Shanahan outlines aims for possible council stint

Karen Shanahan has an arm around grandson Eoghan Shanahan, 5, as she speaks during a news conference at Heatherdowns Boulevard and Key Street on Thursday.

Two-time unsuccessful Toledo City Council candidate Karen Shanahan on Thursday reiterated her plans for the south end if she’s appointed to the soon-to-be vacated seat held by Mayor-elect D. Michael Collins.

“In South Toledo, we should be protected, paved, prepared, and preserved,” Ms. Shanahan said during a news conference in a shopping center at Key Street and Heatherdowns Boulevard.

“There are too many robberies and thefts in our neighborhoods ... I’m tired of driving on bumpy, pitted roads in South Toledo. Good infrastructure helps prevent damage, and it facilitates economic development.”

Ms. Shanahan, 67, of 3633 Denise Dr., said she would run for the District 2 council seat if appointed by council. If not, she will consider running for it in the May 6 election.

She and four other Democrats have applied for the Lucas County Democratic Party’s backing for the vacancy. Among them is at-large Councilman Adam Martinez, who narrowly lost his re-election bid last month. Mr. Martinez previously said he would not run for the seat because he would not have the time to devote to the job.

Also applying were Molly McHugh Branyan, 3526 Island Ave., who ran unsuccessfully in 2007; Matt Cherry, 1649 Carmelle Ct., a business agent for Sheet Metal Workers Local 33, and another man whose name Democratic party chairman Ron Rothenbuhler could not immediately recall.

The council seat will come open Jan. 2 when Mr. Collins is sworn in as mayor. The remaining 11 members of council could vote at that same meeting to select a replacement, but they have up to 30 days to make a choice. After that, the mayor can select the appointee.

Mr. Collins said he would not appoint a member if council is unable to reach a decision within the 30 days.

The party endorsement is typically an indication of who will be selected by the Democrat-dominated council.

Ms. Shanahan, who was the first candidate to apply to the party, ran in 2005 for an at-large seat and in 2007 for the District 2 seat that went to Mr. Collins.

She retired as a logistics professional at the Hub Group, arranging shipping for customers throughout the country. She is a native of Toledo’s old south end and is a graduate of Libbey High School. She and her husband, Herbert Rex Shanahan, Jr., have two grown children. Ms. Shanahan received her associate’s degree in transportation from the University of Toledo in 1995.

Also seeking the appointment and the seat, though not through the Democratic Party, is independent Marcia Helman, a business owner. She is backed by Republican at-large Councilman Rob Ludeman, who once held the District 2 seat that covers most of South Toledo.

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