Glass City Jungle

This week on WTVG’s Conklin & Company Lucas County Treasurer Wade Kapszukiewicz, Republican Mayoral candidate Jim Moody and Take Three is former Democratic Lucas County Commissioner Sandy Isenberg with Lucas County Republican Chair Jon Stainbrook. As always this is not a direct transcript but is typed while the show is in progress, done to the best of my ability. (Note to Wade Kapszukiewicz & Jim Moody your talking speed makes transcribing both of you an interesting challenge – I was briefly interrupted during the first segment so it is not complete.)

Lee Conklin started with, as Treasurer staying out of trouble? Wade Kapszukiewicz responded, yes, nose down and at work. Conklin said you ran again for a second term it’s gone so fas since Kest left but you’ve laid low, you’ve also experienced the impact of the economy. Kapszukiewicz stated the County is in not as bad of shape as the City is, not long ago he was on council they had a16 million dollar rainy day fund now to not only still be in debt but have that gone is a difficult scenario. The County had to lay off 20 workers, it’s not because spending is out of control, deficits don’t always mean there was too much spending; the commissioners spent less, this year they passed a smaller budget, income/revenue is down, sales tax is just not keeping up. Their investments are going to fall off a bit, even with as good of a job as they are reigning in spending, revenue is just not coming in.

Lee Conklin asked economic projections? Wade Kapszukiewicz responded that Lucas county and this region it’s six months on either side, county before and after, which means when the recession was finally made official, we’d already experienced those conditions. (This is where I missed a few moments.) Kapszukiewicz gave the example of ten million dollars of sales tax comes from auto sales, when you rely on the sale of one item, if there is a drop off that hurts Lucas County disproportionately. Conklin said on the job itself, back when you were on Council, you were in the news then more than now, as you sit in that office ist here any itch to get back into the public fray? Wade Kapszukiewicz because of Kest he made it a point to stay out of the limelight, it’s clear that is what the voters wanted was someone who was going to do the job and avoid negative publicity but, he continued because I’m not in the newspaper doesn’t mean we aren’t doing good things. He listed a few; first we are not in the newspaper for the wrong reasons, we are the investment officer for the County – with that autority we have put 5 million dollars aside to help small businesses – we’ve helped create about 150 jobs and retained 100 others, purchased the first bonds to build the arena, there are some public policy things, Conklin tax delinquencies up? Kapszukiewicz said no, prior collection was 230 million dollars – last one 240, they collected more than last year which could be apples to oranges since taxes went up and more people entered into partial payments, but there has not been as many delinquencies as the past; they cut by one third the total delinquests bringing in 15 million dollars of money that goes right to the 52 different taxing districts, these were long term chronic delinquents – if everyone is struggling to pay everyone should pay.

Republican Jim Moody, Mayoral candidate, Lee Conklin said he has a number of jobs and wants this one too, first the residency issue, that’s been a focus, Jim Moody said he welcomes the questions. Conklin said, you own a home in Sylvania and you own one on Parkview, Moody said his wife has a home in Sylvania, one daughter is at Ohio State and one lives with his wife in the Sylvania Township home. Lee asked if he purchased a home on Parkview, Moody stated he purchased that home three years ago, he’s had plenty of people drive by, handed out Halloween candy there – he’s said many times once he is elected he’ll sit down with his family to tear his daughter out of school in the middle of the year is as unconscionable, if he wins he’s going to put the house in Sylvania Township up for sale, if anyone wants to buy it? Let him know.

The mortgage crisis is one of the larges problems facing this area Moody, wants to take the city approach first he thinks home ownership is the cornerstone of our economy and neighborhoods, increasing the ability for people to be able to purchase homes. The City received 12.2 million dollars and he’s excited about that but he’s concerned on how it will be spent, he thinks we should provide more affordable housing. If we allow the free enterprise system to flourish in Toledo this has been stymied through the process of how they can improve their properties, joe six pack can’t fix the house, when the cost basis is lower more can have an affordable home. There are a lot of things we can do now if we take the correct approach, it’s more than just that but that’s one part.

