2 more candidates seek District 1 council seat

6/16/2011

Two more candidates went public Wednesday with their interest in replacing Wilma Brown as the Toledo District 1 councilman.

Jason Schreiner, 30, of 3635 Torrance Drive, a Democrat who is a teacher and chairman of the social studies department at Whitmer High School, announced his candidacy during a news conference at Willys Park. And Toledo lawyer Tyrone Riley, 55, of 629 Searles Rd. made his announcement Wednesday in front of One Government Center.

Both are seeking the seat to be vacated by Ms. Brown, who is barred under the city's term limits from running again. They are among at least five people -- all Democrats -- who have signaled interest in running in the Sept. 13 primary. The top two finishers will face off in the Nov. 8 general election.

Others who previously took out petition forms to run for the District 1 seat are Delbra Blackshear, 651 Richards Rd.; Brandon Tucker, 27, of 2036 Upton Ave., and Aji Green, 35, of 2658 Merrimac Blvd.

The district has 48,440 residents living in the central city and parts of West and South Toledo.

Mr. Schreiner, a native Toledoan who graduated from Start High School and the University of Toledo, has lived on Torrance his whole life. He is vice president of the Washington Local teachers union and heads contract negotiations.

"As a councilman, I have to go out and talk to business leaders and entrepreneurs and ask them what it will take for them to do business here," Mr. Schreiner said. "We have to make sure we are a business-friendly city."

He said making sure there is funding for street repairs would be a priority for him if elected.

"Let's take care of the services we have to take care of," Mr. Schreiner said. "When times get better, maybe we can do more."

Mr. Riley, also a lifelong Toledoan, has been a lawyer for 25 years. He received his undergraduate degree in political science from Kent State University and a law degree from Southern University in Baton Rouge, La.

"I have lived in the district most of my entire life. … I worked in the Ohio House of Representatives as a legislative aide for years for former representative Casey Jones [and] my responsibility was to handle constituent issues and concerns," Mr. Riley said.

He said neighborhood economic development initiatives need to be expanded.

"There are too many abandoned houses, and it takes the city too long to demolish the houses," Mr. Riley added. "The longer they stay vacant, they attract crime, and I will encourage the city to reinvest in the neighborhoods … and also by strengthening Block Watch organizations, who are the eyes and ears of the neighborhoods, it would help to curb some of the crime that has taken place."

Both candidates said they support the campaign to repeal Senate Bill 5, a law passed by the Republican-controlled General Assembly and signed by Republican Gov. John Kasich to restrict the collective bargaining rights of public employee unions, including those that represent city of Toledo employees.

The terms for each of the six district Toledo councilmen expire at the end of the year.

District 3 Councilman Mike Craig, District 2 Councilman D. Michael Collins, District 6 Councilman Lindsay Webb, District 5 Councilman Tom Waniewski, and District 4 Councilman Paula Hicks-Hudson all intend to run for re-election.

Contact Ignazio Messina at: imessina@theblade.com or 419-724-6171.