More than halfway through Mike Bell's first term as mayor, there are more than a few people beginning to take a look at running for the city's top job.
But even though they are looking, that doesn't mean they are ready to jump feet-first into a campaign. Several say they are not ready to "focus" on 2013, especially with so little known about the state of the city or Mr. Bell's political popularity, 18 months from now.
Among those said to be considering a run for mayor are Lucas County Auditor Anita Lopez, Toledo City Council President Joe McNamara, Lucas County Treasurer Wade Kapszukiewicz, state Rep. Michael Ashford, and former Mayor Carty Finkbeiner -- all Democrats, and political independent D. Michael Collins, a city councilman.
Mr. McNamara last week was elected chairman of the Lucas County Democratic Party Central Committee, a position that could be useful in assembling party support.
He said mayor talk was "way too early."
Mr. McNamara, 35, was elected to fill an at-large council vacancy in 2006 and re-elected in 2009. He lost a bid in 2010 for the Democratic nomination for the Ohio Senate to Edna Brown, who won the seat.
"I won't make a decision about the 2013 mayor's race until 2013. We have too much work to do in 2012 and that's what I'm focused on," Mr. McNamara said on Friday.
Ms. Lopez, 42, expressed interest in the mayor's race if the circumstances are right, but she said she won't turn her attention to it until the auditor's office finishes this year's triennial property re-evaluation. The revised property values must be turned into the state by October.
"This year is very important as we are issuing new values and I have repeatedly promised citizens of Lucas County that customer service and the accuracy of values is my highest focus," Ms. Lopez said. "Any options outside of this position would depend solely on the state of the city and the needs of the citizens."
She said she will ask if citizens feel their needs are being responded to and if they are getting prompt and efficient service from the city.
"Any position I've considered running for in the past has been driven by frustration of the citizens with the current officeholder and whether I can do a better job," Ms. Lopez said.
"There's no doubt that there are several individuals who have encouraged or suggested I consider running for mayor, that if I pushed through customer service in the auditor's office that I would probably be able to do that effectively in the mayor's office," she said. "I know there are a number of candidates who are considering their options. I have to focus on the auditor's office this year; 2013 is a pretty long way off."
Mayor Bell refused to talk to The Blade about his plans for a second term.
Jen Sorgenfrei, Mr. Bell's spokesman, said last week the mayor didn't want to engage in a discussion about re-election.
"He's focusing on governing the city. When the time comes that he needs to focus on the potential of running for election, he will do so," Ms. Sorgenfrei said.
Mr. Collins has bounced between ruling out a run and seriously considering it. He said he would consider running -- as an independent -- if supporters would assure him of a campaign war chest of at least $225,000. In 2009, the two candidates, Mr. Bell and Democrat Keith Wilkowski, together spent more than $700,000.
"If there is a bona fide interest for me to enter the campaign, then I have to have commitments that the campaign will be financed to the extent that we have an opportunity to run on a level playing field," said Mr. Collins, 67, a former city police officer and police union president who was elected in 2011 to a second term representing the 2nd Council District.
He said Mr. Bell's outspoken support for Issue 2, the failed anti-collective bargaining referendum in 2010, has earned him justified political enmity from organized labor, considering that he benefited from the collective-bargaining process during his years as a firefighter, city fire chief, and state fire marshal.
"I don't think any labor organization could, in good conscience, embrace Mike Bell's re-election effort," Mr. Collins said.
In 2009, Mr. Collins came in fourth in the six-way primary, behind Mr. Bell, Democrat Keith Wilkowski, and Republican James Moody, and ahead of then-Lucas County Commissioner Ben Konop and hopeful Opal Covey.
While not ruling out a run entirely, Mr. Finkbeiner, Mr. Ashford, and Mr. Kapszukiewicz indicated that a run for mayor was not likely for them.
Mr. Kapszukiewicz said people have approached him. At 39, he said he could see himself in a race for mayor some time in the future, but "I don't see myself running next year." Mr. Kapszukiewicz is on the ballot in November for a third term as county treasurer against Republican Norm Witzler.
Mr. Ashford, 56, is on the ballot in November for a second term in the newly realigned 44th House District. He said he's heard his name is being mentioned but said he's had no discussions about it with anyone.
"As of right now, I have not considered running for mayor. There are other things on my plate, like serving the people of my district as state representative," he said.