In two weeks an entire recovery plan will be announced, he’ll share one example, business perception he went and testified before the House on a bill he felt would hurt local businesses, before he could even begin the chairman of the sub committee started to chide him that he was from Toledo on our mayor, he stated he spoke with business person who said he wanted to bring business to the area but not Toledo because of that Mayor.

Conklin asked him about Take Back Toledo – Moody said he had no connection to them, then said, oh you are asking about the URL and he decided to retool anyway because “Moody means business” – they (Take Back Toledo) asked him what he was going to do with the url and he said nothing, they could have it.

He thinks TBT has been born out of frustration in the business community, he doesn’t just want them at the table, he wants them to build the table. Lee Conklin asked, do you think it’s directly because of the Mayor,? Moody said, no city council is also part of this, city council has a way of stopping things, like the tow lot, here we have a successful business and the city put all of these people out of business – the City of Toledo can not get into people’s business. Moody continued with an example, years ago mortgage lenders were told how to conduct business if they wanted to make loans in Toledo, more than 30 underwriters and 30 million dollars left our area; how many dreams were dashed by this unnecessary regulation – Toledo has the impression of being tax friendly not business friendly.

How do you win as a republican asked Conlin. Moody said one of the most prominent Democrats June Boyd has endorsed him, it goes beyond party things like roads not paved, Lee Conklin interjected, you don’t think the Finkbeiner administration has worked on road paving? Moody stated, money has gone to other places. On the campaign funds raised, Moody stated he’s a business man he’s expected to do more with less.

Then Take Three with Sandy Isenberg and Jon Stainbrook. Lee Conklin said, it’s never been the same since someone left, just ask her, Sandy laughed Conklin continued introductions said with Jon Stainbrook, Isenberg said “the Stain.” Conklin began by asking Stainbrook his thoughts on Jim Moody, Stainbrook said Jim is doing a great job is working really hard but there are also others (related to Republican Party endorsement) Sarantou, Scotland and two others are considering running for mayor and 12 (not sure on that number) are interested in running for City Council. Conklin asked for Isenberg’s thoughts Moody is running does he have a shot? Isenberg everybody has a shot, it’s an uphill battle and he needs to get his name out there, is he going to be able to spend the money and the time? You have to do a lot of background work and talking to labor unions, but hey it’s possible. Lee Conklin now more than ever in Toledo does a republican have a chance to win? Isenberg responded there are lots of democrats here, county, state, federal, President Obama…

On the topic of the Presidential appointments and tax issues, Isenberg said they should pay our taxes like everyone else , the IRS would make us pay it pay or do federal time. Jon Stainbrook said he agrees with Sandy on this. Conklin asked Stainbrook, Obama after three weeks what do you think? Stainbrook said it was a lot easier to criticize the President then to lead, Obama administration learning it’s not as easy as it looks. Isenberg blames his staff for the vetting problems the past two weeks, President wanted Daschle because of his stance and he was well equipped to talk about it and work out a plan for health care for citizens – he’s extremely bright but if you don’t pay your taxes and it’s found out – you are out – Zoe Baird as an example.

Back to local Conklin said the Mayor and D. Michael Collins go toe to toe, it’s getting kind of nasty, Jon what do you make of that, we have an ugly public confrontation; Jon Stainbrook said Collins when he was with the Toledo police he was very vocal, in charge and in your face, Carty wants to be left alone to his own devices. Sandy Isenberg says it’s getting way to personal, Collins is not president of TPPA now, he’s a councilman for South Toledo so far all he’s wanted to do is bring a junkyard to South Toledo if you can’t make changes and help straighten out the administration then you have no right to complain it’s like the guy who complains about who’s in office, but never went out to vote, if you have complaints you should have suggestions.

Lee Conklin asked on the 8.1 million gap for the City, Sandy Isenberg said thinks they knew they were going to have a shortfall, people have lost their jobs, they are not paying city income tax anymore there is a significant reason that the 8 million is gone – if they drain their rainy day fund they can’t try to get a good rating , Wall Street likes a significant rainy day fund. Jon Stainbrook stated, we loose tax on internet sales as well, Sandy Isenberg interjected, that’s sales tax…