Toledo Free Press – December 2, 2012 by Toledo Free Press

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SPECIAL REPORT

Fiscal cliff

What could happen to Lucas County — and you — if the US fails to reach a financial compromise. Story by John P. McCartney, Page A6

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DECEMBER 2, 2012

Opinion

DECEMBER 2, 2012

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LIGHTING THE FUSE

Phantom menace Superman turns his back T H Publisher’s statement

ow can something that does not exist cause such concern? The looming “fiscal cliff ” may be a metaphor, but as discussed in this week’s special report by staff writer John P. McCartney, its scenario carries very real ramifications. As a small business owner with imminent expansion plans, I am unceasingly concerned about the upcoming economic changes. Toledo Free Press is ready for growth but the speed and amount of that growth may be affected by tax cuts, tax additions and business uncertainty. As Michael Dowd, chairman of UT’s Department of Economics and an associate professor of economics, told McCartney, Lucas County busiThomas F. Pounds nesses will struggle because of the increased uncertainty the business community faces in dealing with the fiscal cliff. “They won’t know what their tax bill is for next year other than these draconian levels that will be imposed by the fiscal cliff. With increased uncertainty, businesses are likely to reduce any sorts of investments in their own businesses — capital, machines, software — because they can’t project their own tax bills or profits in six months, a year, two years down the line.” I particularly agree with John Gibney, vice president of marketing and communications at the Regional Growth Partnership, who said that the “fiscal cliff ” serves as another term for uncertainty. “In general, businesses do not like any type of uncertainty,” Gibney said. “In the time between now and a resolution, we might see companies putting off capital investment and hiring decisions. Once the issue is ultimately resolved, it becomes a ‘known’ and businesses will be more apt to move ahead.” You see the pattern here. It is unwise to take steps when you do not know where your feet will land — or what they will step in. It is frustrating — and dangerous — to depend upon the quibblers in the federal government to provide stability. That is the system we operate in, but as the current crisis illustrates, cliff or no cliff, we need a discussion about major changes. O Thomas F. Pounds is president and publisher of Toledo Free Press and Toledo Free Press Star. Contact him at tpounds@ toledofreepress.com.

he reporting and journalism fields’ standards Son of Krypton has more ideological issues on his mind. At the Galaxy Broadcasting Building, home of the Daily have deteriorated in conjunction with the ascent of the Internet. While the democratization of Planet print and online editions, Kent argues with Editor information dissemination is a positive development, White and reporter Lane, who is now a producer for PGN TV. White is angry that Kent, whose prithe vacuum of quality control and the culmary job is to write about Superman, hasn’t ture of anonymity the Internet inspires is filed a story in a week. a major setback. That is not to blame the “The guy isn’t a 24-hour pharmacy, chief,” Internet for the crumbling of journalistic Kent says. “He must not have felt like he was integrity. It was the corporatization of the needed. Calling attention to Superman not field that cut into its ability to stand inbeing around only serves to put a big target dependent and strong; the Internet merely on the people of Metropolis.” provided the stage. Setting aside the monumental conflict of Too much opinion seeps into news reKent basically taking a job to report on his porting; too many political agendas poison own activities, he turns his criticism to Lane. the well from which diligence and integrity “I didn’t think you recognized news anyshould spring. People more concerned with Michael S. miller more,” he says. “The lead story was a transcript social status than truth own publications. Many organizations employ stenographers instead of re- of the White House daily briefing — no questions asked. Then porters. Financial pressures shape news coverage. YouTube a 4-minute-and-37-second feature on Lookie’s love child. Folvideos of cats stuck in trees eat up airtime at the expense of lowed by an interview for the latest weekend blockbuster. I’ve been a journalist for barely five years now. Why am I the one analysis and investigation. Whether you are a welder or an architect or a chef, I sounding like a grizzled, ink-stained wretch who believes imagine you pay attention to public discussions and rep- news should be about — I don’t know, news?” I was greatly disappointed to read that the comic’s resentations of your work and craft. So it is with my preoccupation with how journalism is portrayed in popular writer, Scott Lobdell, chose to drop White into the pit of culture. There aren’t too many iconic newspaper editors. resigned clock-punchers. He responds to Kent, “Times are There was Ed Asner’s Lou Grant, who started in a Min- changing and print is a dying medium. I don’t like it. But the neapolis TV station before becoming city editor of a Los only hope we have of delivering any news at all is to give the Angeles daily newspaper, but eventually netted 10,000 people what they want to read — to see on television, or pad or cellphone. And God help me, if a front page story about balloons to his house to fly to Paradise Falls, Venezuela. Comic books gave us cigar-chomping, hotheaded J. some reality star gets them to pick up a paper and maybe Jonah Jameson in “Spider-Man” and gentler but still steely stumble on real news …” Yikes, White! Way to stand tall and guard the gates. Perry White in “Superman.” But in the general, journalists Kent must also be frustrated with White’s lackadaisical and editors do not shine in modern fiction. Mikael Blomkvist, from “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” Millen- attitude, as his anger spills into the newsroom. As Cat Grant nium series by Stieg Larsson, compromises himself and (described as “entertainment editor” and “clothes horse”) his publication at every opportunity, even as he claims to watches, Kent gets into a fight with White’s boss, Galaxy be on a righteous path. Millions of “Harry Potter” readers Broadcasting owner Morgan Edge. Edge admonishes Kent for his lack of story production, learned to loathe Rita Skeeter, the scheming, borderline criminal reporter for the Daily Prophet. The nerds Jimmy punctuating his comments with “I own the stories. And Olsen and Les Nessman are countered by the model-hot your notes. And for reasons I don’t always understand, I even own you, Clark.” alliterative pair of Vicki Vale and Lois Lane. Kent responds, “Just doing my job — looking for the It has always interested me that when the creators of Superman and Spider-Man needed an occupation to serve news, not making it.” “Your job is what I say it is. The truth is … if you as the identity-hiding opposite of strength and power, they chose journalism. Peter Parker’s camera and Clark Kent’s can’t do that Kent, then I need to find someone who notepad keep them close to the action of the day and pro- can,” Edge huffs. “The truth?” Kent rises and says, “You want to have a vide mild-mannered cover for their respective superheroes. Apparently, journalism’s decline has become too much conversation about the truth? The truth is that somewhere for even Superman to live with. In DC Comics’ Superman along the way, the business of news became the news. No. 13, a story titled “They Will Join You in the Sun” shows Growing up in Smallville, I believed journalism was an Supes quitting the Daily Planet. The story opens with the Big ideal, as worthy and important as being a cop, a fireman — Blue Boy Scout bench pressing the equivalent of the weight a teacher or a doctor. of the planet Earth, but physical strength isn’t the issue. The n MILLER CONTINUES ON A4 Thomas F. Pounds, President/Publisher tpounds@toledofreepress.com

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THE HOT CORNER

Off the cliff

ust weeks after the presidential (Thanks to Think Progress, “GOP’s election and the GOP is trying Benghazi Conspiracy Falls Apart, to show its newfound bipartisan- White House Didn’t Change Susan ship by dealing with the “fiscal cliff,” a Rice’s Talking Points.”) Another curious thing is the monster of its own making from way back when they were trying to keep sudden GOP concern about embassy President Obama from being able to security. In 2002, the U.S. Consulate raise the debt ceiling. They were being in Karachi, Pakistan, was attacked and too cute by half, thinking that once 10 people were killed. In 2004, the U.S. their nominee was elected, and they Embassy was bombed in Uzbekistan took control of the Senate, they could with two killed and nine injured. Also in 2004, gunmen attacked the U.S. do their thing to make it go away. Well, things didn’t go exactly the Consulate in Saudi Arabia, killing way they planned, as we now know, eight. In 2006, armed men attacked the U.S. Embassy in and they’re stuck in Syria, killing one. In the corner they painted 2007, a grenade was themselves into. They launched into the U.S. deserve a little comeupEmbassy in Athens, pance, in my opinion. Greece. In 2008, riThey let their hatred oters set fire to the U.S. for Obama keep them Embassy in Syria. Also from doing what was in 2008, bombings in good for the country. the U.S. Embassy in And now the president Yemen killed 10. These is holding better cards. all happened during If I were Obama, I’d let Don BURNARD it expire and let them stew in their the Bush administration. Where was own juices, but I don’t think the presi- the hue and cry from the Republicans about embassy security then? How dent is that kind of guy. In the not-so-bipartisan depart- did they address this situation? In ment, several GOP members of Con- the fiscal year 2011 budget, they cut gress are ginning up a new tempest in embassy security funds by $238 mila teapot over the statements made by lion! At the time, Secretary of State U.N. Ambassador and possible Secre- Hillary Clinton said, “The scope of tary of State nominee Susan Rice about the proposed House cuts is massive. the Benghazi attacks on the Sunday The truth is that cuts of that level will talk shows. Even though everyone be detrimental to America’s national actually in the know has said she was security. I was very clear with the only repeating the facts she was given Speaker about the deep concerns we by the intelligence community, Sens. have with the FY11 spending bill.” They certainly didn’t seem very John McCain and Lindsey Graham seem to have made it their life’s work to concerned then, but now that four block the nomination of a very quali- people were killed in Benghazi fied black woman to be the secretary under Obama’s administration, it’s of state. So much for the new outreach a huge deal. Maybe they shouldn’t have gutted embassy security. Oh effort to women and minorities. There was a call for a Watergate- well, like everything else, we’ll just type investigation into the White blame it on Obama. In the immediate aftermath of the House supposedly changing the talking points, but that’s been pretty election, petitions from all 50 states well disproved by both former CIA came in seeking to secede from the director David Petraeus and the United States. Coincidentally, these spokesman for the Director of Na- states get far more back from the fedtional Intelligence Shawn Turner in eral government than they pay in. If I a CNN interview: “The intelligence were President Obama, I’d take them community made substantive, ana- up on their offer to leave, after billing lytical changes before the talking them for their share of the national points were sent to government debt, of course, but that’s just me. agency partners for their feedback. Good riddance, I say. Unfortunately, There were no substantive changes this won’t happen and I’ll quote Sumade to the talking points after they preme Court Justice Antonin Scalia on why: “Secession? I cannot imagine left the intelligence community.” According to Rep. Adam Schiff that such a question could ever reach in The New York Times, Petraeus in the Supreme Court. To begin with, the his closed door briefing “was ada- answer is clear. If there was any constimant that there was no politiciza- tutional issue resolved by the Civil War, tion of the process, no White House it is that there is no right to secede.” At least the irony is delicious. O interference or political agenda.”

