Tt post apr 14, 2017 - b

This shows the boldness of Toledo government. They don't try to hide these shenanigans because they know that their actions will go unchallenged.

It's great that Ignazio Messina does this kind of reporting. He's probably the only Toledo media person who can do this reporting. But city government does not fear Messina.

Nothing will change because special interests support the "leaders", and voter apathy is too extreme.

City government relies on a disengaged electorate. City government wants the citizens distracted by non-local stories.

And if someone or something criticizes the status quo, then the status quo responds by labeling the critics negative nellies.

The September 2013 primary spotlights the lack of interest by Toledo voters. Seven candidates ran for mayor, including popular names like Bell, Collins, McNamara, and Lopez. 17 people ran for the six city council at-large seats.

Yet voter turnout was only around 15 percent for the September 2013 Toledo primary. And voter turnout was only 25 percent for Toledo's November 2013 general election.

If Toledoans were truly tired of the status quo, then a higher voter turnout might create dramatic changes, or at least put the entrenched officials on alert.

I believe that one of Toledo government's greatest fears is an informed citizenry.

In recent years, it appears that a "local" movement has occurred in Toledo, such as supporting local craftspeople, artists, farmers, and other small businesses.

But the interest in what happens with local government has decreased over the past 15 years. The interest in Toledo government has decreased at a greater rate than the decrease in Toledo's population.

In other words, unless something dramatic changes in 2017, the lack of concern will worsen into the next decade.

It's possible that most of the people who are concerned about Toledo government's actions will live outside Toledo.

While parts of Toledo have improved over the past 20-plus years, many other sections of Toledo have declined significantly.

If anything can stall or reverse the positives that Toledo has experienced, it will be city government. Ignoring the actions of city government can have long-term negative effects.