Here we go again.
The long-embattled Lucas County Board of Elections has one more shot at redemption. Another chance to show their true mettle, and come through with flying colors.
And pigs will fly off into the night.
Granted, the bee-oh-ee hasn’t been the brunt of as many caustic jokes since the erstwhile Jon Stainbrook got unceremoniously removed several years ago. Stainbrook’s hijinks notwithstanding, the Board has been notorious for its flubs, foibles and general disarray. Strainbrook’s mania just helped keep them in primetime.
The Board’s mistakes are well-documented, from misplaced voting cards to ballot shortages to machines that just plain don’t work. Lucas County is often the last county in Ohio to report vote totals, sometimes waiting until early Wednesday morning to croak out its tabulations.
Since Stainbrook left the Board doesn’t make the news nearly as often, in part because there are no fisticuffs in the reporting room and no bluster at Board meetings. The existing Board plays nice in the sandbox together, to be sure.
Unfortunately, that hasn’t equated to smooth sailing on election night. Lucas County continues to lag behind other urban counties in efficiency and effectiveness. But like a losing sports team, there’s always next year!
Well, it’s next year. Shiny new voting machines, new procedures, albeit the same old characters in the same old roles. Here’s hoping the vote count is smooth, seamless, and accurate. With results in by the witching hour.
Our fingers are crossed. But we won’t hold our breath.
on the toledo city council races …
DISTRICT 1
Tyrone Riley: His political gaffes, from dining and dashing to failure to pay his water bill, still won’t deter voters from giving him one more term on Council.
Shaun Strong: Trying to escape a floundering career with successive City administrations by jumping over to City Council? Cheeky!
DISTRICT 2
Matt Cherry: Has navigated the shark-infested political waters of this swing district as well as might be expected. Expect a victory on November 6.
Abigail Sadowy: Sounds like the name of your third grade teacher, with too many vowels for voters to wrap their noggins around. Thirty-five per cent of the vote, max.
DISTRICT 3
Glen Cook: A kindly old man with kindly old man ideas. This district has been represented by old white men for decades. Time for a change.
Theresa Gadus: Fresh, younger perspectives for a district desperately in need of them. See above.
DISTRICT 4
Yvonne Harper: We’ll say it again. Hardest working Council rep, with her finger on the pulse of her district’s diverse constituencies. Can you say “landslide?”
June Boyd: Really, June? Again with the losing Council race? Time for a different hobby.
DISTRICT 5
Sam Melden: Young, curious, and wiser than his years. Ready to lead.
Tom Names: His website basically says he’s the best candidate because he’s old and retired. He should stay that way. What’s in a Names? Likely not enough votes in this election, that’s what.
DISTRICT 6
Chris Delaney: A lifetime of public service. Doesn’t seek the limelight, just works diligently behind the scenes. Exactly what we need in these manic times.
Ron Murphy: Who was that again now?
