"So, I'm here to tell you I feel this passion in my heart and in my bones and I'm here to announce my candidacy for mayor of Toledo."
With those words, a fourth candidate has stepped into the mayor's race in Toledo. There was no question Joe McNamara (D) was going to run for mayor. The question was when the city council president would announce his candidacy. Well, Tuesday, he made it official.
McNamara didn't pull any punches. He attacked Mayor Mike Bell (I) as a weak, disconnected mayor without focus, and telling 13 abc reporter Bill Hormann, "I'm focused on people. I'm focused on building this community and I'm focused on strengthening the neighborhoods."
McNamara says under mayor Bell, crime is up, neighborhood blight has gotten worse, economic development has been non-existent, and he charges the mayor blames unions for the city's problems.
The Democrat says, "Toledoans have to feel good about their mayor. They have to know that the mayor is fighting for them and they have to know that the mayor understands what's going on."
It is apparent McNarama will create a narrative of an out- of- touch mayor. And the chairman of the Lucas County Democratic Party echoed that sentiment, accusing Bell--a former registered Democrat-- of parroting *Republican talking points*.
Ron Rothenbuhler said, "I think the issues and the views he has on issues shows he's leaning more toward the Republican views than some of the Democratic views."
But the mayor points to a balanced budget without raising taxes, income revenue up 15-percent over the last 4-years and hiring more fire and police as successes *all Toledoans* share.
And the mayor says he has has something Joe McNamara will never have.
Mayor Bell told 13abc reporter Bill Hormann, "See, I'm a change agent. I'm moving in a totally different direction than he would think of doing. I have more spinal cord than he'll probably ever have."
There are four official candidates... Bell and McNarama, AlanCox, the president of AFSCME Local 2058, and perennial candidate Opal Covey.
The Democrats will probably field another candidate, rumored to be Anita Lopez the Lucas County Auditor and Republicans are likely to have a candidate as well.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:32 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:32:13 GMT
Some of Rossford's oldest school buildings need major repairs. District leaders now have five potential renovation plans, but they're looking for voter input before they move forward.
Some of Rossford's oldest school buildings need major repairs. District leaders now have five potential renovation plans, but they're looking for voter input before they move forward.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:12 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:12:46 GMT
We often report stories on the Ohio State Highway Patrol's K-9 unit. The dogs help Troopers find huge quantities of illegal drugs in our region every year. But between the big hits is a lot of hard work,
Ride along as an elite group of four legged crime fighters and their handlers take drugs off Northwest Ohio roads.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:07 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:07:04 GMT
Kassy Widman is a Woodmore High School graduate. She's been living in Moore, Oklahoma for several years with her kids and husband. Monday her world was turned upside down after an EF 5 tornado nearly
A Woodmore High School graduate loses everything in the Moore, Oklahoma tornado. Her sister tells 13abc, her twin nephews were among the survivors at Plaza Towers Elementary school where 7 children died.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:22 PM EDT2013-05-23 02:22:54 GMT
Toledo Police are on the scene of a rollover accident on I-475 between Corey Road and Talmadge Road after a vehicle lost control and flipped over into a ditch. Police are still trying to piece together
Toledo Police were called to the scene of a rollover accident on I-475 between Corey Road and Talmadge Road after a vehicle lost control and flipped over into a ditch Wednesday afternoon.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:11 PM EDT2013-05-22 22:11:42 GMT
The Toledo mayor's race may be a crowded affair but so far no viable Republicans. All seven announced candidates have to first file petitions and be certified by the Lucas County Board of Elections.
