Article published Saturday, November 7, 2009 Mayor-elect Bell didn't shun principle of sacrifice By ROSE RUSSELL
WELL, looks like Toledo Mayor-elect Mike Bell really conked his experienced political opponent in Tuesday's election. For the former Toledo fire chief and state fire marshal to get 52.33 percent of the vote on his first try for public office is not bad. The mayor-to-be left Keith Wilkowski with 47.67 percent of the results.
What's it all mean, though? That voters are weary of the same old, same old? That they want new people?
Mr. Wilkowski is highly respected and well thought of, and his is a household name. His father was the late Art Wilkowski, who was an attorney, judge, and renowned state representative.
However, something seems to be at work on the political horizon, and in some cases, disgruntled voters appear willing to put their faith behind new folk who don't have politics running through their veins.
That was apparent during Mr. Bell's campaign. His responses to questions were not always direct, and neither were they laced with the usual political rhetoric. It certainly didn't hurt him, though. And none of those observations means he is unfamiliar with the process. He obviously is. Nor does it mean he lacks sincerity. In fact, that Mayor-elect Bell is so genuine undoubtedly played a role in why he won the mayoral race so handily.
Now, Jan. 4 will be here soon, and with it the shipload of municipal problems will shift to Mr. Bell's shoulders. He must get us out of this mess, except, though, there's that vacation he plans to take.
Look, let me be candid: When I heard that Mr. Bell would take a vacation if he won, I thought it underscored his lack of political experience. And I was annoyed. Humph. "How could you go romping off and take thine ease when this city is on the verge of getting sucked into a black hole? How would you vacation when residents are worried about Toledo?" I asked.
After a while, I decided the mayor-elect has a smart idea. Campaigning is stressful, and there's no point in being stressed out before assembling a transition team or selecting Team Bell for the 22nd floor of One Government Center. So high five Mr. Bell for being honest about vacationing.
So maybe there is change afoot, though voters want change in one fell swoop and to fall from heaven like manna.
But when Detroit Mayor Dave Bing admits that his city's workers may have to sacrifice one way or another and he gets elected anyway, something is under way.
And when Mayor-elect Bell said he would remain open to the idea of an increase in taxes or fees so city services can remain in place and then he gets elected anyway, that's also proof that voters are willing to step out on a limb and put their faith in somebody different.
Those two victories remind me of something another victorious candidate said about all of us having to step up to the plate to make sacrifices. I believe his name is Barack Obama.
Copyright 2009
The Blade. By using this service, you accept the terms of our privacy
statement and our visitor agreement.
Please read them.
The Toledo Blade Company,
541 N. Superior St., Toledo, OH 43660
, (419) 724-6000
To contact a specificdepartment or an individual
person, click here. The Toledo Times ®
advertisement
