 84 square budget. In all 25 departments there miles. The three-quarter percent are only 245 employees; this for a brings in $51.5 million and does population of 287,208. On March 6, voters of Toledo not quite pay for the fire department, which has a budget of will decide whether their mayor $60.2 million. The police budget and Council have been effective stewards of the treasury during the for 2012 is $73.4 million. Nonemployed seniors did not greatest recession since the deprespay the 3/4 percent tax then and sion. We have not raised the income still do not today. It is not paid on tax rate and we have reduced our property tax, pensions, social secu- work force significantly. Today, Toledo has 9.1 emrity, dividends, interest, annuities or capital gains. The three-quarter per- ployees per 1,000 people comcent is paid on earned income only. pared to Akron, (10.4) Columbus This means more than 55 Dayton (14.1) (10.6) Cincinnati percent of Toledo does not pay (17.4) and Cleveland (21.8). Our income tax. The 2.25 percent in- bond ratings have held steady and come tax rate has not increased Moody’s and Standard & Poors since 1983. Most other levies have have upgraded Toledo from a negsought increases; schools, library ative outlook to stable. These are historically very and the zoo have all increased their millage requests throughout challenging economic times but the years and Toledo has re- Toledo is much stronger today and our economic future is improving. mained constant. Toledo City Council, along with Jeep, Powertrain, Hollywood Cathe administration of Mayor Mike sino, the University of Toledo and Bell, has made public safety a pri- many other businesses are leading ority. Therefore, though there have our growth. With your support been cutbacks in general fund jobs of the renewal of the 3/4 percent due to the loss of solid waste and we can continue to make Toledo a retirements, upcoming classes are great place to live, work and raise being formed to make sure public a family. ✯ safety can keep in step and properly George Sarantou is an at-large counprotect the citizens. Currently we have a police cilman for the City of Toledo. He is class that will graduate 40 officers chairman of its HR, IT and Finance this May. A fire class of 30 will committees. Email him at george.sabegin this December. Addition- rantou@toledo.oh.gov or call him at ally, another police class of 40 (419) 245-1050.

DECISION 2012

A6 ■ TOLEDO FREE PRESS

MARCH 4, 2012

Editor’s Note: Toledo Free Press profiled the Democratic candidates for the District 9 House of Representatives race in the Feb. 26 issue. By Caitlin McGlade TOLEDO FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER cmcglade@toledofreepress.com

You’ve seen and heard about him. He typically wears jeans and sweaters, even to fancy Republican banquets. Samuel Wurzelbacher — you probably know him as “Joe the Plumber” — is one of the GOP’s fastest-rising stars now running for Ohio’s 9th District seat in Congress. The Holland native, who achieved national fame basically overnight, during the 2008 presidential election, is taking more phone calls than ever, clocking miles across the state and even spending time with former presidential hopeful Herman Cain. “Joe the Plumber” became a model for the Republican Party after he asked then-presidential candidate Barack Obama during a neighborhood visit whether his tax plan would tax him more for buying a company that makes $250,000 to $280,000 a year. Obama answered that businesses in that bracket would pay 39 percent, up from the 36 percent collected under Former President Bill Clinton. He continued to say that he thought that spreading wealth around is good for everybody, a belief Wurzelbacher and his Republican colleagues reject. As a result of the publicity surrounding him, Wurzelbacher lost his job as a plumber, according to his website. Wurzelbacher’s challenger doesn’t get typical visits from Cain and hasn’t nailed down national endorsements. But Steven Kraus, his opponent, is determined to win over voters between here and Cleveland by March 6, Super Tuesday.

Steve Kraus “I think I’m the better candidate; I think I have real solutions and answers to bring jobs back here to revitalize,” Kraus said. “I’m the better qualified candidate — Joe’s got notoriety but that’s about it.” Kraus is a 52-year-old aucKRAUS tioneer and a real estate agent. He is a veteran of the Air Force. His experience, he said, kept him right at on the ground where political decision-making took effect.

TOLEDO FREE PRESS PHOTO BY JOSEPH HERR

GOP primary hopefuls aim for seat in House

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SAMUEL ‘JOE THE PLUMBER’ WURZELBACHER AND HERMAN CAIN ON THEIR WAY TO THE FEB. 24 LUCAS COUNTY REPUBLICAN LINCOLN DAY DINNER.

Kraus joined the Air Force when he was 18-years-old and left in the ’90s and he spent the Gulf War in Saudi Arabia in special operations, under fire constantly. He “took a stab” at politics when he lived in Fort Walton Beach, Fla. by entering the City Council race. He’s thought about running for the Congressional seat his entire life, but the thought became reality in 2009 and 2010. As a city council candidate, he talked about building sidewalks in neighborhoods to keep children safe. As a Congressional candidate years later, he’s talking about tapping natural gas resources to attempt to keep the economy safe. “I’m all for getting the EPA off the backs of businesses,” he said. Kraus said he wants to harvest the natural gas beneath Lake Erie. He also

cited a technology called liquid fluoride thorium reactors, a fuel source he advocates. The technology, which was developed after World War II and shelved during the Nixon administration, relies on flouride salt as the medium for nuclear reactions. According to The American Scientist, a research magazine that publishes essays and articles by scientists and engineers, thorium is abundant, creates less toxic fission than uranium and could compete with the cost of coal per kilowatt-hour. Kraus wants to stop funding for other alternative energy sources such as solar panels or wind farms.

Cain endorsement Wurzelbacher, too, said the EPA is too restrictive on business. He told Toledo Free Press that he spends a lot of time outdoors and loves clean air.

But he said during his Feb. 24 speech at the Stranahan Theater that he drives a Dodge 4x4 truck and likes to “leave a carbon footprint wherever (he) goes.” Cain joined Wurzelbacher at the theater for the Lincoln Day Dinner with the Lucas County Republican Party. Tickets cost at least $75 each and the event sold out. Cain’s tour bus pulled into the parking lot as dusk turned to night. Camera crews, and one devoted fan who drove from Dundee, Mich. to meet Cain, could see the bus from far down the road. It towered above cars it passed — an enormous print of Cain’s face spread across the side, smiling heartily at passers-by. “99-9,” a reference to his tax plan, extended across the side too, splashed across the bright red and blue hues covering the windows.

An energetic Cain, wearing his trademark black cowboy hat, emerged from the bus along with Wurzelbacher. Later, at the podium, Wurzelbacher said he didn’t prepare a speech because it makes him feel disingenuous. Even still, he captivated his audience as he addressed them and drew in multiple bouts of spirited applause. Cain publicly endorsed Wurzelbacher and has toured with the candidate, in the midst of his own tours to promote his tax plan. The two have been friends for a few years, Cain said. “We started to talk about his newly emerging career and what impressed me about Joe is he listened,” Cain told Toledo Free Press. “The other reason I’m endorsing Joe is he has a lot of common sense. ■ GOP CONTINUES ON A7

DECISION 2012

MARCH 4, 2012 ■ GOP CONTINUED FROM A6

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“We don’t need another legislative expert in Washington, D.C. We’ve got too many of those. We need someone with common sense; I love his character and I love his integrity.” Plus, Cain added, Wurzelbacher has adopted his tax policy. “9-9-9” urges the government to dump the present tax code and instate a 9 percent personal income tax, a 9 percent corporate income tax and a 9 percent national sales tax. Critics have argued that this plan could place a heavier burden on those with less income because they spend more of their paychecks to consume goods and are unable to put their earnings away for savings.

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Wurzelbacher also spent time in the Air Force, where he learned values and a respect for “selfless leadership,” according to his wesbite. He later worked as a communications engineer but left that position for plumbing so

he could spend more time with his son, a decision that put him in debt with the Internal Revenue Service, according to his website. If Wurzelbacher wins the primary, he could face one of two Democrats who have held their seats for years. Although he doesn’t have political experience, he is not so much preparing to take on Washington, D.C., as he already was primed for it as a child, he said. His parents insisted he read the newspaper every day starting in the fourth grade and he studied history with the understanding that “there’s nothing new under the sun,” he said. He credits his time in the military as preperation for leadership. “I do know what needs to be done, yes,” he said. “Do I know the games that they play and the deals that they make and the manipulations of the strategies they do? No. Will I partake in any of that? Absolutely not.” Democrats Marcy Kaptur, Dennis Kucinich and Graham

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Veysey have turned on each other in the weeks leading up to Super Tuesday. The three share similar philosophies but Kucinich has never voted for defense bills, Kaptur has, and both have criticized one another for those records. Veysey criticizes them both for being “career” politicians and holds them accountable for Toledo and Cleveland’s high poverty rates. Wurzelbacher referred to campaign attacks as “character assassinations” and asserted that he wouldn’t do the same. He and Kraus have a lot of philosophies in common. In addition to disenchantment with the EPA, both want to dismantle the Federal Department of Education. Wurzelbacher said he sees charter schools and voucher programs as opportunities for low income families to choose where they send their kids. Continuing to fund the education department is not working, he said.

