Mayor fills in on radio with upbeat message

7/26/2006
BY TOM TROY
BLADE STAFF WRITER

Toledo Mayor Carty Finkbeiner filled up his guest-host radio time yesterday on WCWA-AM (1230) with an hour and a half of sports-laden, positive talk while squeezing in a half-dozen guests.

The mayor, who developed his radio "DJ" skills in his previous administration with a weekly program broadcast from the Erie Street Market, filled in for the vacationing Troy Neff from 7:30 to 9 a.m.

Mr. Finkbeiner expressed appreciation for the recent successful Triple-A All-Star Baseball game at Fifth Third Field sponsored by ProMedica and the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic presented by Kroger at Highland Meadows Country Club in Sylvania.

"If we didn't have a little bit of rain that week it would have been a phenomenal week, but it was anyway," Mr. Finkbeiner said.

The mayor chatted at length with University of Toledo football coach Tom Amstutz about this year's roster, and credited him with turning Rockets football into a Saturday night "must" for sports fans.

Mr. Finkbeiner repeated a message he has delivered elsewhere: that the city's residents need to have more pride in their community and be open to new ideas.

Referring to the DaimlerChrysler Jeep assembly plant in North Toledo, he said: "I was criticized for buying more land than we needed. Today we've got supplier parks all over that campus. It's booming out there on that campus and that was a new idea three years ago."

The mayor interviewed interim Councilman Lourdes Santiago, who is running - with the mayor's strong support - to fill the three years remaining on the at-large seat last held by ex-Councilman Bob McCloskey, a Democrat who resigned and was convicted of federal and state bribery charges.

In addition to Ms. Santiago, who is a Democrat, six other people have taken out petitions to run for the seat in the Nov. 7 election.

An interview with home-grown basketball star Jimmy Jackson focused on Mr. Jackson's Macomber High School career and his subsequent career in the NBA.

Mr. Jackson is a partner with developer David Ball in the renovation of the former Toledo Edison steam plant into condominiums and apartments along the downtown side of the Maumee River.

"I want to say how important it is to our community that you cared enough to come back, with all your success, and make a difference in Toledo, Ohio. I'm delighted you're a part of the renaissance, Jimmy," Mr. Finkbeiner said.

Mr. Jackson, sounding more serious than the mayor, said, "We have a long road ahead of us. If we can focus in on the little things and everyone doing their part, we'll be OK."

Also appearing on the show with Mr. Finkbeiner were Dr. Lloyd Jacobs, president of the University of Toledo, which now includes the former Medical University of Ohio; and Dr. Christopher Cooper, who is advising the mayor on his "Get Fit, Toledo" physical fitness campaign.

Taking over the radio host's job seems to be a regular thing for some local politicos.

Just a week ago, Lucas County Commissioner Maggie Thurber subbed during the three-hour afternoon slot on WSPD-AM (1370).

Contact Tom Troy at:

tomtroy@theblade.com

or 419-724-6058.