11 request Democratic backing for council seat

5/6/2006

At least 11 people had applied to the Lucas County Democratic Party as of yesterday for an at-large vacancy on Toledo City Council.

But another battle may be brewing over the appointment between the A-team and B-team wings of the Democratic Party.

Domenic Montalto, the party's executive director, said the people who applied by yesterday's deadline were:

●Chuck Cassis, of 2635 Manchester Blvd.

●Christy Cole, of 3240 Glencairn Ave.

●Tim Kilcorse, of 4402 North Haven Rd.

●Adam Martinez, of 4509 Copper Creek Lane.

●Joe McNamara, of 4619 Cranbrook Drive.

●Tom Meinecke, of 3134 Parkwood Ave.

●Shelley Papenfuse, of 618 Winthrop St.

●Tom Roth, of 2424 Copland Blvd.

●Karen Shanahan, of 3633 Denise Drive.

●Terry Shankland, of 851 Islington St.

●Bob Wuest, of 2029 Mason St.

Mr. Montalto said he received a letter but no application from Bob Vasquez, of 2156 Plum Leaf Lane, the next-highest vote-getter after the six winners in the 2005 at-large city council race.

Mr. Vasquez was backed in the 2005 race by LucasCountyDemocrats.org, a splinter group that supported former Mayor Jack Ford's re-election effort, and which was affiliated with the A-team.

The party is now controlled by Democrats who backed Mayor Carty Finkbeiner, the B-team.

Mr. Montalto said he told Mr. Vasquez that if he didn't fill out an application he could not be considered by the party's screening committee.

Rob Ludeman, the president of council and a Republican, said he was not aware of any GOP candidates for the vacancy.

In addition, the clerk of council has received letters requesting the appointment from Mr. Vasquez and Larry Cicak, of 832 Lodge Ave.

The vacancy was created by the resignation last week of former Democratic Councilman Bob McCloskey. The appointee would hold the seat until the general election in November.

Mr. Montalto said the party's screening committee will interview the candidates next week and report a nominee to the executive committee.

Council is expected to vote to appoint a replacement for Mr. McCloskey on May 23. If council fails to act within 30 days, Mayor Finkbeiner would make the appointment.

Meanwhile, new suspense has crept into the outcome of the District 3 special election held on Tuesday.

As of yesterday, Mike Craig, an unendorsed Democrat, held a 12-vote lead over the endorsed Democrat, Councilman Taylor Balderas, according to unofficial results.

However, elections officials have identified 23 provisional ballots that will be added when the official vote count begins May 12.

In addition, Jill Kelly, Lucas County director of elections, said seven absentee ballots in District 3 have been ruled invalid.

Mr. Montalto also said 14 military absentee ballots are still outstanding.

Mr. Craig's margin of victory could be erased or extended by the final count of provisional and absentee ballots.

Megan Vahey, Mr. Craig's campaign adviser, said the campaign has hired Columbus election lawyer Don McTigue to monitor the vote-counting process.

Ms. Balderas has held the seat since January, when she was appointed to replace Mr. McCloskey, who had resigned the District 3 seat following his election in November to the at-large seat.

He resigned the at-large seat under pressure as a result of state and federal bribery charges.

Contact Tom Troy at:

tomtroy@theblade.com

or 419-724-6058.