What a week! Sideline Entertainment - Toledo Style

If you watch the local news at all you know that it has been a strange week here in Toledo.

Our mayor is standing firm on the Erie Street Market issue - made a public statement that he takes all responsibility for the deal made with Rob Croak. Imagine. The mayor would make a back-room deal. Will the surprises never stop?

Councilman D. Michael Collins has been pushing the issue just a tad and asked for a resolution that will cease any and all dealing with Croak. Surprisingly our city council developed some "onions" (thanks Fred Lefebvre for that little grin) and backed the resolution. Now there is a resolution on record. And the check is in the mail.

The United Way wants to remain in downtown Toledo, but would like to do so in a building that better suits their needs and budget. They are proposing the demolition of the current UW building and the construction of a new, more energy efficient, building. Sounds like a winner to me!

But --- WAIT --- that can't happen! What? Tear down a 40 year old building?! It may have some significance to the downtown skyline! Or so our illustrious mayor wants you to think.

Once again Carlton S. Finkbeiner insists on tossing a monkey wrench in that proposal. After all, it wasn't what he wanted to hear. It wasn't his idea. He didn't get to gloat while making the announcement. How dare Bill Kitson and the United Way steal his thunder! That's unacceptable - and those that think and believe as Carty does will prevail. (Oh God! save me.)

The failure of this administration to encourage private investment (that's right folks - PRIVATE) in Toledo is reprehensible. The idea that someone other than His HighAss could think in a forward fashion is not possible. After all, HE is the mayor. HE controls Toledo. And we let him.

The United Way performs a necessary service to our area. That's a given. And if they feel that they are able to provide that service in a more prudent fashion by building a more efficient building that allows for a better environment to provide those services, then they should be allowed - without interference - to continue with their plans. They are not asking for city funds, no freebies from city workers, nothing. Just the peace of mind and the good blessings to continue to do good things for Toledo.

It's insane. Purely insane.

Irresponsible Behavior in Municipal Government

Yesterday I attended a Committee of the Whole meeting at Toledo City Council Chambers. This particular meeting was convened to address the issues with circumvention of the Toledo City Charter in the dealings with a local event promoter and the amount, and manner, in which he was/is paid.

You see, our Mayor has an ego issue that just compels him to make horrible decisions in an effort to support his ego-maniacal demeanor. And, finally, it appears as though the population of this city is waking slowly to realize they are being screwed. Terribly.

This all stems from the Mayor making a deal with this promoter to renovate Bay 4 of the Erie Street Market and bring in various events. And many will say, "So, what's the problem?" Well, the problem is that this particular promoter is a convicted felon (forgery), has been scrutinized in the past for selling alcohol to minors (never convicted), has two tax liens against him - State and Federal, is not a licensed contractor in any way shape or form, and violated his agreement with another local club to provide entertainment/acts for that venue.

It's a very long and involved situation and you can read more about it at Glass City Jungle, as well as listen to the audio of the meeting. This was one of the most convoluted meetings I have ever attended.

There was more tap dancing going on than at an Al Jolson/Ben Vereen show!

My concerns in all this, more than those with the promoter, are ... if there is a fire during an event, who is liable? Most likely the city. If a patron of the event imbibes too heavily and gets in his car to drive and kills someone, who is liable? Again, I'm thinking the city is. If any untoward occurrence takes place the city, it seems, will be on the hook for any lawsuit filed.

Just what we need. Another catalyst for litigation against the city. As if the Mayor isn't doing enough to break the bank.

Oh well ... as they say in other areas ... at least we're not Detroit. **sigh**