Letters to the Editor
Will UAW support Gerken?
9/27/2013The chairman of the Lucas County Democratic Party says the party is snubbing Bob Vasquez for the Toledo school board, instead backing Polly Taylor-Gerken (“Lucas Co. Dems snub Vasquez for TPS board,” Sept. 20).
Isn’t this the same Polly Taylor-Gerken who, along with her husband, Pete, a county commissioner, leased/​purchased a foreign, non-UAW manufactured car?
I’m wondering whether the UAW is also going to back Polly Taylor-Gerken. If it does, I guess that tells its members it’s OK to buy a foreign car manufactured in the United States or overseas.
CLYDE APPLEBY
Ottawa Hills
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School levy to aid Northwood revival
Northwood has been hit hard the past few years, with long-time businesses leaving and few investments to better the community. We need to build a better environment for the future leaders of our town through our school system.
Ohio is offering Northwood the chance to bolster property values, regain leverage with local entrepreneurs, and provide a solid home for bigger businesses through funds for a new K-12 school. That will provide added technology and science labs to enable our future leaders to compete intellectually.
Northwood Local Schools is asking voters to approve a 4.9-mill property tax levy to help finance the local portion of the school project.
Northwood has been my home since my preadolescent years. I started and operate a business here. I hope the community increases our children’s opportunities by approving the levy to build a new school.
BEN BROWN
Northwood
Don’t build if new houses are vacant
In response to the Sept. 15 Readers’ Forum letter “New homes will rejuvenate Toledo”: What about the homes on Bancroft Street between Cherry and Franklin streets and others in our area that were built about 10 years ago? Most are empty and boarded up.
These houses should be taken care of before new ones are built. Have we learned nothing?
KATHLEEN JOHNSON
East Pearl Street
New area homes too pricey for us
The letter claims 40 new single-family homes will rejuvenate Toledo. The homes will cost $260,000 each.
The average selling price of all homes sold in Lucas County and northern Wood County last month was $129.000. Most of Toledo’s residents are financially unable to purchase a home that costs $260,000.
Of the 15 homes in the 2013 Parade of Homes, 10 have an advertised price of less then $260,000. One is selling for $120,900 and another is $134,900. All the parade homes are described as custom built.
That price range is affordable and fiscally responsible. The $10.4 million used for the 40-home project would build 86 $120,000 homes or 77 $134,900 homes.
BILL McKIMMY
Sylvania