■ .A7

Kraus attributes the problem in public schools to the loss of religious influence in the classroom. He favors charter schools, too because competition would drive the need to improve, he said. The two are both opposed to abortion — Kraus supported the “Personhood Amendment” in Ohio and Wurzelbacher sees abortion as killing babies — and both tend to dislike the idea of gay marriage. However, both asserted that marriage should be a state right. “My campaign is all about restoring faith, family and the American dream,” Kraus said. “I believe in the goodness of America.” Wurzelbacher just wants to put people to work, he said. “Ultimately, I’m here to get the federal government out of (citizens’) lives so that they can have prosperity,” he said. “That’s what I’m here for — I’m not here to tell them what they’re doing is wrong or right.” ✯

DECISION 2012

A8 ■ TOLEDO FREE PRESS

MARCH 4, 2012

City of Toledo tax renewal up for vote By Caitlin McGlade TOLEDO FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER cmcglade@toledofreepress.com

Layoffs and cutbacks would abound if voters rejected the 3/4 percent payroll tax March 6, according to city officials. This is not a new tax but rather a 28-year-old source of city revenue that appears on the ballot every four years for renewal. People who live or work in Toledo pay a permanent 1.5 percent tax plus the “temporary” tax, which levels out to 2.25 percent. Between years of slumping income tax revenue, which has only recently started to recover, and the state’s disappearing allowances for city McNAMARA governments, this vote might be more important than ever, said Councilman Joe McNamara, a Democrat. The city would have to lay off as many as 500 employees in public safety, all recreation staff employees and diminish or end road paving altogether if Toledoans voted down the tax, McNamara said. “You could almost lose half your police force, half your fire force, half of just about everything,” Mayor Mike Bell said. “It becomes an ugly scenario.”

Gloomy finances The temporary tax brings in about $51 million annually. It fuels the capital improvement fund, public safety and the general fund. Up until recently, the three split tax proceeds evenly. But the recession has pushed the administration to move money from the capital improvement funds

to help pay for safety. The city has not moved the maximum amount allowed, which is $17 million, Bell said. If it passes, the city plans to spend at least $31 million on street repair. The 3/4 percent earned income tax doesn’t cover the budgets of one of the safety departments. The police budget reaches more than $72 million and the fire department’s budget is about $60 million, said City Councilman George Sarantou, a Republican, who chairs the finance committee. The city’s finances have been gloomy since 2008, when cumulative income tax collections took a 14 percent dive in just one year. Collections bowed more than 11 percent between then and 2009, only to creep up by 2.5 percent by 2010. All the while, the consumer price index, which measures inflation, hovered high above what the city was pulling in. The index rose by 5 percent between 2007 and 2008, stagnated for a year and continued to rise. City income tax collections have risen since 2009, actually jumping by about 8 percent between 2010 and 2011. Even still, the city is pulling in about as much as it did in the early 2000s, with the inflated consumer price index of today. “Even though our local income tax revenue is increasing, our state revenue is flatlining,” Bell said.

Shrinking state budget Gov. John Kasich’s budget cuts included shrinking city allowances. In 2007, Toledo received $25 million from the state. By 2013, the city will receive $8 million. Estate tax revenue will also vanish. Prior to these changes, when Bell took office, he was staring down the face of a $48 million deficit. The administration did not lay off employees. Instead, unions made concessions on

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deals such delaying compensation time payouts. The city became more aggressive about delinquent taxes and went after collections that hadn’t been made. The mayor’s office now has no secretaries, so sometimes if constituents call they might get voicemail, said Jen Sorgenfrei, spokesperson for the mayor. “We have gone and gotten money out of every nook and cranny around,” Bell said. “We don’t have that option anymore.” The tax first appeared in the early 1980s. Voters had rejected a boost in income taxes prior, but in 1982 voters approved the 3/4 percent tax. The city was in morbid shape at the time, with no recreation department, closed pools and BELL mounting fiscal problems concerning public safety, McNamara said. The last year that Toledoans voted on the tax, 2008, the issue passed with 60.24 percent of the vote.

Shocked by taxes Economist and conservative cohost of “Eye On Your Money” on WSPD Linda Bowyer said that the problem with city income taxes is that they are easy to vote for if you’re not the one paying them. This would include the unemployed and, in Toledo’s case, people who are living off of retirement pensions. She added that people who live outside Toledo, but work within city limits, do not get to vote on an issue that affects their taxes. “It’s sort of taxation without representation,” she said. Bowyer does not work in Toledo so the vote would not affect her. However, she said, when she moved here

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from Missouri some 20 years ago she was shocked by Ohio’s taxes. The city income tax is not something that every municipality has and is another example of the various government entities that tax citizens in the state, she said. Sales taxes and property taxes tend to be other popular methods of generating city revenue. But the problem with sales taxes is that they place more of a burden on lower income people, because poorer people tend to spend a greater percentage of their paychecks on consumption, she said. All other major cities in Ohio collect income tax. Columbus has the highest rate — at 2.5 percent — and Dayton, Toledo and Akron are all mid-range with 2.25 percent. Cleveland collects 2 percent and Cincinnati collects 2.1 percent.

“People in government will say ‘We need police, we need fire,” Bowyer said. “I’m not saying they scare people but to some degree they do because they say, ‘Look at some of the horrible things that will happen if we don’t pass this’.” The question comes down to just how extensive the government should be, she said. “Is the government necessarily responsible for parks and recreation?” she said. “Are there things that we have government doing right now that could be done by the private sector?” Bell said the hardest part about explaining the tax is that tax payers havez have just endured the recession themselves, but to remember that this is not a new tax. “It is essential to the survival of our city,” he said. ✯

DECISION 2012

MARCH 4, 2012

■ A9

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DECISION 2012

A10 ■ TOLEDO FREE PRESS

MARCH 4, 2012

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

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney stopped in Toledo on Feb. 29, bringing a message of “more jobs, less debt and smaller government.” About 150 people gathered at American Posts, a manufacturer of metal fence posts, to see Romney, who won the primary in Arizona with 47 percent of the vote and the primary in Michigan with 41 percent on Feb. 28. former Sen. Rick Santorum, who was in Perrysburg on Feb. 28, finished with about 38 percent in Michigan. Congressman Ron Paul earned about 12 percent and Former Speaker Newt Gingrich ended up with about 7 percent. The four will vie for Ohio’s 63 delegates March 6, aka Super Tuesday. About 40 minutes after the expected start time, State Auditor Dave Yost kicked off the rally with an endorsement and “How ’bout that win last night?” He praised Romney’s experience and ability to turn around the economy and deficit before handing the microphone over to Romney’s wife, Ann. When the couple’s five sons were growing up, Romney would tell his wife she had the more important job — raising their sons. Now, she said, “His job might be more important than my job.” Romney spoke next and lauded his recent victories before talking about President Barack Obama. “This president has made some promises he’s not been able to keep,” Romney said, later adding, “It’s amazing he’s been such a failure.” Romney cited the trillion-dollar deficit as one of Obama’s shortcomings. If he is elected, Romney said, he would cut back or eliminate unnecessary gov-

ernment programs to curb that deficit. In order to determine what to cut, he’d ask if the program was worthy of borrowing from China to finance, he said. Later in his speech, Romney said “On day one, I will declare China a currency manipulator,” saying that China doesn’t play fair when it comes to patents and keeps currency at falsely low levels. “This president has sat idly by and watched that happen. Oh, he complains; he says he would take them to the mat, but they’ve walked all over him,” Romney said. He praised American Posts for keeping jobs in the U.S. The subsidiary of Toledo’s Universal Metals is the last remaining manufacturer of metal fence posts in America. “I love businesses like this,” Romney declared. “We are proving that we can be more efficient than our Chinese competitors and keep Americans working,” said CEO William Feniger of American Posts in a news release. Romney also said if elected, he would send programs like food stamps, housing vouchers and Medicare to state governments to deal with instead of the federal government. The co-founder of Bain Capital briefly addressed energy, saying if elected he would bring the Keystone Pipeline in from Canada. Romney then launched into his plan to cut income taxes by 20 percent across the board. After the roughly 20-minute speech, Romney shook several hands, signed autographs and posed for pictures. Many of the audience members cited Romney’s policies on jobs and the economy as reasons to support him. Sylvania Township resident Sherri Burton, who also attended the Feb. 28 Rick Santorum rally in Perrysburg, said if she had to vote today, she’d

