Wilkowski releases economic plan
This in via e-mail from the Wilkowski for Mayor campaign:
Wilkowski Unveiled his plan to bring jobs to Toledo at News Conference Today
June 24, 2009 – Democratic Mayoral Candidate Keith Wilkowski shared his strategic vision for bringing jobs to Toledo today. Surrounded by supporters, Wilkowski unveiled his comprehensive economic development plan that will attract and retain high value manufacturing jobs, create green collar construction jobs, and put Toledo’s transportation assets to work for us.
“The Mayor of Toledo has an obligation to lead in the area of economic development and provide a comprehensive plan for our future.” said Wilkowski.
“Right now the City of Toledo has no economic development plan. Over the years, our economic development efforts have been unfocused and ad hoc. A Wilkowski Administration will have a thoughtful and strategic Economic Development Plan with broad support from the community.”
Wilkowski went on to say that, “The simple truth is that Toledo won’t get back on the right track until we get our people working in good paying, highly skilled jobs. And we can do it if we have a solid plan for job creation and the right leadership to get us there. That’s why jobs must be the next Mayor’s top priority. Toledo’s future depends on it.”
The City has certain “tools” in its toolbox that it can deploy to build our local economy, including:
* Building the public infrastructure that is essential to smart land use and new business development
* Creating a favorable tax and regulatory environment that encourages business growth
* Awarding targeted incentives to promote the industries that hold the most promise for our economic future
* Planning on a regional basis for a comprehensive and coordinated effort to grow and attract targeted industries
* Delivering essential government services (police, fire, and road maintenance in particular) in an efficient and cost-effective manner so that businesses will want to operate in our community and people will want to live here
* Establishing education and workforce development programs so that our people are prepared to work in 21st Century jobs that require a higher knowledge and skill level
* Providing the essential quality of public leadership and direction so that, as a community, we have a shared vision of what we are seeking to accomplish and why
To Read Wilkowski Complete Economic Plan, click this link to the campaign web site.
Manufacturing jobs? Do these people not get it?! These jobs aren’t coming back to Toledo. 1) Ohio has one of the largest corporate taxes in the nation. It
’s cheaper for them to go down to Georgia, Florida, or Bama. 2) Those states do not have high union representation where Ohio does. 3) “regulatory” enviroment. Oh great, more government.
I could go on and on, but I will stop here!
June 24th, 2009 at 8:10 pmManufacturing jobs do still exist – you didn’t read the plan did you? And…According to the Tax Foundation; Iowa imposes the highest corporate tax rate of 12 percent, followed by Pennsylvania’s 9.99 percent rate and Minnesota’s 9.8 percent rate. Ohio is way down on their list, below Georgia and Alabama…
From the Wilkowski website:
1. HIGH VALUE MANUFACTURING JOBS: Toledo was built as a manufacturing city, and we must regain our leading position in the manufacturing sector. We can do that by focusing on high value manufacturing, that is, on making the new and innovative products that arise from research at the University of Toledo, especially in the advanced energy sector: solar, wind, geo-thermal, advanced materials and bio-fuels. Our skilled and highly productive autoworkers stand ready to build the next generation of clean and fuel efficient electric cars right here in Toledo. And our proud history in automotive and glass manufacturing makes our community ideally suited to build solar panels and component parts for wind turbines.
June 24th, 2009 at 10:39 pmAs far as overall business taxes? Ohio still is not the worse, now in 47th place. California, New Jersey and New York ranked higher in over all business taxes, not really something to cheer about, but we are not the worst.
June 24th, 2009 at 10:47 pmSTOP BEATING UP TOLEDO….KEITH AT LEAST HAS A PLAN AND FROM WHAT I HAVE READ…IS A PRETTY DAMN GOOD PLAN
June 25th, 2009 at 2:03 amsorry, Mike, but there are much better plans out there.
but appreciate you campaigning for your buddy.
June 25th, 2009 at 5:08 am* Try not to have a conniption while being ignored by Joe the Dumber. Every politician in the land wants to dip his or her beak into the public trough. Other cities want those confiscated tax dollars too and the political climate has turned from the highly touted “change” into a begging fest.
June 25th, 2009 at 8:28 amBrian Maxson wrote:
well, educate us then, Brian Maxson…..
tell us all about the “much better plans out there”.
please be specific.
I am waiting ……….
June 25th, 2009 at 8:49 amKidzRock wrote:
Not to put any words in Brian’s mouth, but as someone who watched the web debate, Jim Moody was the only one who hit a homer…
Bell struck out, said he didn’t think it is the mayors job to develop new business;
Konop really didn’t answer it well, and i honestly don’t recall what he said.
