Mayor Carlton (Carty) Finkbeiner: Friend or Foe of Toledo

Toledo, Ohio has been a city of ridicule ever since its inclusion to the State of Ohio, following the non-war between Ohio and the territory of Michigan in 1835, called the "War of Toledo." Even though military personnel were deployed, none ever engaged in fighting. The only blood shed was that of a Michigan deputy sheriff who was stabbed in the leg by "Two Stickney" while he was trying to arrest "One Stickney" (those were their actual names.) Also lost in the conflict were two horses, two pigs, and a few chickens which were stolen by lost Michigan militia men.

And of course, there is the phrase "Holy Toledo". No one really knows the true origin of this phrase. Some claim that it was in response to Toledo, Spain becoming a center of Christian Beliefs after the 13th Century liberation from the Moors in 1085. Others, however, refer to an offensive sexual connotation about the city of Toledo, Ohio.

During the 1920's and 30's. Toledo was a hot spot for bootlegging, rum running, and gambling. In 1987, Harry R. Illman wrote a book named "Unholy Toledo" which focused on the "Purple Gang's" activity in Toledo, a gang from Detroit that not even Al Capone wanted to deal with them. They had to flee Detroit and decided to settle in Toledo, with Thomas "Yonnie" Licavoli the leader. They eventually killed an Irish bar keeper/bootlegger named Jack Kennedy (not a very lucky name) who personally decided to defie the gang. Licavoli was convicted was convicted in 1934 and sentenced to life in the Ohio Penitentiary. (His sentence was commuted to second degree murder in 1969 by Ohio Governor James Rhodes, which made Licavoli eligible for parole. In 1971, he was paroled due to failing health. He died on Sept. 17, 1972.)

The concept of Toledo as being an extremely boring city was not helped at all by recording artists like John Denver or Elvis Costello. The British band "Yes" released the song "Our Song" on their 1980 album "90125". The song praised the Toledo audience that attended their concert, but by then the reputation of the city was so bad that it was like trying to put out an inferno with a glass of water.

Toledo native, Jamie Farr, the cross-dresser on the TV series, Mash, often made references to Toledo, which made the entire country aware of "The Toledo Mudhens" (the minor league baseball team) and Tony Packo's Hot Dogs. The show was on for 11 years from 1972 until1983. After the series ended, Jamie Farr initiated the "Jamie Farr - Owens Corning LPGA Classic" tournament. The 2009 Classic will mark the 25th Anniversary of the golf tournament. (And, no, he wears men's clothing).

Another Toledo native is Katie Holmes. She was a star in the city's eye until she married Scientologist Tom Cruise. According to a article on June 26, 2005, in the Toledo Blade, there were only 3 Scientology Churches in Ohio, one in Columbus, Cincinnati, and Cleveland, but the closest to Toledo is actually in Battle Creek, Michigan or in Southfield, MI. There were approximately 30 active Scientologists in Toledo. There were approximately the same number of suits filed that year against the Toledo Catholic Diocese for sexual abuse, out of the approximate 300,000 members.

Toledoans can't seem to stop shooting themselves in the foot. They keep electing Carty Finkbeiner as mayor. Finkbeiner served as mayor from January 1, 1994 until 2002, and was reelected as Mayor in 2006.

In 1994, Mayor Finkbeiner suggested to complaining residents near the airport that they should sell their homes at a discounted price to deaf people.

In 1997, Finkbeiner made a call to a 19 year old woman to let her know that she could not keep chickens in her yard. He called her from his car.

He also suggested that Toledo could be the next Hollywood, which drew a lot of media attention, especially after the "Daily Show" aired a snippet focusing on the poorest area of Toledo and comparing it to the glamour of Hollywood.

In 1998, the Finkbeiner administration was able to garner the title of "All-American City Award of the National Civic League." which is awarded to only U.S.10 cities per year.

But also during 1998, Carty was also fined $400.00 to ethic charges and court costs after he received a $10,000 profit from Owens Corning because they purchased a condo that he owned, however he did not report the profit.

Also in 1998, Mayor Finkbeiner became enraged with a female city worker for not controlling an event at the Erie Street Market that attracted too many people. The Erie Street Market had been the Civic Center, but was closed for a long time, and reopened in the 1980's as a combination of restaurants, a farmer's market, and specialty stores, as part of the rejuvenation of the downtown area.

In 1999, the female former employee filed suit against Mayor Finkbeiner, claiming that he hit her in the face with a ceramic coffee mug. He claimed that he did not hit her, and that the half-cup of tea that he was enjoying was in a Styrofoam cup. On Jan 29, 2001, she was awarded a $35,000 settlement.