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choose Romney. She said she believes that Santorum is more for the “backbone of America” while Romney is more for “job creators.” “He gets it,” she said of Romney, comparing him to Todd Beamer, the man on United Airlines Flight 93 who said, “Let’s roll,” when the plane was hijacked Sept 11, 2001. “I love him,” said Sylvania resident Alex Bennett of the front-runner. “I think he can win.” She added that she likes his stances on immigration as well as the economy. Keith Muehlfeld, of Napoleon, expressed a similar sentiment. “I came to see the winner,” he said. Before Romney’s speech began, Muehlfeld said he hoped Romney didn’t allow the rally to “get bogged down in social issues,” but instead focused on jobs. Before the rally, Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher, aka “Joe the Plumber,” a Republican candidate in the primary for District 9 representative, said he didn’t favor either candidate. However, either would be preferable to Obama, he said. “I’ll go grab a guy off the street and he’d be better than Obama,” he added. Democrats had a different opinion of the president. Ohio Democratic Party Chairman Chris Redfern, Lucas County Democratic Party Chairman Ron Rothenbuhler, State Rep. Michael Ashford and congressional candidate Angela Zimmann vocalized their disapproval of Romney’s stance on the auto industry later Feb. 29. Behind a podium with a sign that

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read “Romney: Let Jeep Die,” each expressed their feelings about the Republican candidate at the Lucas County Democratic headquarters. Romney opposed the auto industry bailout in 2009 and wrote an editorial called “Let Detroit Go Bankrupt” in The New York Times in November 2008. “This region runs on cars. The auto industry is in our blood,” Zimmann said. Ashford thanked Obama for the courage he displayed in handling the bailout, crediting it with saving

1.4 million jobs. Redfern said, “Mitt Romney bet against Ohio’s auto workers, trying to please the right wing of his party.” “Let me be clear — Mitt Romney would have let Jeep die,” he said. Rothenbuhler said he was turned away from the Romney rally and told the event was invitation-only. The chairman said he was not surprised that he wasn’t allowed in, a common move when a candidate considers an area “enemy territory.” ✯

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■ A11

Santorum stresses ‘positive message’ at Perrysburg rally By Caitlin McGlade TOLEDO FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER cmcglade@toledofreepress.com

As Republicans cast their votes just north of the state line, a confident Rick Santorum delivered a speech to at least 700 of his supporters on the Ohio side. Much of the crowd, all squeezed into a conference room at the Holiday Inn French Quarter in Perrysburg, had waited for that moment for more than two hours, arriving at 9:30 a.m. or earlier on Feb. 28 for the 11:30 a.m. appearance. Samuel Wurzelbacher — better known as “Joe the Plumber” — and his opponent for the District 9 primary Steve Kraus attended. Neither would endorse a presidential candidate. As they waited, many of the Santorum supporters said “family values” and “Christian beliefs” drew them to the candidate. Santorum began his speech by echoing just that. He introduced his son John and his spouse Karen, a former nurse and lawyer and now author. “To show you the kind of person she is, she walked away from that professional career to be at home with our children and at the same time she wrote two books,” Santorum said. His audience cheered. Santorum spoke about improving the economy by breaking down government regulation, reducing energy prices by building the Keystone Pipeline and reducing the federal deficit. “We’ve been out here on the campaign trail with a positive message,” Santorum said in the beginning of his speech. “On how we’re going to rebuild our economy so that everyone in America has the opportunity to get a good-paying job and rise in society.” He recently called President Barack Obama a snob for wishing all American children could attend college. At the rally, he said our society needs higher education but that we should not snub those who do not get degrees. Manufacturing, he said, is a vital way of creating wealth. Bolstering the manufacturing industry is difficult with the present tax code, he said. Corporations that have moved offshore have done so as a result of a “punitive” legislative environment and high corporate taxes, he added. If he became president, Santorum said, he would lure off shore companies home by not taxing what they bring back to their plants. A big portion of inviting commerce relies on deregulation, he said. “I haven’t talked to a business person who isn’t worried about what the government is going to do to them next. From day one, I will repeal every single one of Obama’s major regulations,” he said. This includes environmental regulations. He criticized clean air regulation for shutting down power plants and Obama’s administration and the Environmental Protection Agency for raising concerns about fracking. He referred to climate change as a political agenda, claiming that Obama has relied on “junk science” in making decisions about environmental protection and businesses. “He puts radical ideology before taking care of the needs and wants of the American people,” Santorum said. The climate is changing, according to the National Academy of Sciences, which is a private, nonprofit group of experts in science and engineering research. Measurements of rising surface air temperatures, ocean temperatures, increasing sea levels and retreating glaciers indicate this change, according to the society’s report. Human activity, the report continues, is causing the presence of

TOLEDO FREE PRESS PHOTO BY JOSEPH HERR

MARCH 4, 2012

■

RICK SANTORUM AT THE FEB. 28 PERRYSBURG RALLY.

greenhouse gases to rise. Carbon dioxide levels have been recorded at the highest levels in the planet’s history. Santorum cited the budget as another problem. He said he would make sweeping budget cuts but he would not cut defense. A recent round of defense spending cuts have weakened the strength of the nation and “keeping America strong” requires a new president, he said. The crowd erupted in applause and cheers. Some people started chanting “USA! USA! USA!” After dealing Obama a heavy hand of criticism, Santorum turned to opponent Mitt Romney. He told his audience that “Romneycare,” Massachusetts’ health care reform that predated the national health care overhaul, required more mandates than Obama’s. “We need someone who has a little sharper contrast than that,” he said. He ended his speech by reminding his listeners about the beginnings of the U.S. He said the founders won the revolution because the other side didn’t “have the heart of America.” This includes faith and belief in the people rather than relying on the government, he said. He claimed that now is the time to defend “honor” and “freedom” for his supporters’ children’s and grandchildren’s sakes. “Do you really want to explain to them what you were doing when America’s freedom was lost?” he asked. Santorum did not dwell on his staunch stance against abortion during his speech, but 43-year-old Annette Snyder of Delta said his anti-abortion voting record is a draw. She drove from Delta with her six children — who range in age from pre-toddler to 17 — to support Santorum. She said she has watched his career since the 1990s and has always thought he’d make a good presidential candidate. Voting for Santorum is the best choice, she said, because he is a true conservative. Romney’s more moderate past irks her. “Where I come from, there’s no such thing as a moderate,” she said. “You’re either a conservative or a liberal. To be a moderate, you have to sell that piece of your soul.” Toledoans Linda Simmers and Denny Oliver, who waited a little farther down the line from Snyder, both said they think Romney is a liberal. They had originally supported Herman Cain, they said. Santorum was the next best thing. “It seemed like [Romney] had his finger up to see which way the wind blows,” Simmers said. ✯

DECISION 2012

A12 ■ TOLEDO FREE PRESS

MARCH 4, 2012

Green Party fields two candidates Recorder candidates make By Caitlin McGlade TOLEDO FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER cmcglade@toledofreepress.com

