LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Time for officials to work together

6/29/2014

As a lifelong East Toledo resident, I have seen my community neglected for several years (“Mayor tells East Toledo he’ll clean up city, or not run again,” June 26). There are vacant lots overgrown with weeds, abandoned industrial sites, and abandoned vehicles. Toledoans cannot tolerate these conditions any more.

The Marina District was thought to be something our community could count on to start a redevelopment effort. What has happened is far from it.

City Councilman Jack Ford is right: We need to address this situation now or continue to watch our city deteriorate. I hope the rest of our city’s elected officials are listening and are willing to join forces.

ROBERT McCLOSKEY

Valentine Street

Editor’s note: The writer is a former Toledo City Council member.

 

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Ford’s record as mayor questioned

Jack Ford’s term as Toledo’s mayor had its share of boondoggles. His administration gave lawn mowers to youths so that they would become entrepreneurs and cut the grass in the city’s vacant lots.

There are lots that are uncut. What happened to the lawn mowers?

JACK WILSON

Robinwood Avenue

Trashing of Hill uncalled for

Blade columnist Keith C. Burris’ trashing of Brenda Hill was disgraceful (“Board of Elections is no place for hacks,” commentary, June 24).

Ms. Hill is as far from a party hack as one can be. She was a public school teacher who ran for a Toledo Board of Education seat, won, and served as board president.

Ms. Hill is intelligent, kind, thoughtful, and humble. She became treasurer of the Lucas County Democratic Party because she has high integrity and doesn’t stoop to political infighting.

Mr. Burris, though, trashes her as a hack because she’s a Democratic Party treasurer, as if somehow her life and her service to the community don’t count for anything. That’s yellow journalism.

PETER SILVERMAN

Barrington Drive

Editor’s note: The writer is a former Toledo mayoral candidate, former president of the Toledo Board of Education, and former member of Toledo City Council.