Feb 20, 2015 - Interesting but not surprising observations by Toledo Blade columnist Keith Burris

Column excerpts:

Something ugly is happening at Toledo City Council in the wake of Mayor D. Michael Collins’ death. A power grab.

A fraction of the Lucas County Democratic Party, bolstered by some in the construction trade unions, wants to seize control of council. They want to ram through their own choice for council president: Councilman Steve Steel, who is also the county Democratic Party chairman.

To be the head of council and head of any political party is an inherent conflict of interest.

And they want to dictate the choice for the vacancy on council: either Yvonne Harper, who helps Mr. Steel run the party as its executive director, or someone who would vacate so Paula Hicks-Hudson could reclaim her seat if party leaders want to push her aside in November.

Let’s see, she was sworn in as mayor. ... Tuesday.

And they went to work on this grubby plot before Mayor Collins was even buried.

This is not about service to the city, helping the new mayor, or, as far as I can see, any particular public policy goal. This is only about power. Grabbing control of city government for one small faction. Power and patronage — contracts and jobs.

The very opposite of what Mike Collins stood for.

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