Opinion

DECEMBER 2, 2012

DON LEE

Thank you from Imagination Station TO THE EDITOR, Thank you Lucas County and thank you to everyone who supported Imagination Station throughout this levy renewal campaign. After the provisional ballots were counted, Issue 26 has passed, securing five more years of outstanding STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) educational opportunities for the children of Lucas County. This proves that every vote counts. To thank you for your support, we will continue to offer Lucas County residents the following special benefits: O Free admission every Saturday for residents, 12 and younger

O Discounts on admission, every day O Discounts on membership O Discounts on school group rates Imagination Station, in partnership with school districts, universities and local businesses, is committed to helping prepare future generations to enter STEM career fields. Thirty of the fastest growing jobs in the United States require a background in STEM. At Imagination Station, our unique blend of handson exhibits and experiences, aligned to academic content standards in Ohio and Michigan, plants seeds that excite, engage and inspire our future leaders to pursue STEM careers. Your support of Issue 26 has enabled

n MILLER CONTINUED FROM A3 “I was taught to believe you could use words to change the course of rivers — that even the darkest secrets would fall under the harsh light of the sun. But facts have been replaced by opinions. Information has been replaced by entertainment. Reporters have become stenographers. “I can’t be the only one who is sick at the thought of what passes for the news today. I am not the only one who believes in the power of the press — the fact that we need to stand up for the truth. For justice. And yeah — I’m not ashamed to say — the American way.” No one in the newsroom will stand up with Kent, and he is unceremoniously fired from/quits the newspaper.

us to plan further into the future, including a wide range of traveling exhibitions fit for the whole family. You can look forward to seeing: Grossology: The Impolite Science of the Human Body; Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition; Guitar: The Instrument that Rocked the World; Mythbusters: The Explosive Exhibition; and Design Zone, alongside an array of exciting special events, guests and experiences to come. On behalf of the Imagination Station board of directors, team and the children of Lucas County, we thank you! O Lori Hauser Chief Executive Officer, Imagination Station

Entertainment editor and clothes horse Grant (is the last name an homage to Lou?) follows Kent and kinda-sorta voices support for him, but before the matter can be settled, a Godzilla-size dragon from Krypton attacks and Supes has to don his tights to defend the city. What can be done for a field even Superman turns his back on? Journalists do not have to be faster than a speeding bullet or able to leap tall buildings at a single bound. They just need to adhere to basic principles of ethics and public service. Sadly, even that basic tenet seems to be more suited for comic book fiction than daily newspaper reality. O Michael S. Miller is editor in chief of Toledo Free Press and Toledo Free Press Star. Email him at mmiller@toledofreepress.com.

DECEMBER 2, 2012

MEDIA WATCH

s a father of four, my biggest struggle as a parent is choosing Northwest Ohio as the place to raise my family. My issue is really simple — what kind of career options will my children have if we continue to call Toledo home? I fully expect my offspring to receive a higher education, locally or wherever their hearts choose. I want them to get jobs in the careers they want, for them to fall in love, have families and to live the American Dream. If we were to move now to a more thriving city, a metropolis with younger professionals, where the population is booming, would I improve my chances of living closer to any potential grandchildren? How many of you reading this right now are currently planning a trip to see your grandkids? You raised your children right, they got their educations, they started families but had to choose to live in another city so they could work. You worked your ass off at Jeep, sacrificed your body to send your children to college and your reward has been spending your weekends in the car or on a plane just to see your own flesh and blood. I don’t want that

Opinion

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CES or bust

life. I want something different and I away. Instead of focusing our ecowant this city I love, Toledo, to evolve. nomic future on a land where the avI want us to get young again, and to do erage hourly wage in a factory is $1.36, why don’t we aim higher and smarter? that we need an economic makeover. In August 2012, Apple, the maker Mayor Mike Bell just returned to Toledo following his fourth trip to of iPods, iPhones, etc., was listed as the most valuable China. He was joined company in the world by 18 others on a fiveat $621 billion. Of the city tour of the comfive largest U.S. compamunist superpower in nies (based on market hopes of bringing jobs capitalization), three back to Toledo. I am not are tech-based: Apple, holding my breath for Microsoft and Google. the success of the trip. If we want to change the I love his effort, I love landscape and future of his energy, but both Toledo, we may want to were misspent. I would start by changing our love to know what the Jeremy BAUMHOWER thought process is on trying to con- focus from China to Silicon Valley in vince Chinese investors to move California. Here’s how we can start. The Consumer Electronics Show jobs to Toledo, when they pay their workers nearly nothing there. The (CES), the biggest event in technology, true result of these trips to China is is scheduled for Jan. 8-11 in Las Vegas. a ton of private sales of local property More than 156,000 people attended to people who live more than 10,000 last year, along with nearly every tech miles away. We have a hard enough company in the world. These four days time with slumlords who live in our are used for rolling out prototypes, announcing new lines and looking for city, let alone China. These trips to China are one reason great investment opportunities. This is I am considering moving my family where Toledo needs to be represented.

Bell attended a high-tech fair while in China, so why not rent a 100-squarefoot booth ($4,200) to introduce the future of the world’s economy to the best place to raise a family? We need the right marketing approach; we need to brand Toledo. We need to sell to the world what we already know, that Toledo is a wonderful place to call home. Toledo has an affordable cost of living, especially with housing. Investors’ dollars will go further here, which is perfect for startups. We have an airport, with land available nearby and access to the Great Lakes. Two of the state’s most-traveled highways, I-75 and 80/90, intersect in our back yard, perfect for an Amazon hub. We have the empty buildings, the hardest workers, we are 60 miles south of Detroit, 247 miles east of Chicago and we are motivated. We need this change. The 1992 Tom Cruise/Nicole Kidman movie “Far and Away” features a scene depicting the Oklahoma land rush. The poignant moment shows settlers with white flags racing across a vast empty land, claiming

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parcels of property. In the booth at the 2013 CES, we should have hundreds of white flags. We should give our land away in a first ever “Toledo Tech Rush.” Let’s create a plan full of tax abatements and incentives, and show investors how much more money they can make by coming to Toledo. According to the CES officials I spoke to, no U.S. city has ever marketed themselves this way; we would be a first. Mayor Bell’s trips to China are mostly ceremonial, similar to the AllAmerica City campaigns former mayor Carty Finkbeiner was so focused on. These trips are media friendly, just not efficient for job creation. The mayor had the right idea, trying to get tech jobs, he just chose the wrong place. Mayor Bell has the right energy and he loves our city. He just needs a better approach — or at least one from this century, let alone this decade. I really love raising my family here, but if something doesn’t change, I love them enough to move. O Follow Jeremy Baumhower on Facebook and Twitter.

SPECIAL REPORT: FISCAL CLIFF

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DECEMBER 2, 2012

By John P. McCartney

Toledo Free Press Staff Writer jpmccartney@toledofreepress.com

Although many Americans have followed its media coverage more closely than any political story since Watergate, “There is no such thing as the fiscal cliff,” said Michael J. Beazley, City of Oregon administrator and Lucas County Land Bank president. “It’s a metaphor, and the challenge is that nobody really knows what it means to fall off a cliff,” Beazley said. “Very few people usually talk about it afterward. They’re usually smashed at the bottom.” The term “fiscal cliff ” comes from a statement Ben Bernanke, chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve, made to the House of Representatives’ Financial Services Committee in February. Bernanke said the U.S. faced “a massive fiscal cliff of large spending cuts and tax increases” that would take place Jan. 1. Local politicians prefer to refer to it as a fiscal “slope” or “scree,” because they say the economic effect will be felt gradually, not immediately as the word “cliff ” implies. “I think it’s not so much a cliff as a slippery slope, but the problem is it’s the kind of slippery slope that you have in the Himalayas,” said Peter Ujvagi, Lucas County administrator. “They call that stone — marble and small pebbles — ‘scree.’ You have to be very, very careful how you walk on it because one missed step and you’re sliding down the mountainside.” Whatever it is called, many local city and county politicians, business leaders, administrators of government entitlement programs, religious and civic social service agency personnel and educators have called what could happen “irresponsible” and “bad public policy.” Congress could allow the nation to fall off the cliff by allowing the policies scheduled for early 2013 to go into effect. Or, as some suggest, Congress could purposely choose to not reach a compromise before Jan. 1 and force the nation to jump off the cliff as a way to motivate politicians to reach an immediate and comprehensive solution to the nation’s fiscal problems. “That is a highly irresponsible approach for people to take,” said Steve Herwat, Toledo’s deputy mayor of operations. “The idea of thinking, ‘Let’s force the country into recession so that maybe we’ll wise up and not do what we’ve been doing’ is a ludicrous way to approach the issue.” Lucas Wade Kapszukiewicz, County treasurer, said that if going over the cliff didn’t “destroy the

economy, it would at least certainly send it back into another recession. Unemployment would go back up, and perversely, some right ideologues might look at this as some sort of short-term victory for their side because it would look like [President Barack] Obama failed. “My attitude is: We just went through an election. It’s over. The voters’ verdict is clear and straightforward. They want their representatives to serve them well and do what’s in the best interest of the country. “And they don’t mind cuts to services — program cuts, spending cuts — as long as there’s the sense the burden is being shared and that the wealthiest among us pay a higher share.”

toledo free press photo by joseph herr

‘Fiscal cliff ’ uncertainties keep economy on edge

‘Totally artificial’

David H. Davis, professor of political science at the University of Toledo, said the fiscal cliff is “totally artificial.” “It was put in because Congress thought it would be a way to force itself to do something,” Davis said. “We automatically lose the Bush tax cuts. But we don’t have to. We could extend them for six months, a year or four years. “There are mandatory cuts divided equally between military and civilian. That’s all artificial. It could go away. Now, nobody wants it to totally go away because there is a feeling, particularly by President Obama, that this is the time to make some important changes. And he’s certainly got a good point.” Gbenga Ajilore, associate professor of economics at UT, said he “can see that argument because that’s what Congress did two years ago, but the problem with that argument is the fiscal situation is a real problem. We have a $16 trillion debt. “That’s unsustainable. And it’s increasing because the economy isn’t doing well. Revenue, unless we have a 5 percent growth, is not going to go up as much. So that’s why we’re looking at an increase in taxes. You just can’t assume the economy’s going to turn around. You have to find ways to extract revenue. That’s why you fix the tax code. “Fundamentally, there is a problem that needs to be fixed. You can argue that the Jan. 1 deadline for the fiscal cliff has created a fabricated crisis. But the fundamental issue of the debt and deficit is a problem that’s not going to go away.”

