Glass City Jungle

This came in via e-mail referencing two Ohio House members that do not live in our general area, but the information shared is relevant to several discussions on the blog, which is why it’s included, if other similar releases follow, I’ll update:
Ohio House Pushes for Renewal, Expansion of Third Frontier
Program has created over 40K [...]

This in via e-mail from the Lee Fisher for Senate campaign:
Lucas County Leaders Endorse Fisher for U.S. Senate
(Toledo) – Leaders from across Lucas County endorsed Lt. Governor Lee Fisher for U.S. Senate today, citing his determination to make Ohio a national leader in clean energy and green job creation.
“Lee Fisher has been a leader [...]

This in via e-mail from the office of Ohio Representative Peter Ujvagi, a later e-mail from the office of Governor Ted Strickland lists all of the projects in Ohio, it’s included below as well:
Rep. Ujvagi Announces Green Energy Grants for Toledo Area
Approximately $1 Million Will Promote Jobs, Energy Savings in NW Ohio [...]

The Toledo Public School Board had offered current Superintendent John Foley a one year contract. This morning he announced he was not interested in accepting the one year contract, this means he will resign at the end of his contract, which expires July 31, 2010. Foley is the 28th Superintendent of the Toledo [...]

I found it troubling too, but apparently no one in a position of power raised it as a legal challenge or an issue before Issue 3 was allowed to go on the ballot, this issue could have been dealt with before Ohio voters were asked to vote on it and to be perfectly honest, many [...]

Those of you who know me, know I’m a bit of a Star Wars fan, I’ve had many a light saber battle where as Darth Mom, I’ve been rarely beaten…Probably because my children start laughing, but a win is a win. This week’s cover story in the Toledo Free Press is an interview that [...]

The “This Strikes Us” column in this week’s Sojourner’s Truth focuses on the health care bill that is now before the Senate. Since it’s been something mentioned here, it is an opinion piece that may be of interest to some of you.
There was no column by Jack Ford this week, but a [...]

Curtsy to Mad Anthony for pointing out this article written by the Wall Street Journal, Haven for Disabled Workers Feels Job Market’s Sting. It’s one I highly recommend reading, and I’m glad the Wall Street Journal is pointing this type of information out, part of what’s shared in what I feel is a well [...]

Sometimes I take a break from politics, I’ve been given the opportunity to do some fun interviews for the Toledo Free Press, this one, Dr. Jerry Graham Jr. returns to ring after ten-year retirement to face Pastor Pain is one of those. Earlier this week I had a chance to talk to Jerry Jaffe, [...]

Today is November 28, 2009, which means reporting what was spent in 2008, $459,148, to “drive by appraisers” could have been dealt with quite some time ago. Employees have been laid off by the County, some in departments such as Jobs and Family Services where there has been an increased demand in needs. [...]

I saw this headline on WTOL then did some further searching to see if additional information was reported. The basics:

WASHINGTON (AP) – The divorce rate in the armed forces increased slightly again in the past year as military marriages continued to bear the stress of the nation’s ninth year at war.
The Pentagon says that [...]

In the other thread about Toledo City Council passing the texting ordinance, Ron made a very astute comment that I think should be pointed out:
I am going to guess that when internet providers start getting text messaging subpoena from municipal courts, they are not going to drop everything and for a lack of a better [...]

Another reason to not participate in what has become the madness of Black Friday, WTOL reports, Stores may have less inventory of Black Friday door busters, which means your chances of waiting for hours for that “really great deal” is even less now which will increase the pushing, shoving and totally crazy behavior of some [...]

It can’t be said morale is low anymore because of the layoffs…but something is going on with the Toledo Police Department. I just got done watching FOX Toledo, that is reporting, 2 Toledo officers fail drug test. What bothers me most about this is, I know police officers are human, they make the [...]

WTVG has the story, Bar owner to hire off-duty officers after shoot-out. More is expected tomorrow after the Mayor meets with the Chief of Police, so this is one of those “stories to watch” categories.
Updated! Release from the office of Mayor Finkbeiner:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Route 66 should open in [...]