Running for any seat in the Green Party is more like an obstacle course than a race. First, you need to gather signatures to appear on the ballot. That number depends on what the desired seat is, but for the U.S. Senate election you’d need at least 500. (Major parties need at least 1,000.) If anyone signed a petition in a county where they are not registered, they don’t count. Current and previous addresses rule others out. And if some print their names rather than signing it, their names are disqualified, too. “What most people don’t realize when you’re a minor party is that every election cycle, you’re under a threat because the two major parties don’t want us to RIOS participate,” said Anita Rios, co-chair of the Green Party of Ohio and one of the candidates for U.S. Senate. She and Bowling Green resident Joe DeMare know this all too well. An active member of the Green Party since the 1980s, DeMare collected 652 signatures but 200 were disqualified. The Lucas County Board of Elections rejected 64 out of the 220 signatures he had collected in Lucas County, often because people printed their names or because their signature did not look like the one on county files. Having a contested primary is a party-building exercise intended to drum up interest for the party. Rios is not campaigning and said she thinks it might have been best if DeMare ran unopposed. The upcoming election represents one of the first since Secretary of State Jon Husted issued a directive in November allowing the Green Party ballot access. In 2006, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled unconstitutional laws that made minor parties ad-

here to harsher to standards to get on the ballot. The Libertarian Party challenged the law again just two years later, after the Ohio General Assembly failed to take action to establish ballot access standards. The Southern District Court in Ohio ruled that the state had to place the Libertarian Party on the 2008 general election ballot for Ohio, according to court records. This left out the Green Party, but Husted’s directive in November was a green light. DeMare has since been juggling his job as a machinist at an industrial ceramics plant, networking with Green Party activists in counties across the state and making door-to-door visits. The party relies on grassroots democracy — which means decentralizing — so keeping track of the number of volunteers he has is difficult. DeMare volunteered for President Barack Obama’s campaign, but he said both major parties are guilty of war and wreaking havoc on the environment. Rios said both parties are guilty of holding down the poor. “One will tell us to our faces that they don’t care about the poor, but the other doesn’t,” she said. “The Democrats play good cop, bad cop and I’m done with it.” She’s referencing presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s comments about not worrying about the poor, in comparison to welfare reform that Former Democratic President Bill Clinton oversaw. DeMare is also frustrated with environmental and war policies. While some Republican primary candidates for the Senate seat are calling to defund the Environmental Protection Agency, DeMare wants tougher restrictions. “I think that’s insane,” DeMare said, of abolishing the EPA. “At a time when Lake Erie’s $7 billion dollar fishing industry is threatened, the idea that you can get rid of regulations [is insane].” He and Rios have been vocal opponents of nuclear energy, both organizing people against First Energy’s Davis Besse. DeMare said he also wants to take a stand against activities like online hunting and end

nuclear power altogether. Rios said everyone is responsible for improving the environment, and we could start by riding bicycles. The problem is that city infrastructures across the country tend to make walking or biking unfeasible. “Try to take a walk in the Westgate area and find the sidewalks,” she said. “Find the sidewalks in Sylvania — they’re not there.” But DeMare’s No. 1 priority is preventing war in Iran. If he is elected, he said he’d filibuster the senate floor to get politicians to listen. The Iraq and Afghanistan wars have been taxing enough, he said. “I don’t care if Iran fills in the Strait of Hormuz with cement, we’re not going down that path again,” he said. And as for taxes? DeMare couldn’t oppose his Republican counterparts any more. He said he wants to DeMARE tax billionaires out of existence. The Green Party hit its peak in 2000 and has since took a dip, but Rios said the party is starting to pick up again. She ran for Toledo City Council against Paula HicksHudson in 2011 and lost with about 29 percent of the vote. She plans to run for another local office soon. She said she’d like to run for county commissioner but she’s not sure what seat she would aim for yet. One of her major commitments if elected, as it was during her City Council campaign, is to devote part of her salary to interns with the goal to include and educate young people in the political system. She said the two majors parties hold the spotlights not because of a voter interest in minor parties but because the major networks do not present the alternative voices. “I don’t think it’s the average American that are the problem,” she said. “I can listen to (news) all day and hear the same stories. You’re going to find the most inane crap and you’ll get a narrow representation.” ✯

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

Three candidates for Lucas County Recorder gathered at West Toledo Branch Library on Feb. 27 to talk about why voters should choose them for the position. Kevin Eff, a Democrat and private practice attorney, touted his first 90-day plan while George Sarantou, a Republican and Toledo City Councilman, and James EFF Seaman, a Democrat and Oregon City Councilman, lauded their own experience. Candidate and Toledo City Councilman Phil Copeland, a Democrat, did not attend. SARANTOU The recorder’s office is entrusted with indexing and maintaining land records such as deeds, liens and mortgages in addition to military records. Sarantou is SEAMAN the only Republican on the March 6 primary ballot for the position. The three Democrats will run to see who faces him in the fall. The forum, hosted by the conservative activist group The Children of Liberty, included a presentation by current Recorder Jeanine Perry. Eff was the first candidate to speak, highlighting his experience working with 20 area recorders’ offices as an attorney. “I’m the only person in this race who has used the Lucas County Recorder’s Office on a regular basis,” he said. He outlined his first-90-daysin-office plan. Although he said Perry has done a “marvelous job,” he added that there’s “room to improve. You can always do better.” Eff said he found two indexing errors that had resulted from misspellings on docu-

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ments in January 2011. To ensure accuracy, Eff said he would add “extra redundancies” to the system. He would also seek grants to hire additional staff, set a timeline for digitizing records created before 1985 and form a volunteer committee to identify ways to run the office more efficiently. In addition, he said he would work with a thinktank like the University of Toledo Urban Affairs Center to determine whether the recorder should function as an elected position. Eff referred to Sarantou and Seaman as career politicians, something they disputed. Sarantou called himself a “parttime public official.” “[Council] is a part-time position, but I’ve made it into a full-time position,” he added. He said he has nearperfect attendance of City Council meetings during his 11 years in office. “There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t spend hours working on city business,” the at-large councilman and finance committee chairman said. Sarantou also cited his 30-year stint in the financial industry with Brennan Financial, dealing with many documents. Seaman, the council finance committee chairman in Oregon, said he was raised in Fremont, but was “attracted to the fine city of Toledo” when he attended UT. Seaman has served as a school psychologist and Council member since the late ’80s. “I’ve worked with people that needed help my whole career,” he said. He also took issue with being called a career politician, citing his $9,000-a-year salary as councilman and calling himself a “public servant.” Seaman touted Oregon’s balanced budget and the fact that the city has not cut health benefits as a result of the city’s “rainy-day fund.” The former Council president also said the military papers the recorder’s office deals with are especially important. “If we can’t do that right, I don’t know what this country’s coming to,” he said. ✯

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Leadership Toledo: Challenge, lead, connect, grow, serve

or the more than 1,900 Leadership Toledo graduates, these five powerful words best define the experiences shared throughout our 32year history of inspiring community volunteerism and expanding awareness of community issues. Leadership Toledo graduates represent both this community’s veteran and young leaders of today. These individuals pursued the opportunity to join our programs because they were aware of the pivotal role we play in fostering leadership and development for Greater Toledo residents. We are not a new kid on the block — our roots date back to 1976 when Trinity Episcopal Church created a series of forums on issues facing the Downtown community. The success of those forums led to the creation of ToledoScape, which in 1982 was reorganized into Leadership Toledo (LT), a free-standing nonprofit organization. After 15 years of successfully educating adults, our trustees thought that if our program is great for adults, why not have one for youth? Thus Youth Leadership Toledo (YLT) was created in 1997 to challenge high school sophomores throughout the Greater

If you were asked to define the Toledo region to realize what their leadership roles and responsibilities word leader, would your mind auare and how to impact their schools tomatically default to names like Martin Luther King Jr., Abraham and communities. Lincoln and Gandhi? Or In 1998, the Toledo are you fortunate, like Community Foundame, to recall examples tion selected LT to esof leadership that exist tablish and operate a not just in history books youth philanthropy but in corporations and program. Youth In Phischools right here in the lanthropy Encouraging Toledo area? Excellence (YIPEE) was When I am asked born and helps high to defi ne leadership, I school juniors and sethink of a member of niors establish a lifelong one of our earliest Youth commitment to leaderDave Leadership Toledo ship, volunteerism and SCHLAUDECKER classes who took what philanthropy. Today, he had learned during YIPEE is acknowledged as one of the most successful youth our programs and started a youth philanthropy programs in the nation. philanthropy organization while atOur newest program, Students tending Harvard University. He has In Action, is a partnership with the grown signifi cantly since his high national Jefferson Awards for Public school years and has returned to the Service. These awards help pass Greater Toledo community where he the tradition of service and volun- stays connected as a board member teerism to the next generation of for several local organizations. I think, too, of another Youth young Americans by bringing recognition to ordinary students who Leadership Toledo graduate whose are doing extraordinary things. Our commitment to service and her philprograms impact every high school anthropic endeavors gained her leadership of her professional fraternity. in the region.