Politics vs. Wall Street

Mark Haskins, vice president of program services for Lutheran Social Services of Northwestern Ohio, blames Congress and Obama for the current situation. “There were problems inherited

Michael J. Beazley is City of Oregon administrator and Lucas County Land Bank president.

from the Bush regime, but I’m tired of hearing about it. And what’s going on now is not better. The deficit has grown. So the problem started with Bush, because when Clinton left office, the budget was basically balanced. “But Obama has continued the trend. The argument that, ‘I inherited this’ may be true, but it’s gotten worse. And I know why it’s gotten worse. There’s no sort of compromise like what occurred under the Clinton administration, when all kinds of things were done between the Republicans and the Democrats.” Haskins said the only way to deal with the fiscal cliff is to either cut spending or increase revenues. “I’m not an expert. But I do understand, as almost everyone understands, that the deficit is not good, and a growing deficit just makes things worse. And something has to be done to address it.” David Black, associate professor of economics at UT, attributes the fiscal cliff crisis to Wall Street and the “major financial meltdown (2008 to

2010) of the flow of financial capital from lenders to borrowers that keeps the economy flowing, and it hasn’t been completely fixed yet.”

‘Increased uncertainty’

Michael Dowd, chairman of UT’s Department of Economics and an associate professor of economics, said Lucas County businesses will struggle because of the increased uncertainty the business community faces in dealing with the fiscal cliff. “They won’t know what their tax bill is for next year other than these draconian levels that will be imposed by the fiscal cliff,” Dowd said. “With increased uncertainty, businesses are likely to reduce any sorts of investments in their own businesses — capital, machines, software — because they can’t project their own tax bills or profits in six months, a year, two years down the line. “That also will likely discourage any additional hiring. Increased uncertainty is also likely to cause the consumers to pull back on spending.”

Andrew Solocha, associate professor of finance at UT, said consumers have already begun changing their shopping behavior. “It’s already started. I really think people don’t have enough money in their minds budgeted for all these things, and there’s a conflict now between uncertainty and ‘Do I spend my money when I don’t know what’s going to happen at the end of the year?’ “It’s having an impact now on the Christmas shopping season before we potentially arrive at the fiscal cliff in January 2013.”

Loss of payroll tax cut

Ajilore said the two fiscal cliff issues Lucas County residents should be concerned about are the payroll tax cuts that are scheduled to expire and the loss of unemployment benefits. “One of the big things about this recession is the increase in the long-term unemployment. Jobless benefits that helped tide the unemployed over may be lost, and that will hit people hard.” n FISCAL CLIFF CONTINUES ON A8

SPECIAL REPORT: FISCAL CLIFF

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A8 n Toledo Free Press n FISCAL CLIFF CONTINUED FROM A6 Ajilore also said the payroll tax would have a more far-reaching effect on individual Americans than the Bush tax cuts because workers will see less money in their first paycheck of 2013, but the Bush tax cuts are getting all the press “because of how taxes are viewed politically. “There’s an ideology that taxes are a drag on the economy. And to raise taxes, that just leads to big government. And there’s the general sense that we believe in small government, which means we need to cut taxes. The Bush tax cuts are a proxy for that ideology. The ideology says that if you let them expire, you’re raising taxes and that’s going to be a drag on the economy. That’s why the right ideology always focuses on that versus the payroll tax.”

‘Everybody will be hurt’

Mark V’Soske, president of Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce president, said “if all the proposed [changes] go into effect, everybody — not just businesses, but everybody — will be hurt.” “The marriage penalty will be reestablished,” V’Soske said. “Dividends will be taxed at a higher rate. So will capital gains, and not just for the wealthy, but for every working person with a 401(k) or any kind of retirement investment. And V’SOSKE retirees are going to be hurt badly. “But look at the business side; 75 percent of the U.S. economy is built on small businesses, not corporations. Many small businesses’ taxes are treated as regular income, personal income, to those individuals. And that will rise for many of [those] small businesses. “That means fewer people will be working. Less people will get benefits. Businesses are not going to hire. They’re actually going to lay off people. If you increase the cost of doing business, you’ve got to cut somewhere. So regardless of what happens, I think we’re going to see a recession. It sounds like I’m preaching gloom and doom, but the reality is everybody is going to pay more. It’s going to cost more to do what we’re doing, and I think there’s going to be higher unemployment. “We’re going to hurt a little more before we see the light of day if the right decisions are made at the federal level as to what’s happening. And that’s a big ‘if.’”

of funds to administer their programs, which may result in the loss of jobs. Ortiz-Flores said LCDJFS faces a loss in the 50 percent matching funds the federal government pays for administration of at least five programs: O Medicaid and health care services program; O Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly called food stamps; O Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), child care subsidies that cover child care expenses so TANF recipients can complete required work hours; O The Supplemental Security Income through Social Security; O The Lucas County Division of Child Support Services. “In Lucas County in 2007, we had 60,000-some people on food assistance,” Ortiz-Flores said. “We’ve lost almost half of that in our administrative dollars, but yet we have 96,000 to 98,000 people on food assistance now. The benefits for folks did not change, but the administrative dollars for us to administer the benefits changed drastically. We had 400-some employees in 2007, and we’re down to less than 320. “When I started in 1999, we had over 650 employees, and we’re down to less than half the staff size.” At Lucas County Children Services, Julie Malkin, public information officer, said the agency has no idea what to expect. “When the economy went down in 2008, we thought we’d see an increase in caseload. Nationwide, that did not happen. If Congress doesn’t come to terms with the current budget issue and starts to cut programs, we may be affected, but we simply do not know.”

United Way

Jane Moore, interim president and CEO at United Way of Greater Toledo, said the cuts to federal programs may “impact the community to such a degree that it would affect

our ability to stay on our main focus in graduating kids. “It will affect every aspect of education, income and health, from community health centers to the Department of Education, which would lose billions. We don’t know how that will trickle down to Toledo Public, Sylvania and Perrysburg schools, but we know it will have a severe impact on kids and families.” Moore said United Way works with students “to get ready for school, to stay in school, to re-engage with school; and we work with their families to be able to support them. “So families need to be housing stable, and HUD (Housing and Urban Development) is slated for the same extensive reductions. For the housing stability efforts, Lucas County gets $4.2 million. Well, you can do the math real quick and see what kind of impact that would have. “If families aren’t housing stable, their kids aren’t going to be focused on their learning. If families are not healthy and don’t have access to health care, kids are not going to be focused on their education. If families are not financially stable — while it impacts directly services for kids and families, it also could have an impact on people who have jobs in those systems. So if the financial stability is eroded, that’s going to have a serious impact.”

Heating and health care

In Lucas County, the federal lowincome utility assistance program is administered by the Economic Opportunity Planning Association (EOPA). Its ability to offer assistance with winter heating bills would be severely affected. “That helps a lot of people who are working. It’s not just for the very, very poor,” Moore said. “So families who are struggling during the winter with utilities rely on that, and a cut in that funding would have a serious impact on housing. If you don’t have any utilities, eventually you may start in the

DECEMBER 2, 2012

shelter system, which starts this whole kind of cycle downward.” Ohio Medicaid began offering SCHIP, the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, in 1997 to cover uninsured children. The program is also known as Healthy Start. Moore is concerned that SCHIP’s funding may be cut, something she fears because it provides health insurance for children of working parents, usually employed at minimum wage jobs without health insurance benefits. In addition, the Dental Center of Northwest Ohio serves children covered through SCHIP, and cuts in federal funding would severely limit oral health care coverage to children living in Lucas County.

‘Leadership matters’

Patrick A. McLean, the City of Toledo’s director of finance, said it makes a difference who the voters elect. “Leadership matters, and who gets elected matters,” McLean said. “What we’ve seen over time in Washington is through redistricting and through the primary process, we’ve seen the partisan divide has gotten worse.” Solocha said voters could become a bigger part of the solution if they become more proactive. “If they’re Republican, they need to go to the Republican leaders and tell them to start compromising,” Solocha said. “And those people who are strongly Democrats need to explain to their contingency that they need to compromise as well. This is an important issue. This is not the same as it was last time. We’re in credit trouble. We weren’t that far over 60 percent (national debt as compared to GDP) before. We are now. So we’re in a much deeper debt crisis than we were before. So there is a little bit more urgency this time than there was last time. “None of us can do anything ourselves, but collectively, we can. That was probably reflected in the election.” n FISCAL CLIFF CONTINUES ON A10

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Potential loss of jobs

Deb Ortiz-Flores, executive director for the Lucas County Department of Job and Family Services (LCDJFS), said that the biggest problem her agencies face is the loss

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A10 n Toledo Free Press n FISCAL CLIFF CONTINUED FROM A8

Veterans Affairs

Shedrick Williams, with the Lucas County Veterans Service Commission (VSC), said a loss of federal funding would not affect his agency’s services because VSC is funded by Lucas County millage, not the federal government. “We’ll still be able to have services for veterans, like emergency financial, rent assistance or anything of an immediate emergency need,” he said. Williams said he isn’t concerned about a loss of services for the veterans served by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), either. “From my experience, when this has happened in the past, the federal government doesn’t shut down. After a while, we operate without a budget. And at some point, if the budget isn’t pursued forward, they usually won’t table it. They never stop giving those services out, like the VA or financial aid or anything like that to assist people. It’s never stopped it in the past. Never.”

Planned Parenthood

Administrators at Planned Parenthood fear a disruption in birth control, HIV testing, men’s and women’s health care, emergency contraception, pregnancy testing and sexually transmitted disease/infection testing, treatment and vaccine services should funding be cut in the wake of tax policy changes. More than 3,300 Lucas County residents made nearly 6,500 office visits to Planned Parenthood between July 1, 2011, and June 30, 2012, according to Celeste C. Ribbins, vice president of community initiatives for Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio.

