LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Trustees leader taken to task
3/30/2014I was astounded to read the quote attributed to Joseph H. Zerbey IV, chairman of the University of Toledo Board of Trustees, regarding a severance package for UT President Dr. Lloyd Jacobs: “I’m not talking about compensation or buyouts That’s all personal business. No one needs to know about that.” (“Jacobs says he’ll exit as leader in ’15; President will head new institute after he leaves,” March 22).
Did he really say that? The Toledo Blade always has been a champion of transparency from public committees, to inform the people about how their money is spent. For the president and general manager of The Blade to make such a comment, even while wearing a different hat is astounding.
DENIS LYNCH
Carskaddon Avenue
Editor’s note: In clarifying his remarks, Mr. Zerbey said any severance or compensation package for Dr. Jacobs would be made public. What he meant to say, Mr. Zerbey said, is that he wouldn’t talk publicly about a settlement before it was approved.
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Jacobs leaves as a significant leader
As someone who has had multiple dealings with Dr. Jacobs over several years, I feel that his successful merger of UT and the Medical College of Ohio establishes him as a significant leader in northwest Ohio.
I have seen Dr. Jacobs’ innovation and dogged determination leverage UT’s resources to improve the economic vitality of this region. His service to the community elevates Dr. Jacobs to a position of one of northwest Ohio’s most influential leaders in my 62 years as a Toledo resident.
I hope UT’s loss will be mitigated by Dr. Jacobs’ future endeavors.
KEVIN SMITH
Collingwood Boulevard
Editor’s note: The writer is chief executive officer and general counsel of Associated General Contractors of Northwest Ohio Inc.