In 1998, a longtime Toledo community and Democratic Party activist said that she was abused verbally by the Mayor in a parking garage when she tried to speak to him about the building of a drugstore, one of her favorite causes. She said that the mayor became very irate and berated her with a tirade of foul language.

He also banished the city's then real estate manager from a staff meeting because he was a few minutes late. The real estate manager was relegated to a nearby conference room for the several hours that the meeting lasted.

In 1999, during a luncheon meeting for CEO's at the prestigious Toledo Club, the head of a prominent health care system sent a V.P. to the luncheon in his place. Mayor Finkbeiner ordered the woman from the room and sent a scathing letter to the company president.

In 2000, a local Erie Street Market restaurant owner accused Finkbeiner of physically and verbally assaulting him at the restaurant. After the completion of the restaurant was delayed due to problems and the owner fell behind in the monthly rent (which were paid to the city) Mayor Finkbeiner went to the restaurant, approached the owner and commenced using foul language, while poking him repeatedly, hitting him in the chest, and grabbing him by the neck. The restaurateur claimed that the encounter traumatized him, making him unable to run his businesses, causing nightmares, and giving him suicidal thoughts. The suit was dismissed in 2004.

A few months before he left office, he threatened the YMCA of Greater Toledo that he would hold up all city employee contributions to the United Way unless they agreed to build a downtown branch. The next day, his staff said that the contributions would not be affected.

Because of the limitations that a mayor may serve only two consecutive terms, he could not run again. He was succeeded by Mayor Jack Ford, the first black mayor of Toledo, and speaker at the 2004 Democratic Convention (at which a number of the attendees became comatose during his monotone speech). Unfortunately for Mr. Ford, on October 15, 2005, the National Socialist Movement, a neo-nazi group decided to come to Toledo to hold a rally in a Toledo neighborhood after one citizen complained about the problems with black gangs. After hearing this news, many members of the community and Anti-Racist Action groups decided to have a counter-rally and began organizing people in the area, in which were people who were already committed to attend a counter demonstration against the Nazi attendees, and a gang-truce was also initiated. Approximately 25 neo-nazis showed up, while approximately 800 people came to show their opposition. The police were ordered to provide protection to the neo-nazis, but as the march began, it was apparent that this was an impossible feat. When the police charged the crowd, people started throwing anything they could find. Two police vehicles were disabled. The NSM fled. At the conclusion of the melee, 13 police vehicles, two media vehicles, an ambulance, and a neighborhood bar were destroyed.

Prior to this incident, Carlton Finkbeiner had announced his desire to regain the Mayorship on June 30, 2005, and guess what? He was elected on November 8, 2005, three weeks after the North Toledo Riots and was sworn in on January 3, 2006.

From his inauguration in 2006 until today, June, 2009, Mr. Finkbeiner has truly outdone himself.

During his acceptance speech, he plagiarized an article written by Cleveland Plain Dealer writer Brent Larkin, entitled "Ohio is losing its mind[s]".

In early 2006, when Toledo was becoming overwhelmed by government spending and city debt, the Mayor requested that private shower facilities be installed for him at the City Government Office. His line of reasoning was that after his lunch-time run, he would be able to go back to his office, shower, and be ready for the afternoon meetings and would also be presentable for any appearances. When the initial bid was released for the construction, it was quoted at $10,006, which was $6.00 over the limit for any construction that would not have to be approved by City Council. The construction managed to get the figure to $9996.00.

In May of 2006, Mr. Finkbeiner called the fire chief of Toledo, "King-Kong" referring to the African American's stature. Chief Bell contended that no offense was taken.

In June of 2006, the short career of the Chief of Toledo Police ended after he resigned following a heated conversation with the mayor.

In January, 2007, Finkbeiner and his wife went to the Ottawa County jail to visit her son, an inmate. They claimed that on one occasion his wife was denied access to the ladies rest room, and on another occasion Mr. Finkbeiner was not allowed a visit to his step-son after visiting hours were over.

Also, in January of 2007, after a long dispute between the mayor and a local radio show, the radio show sued Finkbeiner and his press secretary for violating freedom of speech and freedom of the press after a radio representative was denied, by force, access to a public press conference. A federal judge ruled in favor of the radio station on January 31, and called for a permanent injunction requiring that the station be admitted to any future press conferences.

In April, 2007, the Martin Luther King Bridge which connects the east side of Toledo to downtown, and spans the Maumee River, was under construction. There had been a number of delays, and lane closures during this reconstruction project, with very little progress. Mayor Finkbeiner suggested that a temporary cafe be constructed in the closed lanes so that the city workers could just eat there.