She continues to serve as a law student at The University of Toledo. I also recall a recent graduate of our adult program who accepted the challenge to help transform a troubled local agency into one of effi ciency and stability. It is diffi cult to limit the number of examples because there are so many and each is as impressive as the next. Leadership Toledo, thanks to the accomplishments of so many, is no longer one of the best-kept secrets in town. Even for those who have not graduated from our programs, recent eff orts like Restaurant Week Toledo have helped increase the community’s awareness of the organization. Challenge. Lead. Connect. Grow. Serve. That defi nes Leadership Toledo and that is how we lead community involvement. The question now is, do you want the experience? Applications to join the 2013 Leadership Toledo class are now being accepted. The form can be completed at www. leadershiptoledo.org or by calling the office at (419) 241-7371. ✯ Dave Schlaudecker is executive director of Leadership Toledo and a 2002 graduate of the program. Contact him at dave@leadershiptoledo.org.

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Leadership Toledo, thanks to the accomplishments of so many, is no longer one of the best-kept secrets in town. Even for those who have not graduated from our programs, recent efforts like Restaurant Week Toledo have helped increase the community’s awareness of the organization. ”

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

Since he was young, Jacob Brehmer has dreamed of graduating from West Point military academy. “I always wanted to be in the military and once I found out about West Point, I decided my goal in life was to attend,” Brehmer said. BREHMER The Swanton High School senior was disappointed recently to learn he had not been accepted into the Army’s prestigious military academy, but the 18-year-old credits his participation in Leadership Toledo’s (LT) youth programs for not letting the setback derail him. “I came up short, but Leadership Toledo helped prepare me for life and taught me not just to have one option, but to have multiple options,” Brehmer said. “I was upset, but I just took the one day and mourned my loss. I’m hoping

to get an ROTC scholarship, go to college for one year and reapply next year.” Brehmer was scheduled to be a featured speaker at Leadership Toledo’s annual fundraising breakfast March 2. The event, which raises money for the local nonprofit’s youth programs, was expected to draw more than 600 community leaders. Also scheduled to speak was Jim Witt, superintendent of Lake Local Schools. The formative experience for Brehmer came during his sophomore year, as his group struggled to develop a service project as part of the nine-month Youth Leadership Toledo (YLT) program. “Our first idea did not work at all. We went down to the third and fourth ideas, trying to come up with one idea that is going to succeed,” Brehmer said. “It’s not necessarily your first option that is going to succeed. I learned that through Leadership Toledo. You always need a backup plan. I didn’t put all my eggs into the basket for West Point, so just in case it didn’t work out I wasn’t set up for failure.” ■ LEADERSHIP CONTINUES ON A17

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Leadership Toledo programs have far-reaching impact

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Four programs Leadership Toledo operates one program for adults and three for youth. The adult program is a nine-month curriculum that hones leadership, teamwork and problem-solving skills with an emphasis on exploring and resolving community issues. Since 1980, 1,299 adults have passed through the program. This year’s class has 52 participants representing 46 organizations and working

on projects with eight nonprofits. Youth Leadership Toledo offers a similar curriculum to high school sophomores. YLT has graduated 645 students since 1998. This year’s class has 52 participants representing 30 schools and working on seven service projects. Youth in Philanthropy Encouraging Excellence (YIPEE) is a program for high school juniors and seniors who are graduates of YLT. Forty students from 23 schools

have spent the school year identifying issues, raising money and donating it to local nonprofits. Last year, the program granted $17,500 to 12 organizations and contributed more than 1,400 volunteer hours. Students in Action, a component of the national Jefferson Awards for Public Service program, promotes and recognizes volunteerism among high school students. The program has grown from four pilot schools in 2009 to 24 schools.

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Culture of service Witt said Students in Action has changed the culture at Lake High School. The school was a 2011 national finalist for Outstanding Chapter. “There’s no question Students in Action has been positive for our kids,” Witt said. “Lake High School in WITT the old days used to be about academics, sports, music and art — the everyday staples of high school life. Now service is part of that equation and as much a part of the fabric of everyday life as those other areas are. It’s just opened their eyes to a whole new realm of helping others.” Students meet weekly to plan service projects. Last year, students from Lake, whose school was hit by a tornado in 2010, helped Findlay residents clean up after a flood. “We thought it was our chance to do something good for another community as others had done for us,” Witt said. “After the tornado, our kids realized they could never pay back the deeds that were done to help us, so they adopted an attitude of paying forward.”

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League of Toledo and director of major gifts at Lourdes University. Meyer also enjoyed interacting with students in the youth programs. “We had an opportunity to be exposed to the youth going through youth class at the time, which was a natural mentorship opportunity and a great opportunity to see our future leaders and be inspired,” Meyer said.

Like father, like daughter

Rob Loeb of Toledo, senior vice president and fi nancial planner for global money management firm UBS Financial Services, graduated from Leadership Toledo in 1998 and has served as LT board president. “It blew away all expectations I had of the program,” Loeb said. “I wish every adult could have the opportunity to go through it and every kid in high school could have the opportunity to go through it. It gives you a great sense of optimism about the future of our city and how many opportunities there are for us to be even greater. “One of the greatest things about Leadership Toledo is it gives you perspective on what’s happening in and around Toledo. You get to learn about the past and the history of Toledo, how you can make a difference in the present and it helps you broaden your ‘More effective leader’ perspective as you look to the future. Tyler Weilacher of Sylvania, a Key- It stays with you for a long, long time.” Loeb’s 15-year-old daughter, Torey Bank branch manager and a member of this year’s Leadership Toledo class, Loeb, a sophomore at Notre Dame said the program has made him a Academy, is a member of this year’s Youth Leadership Toledo class and more effective leader. “When I first started with Leader- said she’s glad she took her dad’s adship Toledo I thought I was a leader, vice to apply. “I got to meet new people from all but I wasn’t,” Weilacher said. “Leading doesn’t mean telling everyone what over the area from different schools to do. Leading means being a team and also develop important life player, taking everyone’s information skills, lessons they don’t teach you in and figuring out how to lead them the school, lessons for the future, like inbest way possible. I’ve learned that terviewing, public speaking, etiquette and time management skills,” Torey through Leadership Toledo.” Th e program has also opened said. “We also did some community his eyes to needs and opportunities service, like went to a soup kitchen. That puts things in perspective.” around him, Weilacher said. “Working full time and raising a family, you get insulated in your ‘Found passion’ own little bubble and you don’t rePerrysburg High School seally see the history of the city and nior Lauren Diehl, a YLT graduate, the rich background that we have,” member of YIPEE and a student Weilacher said. “You don’t see how member of LT’s board of trustees, many needs there really are in the helped plan the breakfast. community or how many opporShe said Leadership Toledo’s youth tunities there are to help. You hear programs have stoked her interest in about the bad, but you don’t always community service. see all the rich, wonderful things “I found my passion for helping happening day-in and day-out in others through Leadership Toledo our community. That’s what Lead- with service projects and fundraising ership Toledo has done for me.” with YIPEE and serving on the board of trustees,” Diehl wrote in an email. “I Networking would not be the same person today Aileen Meyer of Waterville, a 2010 without Leadership Toledo. It is truly Leadership Toledo graduate, said the a blessing!” For more information, visit www. networking opportunities have been invaluable as president of the Junior leadershiptoledo.org. ✯

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MARCH 4, 2012

A VIEW FROM THE GULCH

everal times during the past couple of weeks I have heard pundits, politicians and various journalists explain that the reason gasoline prices are so high is because of greedy speculators. Bill O’Reilly has ranted about the speculators in oil several times lately and feels that it is his moral duty to look out for the

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Those evil speculators “folks” and personally do what it takes to get the price of gasoline down to what he thinks is a reasonable level. Let’s first define what a speculator is. A person who speculates on the price of oil will purchase oil now for a future delivery or promise to deliver oil in the future. In both cases the speculator has no intention of taking

delivery of the oil or of delivering it in the future. He is hoping to go to the opposite side of the contract before the delivery date comes around. The thought process is that the price of oil will move in the direction most favorable to the speculator before the end of the contract. So if I decide to purchase oil now for future delivery,