Religious charities

Mark J. Hill, vice president of development for Lutheran Social Services of Northwestern Ohio (LSS), fears that not dealing with the fiscal cliff situation appropriately may result in the loss of Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement for the mental health services his agency offers. “We’re hopeful when the levies pass, when public services stay funded, because we don’t have that funding, and we wouldn’t have the staff to handle what will result if public agencies aren’t able to see people,” Hill said. “We don’t have any public dollars outside of Medicare and Medicaid, other than some of our clients’ insurance. So we’re raising money for people who are uninsured and who are ‘the least of these’ in the community.” Hill is also concerned that the loss of federal funds could limit his organization’s services to severely troubled teens and older citizens in its assisted living and long-term care facility. “In terms of the fiscal cliff, it’s always a concern because it’s the clients who matter,” he said. “And they’re going to be the first to suffer from that if Congress

doesn’t do something.” Suzie Stapleton, administrator at Assumption Outreach Center (AOC), said going off the fiscal cliff will have a “dramatic, Day One impact” on her clients. “A lot of our people are elderly, living on $500 Social Security widow’s or widower’s pensions,” Stapleton said. “They’ve got to pay their rent and their utilities out of that. There is no money left.” Stapleton said in addition to retirees,

AOC also serves people with mental or physical disabilities, recently released ex-convicts, young single mothers, and young men who can’t find work and live in the ZIP codes of 43604, 43608, 43610, 43611 and 43620. If the country goes off the fiscal cliff, “it will just make life tougher,” Stapleton said. “Right now, we give them a sense of hope. But if they’re going to get less and less, I’m not sure how much we’ll be able to give unless the people of Toledo be-

come more generous, and I don’t know how they can be more generous than they already are. “We want to prevent people from having to go into garbage cans and Dumpsters scouring for food. We want to uphold their dignity. I’m afraid that if we get more budget cuts, that it’s going to affect poor people more than almost anyone else. I’m afraid people would be forced to steal just to eat. n FISCAL CLIFF CONTINUES ON A11

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DECEMBER 2, 2012 n FISCAL CLIFF CONTINUED FROM A10 “If we’re not careful, we’re going to put people in a position where they aren’t going to be able to pay their bills. They’re going to lose their places. It puts a burden on society, on the poor — an extra burden they don’t need.”

Local business woes

John Gibney, vice president of marketing and communications for the Regional Growth Partnership, said that in the economic development world, ‘fiscal cliff ’ serves as another term for uncertainty. “In general, businesses do not like any type of uncertainty,” Gibney said. “In the time between now and a resolution, we might see companies putting off capital investment and hiring decisions. Once the issue is ultimately resolved, it becomes a ‘known’ and businesses will be more apt to move ahead.” Mark Austin, Lucas County chief deputy treasurer, said a rise in unemployment may wreak havoc on both the unemployed and the local business community. “If any person draws a paycheck from any job, and they don’t have that paycheck, that means they can’t buy things,” Austin said. “That means they go on unemployment, or if those unemployment benefits aren’t there, they suffer. And if they can’t buy

things, the vendors who sell those things don’t get the money. “Lucas County gets most of its revenue from sales tax. If the sales tax receipts aren’t coming in, that means the county has to tighten its belt even more, which means it isn’t able to deliver services or it’s more difficult to deliver services.”

Practical advice

Dowd said the best advice for anyone trying to adjust to the loss of pay that will result if the payroll tax cuts are not renewed is to return to “first principles.” “‘First principles’ is understanding monthly income and yearly income versus monthly and annual costs — the expenses you face,” Dowd said. “It’s budgeting. It is getting a clear handle on income versus expenses. Where are you spending money? What’s the amount you have in savings? What cushion do you have?’ “Get a handle on your costs. Have an idea of your expected income each month. The more information you have, the better you can perhaps make adjustments to your spending. That’s a hard question, because no individual is certain.” Ajilore has four suggestions for taxpayers. “First, consider cashing in investments in 2012 since the taxes on investments will increase if we fall

off the fiscal cliff.” Ajilore also said taxpayers can figure out now what their taxes will be for 2013. He suggests looking at your 2011 tax return to identify your tax bracket. After determining how that tax bracket will change, study how the tax treatment of charitable contributions will change (fewer deductions allowed in 2013 if the nation goes over the fiscal cliff), and check the 2011 payroll tax to determine how that will change should the 2 percent payroll tax deduction expire. Ajilore encourages those losing unemployment benefits to determine how they can re-create themselves by transferring some work skills into another field where they can earn at least some money. He also suggests checking the IRS website to see what resources it offers that will help people determine exactly how their taxes will change in 2013.

It’s not politics anymore

Dowd said the fiscal cliff discussion can no longer center on the politics of the Republican and Democratic parties. “It’s math at this stage,” Dowd said. “The estimates now are that my kids will have a lower standard of living than I do, and that’s the first time that’s ever happened in the U.S. And that’s a very sad thing. “Connect the dots. Their standard of living will be lower but the debt will be higher. It’s a bad situation.”

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Solocha said one of the real issues the nation must face is the divergence among the political parties. “You have to have politicians willing to create policies where they may not reach their goal, but at least the country’s going in the right direction,” Solocha said. “And that requires a consensus amongst both parties. And that’s been very difficult over the past four years. “In my view, a Republican needs to stand up and say, ‘Here we are. We’re ready to compromise. Let’s go into a room and knock this off.’ I think that could be done. “But there’s got to be somebody who has the courage. And this takes a lot of courage, I would think, because it’s your career and everything you’ve ever worked for. Can you imagine a politician who signed the contract to not raise taxes turn around and say, ‘Well, for the greater good of the United States, I can’t honor my contract because there’s a greater good to all this.’ “That takes a lot of guts. You have to stand up to your peers.” However, as a political scientist, Davis disagreed, saying it’s not possible to talk about the fiscal cliff with out talking about the Republican Party. “That’s what brought about the problem. We have two political parties that are bitter enemies,” Davis said. “That’s quite unlike the situation for much of 20th-century American history. They would cooperate when it got time

n A11

to make the deals. They would do that. “The Republicans today are very intransigent. A lot of them would rather see the whole thing tumble down. You may not have to mention the Democrats, but you cannot not mention the Republicans. Most Republicans would rather see the whole thing tumble down as a way to disgrace the Democrats.”

‘We must act’

Beazley said there is a broad consensus that the nation must act. “The question is, ‘What type of a fiscal slope should we have as opposed to a cliff?’ And then, ‘What are the components of that slope?” Beazley said. “You’ll have one side, ideologically, that will say, ‘OK. I think there was a clear consensus. Romney, in the election, said we’re not going to do any tax increase at any level, but I will close loopholes at a variety of levels to make up some of this gap, and we’ll cut spending.’ “The Obama side said, ‘We’re going to raise taxes on people who are millionaires’, and drawing some line. He made that very clear in his campaign as well. “Each side presented a clear message about what they intended to do if they won. Obama won the election narrowly. He doesn’t have control of the House. The House side wants to follow the Romney approach. n FISCAL CLIFF CONTINUES ON A12

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A12 n Toledo Free Press n FISCAL CLIFF CONTINUED FROM A11 “What I don’t have is solutions. Go back to the 1970s. Nine percent of all the country’s income was locked away in the top 1 percent of earners. That’s gone up to closer to 25 percent now. “Twenty-five percent of all income — not wealth, income — is going to the top 1 percent. So the spending power of the middle class has been stagnant or trickled down consistently for 10, 20 years now. Whereas the economy has grown significantly during that time, the growth has been sequestered in the top 1 percent.”

Consumer confidence

Beazley said Lucas County residents should take hope that the nation can survive the fiscal cliff situation because consumer confidence has been growing. “We can rely on two empirical measures — actual consumer spending, which is going up, and the actual question asked to consumers, ‘Are you feeling more confident?’ and that is going up as well,” Beazley said. “Compared to historical levels, consumer confidence may be low, but that’s because we’re still climbing out of a recession. Consumer debt is on the increase,

which is usually a sign that people are going back to work, that they have confidence that they’re going to continue to have a job, continue to pay their bills. “People are spending again. That’s good for the economy. More people go to work, and it feeds on itself.”

Political preservation

Beazley said “there isn’t a good way to prepare for a fiscal cliff outside of a parachute. That’s why I believe it is very likely that the problems will be dealt with. “No. 1, the cliff jump will be postponed. This Congress will very likely, at minimum, take action to defer the

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challenge pursuant with a temporary bill to extend the tax cuts and most of the status quo until sometime in 2013 when the new Congress and the postinauguration administration comes in and deals with it. At minimum, that is likely to happen. “I don’t see it as very likely that this Congress and this president right now will have a ‘grand bargain’ that deals with this problem for a five- or 10-year period or brings a significant deficit reduction compromise on taxes and spending. “But that is more likely than an actual falling off the fiscal cliff. I expect

DECEMBER 2, 2012 the sides to negotiate in a challenging way. The failure of the sides to really achieve genuine compromise and solve the problems will be trumped by the political preservation needs of all sides. That political preservation need will allow them to at least come up with some compromise or to postpone the problem. I strongly believe that. That’s the likeliest thing. I don’t expect us to be going over this cliff. “There is no reasonable way to prepare for this sort of hit. The best thing to do is to not jump. And I expect that even Congress can get that right. And I have low expectations of Congress.” O

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CITY OF TOLEDO

By Duane Ramsey

TOLEDO FREE PRESS SENIOR BUSINESS WRITER dramsey@toledofreepress.com

A delegation of 19 business and civic leaders led by Toledo Mayor Mike Bell, the Regional Growth Partnership (RGP) and 5 Lakes Global Group returned from its latest trip to China on Nov. 21 after promoting Toledo and the Northwest Ohio region. “It was the best team I’ve ever seen on an overseas mission in 16 years. Everyone was there to promote Toledo and Northwest Ohio. I don’t think there is another city or region in the U.S. that has developed successful relationships in China as Toledo has,” said Paul Zito, vice president of international development for RGP, who made the trip with Dean Monske, president of the economic development organization. “It was a very good group and they all brought different perspectives from many different industries,” said James Lindsay, president of Louisville Title Agency of Toledo, who made his third trip to China with the Toledo delegation. “The marketing of the Toledo re-

gion throughout all of China by the 5 Lakes Global team with the support of Mayor Bell, the Regional Growth Partnership and members of the Toledo business community has been astonishing,” Lindsay said. More than 1,000 Chinese companies were exposed to the value of locating in Northwest Ohio and more than 15 strong leads were generated by the delegation. While there, 5 Lakes Global hosted several conferences for Chinese companies at the China HiTech Fair in Shenzhen and at other events in Zhenjiang, Suzhou, Pujiang and Shanghai. Meetings took place with more than a dozen Chinese companies with an interest in this region. Several of those companies are in the final stages of developing their business plans for the U.S. and plan to visit the Toledo area before the end of the year, Zito said. Meetings were arranged in Shenzhen with CEOs of large successful businesses who had attended the 5 Lakes Global Economic Forum in Toledo. These business leaders flew in from all parts of China to not only invest in Toledo but to assist in pro-

moting and building Toledo internationally, Lindsay said. “The best thing we were able to do was to engage our private business community so they could see for themselves the potential in China by working with business people there,” Bell said. “We’ve made four trips to China so people over there know that we’re serious about doing business with them. We now have the respect of the Chinese business community,” Bell said. “Mayor Bell was a great presence and leader of the presentations about the region,” Zito said. “I was very impressed with the mayor’s ability to keep his energy and focus up. He’s very effective in this type of effort to promote the City of Toledo and this region,” said Harlan Reichle, president and CEO of Reichle Klein Group, a commercial real estate brokerage and property management firm in Toledo. Reichle also serves as chairman of the board of directors for RGP and was interested in seeing firsthand its role in helping bring investment to the region through such international efforts. n CHINA CONTINUES ON A14

photo courtesy city of toledo

Delegation returns from China with positive reports

A CHinese group meets with Mayor Mike Bell’s toledo delegation.

