Why we must redefine politics
Written by Stephen Ward | | news@toledofreepress.comAn example of how politics are played in Toledo was on display recently. Once again, it will be the citizens of Toledo who will suffer. I believe the citizens are tired of the status quo, frustrated with the backroom politics and growing weary of their voices not being heard. At what point will Toledo politicians stop making important decisions without getting the input from the citizens who will be affected by those decisions?
The resignation of Toledo City Council President Mark Sobczak opened up the game of politics in Toledo. With the vacant seat on city council the Republicans are outnumbered by the Democrats 7-to-3, with one Independent. Therefore, it was no secret that those on city council would accept the recommendation of the Lucas County Executive Committee and appoint Steve Steel to the vacant council seat.
While I respect anyone who would like to go into public service, I believe the current process in the city charter does not provide the opportunity for the citizens to select the candidate who they would like to fill the vacant city council seat. At the end of the day, everyone is affected by the issues, both Democrat and Republican.If you are a citizen of Toledo, the issues of Toledo affect you. Therefore, you deserve the right to be involved in the decision-making process. Unfortunately, with the city council appointment, that right has been taken away from you. This is why I did not seek the recommendation of either party to fill the vacant seat. I believe that responsibility should rest in the hearts of Toledo citizens and not in the backroom deals of politics. Lastly, it is a disservice to the citizens of Toledo for candidates to put up their signs all over the city, but never address their platform to the citizens. We must reconsider our methods. It should not be about how many signs a candidate has, but rather the quality of our service and relationship to mankind.
On July 7, city council selected Joe McNamara as the new council president and appointed Steel to the vacant council seat. According to WTOL news (posted online June 24) Steel said, “Folks know who I am, where I stand on issues. I’d been in the public eye for three and a half years. We deal with the same public scrutiny and transparency issues, accountability to voters, to constituents, a lot of similar issues council faces.”
The issue here is accountability. Steel was elected by the citizens of Toledo to serve on the Toledo Public School Board. Currently, the Toledo Public Schools are facing many problems. Instead of the TPS School Board president fulfilling his term, he bailed out to seek another political office. In doing so, he has let our children down within the Toledo Public Schools, as his work simply wasn’t done. When people are elected to serve, they should serve their full term. I believe Steel owes everyone who voted for him to get on the TPS School Board an explanation as to why he could not fulfill his term on that board.
Lastly, the citizens of Toledo may not have had a say as to who they wanted appointed to the vacant council seat; however, know that this is not the conclusion of the matter.
On Sept. 15 during the primary election, the citizens of Toledo will have a chance to redefine politics. I encourage the citizens of Toledo to let their voices be heard at the polls. Please let us not forget about our future and the future of our children. Let us not be intimidated or bamboozled into voting frivolously because of the number of campaign signs that a candidate may have. It is time for Toledo to say enough is enough. If the politicians won’t hear us now, then perhaps they will listen to us when we cast our votes at the polls. It is not about who is the most popular, it is about what is right. If we vote the same, we will get the same. It’s time for a change! It’s time to take action now for all people!
Stephen Ward is a candidate for Toledo City Council at-large. You may contact him at Stephen@WardforToledo.com.