Toledo Mayor Mike Bell has the financial backing of Republicans and the Independent could get the party's endorsement.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 3:53 PM EDT2013-05-22 19:53:47 GMT
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Ohio state lawmakers moved boldly Tuesday against storefront sweepstakes parlors they have come to view as illegal gambling operations, advancing separate bills effectively banning
An effective ban on Internet cafes targeted as illegal gambling operations has cleared the Ohio Legislature after more than two years of wrangling.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 7:32 AM EDT2013-05-22 11:32:46 GMT
LOGAN, Ohio (AP) - State officials say safety improvements are planned after a third fatal fall from a cliff recently in the Hocking's Hills region of southeastern Ohio. The Ohio Department of Natural
State officials say safety improvements are planned after a third fatal fall from a cliff recently in the Hocking's Hills region of southeastern Ohio. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources says signs warning hikers not to leave marked trails are being enhanced. Rangers also have increased trail patrols and are issuing more citations to people who stray from them
Wednesday, May 22 2013 7:26 AM EDT2013-05-22 11:26:32 GMT
CLEVELAND (AP) - The three women held captive in a Cleveland house for about a decade say they are doing fine. That was the message in a letter released by their attorneys Tuesday that also noted a charity
The three women held captive in a Cleveland house for about a decade say they are doing fine. That was the message in a letter released by their attorneys Tuesday that also noted a charity fund to help the women has now raised more than 650 thousand dollars.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:27 PM EDT2013-05-22 02:27:16 GMT
General Motors and Michigan are continuing the economic road to recovery. The company announced today it will invest more than 40 million dollars in a Cadillac factory in Lansing. The Lansing
General Motors and Michigan are continuing the economic road to recovery. The company announced today it will invest more than 40 million dollars in a Cadillac factory in Lansing. The Lansing
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:12 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:12:46 GMT
We often report stories on the Ohio State Highway Patrol's K-9 unit. The dogs help Troopers find huge quantities of illegal drugs in our region every year. But between the big hits is a lot of hard work,
Ride along as an elite group of four legged crime fighters and their handlers take drugs off Northwest Ohio roads.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:32 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:32:13 GMT
Some of Rossford's oldest school buildings need major repairs. District leaders now have five potential renovation plans, but they're looking for voter input before they move forward.
Some of Rossford's oldest school buildings need major repairs. District leaders now have five potential renovation plans, but they're looking for voter input before they move forward.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:07 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:07:04 GMT
Kassy Widman is a Woodmore High School graduate. She's been living in Moore, Oklahoma for several years with her kids and husband. Monday her world was turned upside down after an EF 5 tornado nearly
A Woodmore High School graduate loses everything in the Moore, Oklahoma tornado. Her sister tells 13abc, her twin nephews were among the survivors at Plaza Towers Elementary school where 7 children died.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:18 PM EDT2013-05-23 02:18:14 GMT
Sylvania Township Police are investigating a Missing Person case. 25-year-old Jennifer Webster was last seen Monday in Sylvania Township.Jennifer is 5'1", 150 lbs., with brown hair and blue eyes. She was
Sylvania Township say a 25-year-old woman was was reported missing by her mother has been found.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:13 PM EDT2013-05-23 02:13:59 GMT
A cardboard competition was held Wednesday at the Maritime Academy of Toledo! Students were challenged to build boats made with just cardboard, duct tape and glue. Four teams put their vessels to the
A cardboard competition was held Wednesday at the Maritime Academy of Toledo! Students were challenged to build boats made with just cardboard, duct tape and glue.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:27 PM EDT2013-05-23 00:27:36 GMT
K.C. Collete submitted his resignation as a member of Findlay City Council Wednesday.He did not specify a reason for his departure in his resignation letter, reports 13abc media partner The Toledo Blade.
K.C. Collete submitted his resignation as a member of Findlay City Council Wednesday. Collete was arrested on a petty theft charge over the weekend for allegedly attempting to steal two bottles of vitamins.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 5:42 PM EDT2013-05-22 21:42:15 GMT
A Toledo woman needs your help tonight. Her service dog disappeared late Monday night and is still missing. Robin Reau, 60, has uncontrollable seizures. Seven years ago she got Kaden- a specially trained
A Central Toledo woman is looking for her missing service dog. The dog is a black and white Lhaso Apso name Kamden. The dog disappeared from a home near Ashland and Bancroft Monday. The dog is trained to detect seizures before they happen and alert the owner. If you have any information about the dog call 13ABC.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 5:07 PM EDT2013-05-22 21:07:58 GMT
A grandma in Fostoria fights off a man who tried to kidnap her grandson. 13 ABC's Christine Long spoke with the grandmother who battled for the boy kicking and screaming. Anyone you talk to in town
"I'm grateful that God gave me the strength to fight the man off," says Paulette Barchus who kicked and screamed on Wednesday to protect her grandson.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:22 PM EDT2013-05-23 02:22:54 GMT
Toledo Police are on the scene of a rollover accident on I-475 between Corey Road and Talmadge Road after a vehicle lost control and flipped over into a ditch. Police are still trying to piece together
Toledo Police were called to the scene of a rollover accident on I-475 between Corey Road and Talmadge Road after a vehicle lost control and flipped over into a ditch Wednesday afternoon.
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 WorldNow and WTVG. All Rights Reserved.