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A14 n Toledo Free Press n CHINA CONTINUED FROM A13 “It’s a prudent investment for RGP,” Reichle said. Reichle said Simon Guo and Scott Prephan of 5 Lakes Global were very organized in planning and orchestrating events and meetings to make the most of the time there. “They had us working constantly and the delegation worked very hard together. These trips are very worthwhile and something we need to do for our region,” he said. Reichle said he had conversations with several companies interested in investing in the U.S. and specifically the Toledo area or in locating business operations here. There is a huge potential in both regards, he said. Will Lucas, a Toledo entrepreneur who made the trip, was impressed with the level of interest in the Toledo region. “People were excited to learn about our region and they were really passionate about Toledo, its architecture and buildings,” Lucas said. Lucas said a contact he made in Shanghai was in Ann Arbor recently

so they met in Dundee to discuss the possibility of working together. Lucas owns two technology companies — Classana, an educational resource engine, and Creadio, a brand marketing business, that are of interest to the Chinese. Zito said it takes multiple trips and more than a year to make a difference in an international market such as China. The Toledo delegation has made four trips to China during the past three years to accomplish what it has. “We now have the resources that can help almost any company do business in China,” Zito said. Frank Calzonetti, vice president of research and economic development at the University of Toledo, said he appreciated having the opportunity to participate on his first trip to China with the local delegation. “The trip was extremely well-organized and we went nonstop morning to late evening each day on businessrelated meetings or internal travel. Each day, we met with leaders from government, industry, academia and

DECEMBER 2, 2012

economic development organizations that are likely to result in follow-up meetings in Toledo,” Calzonetti wrote in an email he sent while attending a conference out of town. He said they met with two technology companies that will explore the possibility of opening operations in Toledo. He also met with higher education officials about developing joint programs with UT and with people who were interested in UT for both graduate and undergraduate education. Others agreed that they were involved in conferences, meetings and other events 14-16 hours every day. The main delegation arrived at the hotel in Shenzhen around 2 a.m. and had to be ready for business beginning at 8:30 that same morning, Zito said. O

Louisville Title benefits from trips to China The Louisville Title Agency has benefited from trips to China, said its president, James Lindsay. “We have worked hard to become a trusted partner with 5 Lakes Global and have made these visits to China in part to secure the trust of Chinese investors as well as help educate them on the role of the title company in the U.S.,” Lindsay said. Louisville Title has provided title insurance services for recent Chinese investments in Toledo, including the purchase of the restaurant property at The Docks and Marina District property by

Dashing Pacific, the Park Inn Hotel by 5 Lakes Global, and the most recent purchase of the former SeaGate Hotel in Downtown Toledo. Louisville Title helped close that acquisition for a trust owned by another Chinese investor, Lindsay said. He said they could not name the owner due to the confidentiality of the trust agreement. Lindsay reported that 5 Lakes Global was involved in getting this investment but not as buyer of the property. The unnamed Chinese investor became interested in the property due to ownership of the Park Inn by 5 Lakes Global. O

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hollywood casino Toledo: Year One

Hollywood Casino Toledo General Manager Richard St. Jean said he is ‘very, very excited about our first six months of operation.’

Casino answers critics with six months of success By Sarah Ottney

TOLEDO FREE PRESS MANAGING EDITOR sottney@toledofreepress.com

Richard St. Jean doesn’t walk more than a few steps through Hollywood Casino Toledo without pausing to say “Thanks for coming” to a guest or greeting an employee by name. The general manager has plenty to be cheerful about as the casino, which opened May 29, marks its six-month anniversary. Business is brisk while concerns about increased crime, traffic jams and

gambling addictions have largely subsided. “Early on, we did our best to assure local residents, businesses and government that a lot of what you hear [about casinos] isn’t necessarily true and won’t materialize,” St. Jean said. “[Rossford has had] virtually, no incidences associated with those fears, aside from increased traffic on the Toledo side obviously coming up and down 75. And we’ve heard the same thing from [Toledo Police] Chief [Derrick] Diggs and Mayor Bell, so all of our efforts to educate and inform everyone early on have now been validated by what they are actually seeing on a

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day-to-day basis. We’re very pleased they feel more comfortable with this neighbor in their backyard.” Penn National Gaming, which operates the casino, is happy with the property’s performance, St. Jean said. “We’re obviously very, very excited about our first six months of operation, particularly the volumes,” St. Jean said. “Table games, poker and food and beverage in particular have far exceeded our expectations and slots is actually right around where we expected it would be.” Gamblers wagered a total of $138.8 million at

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Toledo’s casino in October, including $124.9 million on slot machines and $13.9 million on table games. Total wagers were down about 9 percent from the $153.1 million wagered in September, which was down about 9 percent from the $168.2 million wagered in August, according to monthly reports from the Ohio Casino Control Commission. Wagers in August were down about 11 percent from the $189.1 million wagered in July, which were down about 12 percent from the $215.2 million wagered in June, the casino’s first full month of operation. n CASINO CONTINUES ON A16

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A16 n Toledo Free Press n CASINO CONTINUED FROM A15 Taxable revenue in October was $14.8 million, down from $15.9 million in September, $17.4 million in August, $19.1 million in July and $20.4 million in June. “This dip in business month over month as we settle into the fourth quarter of 2012 was absolutely expected and we expect to ramp up as we head into 2013,” St. Jean said. “We looked at what we’ve seen at other grand openings, particularly in the Detroit market, and we’re really following those trends very, very closely. “We consider ourselves relatively monopolistic in Northwest Ohio. We’re actually pleased to see Detroit has been able to sustain their current business levels and the region is growing organically, so we think it’s a good story for everybody.” The Michigan Gaming Control Board could not reached for comment.

Local hires

St. Jean said he is proud Toledo’s casino fulfilled its pledge to hire 90 percent of its workforce locally and to promote from within. So far, 55 team members have been promoted once, six have been promoted twice and two have been promoted three times. “The enthusiasm we continue to see even after six months is really un-

paralleled,” St. Jean said. “We’ve got an extremely passionate workforce and I think that carries over to the quality of service we provide.” More than 222,000 people are Marquee Rewards members at Hollywood Casino Toledo, St. Jean said. “We’re very pleased with that number, particularly for being open for six months. It’s extraordinary,” he said. The casino is also exploring adding more entertainment options beyond gaming, such as a riverfront concert series, car show or food and wine festival, said Vice President of Marketing Jason Birney. “There’s still somewhat of a perception I hear that you must be a gamer to come to the casino, which is far from the truth,” St. Jean said. “We’re really pretty well-rounded and we’re seeing more and more consumers who are just coming for the other amenities, which we are very pleased with as well.”

Food

Director of Food and Beverage Marc Guastella said expectations were high for the casino’s four eateries, but he feels all have delivered. “We set the bar high and I really feel like we’ve achieved our goals,” Guastella said. “You’re always going to have a few speed bumps when

you open and obviously in this business you can never be perfect, but it’s striving for that every single day. We’re getting great comments.” Guastella hopes Final Cut Steak & Seafood will earn a Forbes four-star rating when the next report is released in spring 2013. “Four stars is very achievable for us and I’m confident we can achieve that,” Guastella said.

‘Good neighbors’

Brenda Schwind, vice president of the Rossford Business Association (RBA), said the casino is a “great partner,” with St. Jean regularly attending meetings, promoting member businesses to employees and offering financial sponsorship. “Everybody I’ve talked to, even people who were really leery of the casino coming in, are impressed with the facility and I’ve heard nothing but good comments,” said Schwind, of Directions Credit Union. “I think people have been very surprised. They’ve proven to be a very good neighbor.” Rossford Mayor Neil A. MacKinnon III agreed. “It’d be hard to find a day you couldn’t find a team member from Penn Gaming in a Rossford business,” MacKinnon said during a recent Rossford City Council meeting. “I’ve been in business quite a while now and I

DECEMBER 2, 2012

know these guys are sincere and they are for real. I consider them friends and I consider them part of the fabric of the community. Their participation in the RBA has been phenomenal.” Toledo Mayor Mike Bell also feels the casino is a positive asset, said Public Information Officer Jen Sorgenfrei. “The revenues are definitely aiding the city budget and they’ve been a good corporate citizen, contributing to local philanthropy and supporting community organizations,” Sorgenfrei said. “They are still finding their equilibrium, but remain a positive asset to the region.”

Crime and police

Eleven people — including a casino employee and an Oregon man — were charged in August with felony offenses related to cheating at Toledo’s casino shortly after it opened. But there hasn’t been the major influx of crime like many feared, said Rossford Police Chief Glenn Goss Sr. “Whenever you have more people, you’re going to have more issues, but we haven’t had any major incidents that you can point your finger at and say, ‘That’s the casino’s fault,’” Goss said. “It’s still new. We’re still monitoring. We’ll have to wait and see. There could be good and bad down the road, but as far as law enforce-

ment, it hasn’t really affected Rossford directly, which we’re thankful for.” Penn National recently presented a $200,000 grant to Rossford’s police and fire departments; $70,000 of that has been earmarked for new radios, Goss said. Penn National also donated more than $12,000 to help Rossford Police create a K9 unit. “That’s something they didn’t have to do,” Goss said. “They reached out to us. I thought it was neat because that’s just who they are. That’s how they operate. Before, during and after their opening, the Hollywood Casino folks have just been really good people. I keep hearing people call them good neighbors, like a cliché, but truly they are. I think we’re really fortunate to have the casino here.”