Moody, on the other hand, laid out specific ways he would rebuild, and cited examples of his history of developing successful businesses.
I recommend watching the debate on WTOL’s site, there, Rock.
June 25th, 2009 at 9:45 amThis doesn’t have anything to do with debate performances, unless we are going to elect a Mayor based on that. Debates are helpful, but I know very few people who base their vote solely on a debate. Unless as stated earlier a person has some type of a major error/failure/meltdown.
This is where it starts to get tricky though, it is completely understandable that those who have made their minds up are going to believe/advocate their candidate is the best. They are going to advocate for their candidate and it’s up to readers who may not have made up their minds to look at what is being written with the knowledge of who that person advocates for but not to discount it. I know Henri supports Moody and Friedman supports Wilkowski, their thoughts matter but they should be placed in context.
My role is to keep discussion on topic, point out information that is not correct, raise questions if they aren’t being asked, and keep sharing as much as possible so that those who haven’t made their minds up? Can at least have a variety of viewpoints and information to consider.
June 25th, 2009 at 10:04 amWell, I agree Lisa,
and I have not made up my mind yet.
THAT’S why I was asking BM to expand his statement about “much better plans out there”.
I need to learn more about the candidates and their agendas and he acts as if he has information in that regard.
Actually, I think that he is ignorant of Toledo politics and was just seizing the moment to hurl a zing at Mike Friedman.
Still waiting…….
June 25th, 2009 at 10:21 amGee, Lisa,
I didn’t take Henri’s message that way at all, seems to me you pounced a bit quickly and rather harshly.
I think he was refrring Rock to a point of reference related to the outline of economic plans stated by four candidates and not critiquing debate performances.
Just one readers opinion….
mj
June 25th, 2009 at 10:24 am“Zing’s” aren’t allowed anymore, I understand the natural inclination to discount what someone comments when it’s known they support a particular candidate, but there are times when what they state can impact the discussion, positively or negatively.
June 25th, 2009 at 10:25 amMindy, I wasn’t being harsh, Henri supports Moody, that’s not some deep dark secret, nor is there anything wrong with that, most people will have one or more candidates that they support and they will advocate for them, it’s natural and expected. What I stated about debates is also true, not to mention debate performance is not at issue here.
Perhaps you judged what I was saying a bit too harshly…
June 25th, 2009 at 10:33 amThanks Mindy, I appreciate you having my back while I stepped out for a meeting…
You are correct. I was trying to point the Kid to WTOL to help him see for himself that they had the opportunity to discuss economic development ideas.
It was duly noted by you that Lisa seemed to pounce. My opinion as well.
As for full disclosure? Yes, I support Jim Moody.
But, with that said, that doesn’t mean that I am not open to hearing any other candidates ideas? I’d like to know what their thoughts are on the chance they were the one elected. (Ugh!!!) Yes, perish the thought, I know!!!….
What’s so wrong with a fully informed citizenry??
June 25th, 2009 at 10:38 amLisaRenee wrote:
“but I appreciate you campaigning for your buddy”.
That was clearly an underhanded zing.
As if Mike Friedman does not know what he is talking about, because “there are much better plans out there”.
Still waiting……..
June 25th, 2009 at 10:42 amI think you both have made a wrong assumption, the goal is to have an informed citizenry, if anything people who don’t support a candidate sometimes raise questions about that candidate that their supporters won’t raise. Or…if someone who doesn’t support a candidate says something complimentary? That would mean even more since it’s known that person doesn’t support them.
I’m suggesting people don’t discount opinions even if they know that person supports one particular candidate, but it does matter as far as context.
Brian tried to discount Friedman’s comment, I used Henri and Friedman as an example of who they support because they are both on this thread.
June 25th, 2009 at 10:44 amUnderstood.
Brian clearly stated that “there are much better plans out there”.
I would like to hear from him about those much better plans, in detail.
Still waiting……..
June 25th, 2009 at 10:49 amLisaRenee wrote:
Thanks for agreeing with me, Lisa!
June 25th, 2009 at 10:53 amHenri, we have our disagreements on certain issues, but there will always be things we agree on and you do at times raise questions that I’m glad are being raised.
I’m not out to “pounce” if anything I enjoy our discussions when they are related to the topic.
June 25th, 2009 at 11:02 amDitto, my paczki pal!
June 25th, 2009 at 11:23 amhenri – yak sie mas ?
I am still waiting for Brian to tell me of the “much better plans out there.”
