2008 Woodie Awards
Candidates prep for race
Chris Ankney
Issue date: 8/29/05 Section: News
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Among the issues discussed was the need for Toledo to become competitive in the job market.
Keith Wilkowski, a Democratic candidate and Toledo native, was the first to speak at the forum and he addressed the issue.
"I am running for mayor because Toledo desperately needs new leadership to bring jobs and people back to this city," Wilkowski said. "The record for jobs and economic development in Toledo over the past 12 years has been dismal."
Democrat Jack Ford, the current mayor of Toledo, was also present and defended himself.
"It's true there has been a decline in certain kinds of jobs Toledoans have," Ford said. "[But] if you look at the [job] report closer ... there has been a trend of more technology jobs coming into the city."
Wilkowski said these few jobs aren't enough.
"Even though we were creating some jobs, our median income is going down and down and down and our standard of living is going down," he said.
Ford added that, while there could be more jobs, Toledo, unlike bigger cities, has yet to lay off any of its emergency workers even though the budget has decreased by over $8 million in the past four years and other troubles he's had to endure as mayor.
"I inherited a $15 million deficit," he said.
Opal Covey, an independent candidate who is running for mayor the second time, was also present and spoke on what she believes Toledo needs to get back its jobs and get back on its feet.
"I want to give you the key that's going to ... put Toledo back on the map," Covey said. "[God] gave me a prophecy to read to you today."
Covey said God has given her the only way to put Toledo back to the way it was.
"[Toledo has] fallen so hard and so dangerously that no man can bring you out, save God," Covey said. "I have shown my servant the miracle it will take to bring Toledo back to prosperity. This is the amusement park installment."