Schools, businesses

Bill McFarland, interim superintendent of Rossford Schools, said the district has had no issues with crime or traffic, as some parents feared. “We really have seen no effect. We hardly know it’s there’ to be honest with you,” McFarland said. “The hysteria and paranoia I think has long been forgotten. I think it’s functioning really well and I don’t think it’s having any negative effect on our community at all.” n CASINO CONTINUES ON A17

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DECEMBER 2, 2012 n CASINO CONTINUED FROM A16 Larry Eilert, owner of Larry’s Auto Center in Rossford, said he’s

pleased with an uptick in business the casino has created. “I’ve gotten more customers from there, especially the employee side of

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it,” Eilert said. “There is more traffic — but it’s a good traffic, not a bad traffic. I think restaurants and others have seen a little bit of increase from people coming through with traveling, so I think it’s a positive. Right as of now, I’m very pleased with it.” Holley Bockelman, who owns Bock’s Place in Rossford with her father Bill Bockelman, said the casino hasn’t helped business as much as they were hoping, but it hasn’t hurt either. “Really nothing has changed,”

Visit www.toledofreepress.com Bockelman said. “We thought it would be better. But the people who do come here are faithful. We get some of the casino workers later at night. Very, very seldom the out-of-towners. The locals will sometimes meet here and then go down there for a little gambling, some cocktails, watch a concert and then come back here. So that’s fun.” Rossford City Councilman Larry Oberdorf Sr. said the casino has proved detractors wrong. “A lot of people had apprehensions

n A17

about Penn coming into this community and I think Penn has answered with good qualification all of those apprehensions,” Oberdorf said during a recent Rossford City Council meeting. “We haven’t had the traffic problems we had assumed or any of the other illicit things some people thought would happen. It’s really a professional organization. I’m extremely happy to have them in our locale.” For more information, visit www. hollywoodcasinotoledo.com. O

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DECEMBER 2, 2012

PHILANTHROPY

United Way hires new CEO/president from Minnesota Toledo Free Press News Editor bburks@toledofreepress.com

The United Way of Greater Toledo Board of Trustees has chosen Karen Mathison, who led the United Way of Olmsted County in Rochester, Minn. for 10 years, as president and CEO. “The United Way of Greater Toledo is on a really smart path to deliver amazing results,” Mathison said. United Way of Greater Toledo aims to help more children graduate and focuses on how education, income and health affect that goal. Mathison is set to start her new position Jan. 7. Bill Kitson, former president and CEO, left Toledo for United Way of Greater Cleveland in May. Since then, Jane Moore, formerly the executive vice president, has fulfilled the responsibilities of Kitson’s previous position. Tom Waggoner, chairman of the selection committee for the position, said the process took months. The committee worked with Waverly Partners, an executive search firm, and started out with 80 candidates before

narrowing it down to five applicants and then two. “I found [the interview process] to be energizing and engaging and the search committee has a very thorough process. They were very clear about the type of leader they were looking for,” Mathison said. “Karen brings a lot of things to the party. We’re very interested in some of the techniques that she applied in Minnesota. She has a very strong service background,” Waggoner said. Mathison received her bachelor’s degree in organizational management and leadership from Concordia University in St. Paul, Minn. She began working for United Way of North Central Iowa in 1997 and before that worked in management positions at Target Corporation/Marshall Field’s department stores. During her time in Rochester she increased campaign revenue by 11 percent, according to a news release. Mathison said that while working in retail, she worked on United Way campaigns within the stores before making the jump to

the nonprofit sector. “It’s been an awesome experience and I used so much of the skills I gained in retail in this work,” she said. Jani Miller, chairwoman of United Way Board of Trustees, agreed and said Mathison’s retail experience helps since United Way has a big budget and a large donation-seeking campaign. She said Mathison has several attributes that make her right for the position. “First and foremost is her enthusiasm for the work. It comes from the heart and it is clear in everything she has done,” Miller said. Miller said she expects the United Way to continue on the same path it’s been traveling. Due to following a specific strategy, “the staff really hasn’t skipped a beat since Kitson left,” she said. Mathison said she learned of the

position via Waverly Partners. “I got a call from the search firm and as I explored what the Toledo community looked like and where the Toledo community is headed, so many things lined up for my personal and professional goals,” she said. Mathison said she doesn’t have specific goals in mind yet, but she plans to continue to work to create partnerships in the area. Tim Yenrick, the executive director of the American Red Cross of Northwest Ohio, was also a finalist for the position. Moore, who has worked at United Way for 35 years, said she did not apply for the position because she plans to retire next year after helping with the transition. During the past six months, Moore said she tried to keep the staff focused and not lose any steam.

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n A19

HOLIDAY EVENTS

By Sarah Ottney

TOLEDO FREE PRESS MANAGING EDITOR sottney@toledofreepress.com

Music and Make-A-Wish will be the stars of the show at a CD release party celebrating the “Holiday Wishes 2” benefit CD. The event is set for 6 p.m. Dec. 5 at The Blarney Event Center, 601 Monroe St. Many of the local musicians and media personalities featured on the two-disc, 44-track CD will perform. There will also be hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. Tickets are $5 for adults. Children 12 and younger are free. “We hope people will join us to meet the musicians, mingle with the Make-A-Wish families and organizers, and just have a great Christmas party,” said Michael S. Miller, Toledo Free Press editor in chief and the CD’s executive producer. “Last year, we saw Chrys Peterson sing live with Hepcat Revival and Ramona Collins singing Christmas songs with Voodoo Libido. We’re expecting even more jam ses-

sions and surprises this year.” Music will start around 6:30 p.m., said Greg Tye of Hepcat Revival, who is organizing the performers. Among other performers will be Chrys Peterson with Hepcat Revival, Kerry Patrick Clark, Kyle White, Krystal Monique, The Wanna Bees, The Sanderlings, Skoobie Snaks, Russ Franzen, Steven J. Athanas, Voodoo Libido and more. “It’s going to be a great selection of talent and we’re trying to mix it in as best we can to make the magic happen that night,” Tye said. “There will probably be some sort of jam component for those artists who might not be able to have their whole group there. They’re all very talented people.” The two-CD set will be available for $15. CDs are also available at area Panera Bread locations, select Levis Commons stores and as digital downloads. All parts of the project, from the recording to the mixing to the cover art, were done locally. Because the CD was sponsored by GM Powertrain Toledo, UAW Local 14, WNWO,

101.5 The River, A&D Glass & Mirror, Levis Commons and Panera Bread, proceeds go directly to Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana to benefit children in the 21-county Northwest Ohio region. Last year’s inaugural “Holiday Wishes” CD sold out quickly, raising more than $25,000 for Make-A-Wish. Make-A-Wish, which grants wishes for children with medically life-threatening conditions, does not receive federal, state or local government funding. Wishes are paid for by donations and donations in kind, including gifted airline miles. The average cost of a wish is $8,000. “We want to grant the heartfelt wish of every child,” said Emily Denholm, marketing communications coordinator for Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. “Every wish is different. We really try to focus on the uniqueness of every wish.” Tye said he hopes area residents come out to support Make-A-Wish and hear some great local music. “I hope people walk away with an appreciation for how talented the

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By Vicki L. Kroll

Blue Man Group to invade Toledo

Toledo Free Press Staff Writer vkroll@toledofreepress.com

Few know what it’s like to be the madman, the rad man behind blue paint. When Chris Smith puts on that customized hue, he feels freedom. “When you have this sense of otherness about you, it’s kind of like you get permission to do things, especially as a Blue Man Group member,” he said. “As we’re going through the audience, I’ll just pick someone and I’ll stare at them. I don’t do anything; I’ll just look at them. I’ve done it for 30 seconds where I don’t move and I’m just looking at someone and I’m getting fascinated by someone’s eyelash or ear lobe. “If I were to do that anywhere, walking down the street, people would definitely call the police. I’m sure of it,” he said and laughed. It was the interactive nature of the Blue Man Group show that spurred the actor to audition in 2011. “We, as Blue Men, as performers, are given basically carte blanche to step out and get in your lap, which is an exciting element,” Smith said during a call from a tour stop in Memphis, Tenn. “This is very much audiencecentric in the sense that we literally have a piece where we go out and hold a mini-casting session and pull an audience member up on stage and do a 10- to 15-minute piece where we don’t really know where it’s going to go.” The trio loves it when something odd happens during a performance. “There’s a part of the show where all the power goes out, and for whatever reason at that point an usher decided to show some people to their seats and we’re out there in the crowd,”

Smith recalled. “The lights come back on and suddenly there’s this giant group trying to get to their seats and we’re standing right in front of them. “Without missing a beat, we just grabbed their tickets and helped them find their seats. In the middle of the show, we all of the sudden turned into Blue Men Ushers, which was fun.” Fun is what the Blue Man Group brings to its all-ages show. There’s tossing and catching marshmallows. “I can remember throwing I believe 30 [marshmallows] in one show and somehow got them all in [the catcher’s mouth],” Smith said. Of course, there’s “Shake Your Euphemism,” a humorous song that features dozens of names for the derrière. “I think ‘your growing personal following’ is my favorite,” Smith said with a laugh. And there’ll be artful drumming. “Paint drumming is all over the place,” he said. “I think what’s really cool about this tour is that we always call it alt-Broadway, because you get these giant spectacles that you’d find at a Vegas or Broadway show and yet you have these off-Broadway, kind of intimate, small-theater-feeling moments.” The Blue Man Group will perform eight shows from Dec. 4 through Dec. 9 at Stranahan Theater. Ticket prices range from $28 to $73. Showtimes can be viewed at stranahantheater.org. “I think the best mentality to approach Blue Man with is — it’s a hard thing to explain to people, it’s a hard thing to prime people to know what they’re getting themselves into because it is not like anything else out there,” Smith said. “Ideally, what people will walk away with is a sense of igniting the inner child again.” O

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ARTS Life

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n A21

SPORTS

‘Buster’ Douglas to appear at Purgatory Fight Series in Toledo been a lot more difficult for me. Because dealing with diabetes, you have to be very disciplined. And, you know, getting back into training and getting back into boxing was helpful, because that’s a big part of our sport. It meant even more to me when I got back into it on a serious level, and that really helped me mainDOUGLAS tain and come through it a lot easier.” Nowadays, Douglas is all about giving back to the sport which he feels saved his life. He is serving as a spokesman for the Purgatory Fight Series, which will host both boxing and mixed martial arts (MMA) events in Toledo this month. “It’s great, man. I really feel good about it. You know, it brings back a lot of great memories, from back when I started. Now, I’m on the other end — doing the training, giving the advice and helping out another individual. It’s a really good feeling,” Douglas said.

