Vasquez, Sobecki say they are not candidates for City Council vacancy

11/14/2010

Mr. Vasquez and Ms. Sobecki held a news conference at the TPS administration building, 420 East Manhattan Blvd., in an attempt to quash speculation that they would seek one of the positions that will be open when Councilman George Sarantou, a Republican, moves to the Lucas County Board of Commissioners and Councilman Michael Ashford, a Democrat, heads to Columbus to represent the Ohio 48th House District.

“I decided I was not going to because I am committed to TPS,” Mr. Vasquez said in an interview later, adding that he will continue working to improve the school district.

Mr. Vasquez and Ms. Sobecki said the speculation about their potential candidacy was a distraction from the work that needs to be done in the district and decided to make a public statement.

Ms. Sobecki said she was flattered that people thought she could step into the role and took it as a vote of confidence that “they have that kind of faith in me.”

“The first and foremost thing on my plate is I have a $39 million deficit to deal with,” she said.

Both seats are expected to be filled by Democrats because that party has a majority on the 12-member City Council.