In August, 2007, Finkbeiner parked in a handicapped spot, while his dog, Scout, was left in the car. August in Toledo is brutal. It is hot and humid. Carty was fined and ticketed but fell short of being accused of animal abuse.

In February of 2008, a company of 200 Marine Corps Reservists were sent to Toledo for urban patrol excercises. This excercise was to take place in the downtown area and in the mostly vacant Madison Building. Toledo officials were aware of the training program, but it was not until the Marines were in Toledo, that the mayor asked them to leave because they might "frighten people" since the residents of Toledo were never informed of the exercise. He e-mailed the Marine Corp officials and said that the Marines could return to Toledo but not "downtown" which was ludicrous since hardly anyone goes downtown. There are hardly any open businesses or attractions in that area, other that the baseball field, and a few restraurants. And in fact, American citizens usually do not show a fear of the United States Marines.

During the summer 2008, $80,000 of taxpayer money was spent after Mayor Finkbeiner put 13 different contracts into effect (each contract was under $10,000 falling short of requiring City Council approval). These contracts were all awarded to make Bay 4 of the Erie Street Market into a concert hall. According to the Toledo Blade, one of the contracts was granted to a local promoter to schedule the events. The promoter had already been convicted of forgery, in which he had received a liquor permit by falsifying records. He had also been arrested for the sale of alcohol to a minor, but was not convicted. He was also in arrears in back federal and state taxes. There have been no concerts at the Erie Street Market since December, 2008 and no tax money return has been realized.

In April 2009, Finkbeiner decided to layoff 150 officers. If the layoffs would take effect, for every 1000 residents, there will be on 1.6 police officers. Some of the officers considered for lay-off include officers from the Gang Task Force, Crime Analysis Division, SWAT, and Vice. The Toledo Police Department has filed a lawsuit against the City of Toledo.

In April, 2009, a group of Toledo Businessmen, trying to attract businesses, jobs and economic development, calling themselves "Take Back Toledo" put together a push to have Mayor Finkbeiner recalled. The Lucas County Board of Elections allowed the recall on April 15th, when 20,400 signatures were authenticated. Mr Finkbeiner was hand delivered a recall notice on April 20 which allowed Mr. Finkbeiner 5 days to either resign or have the recall vote in November. Mayor Finkbeiner opted for the latter and retained the services of a law firm to make sure the recall signatures were legitimate. If he is recalled, he would be the second mayor in Ohio history to be recalled, second only to Cleveland ex-mayor, Dennis Kucinich.

In May, 2009, with the economy of the United States at near depression levels, cities had to cut budgets and eliminate a number of programs. Mayor Finkbeiner made national news by asking the residents to volunteer to cut the grass at various cemeteries and parks, and actually showed up with his lawnmower, cutting the grass at a Toledo park on a Saturday morning.

But then, on June 3, 2009, an incident was uploaded to "You Tube" which showed the mayor, during a walk in a Toledo park, reacted to a teen fight, and berated the youths saying to one of them "Come here, fatso" and "Tubby, get your butt out of here."

Then, again, in June, 2009, Mayor Finkbeiner received national attention when he enforced an obscure law that had not been enforced for over 45 years, The law required that people parking vehicles on an unpaved area, which included gravel driveways, be fined, even if it was on their own property. The $25.00 tickets were not issued by the police, but by other city employees, which included garbage collectors.

Holy Toledo!!!!

This is not to say that Mayor Finkbeiner has not done anything good for the city. During his regime, a new Jeep plant was built, another state prison was built in Toledo, Fifth-Third Field, the new Mudhen stadium was built, but all of these accomplishments were tarnished by the gaffes of the mayor.

Visitors to Toledo would be surprised with the Toledo Museum of Art. which always rates very high in regards to Museums in the United States, and the Toledo Zoo, the first U.S. zoo to have a "hippoquarium". Toledo is approximately 1 hour away from "Cedar Point," one of the highest rated amusement parks in the country, as well as the close proximity to Lake Erie for some of the best fishing for walleye and perch. Gamblers have access to the Detroit casinos; which are approximately an hour drive. With the lower rates at hotels and restaurants, Toledo is a great place to use as a base-point when visiting the area. And the best part, you are just visiting.

I have been a resident of the Toledo area for most of my 55 years, but I tend to live in suburbs of Toledo that have their own mayors. I would not move from this area because I do love the 4 seasons, knowing that none of the seasons will be too severe, and I like the access to various activities, but living in Toledo is too stressful as long as Carty is around.