It’s with a sigh, that I share this from FOX Toledo:

DOWNTOWN TOLEDO – UPDATE 4:48 p.m. EST: By a 10-2 count, Toledo City Council voted to ban texting while driving in the city of Toledo. The measure will go into effect Jan. 1.
The only two council members to vote no for the ordinance [...]

Toledo Free Press is one media source that has the story, Volunteers needed to save Children’s Wonderland. The basics? Fifty to 100 volunteers are needed in the next 24 hours to agree to help set up, move and run Children’s Wonderland. The Toledo Seagate Food Bank has agreed to receive all the [...]

That’s one of the comments left on the WGTE website where the live stream of the Ottawa Hills City Council meeting on deer is being held.
I can’t help wonder how Ottawa Hills can arrange for live streaming on the internet but Toledo can’t…Many of those speaking are stating that the deer can kill them because [...]

FOX Toledo and the Columbus Dispatch two examples of the media coverage.
One of the cases noted by both media sources is Willie Knighten Jr., which the media release from the Governor goes into more detail about, including sharing a copy of the letter written by the now deceased Judge in the case, Judge [...]

The following release in via email from Hart Associates:
TARTA service changes approved to take effect December 27, fares remain unchanged
Sunday And Holiday Service To Continue At Reduced Level
Toledo, Ohio ‑ Changes reducing the Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority’s service by 12 percent have been approved by the TARTA Board of Trustees’ Routes [...]

This in via email from the office of Ohio House Representative Nancy Garland:
Rep. Nancy Garland Calls for Local Control in Casino Enabling Legislation
COLUMBUS – State Rep. Nancy Garland (D-New Albany) today called for a fair and deliberate process that respects local control, when bringing a casino to Franklin County.
“In bringing a casino to Franklin [...]

I’ve been following this, but had not yet posted. An earlier US News & Reports story caught my attention, Task Force Member Defends Mammography Guidelines. I recommend it for those looking for more information on both sides of this issue. After seeing this from WTOL Former NIH chief: Ignore new mammogram guideline [...]

Recommended news piece from WTVG, Sparrow’s Nest shelters record numbers of women. This is typically the time of year when people are feeling a bit more generous since we are approaching the holiday season. Considering the colder weather is also approaching, the Cherry Street Mission and other organizations such as the local food [...]

Tonight was part four of the series, with interviews with several members of Council and Larry Dillin. If you missed tonight and the previous episodes? they are online.

This week’s Sojourner’s Truth our former Mayor is back with his My View column. Ford offers the following commentary directed at the Lucas County Democratic Party:
It seems to me that the Democratic Party has a real problem in Lucas County. A cosmetic makeover will not clean this mess up. If I am Gov. Ted [...]

The Toledo Free Press has a brief article in this week’s edition, Proposed Bowman-Longfellow swap draws criticism and WTOL has a story up tonight as well, Community divided over plan to move Longfellow school. But if you are curious as to what the proposed new school building on the campus of Start that is [...]

WTVG with an interesting story, Toledo budget update: red light revenue down part of the recommended read:
The mayor left out a very important number when writing up next year’s budget. Toledo’s red light cameras were projected to earn the city $2.5 million in paid fines in 2009. But in reality, that number is only [...]

It’s not expected to be warmer than normal this winter, but it appears it’s predicted to be a bit drier as far as less snowfall and the temperature is not expected to be as bad as last year where we had the coldest January on record since 1994. FOX Toledo has more details and [...]

This in via e-mail:
McNamara Will Explore Senate Run
Toledo City Council President says middle class families need a strong voice in Columbus
Toledo, OH – Democrat Joe McNamara announces today that he will form a committee to explore a campaign for the 11th District seat in the Ohio State Senate being vacated by Teresa Fedor. The [...]

Advice a bit too late for most areas of the City, including mine but? Here’s a release from the City of Toledo:
Leaf Pick-up Schedule
Due to the late leaf drop, and the looming snow and ice season, the City of Toledo has only committed to one full pass for leaf collection in 2009. [...]