Hicks-Hudson for Council

5/1/2011

Voters go to the polls on Tuesday in Toledo City Council’s District 4 to replace Michael Ashford, who was elected last year to the Ohio House of Representatives. Of the three candidates, incumbent PAULA HICKS-HUDSON has the background that would best serve district residents’ interests.

The Lucas County Democratic Party chose Ms. Hicks-Hudson to represent District 4 until Tuesday’s special election. Like her challengers, endorsed Republican Alfonso Narvaez and unendorsed Democrat Terry Shankland, she plans to run for a full term in November.

Ms. Hicks-Hudson was chief counsel to the Ohio Office of Management and Budget under former Gov. Ted Strickland. She has been an assistant county prosecutor, public defender, and director and deputy director of the county Board of Elections.

She sensibly calls for city government to work more closely with neighborhood groups to address issues such as abandoned homes and illegal trash dumping.

Mr. Narvaez and Mr. Shankland are also sincere in their desire to make District 4’s streets safer and bring businesses back to the city center. But Ms. Hicks-Hudson’s broader background in public service — including her council experience — gives her the edge. PAULA HICKS-HUDSON deserves the chance to continue to serve the residents of District 4.