By Jeff McGinnis

Toledo Free Press Pop Culture Editor PopGoesJeff@gmail.com

About two decades ago, James “Buster” Douglas pulled off one of the greatest upsets in the history of sports. No, not his incredible 1990 knockout of Mike Tyson — a fight in which he was such an underdog that many casinos refused to even lay odds. This was an even more lopsided fight: Douglas’ struggle to return to the ring after coming close to death in 1994. Diagnosed with diabetes in the years following his win over Tyson, the former heavyweight champion of the world nearly died during the three days he was in a diabetic coma. As he recovered, though, he was determined to step into the ring once more. “It was very comforting, to tell you the truth, man. It was just a thing where I was back in my comfort zone. And that was really helping me make it, make a really strong and speedy recovery,” Douglas said in an interview with Toledo Free Press. “Without boxing, it would have

The pair of Purgatory Fight events kicks off with an evening of MMA on Dec. 7 at the Huntington Center, then an All Pro Boxing card on Dec. 21 at the Grand Plaza Hotel. “I’m all behind a good organization that’s providing good entertainment and helping young men advance their careers, and that’s what this is all about. You know, just giving back what I got out of it, basically, for me. Helping to see another individual rise to stardom is very rewarding,” Douglas said. Now that he’s overseeing others as they begin their careers, Douglas said the biggest piece of advice he has to give is simply to gain experience — which is how events like the Purgatory Fight Series can really help a young fighter. “Early in my career, we were fighting in ballrooms, little [venues] like that where they can hold 400-500 people, places like that. Venues were very scarce where you could go about displaying your abilities and talents. But now, they’ve got these casinos and a lot of different other venues, you know, to showcase their talents before

“

I’m all behind a good organization that’s providing good entertainment and helping young men advance their careers, and that’s what this is all about. You know, just giving back what I got out of it, basically, for me.”

they get to the venues in Las Vegas and Atlantic City,” Douglas said. “One, it gives them an opportunity to fight. Then, you know, to display their talents. It’s just like a real warm-up, a good warm-up for them for the big show. When you go to the big shows, the crowds are a lot larger,

the venues are a lot larger as well. It’s just a good warm-up to where you’ll be kinda used to it once you get up into the big lights, it won’t be such a mind-blowing experience.” It’s a different world in combat sports now than it was when Douglas first laced up his gloves in the early 1980s. The rise of MMA in the past 10 years has added more options for those looking to break in as a fighter, but Douglas insists that there’s still room for both boxing and MMA. But if MMA had existed way back when, could Douglas see himself heading in that direction? “No, never, never, ever,” Douglas said emphatically. “I had a high school wrestling coach come up to me and say, ‘Hey, you want to come around?’ I said, ‘Nope!’” But no matter what a fan’s taste, Douglas hopes Toledoans come out in droves to support the new faces looking to make a name for themselves Dec. 7 and 21. “I encourage people to support ’em,” Douglas said. “It’s all about support, man, because you can never know how you’ll change a person.” O

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(Traditional: 25. The First Noel 5:04 Denise and Michael arr. by TAPESTRY — pestryduo.com), Used Grupp-Verbon (www.ta Island as Time Again 3:48 Christm Dailey; 26. // (Pat ion) 5:16 27. by Permiss 1. River Of Stars // by Permission)s//unite for Phillips; Used Ohio Used by Permis sion) artist (John ‘Butch’North west House Music BMI, ine; By A Reindeer 3:23 (Randy wn 4:13 (Sheri LaFonta // Grandma Got Run Over // 28. Must Be Santa 2. Toledo, My Hometo Used by Permis sion) Alfred Music Publishing) BMI, Music, Brooks; Music, aine LaFont Miller; William Fredericks; Hollis Henry Claus 3:56 (Michael S. 3:20 (Hal Moore and (John 4:42 Kings 3. Interview With Santa Fum Fum Fum 4:52 (arr. Three // 4. Intuitive Music) // 29. We n Rodebaugh.) // 30. Lighthouse Used by Permission) Christmas Hopkins Jr.; arr. by Jonatha “Mannheim Steamroller ion) // 31. The by Chip Davis, from LLC © 1988 Franzen; Used by Permiss Nash; 1942) Christmas 2:40 (Russ American Gramaphone Reserved. Extraordinaire” © 2001 Santa Claus 2:54 (Ogden Anderson; by Permission. All Rights Boy Who Laughed At For Christmas 2:10 (Derek4:06 (Butch Dots and Lines, Ink. Used Winter Holidays 3:17 5. // ) // 32. A Million Dollars ller.com The Christmas Ball www.mannheimsteamro Permission) // 6. Have Yourself A by Permission) // 33. At Used Publishing Group, by Music al Used ; Univers Owens aw; (Tatiana and Ralph Blane; (David Thompson, F.W. Longsh as 2:59 (Hugh Martin 34. Christmas Time 3:47 as 2:45 as Merry Little Christm BUG MUSIC 1942) // ) // 7. Looks Like Christm ion) // 35. Blue Christm MGM Inc., EMI Feist Catalog s; Used by Permission) // Winfree; Used by Permiss Josef Mohr; Athana , Franz Xaver Gruber and Publishing, 9. Charles // Is Here 3:54 (Steven J. 1917) (Daniel (Edgar Guest, Ltd., EMI Music 8. At Christ mas 1:41 ; arr. by Kobalt Music Publishing ing LLC, Universal Music Gruber Xaver Silent Night 3:25 (Franz Xmas (War Is Over) On Sony/ATV Music Publish Music Corp.) // 36. Up Joe Boes) // 10. HappyYoko Ono; EMI Music arr. Publishing Group, Demi and (Benjamin Hanby, 1864; // 3:42 (John Lennon The Housetop 1:45 Music Publishing LLC.) // 37. Party On The Roof Publishing, Sony/ATV 5:36 (Harry Connick Jr.; By Wesley J. Linenkugel) Used by Permission) // as hoff; Riepen (Chuck y 11. Pray On Christm 2:56 (Jeff Killarne Come Home) 3:10 12. Christmas In Papa’s-June Music) // Frank 38. Christmas (Baby Please Bertha James Cavanaugh and Ellie Greenwich; Mother ept 3:00 (John Redmond, Barry, Phil Spector and ell Music Inc., Windsw chase Music and Malt Shoppe 4:02 Weldon; Warner/Chapp Music, Trio Music, Steeple 39. Deck Home For Christmas with ABKCO Music) // Holdings) // 13. I’ll Be Music by arrangement Buck Ram; Alfred Music Saygers; Used by and David Kent by arr. Walter , nal: (Johnny (Kim Gannon The Halls 1:30 (Traditio 2:12 (James Lord Pierpont; 1850) Christmas Baby 4:15 Bells Publishing Publishing) // 14. Merry Permission ) // 40. Jingle 3:12 (Mel Torme, Robert Wells; MPL Baxter; Universal Music Dudley Moore and Lou Music Inc.) // 15. Santa Baby 3:06 (J. // 41. The Christmas Song Tunes) // 42. Snowed In With You ell That First TV Group, Warner/Chapp r; Tamir Music) // 16. Music Publishing, Sony/A Maluchnik, M. Culp, J. Almaguer; Javits, P. Springer, T. Springe Eddie Boggs Productions, Used , K. Clay, M. Aossey (J. Run Like 5:05 Boggs; Morbid; y MOMA Groupe) // 43. Snowfall 3:05 (Eddie To Bethlehem 2:14 (Dinty Used by Permission courtes To Town 4:58 (Roger Waters by Permission) // 17. Soon Santa’s Got A Jump Jet! 3:00 Hell/Santa Claus Is Comin’Waters Music and Pink Floyd 18. ime Wintert Used by Permission) // by Permission) // 19. and David Gilmour; Rogers ) // 44. Auld Lang // Catalog sion) (E.J. Wells (ASCAP); Used Feist Permis EMI by Roberts; Used Music, J. Fred Coots; Holidays 1:49 (Joel arr. by Jerry Knorr). (Traditional: arr. By Timothy Syne 1:53 (Traditional; 20. O Tannenbaum 1:49 ion) // 21. How The Grinch 34, 15, 23, 25, 28, 29, 33, Pecsenye; Used by Permiss Tracks 6, 11, 12, 13, 14, by (Theodore Geisel; Random d, Mixed and Mastered Stole Christmas 9:55 35, 37, 38, 44: Recorde by Permission) // 22. re Recording Studio Audiofla at House Publishing, Used Patrick Clark; Used by Stoll P. Christopher com// Track 24: dioflare. Hope Grows 4:12 (Kerry www.au (Jule OH, 4:34 as Toledo Christm Dave Mariasy, Permission) // 23. This Recorded and Mixed by Universal Music, Toledo OH// Styne, Sammy Cahn; Inc., Sony/ATV AudioMatrix Recording, Mixed Warner/Chappell Music, and EMI Music Tracks 18, 41: Recorded Music Publishing LLC, nd 2:39 by E.J. Wells at Happyla Publishing) // 24. The Gift OH Recording, Toledo (Jon Hendri cks; Used by Permission) //

Publishing Credits

Benefit concert at 6 p.m. Dec. 5 at The Blarney Event Center

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ARTS Life

A22. n Toledo Free Press

DECEMBER 2, 2012

Generation Xed

FAMILY PRACTICE

he anthem of my youth was no and just do nothing. “It’s fun to lose and to pretend/She’s doubt “Smells Like Teen Spirit” overboard and self-asby Nirvana. As sured/Oh, no, I know a much as my generation dirty word” wanted to believe we We liked to wait were a tribe of distinct, around for who knows nonconformist individwhat, trying not to be ualists, most of us pretty impressed above all much shared the same else. We passed the music, clothes and other time with large doses preferences. In short, we of self-deprecation and were just like any other sarcasm. generation of young Shannon SZYPERSKI “I feel stupid and people ... only with a difcontagious/Here we are ferent theme. Our theme could best be summed now, entertain us” We were genuinely impressed with up as apathy, I guess. We were supposedly slackers who didn’t care about our own lack of enthusiasm and were how we looked or what others thought sure our moment in the shade would of us. We wore big, oversized clothing last forever. “I’m worse at what I do best/And for and clung to big, oversized ideals that allowed us to pretentiously sit back this gift I feel blessed/Our little group

has always been and always will until the end” Although we were completely convinced of the contrary, in a way we didn’t really make much sense at all. “A mulatto, an albino, a mosquito, my libido/Yeah”

I don’t think about my younger years or even “my generation” very often. Aside from bumping into a Pearl Jam song now and then or wondering why people are wearing such skinny jeans, I left most of my alternative, grungy, flannelly, angsty self

behind starting around 1994 or so. I’m too busy happily embracing the married, three-kid, minivan-driving suburban life I was supposed to rebel against to realize how much I should be hating myself right about now. n FAMILY CONTINUES ON A23

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ARTS Life

DECEMBER 2, 2012 n FAMILY CONTINUED FROM A22 It all came flooding back to me recently, however. I ran across yet another singing, dancing flash mob parading across the Internet and it suddenly hit me: I love this stuff (my Generation X upbringing compels me to use a different word but I will refrain). For all the years of feeling oppressed

by gleeful, glitzy, cheesy conformity, I actually now find it very, shall we say, sweet. (That’s not sweet like pure and wholesome; that’s sweet like “saweet!”) In fact, it’s oddly liberating. I could never have even imagined a large group of my peers circa 1992 jubilantly prancing its way through a mall food court, but I cannot begin to express how happy I am that such a

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thing is almost commonplace nowadays. Mainstream indifference seems to be a thing of the early ’90s past and a general loathing for life itself looks to have died with Kurt Cobain. Teen spirit, team spirit and any other type of spirit just don’t have that buzzkill stigma attached that they once did “back in my day.” I realize there are some of us still

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I am overjoyed, however, that my children may be given the cultural opportunity in their teen years to love life in some capacity instead of being peer pressured into thinking of it so dispassionately.” gives us that extra appreciation for life in the full-color, HD version. “And I forget just why I taste/Oh, yeah, I guess it makes me smile” O Shannon and her husband, Michael, are raising three children in Sylvania. Email her at letters@toledofreepress.com.