I think that the price will go up in the future and I lock in my price now. If the price does increase before the delivery date I can unwind the contract and make a profit. If, however, the price goes down in the future then I lose money on the contract. If I promise to deliver oil in the future at today’s price then I am hoping that the price of oil will go down before I have to deliver it and I can fulfill the contract at a cheaper price than I sold it for. If it does, then I make money. If the price of oil goes up in the future, I lose money. In all of these circumstances there is always another person on the opposite side of the contract who believes he is right and I am wrong. Meaning that for every evil speculator betting the price of oil is going to go up, there is another evil speculator betting in the opposite direction. It always has to be a Gary L. zero sum game. The other type of speculators are called hedgers. These are people who have the commodity in their possession, will have it soon or who will need the commodity in the future and want to lock in a price today. For example, an airline company may need to purchase a million gallons of jet fuel for their flights next month. Thinking that the price of jet fuel is going to go up, and not knowing how much, they speculate or “hedge” their purchase today and gain a predictable price for next month. If the price of jet fuel goes up they make money by the fact that they locked in at a lower price. If the price of jet fuel goes down they can

purchase at the higher price, roll the contract forward for a price or back out of the contract altogether. Farmers work the same way. They will speculate on the price of their crops that will be harvested in the fall and lock in a price in the spring. They essentially sell their crop before they harvest and know what their profit is going to be. Most major industries that use commodities in their business speculate on both sides of the transaction to make prices and profits more predictable. Without the speculators that are not manufacturers or farmers, there would be very little liquidity to all of the contracts that are bought and sold. Eliminating this process will dry up the liquidity and send the commodities markets overseas where they are appreciated. As one of those specRATHBUN ulators and hedgers, I take umbrage that I am evil and greedy. I want to make money for my clients by taking advantage of the tools and techniques available in the marketplace. By the way, they also pay taxes on the gains in all of these transactions. ✯ Gary L. Rathbun is the president and CEO of Private Wealth Consultants, LTD. He can be heard every day at 4:06 p.m. on “After the Bell with Brian Wilson and the Afternoon Drive” and every Wednesday and Thursday at 6 p.m. throughout Northern Ohio on “Eye on Your Money.” He can be reached at (419) 842-0334 or email him at garyrathbun@ privatewealthconsultants.com.

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MARCH 4, 2012

TREECE BLOG

The danger of fixed annuities T

he financial crisis that hit the global economy in 2008 was not anticipated by many brokers and investment advisers, and the ramifications were predicted by even fewer. Since 2008 many advisers have been asking “What is going to be the next Black Swan?” After all, it is not the truck we see coming that hits us. In my opinion, fixed annuities are a product that many investors need to keep an eye on in the coming years. After the catastrophe in 2008 many market participants fled equities for safer investments. Some bought bank CDs, some government bonds, and some just parked their money in cash and waited for a time that they felt comfortable to buy again. Another investment that was in high demand post-recession was fixed annuities. According to Reuters in September 2011, annuities were experiencing record sales due to pessimism in the markets and the lure of guaranteed returns. Most insurance companies and broker/dealers were more than happy to sell these products to customers, especially since they carry an 8-11 percent average commission. The entities issuing these annuities could not see into the future, or anticipate how the

their debtors are paying for the same recovery would play out. Since 2008 the Fed has pushed a money? Fixed annuities are facing policy of low interest rates, hoping the same conundrum. If a purchaser of a fixed annuity is to keep money cheap guaranteed 3.5 percent enough to encourage after 10 years, but the borrowing by households insurance company is and small businesses. not able to earn more Many insurance compathan 3.5 percent on that nies and brokers thought money, how long can that interest rates had hit that mode of business the bottom and that there sustain? Readers may was no way that they find it far-fetched that could go any lower, but one could not earn 3.5 rates have in fact been Ben TREECE percent over a decade, pushed even lower since but consider that as of 2008 and Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke has said that the Fed November 2011 the DJIA was at the plans to keep rates at low levels for “an exact same level that it was in January 2000. If institutions selling annuities extended period of time.” Let’s use the banking system as cannot make up the amount owed to an analogy in this situation. Let’s annuity purchasers, they will have to imagine hypothetically that I pur- cover that deficit with cash reserves chase a 10-year CD earning 6 per- or other profits. This idea may not be as far out cent (I am well aware this is above the current CD rates, but let’s play there as some readers may think. pretend for a moment). Now the Recently an insurance company rebank from which I have purchased ported earnings in 2011 down 57 that CD decides to lend my money percent in 2011. Executives blamed to their customer at 4 percent. How losses on (of many things) having long can a business model continue to write down Greek debt holdings in which the lending institution owes 25 percent. However that amount a higher rate to the creditor than totaled only €65 million … where

did the other €583 million in losses go? It would make sense for this insurance company to try and pass off the losses on a current and relevant event such as the devaluation of Greek debt, instead of allowing investors and forecasters in on the fact that they might have a serious long-term problem. If this were to turn into a real situation, any institution selling annuities may be facing serious operating risks, and the purchasers of fixed annuities would be left out to dry. Insurance companies have an aura about them that implies safety and security, but we only need to go back to the early ’90s during the S&L crisis to see that even insurance companies can face financial prob-

lems, or even bankruptcy (i.e. Executive Life Insurance Co.). The logic was correct to sell an in-demand product to a willing public, but if you cannot manage the debt properly, you will be bound to face major financial difficulties in the future. ✯ Ben Treece is a 2009 Graduate from the University of Miami (FL), BBA International Finance and Marketing. He is a discretionary money manager with Treece Investment Advisory Corp (www.TreeceInvestments.com) and a stockbroker licensed with FINRA, working for Treece Financial Services Corp. The above information is the express opinion of Ben Treece and should not be construed as investment advice or used without outside verification.

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MARCH 4, 2012

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Young singer-songwriter Kenzi aims for stardom By Jeff McGinnis

The City of Toledo announces the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) formerly known as the Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) in partnership with the Toledo-Lucas County Homelessness Board (TLCHB), the Department of Neighborhoods will form a Centralized Intake for the following eligible categories and services: Homeless Prevention Assistance Rapid Re-Housing Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) Administration Interested nonprofit agencies and development groups are welcome to make application for eligible activities through this competitive process. MANDATORY MEETING for all interested applicants will be held on Tuesday, June 12, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. United Way of Greater Toledo 424 Jackson Street Toledo, OH 43604 (Room A)

Funds to be released JANUARY 1, 2013 _______________________________________________________ For additional information, contact: Brenda J. Oliver, Administrative Analyst IV Department of Neighborhoods @ 419 245-1400

TOLEDO FREE PRESS STAR POP CULTURE EDITOR PopGoesJeff@gmail.com

The song is named “Down To An Art.” A country/pop tune, it has a light and bouncy beat with a little sting of brass. The singer — Kenzi is her name — has a solid voice which carries both youth and a feel of worldly experience. Her voice is the backbone of the track. The tune would not feel out of place on any modern country station, and indeed, that’s where it is — “Down To An Art” is currently getting play on Fox stations nationwide. And its singer would fit right in with current songsters like Carrie Underwood. That is also appropriate, since Kenzi has considered Underwood one of her heroes since she started branching into pop music when she was 12. Three years ago. That’s right, the voice behind “Art” is only 15 years old — 16 in a few more days — but already, Kenzi O’Connor’s ability as a performer shines through as she aims for stardom. Kenzi — calling from her home in South Florida — said that she’s understood for years that music was going to be a big part of her life. “I’ve known forever, but I grew up in a relatively musical family, and we were introduced to music at a young age,” Kenzi said. “We were forced to play piano when we were little,” she said with a laugh. “We were immersed in all musical aspects since we were really young, and I just grew to love voice in particular.” Kenzi’s mother, Toledo native Jennifer O’Connor, said her passion for performance was clear even from some of her earliest days. “I think even as early as 2 years of age, my grandmother, who was very dear to me and to Kenzi, said from the get-go — I mean, she used to put her up on a stool in this diner in Golconda, Ill ... and she would make Kenzi sing ‘Jesus Loves Me,’ and songs from ‘Annie,’” Jennifer said. “And this kid would just stand up there, and Kenzi’s a relatively shy person by nature, and sort of quiet and very introspective. But when she gets up to sing, I mean, even as young as like 2 or 3, she would just beam. And my grandmother used to say, ‘There’s just something special about her voice’.” Kenzi’s first real passion was musical theater, following somewhat in her mother’s footsteps — Jennifer trained in classical singing in college. “It wasn’t until she was about 11 years old that she really started begging, ‘Please, Mom, can I have voice lessons?’ And I said, ‘Kenz, it’s a little early, keep playing the piano,’” Jennifer said with a laugh. Both mother and daughter insist that this isn’t some old show business cliché — Jennifer hasn’t been pressuring Kenzi to follow dreams that aren’t her own. “If anything, she tried to shelter me away from the business, because she didn’t want to see me get hurt or anything,” Kenzi said. Kenzi’s efforts to make a name for herself led