It appears that he is more interested in slinging jibs and jabs than contributing worthwhile information to a site.
Still waiting……..
June 25th, 2009 at 11:28 amKidzRock wrote:
Maybe he has a job and a life, and isn’t always hovering over the keyboard to meet your demands! Or, knowing a bit about Brian, it might be a beach day, eh bud??
June 25th, 2009 at 11:35 amManufacturing jobs are not going to come here! GET OVER IT! Come up with a new plan! Neither are green jobs, and the stimulus plan is not working. Lisa, I like you, but your apologist attitude shows exactly why Toledo is the shape that its in. This is going to be fun watching this city crumble when this lifelong politician Wilkowski wins.
Admin edit – comment removed since it was not on topic
June 25th, 2009 at 2:26 pmChad, believing that it’s possible for manufacturing to continue as well as pointing out material that’s not factually correct isn’t apologist…
We can get alternative energy manufacturing jobs in this area – we have been doing it and more are coming.
June 25th, 2009 at 2:33 pmKidzRock wrote:
Kidz? Come to me after the election.
I’m not getting paid to share my material with anyone.
Nice try at baiting me tho. I’ve discussed several options on this site concerning simple things, but seeing I’m not involved in a campaign, I’m allowing those running to figure this out, not get material off Lisa’s site.
And Chad? WIth the correct and qualified people in the right positions, manufacturing jobs can be had. One just has to think outside the “political norm” in NWO.
June 25th, 2009 at 3:13 pmNot gonna happen. And the “green jobs” are going to places like Wood County and PBurg. Not Toledo.
June 25th, 2009 at 3:24 pmYou must have missed the news about the company from California that’s investing 50 million dollars in Toledo and is going to hire over 100 people – in Toledo…
Link
June 25th, 2009 at 3:30 pmAs Friedman supports Wilkowski, Reichart supports Bell and Henri supports Moody, it has been obvious that Lisa is strongly behind Wilkowski. You haven’t been strong on the “how” message as with other candidates. Nothing wrong with it, everyone supports one of the candidates for their own reasons ….just stating the obvious.
As much as you do a good job at being even on your reporting, your comments or lack of questions, display a strong Wilkowski leaning…..again, nothing wrong with it.
June 25th, 2009 at 3:32 pmTaxTime, I’d suggest you are wrong, I’m not strongly behind ANY mayoral candidate nor would I take a position for one on this blog. I realize some of you like to try to toss accusations of bias out there, but I’ve defined my role very clearly and it is to moderate, provide information, ask or answer questions and make sure the discussion remains factual as possible.
June 25th, 2009 at 3:35 pmAdmin removal -
June 25th, 2009 at 3:49 pmOkay guys – asked and answered – I’m at work today and I don’t have time to play editor.
June 25th, 2009 at 3:53 pmThat link did not come up.
June 25th, 2009 at 4:03 pmNow it will – I didn’t include a “
June 25th, 2009 at 4:05 pmTax Time-
I think you are right. I have not made my mind up yet about the mayor’s race but I think Lisa has. This blog is not what it used to be.
June 25th, 2009 at 10:26 pmI’m glad you think you can read my mind Ken, I also realize that trying to toss out questions of bias aimed at me is done to try to take the issue off topic.
As for this blog not being what it used to be, when I first started I did endorse candidates. Ben Konop was one of those. I stopped doing that because this blog is now, was then and will always be more than just about me. If it was about just my opinion? It’d be totally different…Any doubt I had as to what was my goal I re-learned during the presidential election. I try to learn from what doesn’t work…
I’d also point out Ken, just the other day you wrote here:
June 25th, 2009 at 10:40 pmLisa,
You do a good job as I have stated several times. I am not the only one who has noticed your preferrence to Keith’s campaign. Just an observation.
As to taking it off topic, that was not the point at all, as at least 20 of the above post were not on topic of his plans. I am only pointing out that, different from other candidate’s plans, you have no questions or concerns with the details, or lack thereof, of Wilkowski’s plan. You ask great questions, regardless if I always agree…..why not on his plan?
June 25th, 2009 at 10:50 pmMaking it about me is taking it off topic, and if I had a dollar for every time someone made an assumption about who or what I supported that isn’t based on any real knowledge of who I really support? I’d be a very rich woman. This blog is not about me, though at times it’s tempting to want to change that because I put in hours more in an effort to point out things not being raised or to point out facts that I would not do if it was about promoting just my point of view.
I’m thankful that some of our elected officials and candidates of both parties have a bit more faith in my ability to be fair than some of you do.
June 25th, 2009 at 10:59 pm