Traffic cameras deserve a green light

4/24/2005

Nine bite-size Lemmon Drops to nibble on while waiting for Vonzell to prevail on American Idol:

  • After initial skepticism, I am sold on Toledo's red-light cameras. Given that accidents at targeted intersections have been reduced and the city's share of the fines last year came to $279,700, it's hard to give equal weight to the downside -- which would fall under the Big Brother umbrella.

    State Rep. Jim Raussen (R., Cincinnati) has introduced a bill that would prohibit the state and local governments from issuing tickets to drivers caught running a stoplight by a camera unless a police officer is present to hand it to them.

    It's 2005, Mr. Raussen. Let's take advantage of the technology. Police officers have plenty to keep them busy.

    (Just wondering: In Mr. Raussen's world, would bank customers be prohibited from using ATM cards -- unless a teller was there to hand them the money?)

  • If the $20 million redevelopment of the former Toledo Edison steam plant goes according to plan, Toledo Mayor Jack Ford should go on the roof of One Government Center and shout "I told you so!" to those who criticized the city for spending $300,000 in capital funds to help with construction.

    Thanks to the mayor's efforts, NBA player Jim Jackson is in a position to win with his first major development project. Ideally, a "victory" will lead to more skyline-altering development by Mr. Jackson's company.

  • If you have entered downtown via the Anthony Wayne Trail lately, you've probably noticed a banner above the multilane road promoting an upcoming event. Which prompted loyal reader Debbie to make this e-mail query: Does anyone else see the irony in Southwyck Shopping Center hosting a jobs fair?

  • A story about our record trade deficit had loyal reader John fuming: "America is becoming a big, hollow oak tree. It looks strong on the outside, but it has been hollowed out over time and is not nearly as strong as it appears."

  • How conservative is Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell? A reader quipped that if Mr. Blackwell, one of three high-profile Republicans running for governor in '06, doesn't receive the party's nomination, he's a shoo-in for the top spot on the Medieval Theocracy ticket.

  • I drove past Carty Finkbeiner's house the other day and could have swore I saw black smoke coming from his chimney. (I took that to mean he still hasn't made a decision about running for mayor.)

  • Toledo may not be the "elegant" city that Mr. Ford envisioned, but motivating more than 600 people to participate in a spring cleanup day -- in which 77 tons of refuse were deposited at landfills -- is pretty impressive.

  • Once upon a time, the "holiday season," which includes Christmas and New Year's Day, didn't start until Thanksgiving. Now, the launch date is closer to Halloween.

    Likewise, not so long ago Fourth of July celebrations were confined to July 3-4. So I guess we shouldn't be surprised that Bedford Township is holding its annual Independence Day Fireworks Extravaganza on June 24.

  • Pardon me if I find humor in the fact that Montana, which once symbolized "Marlboro Country," can pass a statewide smoking ban, becoming the 10th state to do so, yet politicians in Toledo's suburban communities won't even bring the subject up for public debate.