KENZI her to audition for numerous talent shows and so forth — and it was at one of those where she was discovered by music manager Jason Davis. “Davis has really been the one who launched her, who took an interest and said, ‘Let’s develop this kid.’ And we have a sort-of strategy — the strategy changes as things change — but basically it’s building a bubble, attracting people to it and seeing what sticks,” Jennifer said. Davis provided connections to many in the music business, including Keith Follese, a songwriter with numerous chart-toppers to his credit. Follese soon began co-writing songs with Kenzi and recording tracks with her in Nashville, including “Down To An Art.” Kenzi said that while her lyrics are not strictly autobiographical, she does take advantage of her ability to emotionally connect with an audience through her music. And as Kenzi stands before a bright but uncertain future, she is sure of one thing above all —that no matter what happens, music will always be a part of her. “Even if this doesn’t work out, I think I will continue to pursue music until I can no longer pursue it,” she said, adding that she’s still pursuing higher education, as well. “I’m interested in the sciences and medicine, that I’d also like to work with. But on the side, I think I’d still continue singing no matter what.” “Down To An Art” and other songs by Kenzi are available on iTunes. For more information, visit www.kenzilive.com. ✯

A22 ■ TOLEDO FREE PRESS

ARTS LIFE

MARCH 4, 2012

WAR OF 1812 BICENTENNIAL

Fearlessness on display during War of 1812 H

As they raced on horseback toave you ever feared for your life? I have. It happens every ward one of the gates, a band of five time I climb past the fifth chiefs happened to be coming around rung of a ladder. Or when a stray dog the corner of the fort waving a truce charges as I’m walking mine. And do flag. What uncanny timing! The gate I need to say anything more than the was opening for them to discuss peace word “snake”? Now, when I tell you, between the two forces when Oliver ashamedly so, that I never volunteered galloped into the scene. His yells and for military service, are you surprised? charge caused the Indian delegation There are enough irrational and real to turn and flee, suspecting Oliver threats to my life that I don’t feel the was merely the advance line of more need to seek out more. But some of troops. Oliver delivered his message of the approaching reyou do, and thank God inforcements to the for you! None are more American defenders admired than military and fought alongside personnel, who seem to these re-energized deliberately taunt death. I men. In five days Harsincerely salute all of you, rison arrived and dismy son among you, for a patched the enemy. mindset worthy of being Nine months later, aspired to. Oliver found himself This fearlessness is in Harrison’s newly inherent to all military constructed Fort organizations and it Frank KURON was quite evident during the War of Meigs, again under siege. This time 1812. Eventually, we’ll discuss several Harrison was troubled that reinchampions of this era, many who have forcements from Kentucky hadn’t slipped through the cracks of history. yet arrived. Recalling his daring acToday, let’s consider the heroics of one tions at Fort Wayne, Harrison called on Oliver to deliver a verbal message of them, William Oliver. Residing near Fort Wayne, Ind., to Gen. Green Clay, commander of when it was really just a small fort the approaching Kentuckians, urging enclosing a mere half-acre, Oliver him to hasten their arrival. Amidst a hail of gunfire and worked as a sutler, or trader, providing goods to the soldiers within. Unfor- cannonballs Oliver exited the fort, tunately, the lack of genuine defense outran Indian pursuers and followed provided by this post became acutely the Maumee River until he found evident as American Indians attacked Clay at Fort Winchester in Defiance. Message delivered, death duly it in August of 1812. While in Cincinnati buying goods cheated again, Oliver returned with for Fort Wayne, news of this assault a few Kentuckians whose arrival at triggered Oliver’s enlistment into the Fort Meigs stirred the spirits of its army which was assembling in the defenders. Clay hurried his troops area. He boldly requested Gen. Har- downriver and was instrumental in rison’s permission to lead an advance the protection of the fort. During his service in our area, Olgroup back to the fort to aid and encourage those meager troops to hold iver must have liked what he saw, for in out until reinforcements arrived. Har- 1817, just a couple years after the war, rison, knowing the danger, hesitantly he invested in property here. As a prinagreed, telling Oliver that he feared, cipal of a Cincinnati-based company, Oliver established the original town “he shall not see him again”. With 80 men, including such his- of Port Lawrence, now absorbed into toric notables as Johnny Logan and Toledo. In 1859, Oliver built what was future governor of Ohio, Thomas then considered the finest hotel in the Worthington, Oliver advanced north area — the Oliver House. Today, in the through the wilderness from Cincin- spirit of sutler Oliver, goods in the form nati to Piqua and on to St. Marys. of great food and drink can still be enWhen they came within 20 miles joyed in his former guesthouse. ✯ of Fort Wayne, it became obvious they were seriously outnumbered, so Bugle Call: Upcoming events only Oliver, Logan and two others ✯ Contrasting perspectives on the moved on hoping to more easily es- War of 1812 in Northwest Ohio will be cape notice. They found the fortress offered by lecturers Jamie Oxendine surrounded by hundreds of Indians. and Larry Nelson at 6:30 p.m. March Surely they would be shot down if they 2 in the Franciscan Center on the dared to gain entrance, but they dared Lourdes University campus in Sylvania. — that taunting death thing. Oxendine is the director of the Black

Swamp InterTribal Foundation and a respected Native American speaker. Nelson is a history professor at Bowling Green State University and previously served as site director for Fort Meigs. ✯ The Wolcott House Museum Guild is sponsoring free history lectures about our region every Thursday at 10 a.m. through March at the Maumee Branch Library auditorium. ✯ The Western Lake Erie Region during the War of 1812 will be the focus of the annual Friends of Pearson March Sunday Series, at 2

p.m. each week in Macomber Lodge at Pearson Metropark, according to a news release. The series begins March 4 with a presentation by Jeff Helmer, park ranger at Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial on South Bass Island. The monument commemorates the Battle of Lake Erie. On March 11, staff from Fort Meigs State Memorial in Perrysburg will discuss the battles that took place at the War of 1812 battlefield on the Maumee River. March 18, Daniel Downing, edu-

cation and operations chief at the River Raisin National Battlefield, will talk about the famous battle at that Monroe, Mich., battlefield. Local historian and author Larry Michaels will conclude the series with a presentation about Northwest Ohio’s best known explorer, Peter Navarre, who played a role in the war. Macomber Lodge, which was recently renovated, is on Navarre Avenue, east of Lallendorf Road. The entrance to the lodge is separate from the entrance to Pearson. ✯

ur Child Attends? Yo at th l o ho Sc e th se o o Do You Want to Ch Your Child May be Eligible for an EdChoice Scholarship to Attend a Private School of Your Choice. If your child attends an eligible Toledo Public School, he or she could qualify for an EdChoice scholarship up to $4,250 for elementary and $5,000 for high school. Enrollment dates are February 1 through April 13 for the 2012-2013 school year. For more information about eligibility and participating schools, call (419) 351-4852. Or visit edchoice.ohio.gov

SAVE THE

DATE!

Friday, April 20, 2012

7-11pm • The Blarney Bullpen 601 Monroe St. • Downtown Toledo Presenting Sponsor

Media Sponsor (print)

Print Sponsor

Platinum Sponsor: Tandem Creative

Music, food, drink, silent auction, fundraising and the “rock and sole” music of MoonDogs

Tickets: $30 per person/$50 per couple. Sponsorship opportunities also available. Contact Jan Aguilar at jana@hannahssocks.org or 419.260.1989 www.hannahssocks.org

ARTS LIFE

Way Library to screen romantic drama ‘Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison’ Way Library continues its classic movie series, Reel Talk, on March 8 with the 1957 film “Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison.” Set during World War II, a Marine sergeant played by Robert Mitchum and an Irish nun played by Deborah Kerr find themselves stranded on a Pacific island, hiding from Japanese troops who have a naval base there. The sergeant falls in love with the religious woman, which compels her to question her vows. The film is in Technicolor and was directed by John Huston. “Heaven Knows Mr. Allison” starts at 10 a.m. Admission and refreshments are free. The library is located at 101 E. Indiana Ave. in Perrysburg. For more information, call (419) 874-3135. ✯

Visit www.toledofreepress.com m

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PHOTO BY DREW REYNOLDS

MARCH 4, 2012

Upcoming Events at WCM! LENTEN SHRIMP AND FISH FRY 6th Annual!l! WCM LENTEN SHRIMP & FISH FRY every Friday during Lent.

