There are a number of critical issues and contests facing Lucas County voters Nov. 2, and while Toledo Free Press will not attempt to encapsulate every race and issue, we will use this space for the next two weeks to offer our thoughts and endorsements.

• Issue 7: This is a renewal of a 1 mill, 10-year levy for the Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (TARTA). It is not a new tax. Established in 1971, TARTA has 34 routes and serves nine communities in northwestern Ohio. TARTA provides an essential service for many county residents, and we support renewal of this levy. The organization stumbled in its efforts to switch its funding to a sales tax and will have to examine its future carefully as the local population shifts, but there is no argument that TARTA provides a much-needed transportation lifeline.
• Governor: There are four men running for Ohio governor, but Republican John Kasich is our choice for trying to stop Ohio’s economic slide. Kasich’s experience in the U.S. House Budget Committee and his JobsOhio proposal, which seeks direct input from business owners and more responsibility on private enterprise, offers a clear logic that trumps unfulfilled promises.
• Secretary of State: Democrat Maryellen O’Shaughnessy, the clerk of Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, has served as a three-time Columbus City Council member and owns a small business, her family’s fourth-generation funeral home. She is running on a platform that is inclusive and comprehensive. She understands how the secretary of state office can impact economic development by making it easier (or more difficult) for businesses to register to do business in Ohio and navigate its resources, and she has our vote for this important office.
• US House District 5: Republican Bob Latta has been a consistent voice in the House and has proven to be remarkably accessible, offering pre- and post-vote reasoning with an accountability rare in many of his counterparts. He is the clear choice in this contest.
• State House of Representatives District 46: Republican Barbara Sears, the incumbent in this race, has earned endorsements from a wide array of organizations — farmers, CPAs, real estate agents, nurses, restaurant owners and the Toledo and Ohio chambers of commerce — which demonstrates her effectiveness as a representative. We agree with the chambers and endorse Sears.
• State House of Representatives District 48: While independent Schylar Meadows has our attention and is an emerging community leader, this round of political musical chairs goes to current city councilman and Democrat Michael Ashford, who will take with him to Columbus the community savvy and persuasiveness that have characterized his time in office.

Thomas F. Pounds is president and publisher of Toledo Free Press and Toledo Free Press Star. Call him at (419) 241-1700 or e-mail him at tpounds@toledofreepress.com.

Tags: Barbara Sears, Bob Latta, John Kasich, Maryellen O'Shaughnessy, Michael Ashford, Publisher's Statement, Schylar Meadows, TARTA, Ted Strickland, Tom Pounds

This entry was posted on Friday, October 22nd, 2010 at 12:00 am and is filed under Opinion, Publisher's Statement.
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The voice of the Hip-Hop generation is being heard nationally and is being defined by events that range from the election of President Barack Obama to the running of Kevin Powell (MTV’s “The Real World”) for Congress.

Meadows

As the “old guard” retires and passes on, many realize that no one was mentored to take their place, thus leaving the door open for more diversity in politics. Toledo’s own Schylar Meadows has been known for her political prowess for years, but age was not on her side. She had the guts to announce her first candidacy in her 20s. She served as the national vice president of programs for Young Democrats of America and was a Go Red for Women ambassador with the local chapter of the American Heart Association.  She appeared on 13abc’s “Conklin and Company” weekly as a political analyst and runs her own weekly political radio show “Juice Talk” Sundays at 10:30 a.m. on WJUC 107.3FM.

This is the short version of “Who is Schylar Meadows?” She is a young woman who believes in the community she grew up in, whose goal is to answer the concerns of the people, her people. This is the coming of age of the Hip-Hop generation which demands we grow, develop a voice and take charge. Toledo, we now have a voice.  She’s not new to this; she’s true to this. Ladies and gentlemen… Schylar Meadows!

Martini Rox: Who do you think you are?

Schylar Meadows: So who do I think I am? A law-abiding citizen from House District 48 who wants to make a difference. I have a deep rooted affection for our community and I really believe it’s time for us to have that next level of leadership. That’s who I think I am the next level of leadership who can appeal to the Hip-Hop generation. To (attend events) that the youth are involved(in), talk to people in the civic and business community and just in general have a level of concern for the quality of life in our district that has never been shown before. (I want) to include everyone else, to actually listen to what they have to say that’s who I think I am.  Schylar Meadows, candidate for state representative in House District 48.

MR: What Hip-Hop lyric/song best describes you?

SM: “The Message” (by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five) is talking about “don’t push me ’cause I’m close to the edge.” If you listen to the lyrics of that song, it was developed in the ’80s and still rings true in the new millennium. While that is a tribute to Hip-Hop the genre and art form, it’s also a tribute to social consciousness and we should take heed to that.

MR: What are your plans if elected?

SM: There are many things I would like to do, one, is open a district office. That gives people a chance to come in, meet me and understand who I am as their elected official also for me to be able to listen to their concerns and take those concerns to Columbus. I’d also like to be instrumental in helping to get us up and running in this area in terms of “Green” jobs. The area employs at least 25 percent of people who  have been in jail. You have a way for ex offenders to feel like they are a part of society, come back and make an honest living.

MR: Now that we know your plans what do you need from us?

SM: What I need as a candidate for State Representative is to talk to you! Candidate hotline for Schylar Meadows is (419) 321-0023. You can catch me on Facebook, www.facebook.com/SchylarMeadowsforStateRepresentative.

Basically, we need people to tell everyone they know about me. Come and join us! Go door to door, we take donations and just make sure that on Election Day, Nov. 2 you go to the ballot box and pull that lever for Schylar Meadows — that’s what we need!

MR: Indeed.

As we continue on …

Tags: Martini Rox, On the Rox, Schylar Meadows

This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 25th, 2010 at 3:16 pm and is filed under On the Rox, Star.
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