Though there are a few who agree with his decision, I don’t think there’s anyone who agrees with the way the decision was carried out, or with the public relations nightmare Carty started because of his last-minute order to prohibit the exercises.
Adding insult to injury, he refused to meet with an officer of the company to see if any alternatives could be worked out, contributing to the indignation over the way the U.S. Marines were treated.
So what is a citizen to do? As there was a failed recall effort last year, another cannot be undertaken for 12 months, which means late this summer.
And that’s where the .75 percent payroll income tax comes into play. This temporary tax, which generates $57.7 million for the City of Toledo, is on the March 4 primary ballot. Since the city’s announcement this would be on the ballot, there have been calls to defeat it.
But with the most recent embarrassment foisted upon the citizenry by Mayor Finkbeiner, the calls to vote “no” have grown louder.
http://www.toledofreepress.com/?id=7211
He may be right about that but it sure had a negative impact on his reputation if he had any semblance of a good one left.
Maggie Thurber is correct, he is a Jerk!
Thank you for your thoughts. Your message will be conveyed to the Mayor. Attached is the Mayor's Statement to the Media and a statement from Lt. Colonel Piccoli, U.S. Marine Corps on this issue.
Statement from Mayor Carty Finkbeiner -Regarding U.S. Marine Corps.
February 10, 2008
Today, I spoke with Major Jeff Brooks of the United States Marine Corps. I conveyed my sincere regret for the failure to communicate within the administration and any inconvenience that caused the U.S. Marine Corps.
I also conveyed, as my staff did on Friday, that we would make available abandoned buildings for Marine training outside of the CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT (CBD).
I concluded by reviewing my belief that the CBD, particularly on a weekday afternoon, was not available for military staging operations. 10,000 - 14,000 men and women would have been departing their offices in downtown Toledo on Friday afternoon with a major military training action unfolding - including the use of weapons being discharged with blanks.
My interest is not only in supporting the U.S. military wherever and whenever such support is sought, but also protecting the health, peace, and tranquility of Toledoans in every way possible.
For those who disagree with my priorities in terms of safeguarding Toledoans, we may disagree, but you have my respect.
Statement from Lt. Colonel Piccoli - U.S. Marine Corps
February 11, 2008
Although our planned training event for Company A, 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment from Grand Rapids, Mich., did not occur over the weekend in the Central Business District of Toledo, Ohio, we greatly appreciate the commitment of the city leaders and the support of the citizens of Toledo to assist us with future training opportunities in the Toledo area.
As the Marine Corps has done in myriad cities in the past, which includes Columbia, S.C. (2003), New Orleans (2004), Savannah, Ga. (2005), and Hampton Roads, Va. (2006), we'll continue to work very closely with community leaders, law enforcement personnel, members of the media and private citizens to ensure our training does not adversely impact them. Such training, coupled with governmental and civic support, enables the U.S. Marine Corps to meet the country's expectations as the nation's premiere force in readiness.
The U.S. Marine Corps stands shoulder to shoulder with the people of Toledo as we move forward together well into the future.
Good thing he’s not dyslexic, it’d be a rucking fuckus.
Carty: what a silly bunt