Some residents in the Washington Local school district were surprised when they received a letter this week they first thought to be the city of Toledo endorsing school board candidates.

District 6 Councilman Lindsay Webb sent letters this week on city of Toledo letterhead endorsing candidates in both the Washington Local and Toledo board of education races. The letters included the city’s seal.

The letters included disclaimers that they were paid for by Ms. Webb’s campaign, and because public money wasn’t used in their creation, the mailing did not violate the law, city Law Director Adam Loukx said. The city’s seal isn’t copyrighted, so there’s no prohibition against using it, he said.

Legal or not, some who received the letter called the choice to use the letterhead inappropriate. Peter Dumkow said the letters first appeared to him to be an endorsement from the city.

“If she wants to promote somebody that she thinks is a viable candidate, it shouldn’t be done on city stationary,” he said.

Washington Local voters will fill three board seats in the Nov. 3 election. Of the three, two of them are for four-year terms. Incumbent David Hunter is running against Lisa Canales, Mark Hughes, Brad McDonald, and Cindy Perry. Voters also will elect a board member to fill the remaining two years of Steve Zuber’s term. When Mr. Zuber resigned in 2014, the board appointed Eric Kiser to the seat and he is running for reelection against Tom Johnson.

Ms. Webb threw her support behind Mr. Kiser, Mr. Hughes, and Ms. Canales.

In her letter, Ms. Webb says her son recently entered kindergarten in the district, and includes a picture of her son.

“I’m proud to be a mom and I’m proud to be a city councilperson,” she said in a phone interview. “I’m using the seal of the office that the voters put me in.”

She said she didn’t intend to mislead people, and that the letter clearly indicates it’s from her campaign and not the city. 

Lois Ogren said the choice of letterhead was wrong.

“These three people may turn out to be really excellent candidates,” Ms. Ogren said. “I just don’t think she should try to use her influence as a council person.”

Ms. Webb’s involvement in the WLS race is not unexpected. In September, when the board was investigating Superintendent Patrick Hickey, Ms. Webb said any attempt to fire Mr. Hickey would result in political consequences.

“I love politics. I know how to play politics,” she said at the time. “Up to this point, I haven’t come close to Washington Local Schools races. That will change starting today.”

The board issued a letter of reprimand to Mr. Hickey. Following a public record’s request, The Blade reported that the board’s investigation involved an allegation that Mr. Hickey had harassed two married staff members after an alleged relationship between the wife and Mr. Hickey ended.

“I’m confident in the ability of the superintendent and the leadership of the Washington Local school district, and I want to see the momentum continue,” she said.

The Lucas County Democratic Party has endorsed Ms. Kiser, Ms. Canales, and Mr. Hunter, so Ms. Webb’s endorsement differs from the party’s. She said she wasn’t going against the party, but that Mr. Hughes is her neighbor and has been active in the community.

In the Toledo board race, she endorsed Perry Lefevre, who is among three candidates running for two seats. She did not endorse the Rev. Randall Parker III, who along with Mr. Lefevre are endorsed by the party in the race, which also includes Stephanie Eichenberg.

Contact Nolan Rosenkrans at: nrosenkrans@theblade.com or 419-724-6086, or on Twitter @NolanRosenkrans.

First Published October 30, 2015, 4:00 a.m.