Article published November 04, 2009
4 incumbents easily retain at-large seats
Veteran Ludeman, newcomer Martinez also win
By IGNAZIO MESSINA
BLADE STAFF WRITER
The four Toledo City Council incumbents seeking re-election easily retained their at-large seats and two challengers - a Democratic newcomer and a Republican who previously held office - won spots on council Tuesday night.
Council President Joe McNamara retained his seat on council as one of the top-vote getters.
The top vote-getter in September's primary, Republican Rob Ludeman - who served on council for 14 years until 2007 when he was barred from running again by term limits - was also among the top winners last night.
The other incumbents retained yesterday were Republican George Sarantou and Democrats Phillip Copeland and Steven Steel.
| Toledo City Council: 6 seats |
Votes - Percent
✓ George Sarantou 35,411 - 13%
✓ Rob Ludeman 34,792 - 10%
✓ Joe McNamara 36,879 - 13%
✓ Phillip Copeland 28,654 - 10%
Polly Taylor-Gerken 24,136 - 9%
✓ Adam Martinez 25,362 - 9%
Kevin Milliken 16,634 - 6%
Constantine Stamos 14,615 - 5%
Terry Shankland 15,33 - 9 5%
Terry Biel 18,254 - 7%
✓ Steven Steel 26,113 - 9%
100% of precincts reporting |
|
|
Democrat Adam Martinez also won a seat by edging out Democrat Polly Taylor-Gerken.
Mr. McNamara said balancing the budget and job creation would top his agenda."The administration sets the conversation on the budget so I am ready to get to work with the new mayor to restore Toledo's fiscal health," he said.
Mayor Carty Finkbeiner is required to submit the city's 2010 budget to council by Nov. 15. It could undergo revisions from council and the next administration.
Twelve names appeared on the ballot yesterday for the six at-large council seats. Also falling short of the top six spots were independent Kevin Milliken; Democrats Terry Shankland and Terry Biel, and Republican Constantine Stamos.
Although Republican Tricia Lyons' name was on the ballot, votes cast for her were not counted since she withdrew from the race early last month.
Mr. Ludeman said he would push early in the year for hiring new police officers.
"It's not going to be a short-term process," Mr. Ludeman said last night. "We have to move off the dime right away because it's a long planning process to put the list together and the training."
Mr. Finkbeiner has said the 2010 budget would include funding for new police officers and firefighters.
The mayor also warned as recently as Monday that the city's 2010 budget would include some large cuts and could be short $25 million.
Mr. Sarantou said he would urge council to immediately begin hearings on the 2010 budget.
He said he hopes the new council could set aside politics.
"We have to leave our egos at the back door … We have a council that has to be open-minded and realize we have to make changes in the way we operate our government," he said.
"We have to do everything we can to keep the jobs we have and get new jobs."
With the election of all four incumbents, as well as Mr. Martinez and Mr. Ludeman, the political make-up of council remains the same as the past four years with eight Democrats, three Republicans, and one independent.
Ten men and two women will make up the legislative body for the next two years. The six district seats will be up for election in November, 2011.
Mrs. Taylor-Gerken, a retired Toledo Public Schools psychologist and the wife of Lucas County Commissioner Pete Gerken, has unsuccessfully run for City Council in the past.
Mr. Martinez, who turned 31 today, said his campaign to tell voters about his plan to help small businesses and invest in central Toledo neighborhoods pushed support toward his camp.
Contact Ignazio Messina at:
imessina@theblade.com
or 419-724-6171.
Permanent Link
|
|
 |
|
VIEW: 
VIEW: 
VIEW/PRINT: 
Search
advertisement