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clinging to our apathetic past so firmly that we won’t let it go until someone pries it from our cold, dead hearts. I also realize there will forever be at least small sects of teens and other society members hellbent on convincing the rest of us that they don’t care in the least. By the way, most of them obviously do. I am overjoyed, however, that my children may be given the cultural opportunity in their teen years to love life in some capacity instead of being peer pressured into thinking of it so dispassionately. Of course, judging from all of the leggings and neon-colored everything at the mall, apathy should be scheduled for its comeback right about the time my children enter adolescence. “Oh, well, whatever, nevermind” The good news is that even the most dispassionate among us can eventually exult in things like dancing, prancing, joyous flash mobs if we allow ourselves an open mind and an open heart. Perhaps going through a period of black and white

n A23

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CLASSIFIED

A24 n Toledo Free Press

community

REAL ESTATE

legal notice

wanted

Homes

WANTS TO purchase minerals and other oil & A+ Self Storage at 1324 W. Alexis ToleLagrange, 241 East Weber St. gas interests. Send details P.O. Box 13557, Dendo, OH 43612 will offer for public sale Nice 2BR/1BA Single Family ver, Co 80201 at 3:30PM on December 20, 2012 the fol Garage, Fenced yard lowing units: Owner financing or cash discount Unit 253, Lexi Kaminski 1404 Thornton Toledo, employment $750 down $309/mo Ohio 43612: Microwave, Fish Tank, Boxes; Unit 803-978-1539 or 803-978-1607 418, Jennifer Frederick 7401 Crosscreeks Dr. Education #1 Temperance, MI 48182: Kitchen Table, Coffee Toledo, 923 Sherman St. Table, Clothes; Unit 423, Jonathan Conine 4637 THE OCEAN Corp. 10840 Rockley Road, 4BR/1BA Single Family, fixer-upper Boydson Toledo, OH 43623: Golf Clubs, TV, Mirror; Houston, Texas 77099. Train for a New Owner financing or Cash discount Unit 716, Troy E. Holbrook 5844 N. Yermo Apt. Career. *Underwater Welder. Commercial $200 Down $130/mo R-01 Toledo, OH 43613: Sofa, Art Work, Futon; Diver. *NDT/Weld Inspector. Job Placement 803-978-1542 Unit 820, Dan Ruffing 1025 Radcliffe Toledo, OH SPECIAL Assistance. Financial Aid available for those INSTRUCTIONS: 43612: Speaker, Stereo Equipment, Boxes; Unit who qualify. 1-800-321-0298. ACS REP: Michelle.Mangum@xerox.com 1003, Jennette Nunnally 2212 Stirrup Ln #L4 Rentals Toledo, OH 43613: Chest of Drawers, Briefcase, Phone: 615.377.2506 general Car Jack; Unit 1007, Brittany Vandercook 1334 Apartment 720.895.8468 Primrose Ave #10 Toledo, OH 43612: Mattress, ServiceFax: Technician – Local company seekDesk Chair, Boxes; Unit 1126, Edward Reese 960 1100 square ft., 1 bedroom, 1.5 bath, ing dependable go getter. Must have clean driv-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Willow Toledo, OH 43605: Sofa, Boxand Springs, TV;us the newly remodeled, single-floor apartment ing record andonline: a professional appearance. Sales Save yourself some time give ad cost Go to https://www.multimedia-acs.com/mpas, fill with Unit 1128, Julie L. Howe 1055 Valley Bluff apt. 8 brick, natural wood, hardwood floors, and catheexperience a plushitbut"Submit". not required. It's Pay isthat draw easy. out the MMRPO Number, fill in the ad cost, and Perrysburg, OH 43551: Garbage Cans, Box, Paint; dral ceiling located on the fourth floor. Available with commissions and daily spiffs. Annual income For anyBilly questions regarding MPAS, cecilia.hook@acs-inc.com. Unit 1205, Franklin 2515 West Bancroft To- email with a 1 year lease for $825 per month. Call Neal range 28-45k. Ability to work outside in the elledo, OH 43606: Coffee Table, Boxes Bed Frame; at 419-243-1302 to schedule a showing. ements. Foremployment consideration please fax resume to Unit 1514, Mikael Stiles 5360 Secor Rd #108 888-545-4611. AS A LINE AD: Toledo, OH 43623: Chest of Drawers, Rocking PLEASE DRIVERRUN / DELIVERY / COURIER DRIVER / DELIVERY / COURIER Chair, Boxes. Cash and Removal. Call ahead to confirm: 419-476-1400.

public notice THE FOLLOWING STORAGE UNITS WILL BE SOLD AT PUBLIC AUCTION BY LOCK-IT-UP, LLC ON OR AFTER 12-26-12 AT LEONARD’S AUCTION SERVICE 6350 CONSEAR RD OTTAWA LAKE, MI RICHARD LEONARD AUCTIONEER. 12400 WILLIAMS PERRYSBURG 4355 1093 KRISTA MURLIN 26767 LAKE VUE #7 HOUSEHOLD 5401 TELEGRAPH TOLEDO 43612 2002 TRACY ESTIS 1421 N MICHIGAN HOUSEHOLD 4045 DONALD DEMSKI 1034 SYCAMORE SAN MARCOS TX 78666 HOUSEHOLD 3034 SANDRA DAVIS 1550 TERRELL MILL RD #11P MARIETTA GA 30067 HOUSEHOLD 6042 JENNIFER BOSTELMAN 3902 RUSHLAND HOUSEHOLD 3010 JANET CULLARS 4846 VENTURA HOUSEHOLD 1046 BYRNE TOLEDO 43609 1039 TERRY HOPKINS 711 BELEMONT HOUSEHOLD 4601 JACKMAN TOLEDO 43612 4710 SHARON BURNAT 2035 BRAMS HOUSEHOLD 1059 2133 STIRRUP APT 8 HOUSEHOLD 1084 ANTHONY CLINT 346 BOSTON HOUSEHOLD 27533 HELEN PERRYSBURG 43551 1036 GARY MORRIS 5337 GARDEN LN #F TAMPA FL 33610 HOUSEHOLD 3032 AIRPORT HWY 43609 3101 DELPHINA IBARRA 649 SOUTH APT C HOUSEHOLD 6105 AFSANAH CUNNINGHAM 938 ORCHARD HOUSEHOLD 5612 RICHARD WEINERT 1539 NELSON HOUSEHOLD 5608 DUSTIN FERGUSON 2180 25TH AVE BLANCHARD MI 49310 HOUSEHOLD 5102 SHELDON BAILEY 2436 W CENTRAL APT 28 HOUSEHOLD 4313 LURENA BYRD 132 WENZ HOUSEHOLD 1306 GLORIA WHITMORE 1408 BROOKVIEW APT 71 HOUSEHOLD 802 S REYNOLDS 43615 5030 TRISTA BLAIN 1143 PIMILICA PK HOUSEHOLD 1202 NICHOLAS MILLER 4150 E COLLEGE FORT WORTH TX 76115 HOUSEHOLD 6424 MEMORIAL HWY OTTAWA LAKE MI 49267 6043/6297 VIKI STOCKSLAGER 5153 MAIN ST SYLVANIA OH 43560 HOUSEHOLD 10151 STEVEN HICKS 1175 ASHLAND DR TEMPERANCE MI 48182 HOUSEHOLD

DECEMBER 2, 2012

CARLSON’S CRITTERS

A home for Ginger

Ginger is a 1-year-old female brown tiger. She was brought into the Toledo Area Humane Society with a litter of kittens and has spent the last few weeks in one of the shelter’s foster homes. Ginger is hoping to find a new home of her own. Ginger is very friendly and loves attention. She doesn’t mind being held and loves to play with toys. Ginger enjoys scratching on carpeted scratching posts and will try to squeeze in a little bit of lap time

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Homes WEST TOLEDO – NEW LISTING 3 Bed, 1Bath, 1050 sq ft, 1 car garage, large eat-in kitchen, 4 season sunroom, updated bath, large fenced backyard, well maintained. Priced to sell quickly at only $49,900 Mary Ann Stearns, Loss Realty Group 419-345-0071 or marstearns@bex.net Toledo Free Press publishes classified ads and cannot be responsible for problems arising between parties placing or responding to ads in our paper. We strongly urge everyone to exercise caution when dealing with people, companies and organizations with whom you are not familiar.

All real estate advertised in this paper is subject to the federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination based on race, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, in the sale, rental, or financing of housing. This Publisher will not knowingly accept any advertising that violates any applicable law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this paper are available on an equal opportunity basis. If you believe you have been discriminated against in connection with the sale, rental, or financing of housing, call the Toledo Fair Housing Center, (419) 243-6163.

every chance she gets. Ginger can be a little bit of a talker when she wants attention badly enough and would do better to be in a home without dogs. Ginger has been spayed, examined by a TAHS staff veterinarian, is current on her vaccinations and is microchipped. Toledo Area Humane Society is located at 1920 Indian Wood Circle, Arrowhead Park, Maumee. Adoption hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Call (419) 891-0705 or visit www.toledoareahumane society.org. O

BAD CREDIT, NO CREDIT,

NO PROBLEM!!

419-882-7171

franklinparklincoln.com

Happy Holidays from Laura’s Framing Place & Gallery LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED

Custom Framing at Affordable Prices

✯ New Holiday Hours ✯

We will be open on Sunday from Noon- 4 p.m. until Christmas!

Mon.- Fri. 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. | Sat. 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.

2554 Parkway Plaza, Maumee

89-FRAME (419-893-7263)

TV Listings

DECEMBER 2, 2012 Sunday Morning ABC 13 CBS 11 FOX 36 NBC 24 PBS 30 A&E BRAVO COM DISN ESN FAM FOOD HGTV LIF MTV TBS TCM TNT USA WTO5

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