March 16th 4-7 p.m March 17th 11-6 p.m. March 18th 11-Till it’s Gone!

$ 99

Jiggs Dinner

Also Available Irish Lamb Stew with Guinness Stout

It’s St. Paddy’s Day Week-End!

Hours: Mon-Sun 7 a.m.– 10 p.m.

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

BEER TASTING March 10th 11-4 p.m at our Maumee location J.W. Lees Harvest Ales 4 Different Barrel Aged Brews (Port, Sherry, Calvados & Lagavulin)

Celebrate with Walt Churchill’l’s M Market kt as Chef O’Bill and Chef O’Jerri carve over 400 lbs. of Corned Steamship Round of Beef with Potatoes, Cabbage & Carrots. Don’t Forget WCM Irish Soda Bread ! www.waltchurchillsmarket.com 3320 Briarﬁeld Bld., Maumee 26625 N. Dixie Hwy., Perrysburg 419.794.4000 >gddgo mk 419.872.6900 gf loall]j 8 oYdl[`mj[`addk

REVEREND HORTON HEAT WILL PLAY AT THE OMNI ON MARCH 14.

Reverend Horton Heat ready to fire up Toledo

• Two Pieces of Hand Breaded Pan Fried Cod with Sides for $6.99 • New This Year! 4 Pieces of Hand Breaded Deep Fried Large Shrimp with Sides for $9.99 • Both meals comes with WCM In-House Made Mac & Cheese and Creamy Coleslaw. • Every Friday during Lent from 4-6 p.m. at both locations

■

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

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Praise the retro-rockabilly twang and pass out the explosive craziness: Reverend Horton Heat is coming to town. The faithful know what to expect — a high-energy show with humorous revelations and instrumental devotions. For those unfamiliar with the trio’s musical ministry, say these song titles: “Psychobilly Freakout,” “Marijuana,” “Big Dwarf Rodeo,” “Oh God! Doesn’t Work in Vegas,” “Party Mad,” “Death Metal Guys,” “Callin’ in Twisted,” “Nurture My Pig!” There’s even a track that could be a public service announcement: “Please Don’t Take the Baby to the Liquor Store.” “Jimbo [Wallace, upright bass player] wrote the lyrics on that one,” said singer-songwriter-guitarist Jim Heath, aka Reverend Horton Heat. “I think he got the idea for it when he was going to the liquor store and taking his little boy there. They have shopping carts at this liquor store by his house, so he had the kid sitting in this shopping cart like they do when you go into a grocery store, [laughs] except he’s walking around a liquor store.” That song is from the 2009 disc, “Laughin’ & Cryin’ With the Reverend Horton Heat.” Formed in Dallas in 1985, the band’s first CD, “Smoke ’em If You Got ’em,” came out in 1990. “When I first started out with my songs, I think I got a lot of success off my lyrics because people could understand what I was saying. You know, ‘I was working on my farm in 1982/ Pulling up some corn and a little carrot, too,’ as opposed to a lyric like a lot of bands write,” Heath said, quoting lines from “Bales of Cocaine.”

“I think people understand when they hear a song where, you know, ‘She was a tree on a mountain afar, an island alone.’ It’s like, OK, what the hell are you saying?” he said and laughed. A fan of blues and honky tonk, Heath said it was a film that ignited his love for the 1950s. “The movie ‘American Graffiti’ really got my interest going in the whole bit — the hot rods, the coolness of the music,” he said during a call from his Texas home. “I was really drawn to the ’50s stuff. I love Chuck Berry, I love Jerry Lee Lewis and I love Elvis, Roy Orbison,” he said. “Then all of a sudden it was such a rockabilly thing, and then the rockabilly thing kind of started fusing with the punk rock. And I realized just how funny so much of the rock ’n’ roll and rockabilly stuff was — all these songs with titles like ‘Eager Beaver Baby’ — there was a humorous side to all the great rockabilly stuff. “It just made me realize that it’s a lyrical style that is really cool and an unheralded way of writing lyrics to have them be … zany and kind of off the wall.” Reverend Horton Heat — Heath, Wallace and drummer Paul Simmons — will play an all-ages show March 14 at the Omni, 2567 W. Bancroft St. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 the night of the concert. Larry and His Flask and The Goddamn Gallows will open. Playing down the street from the University of Toledo, it would be sacrilegious for the group not to play “Like a Rocket,” which was the official song of the Daytona 500 in 2002. Heath added, “‘The Big Red Rocket of Love’ is our main closing song and has been for years, and I guess we’ll probably do it again.” ✯

CLASSIFIED

A24 â&#x2013; TOLEDO FREE PRESS

COMMUNITY

EMPLOYMENT

PUBLIC NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

GENERAL

THE FOLLOWING STORAGE UNITS WILL BE SOLD AT PUBLIC AUCTION BY LOCK-IT-UP, LLC ON OR AFTER 3/20/12 AT LEONARDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S AUCTION SERVICE 6350 CONSEAR RD OTTAWA LAKE, MI RICHARD LEONARD AUCTIONEER.

A+ SELF STORAGE AT 1324 W. ALEXIS TOLEDO, OH 43612 WILL OFFER FOR PUBLIC SALE AT 3:30PM ON MARCH 27, 2012 THE FOLLOWING UNITS: Unit 430, Gregory Burch 1127 Camden Toledo, OH 43605: TV, Guitar, Storage Tubs; Unit 438, Lisa A. Moye P.O. Box #6781 Toledo, OHIO 43612: Boxes, Storage Tubs, Clothes; Unit 637, Stephen J Kuron 5829 Benelex Toledo, Ohio 43612: Rocking Chair, Toys, Boxes; Unit 817, Ashley M. Woodward 2723 Nash Rd. Toledo, OH 43613: Sofa, Recliner, Boxes; Unit 1023, Christina A. Pagareski 344 FairFax St. Erie, Michigan 48133: Fan, Boxes, Storage Tubs;; Cash and Removal. Call ahead to confirm: 419-476-1400

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Office Manager (+more) Wanted! Looking for an organized, lover-of-numbers w/a casual, optimistic personality for a F/T, long term, accounting position that incl. mgmt of many other aspects of the business. The right person will be a fast learner who handles stress well & can manage their own time w/o supervision. Exp. w/Quickbooks & Excel is preferred. Resumes to savannah@greatlakesscuttlebutt.com. Open interviews held Mar. 12â&#x20AC;&#x201C;16, 10-4pm at 7856 W Central Ave in Toledo.

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EMPLOYMENT

FOR SALE

EDUCATION

STAMP COLLECTION

THE OCEAN CORP. 10840 Rockley Road, Houston, Texas 77099. Train for a New Career. *Underwater Welder. Commercial Diver. *NDT/Weld Inspector. Job Placement Assistance. Financial Aid available for those who qualify. 1-800-321-0298. Toledo Free Press publishes classified ads and cannot be responsible for problems arising between parties placing or responding to ads in our paper. We strongly urge everyone to exercise caution when dealing with people, companies and organizations with whom you are not familiar.

EXTENSIVE STAMP COLLECTION of over 5000 stamps available. Dating back to the Civil War. US and foreign. Books, numbered blocks, special commemorates. Mint and cancelled. Many 40â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and 50â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. Serious inquiries only. Ask for Mark @ 419-866-5388. Will not break up collection.

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An information guide and workbook for HOME BUYERS! Call or email me for your copy.

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Mary Ann Stearns 419.345.0071 marstearns@bex.net

BAD CREDIT OR NO State Approved Career Education Program School Registration No. 08-08-1860T All real estate advertised in this paper is subject to the federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination based on race, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, in the sale, rental, or financing of housing. This Publisher will not knowingly accept any advertising that violates any applicable law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this paper are available on an equal opportunity basis. If you believe you have been discriminated against in connection with the sale, rental, or financing of housing, call the Toledo Fair Housing Center, (419) 243-6163.

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TV LISTINGS

MARCH 4, 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

March 4, 2012

MOVIES

9 am