Mr. Finkbeiner, 72, who served three terms as Toledo mayor with a gap between his second and third terms, has a number of opinions about the mayor's race and the performance of the incumbent, but didn't say he was interested in running.
"I'm enjoying life quite a bit right now," Mr. Finkbeiner said.
"There are a number of individuals looking seriously at the race next year. The issue is what do Toledoans feel about the way problems in their respective neighborhoods are being addressed, and is there evidence of a cleaner, healthier, safer Toledo?" Mr. Finkbeiner said. "After two years and a quarter, I don't see what the Bell game plan is."
Mayor Bell points to rising city income tax revenue, increased building permits, demolition or remediation of neglected buildings, the shared fire-service agreement with Ottawa Hills, and even the occasional complaints from people who can't find a parking spot at night downtown as signs of a city on the comeback.
"People are starting to believe that they can actually accomplish things in Toledo, Ohio," Mr. Bell said in his state of the city speech in January.
But the mayor has had struggles and controversies, including the scandal over tainted bidding in the city Department of Neighborhoods, questionable credibility for the city's Department of Development, and a management style that some believe is not transparent.
And there was the lucrative city contract for his niece, Shayla Bell, to rehab houses in the central city, even though at age 25 she had no housing rehabilitation experience.
Most difficult is the tattered relationship with organized labor over city contract disputes, the sale of the Marina District without union conditions, and his support of Gov. John Kasich's effort in 2011 to weaken public employee collective-bargaining rights.
A big uncertainty is the future of the Marina District, the completion of which eluded his two immediate predecessors, Jack Ford and Mr. Finkbeiner.
Under Mr. Bell, the city last year sold the 69-acre parcel development site in East Toledo to China-based investors Dashing Pacific Group Ltd. in expectation of them developing a project to include office space, residential, hospitality, entertainment, service retail, and an education component.
So far, however, no construction work, or even a set of plans, has materialized.
The mayor's spokesman and campaign treasurer, Ms. Sorgenfrei, said, "We've seen the first stage, which was property acquisition. The next stage is vertical construction."
She cites the city's rising income tax revenues, from $138 million his first year to a projected $154 million now, as signs that employment in the city is on the increase.
Mr. Bell's father, Norman Bell, said his son hasn't told him of any plans.
"He has not made up his mind. He's his own man," said Mr. Bell, who worked for the city for 26 years, including as interim director of the Board of Community Relations. "Whatever he decides to do, I'll be happy with him," the elder Mr. Bell said.
If Mayor Bell, 57, chooses to run, he'll have a fund-raising operation that is one of the best in the city. Mr. Bell has held at least three successful fund-raisers in the past two years, according to campaign finance reports on file with the Lucas County Board of Elections. In all, he has raised $191,575 and spent or donated $150,385 during 2010 and 2011. He started 2012 with $55,744 cash on hand and no debt.
Toledo's mayor is paid $122,408 a year. Mr. Bell, in addition to his salary, also receives a pension from the Ohio Fire and Police Pension Fund for approximately 27 years on the city fire department as a firefighter and fire chief and about two years as state fire marshal. His pension was reported as $62,319 a year in 2008.
Mr. McNamara's last campaign finance report, on file with the Ohio secretary of state, shows he had $8,056 in his campaign account and owed himself $112,902. Ms. Lopez reported having $17,389 in her campaign treasury as of Jan. 1.
Dan Wagner, president of the Toledo Police Patrolman's Association, said the chances of Mr. Bell again being endorsed by safety forces' unions are slim after he appeared in political commercials supporting Issue 2.
"We've been approached by several camps already in regards to getting some early endorsements," Mr. Wagner said. "If there was a candidate like Mike Collins, we would probably give Mike Collins an early endorsement."
Seasoned Democratic operative Jerry Chabler said Mr. Bell will be hard to beat.
He said Mr. Bell is an outstanding fund-raiser, and his likability is "off the charts."
"I've seen Mike Bell in action. He's a rock star to some folks," Mr. Chabler said.
Not to be counted out is the Lucas County Republican Party. Chairman Jon Stainbrook said he's had discussions with a couple of people who might want to run, but he did not name them.
Mr. Bell drew prominent Republican backing in 2009, including that of former county Chairman Robert Reichert.
"I think the seeds are planted. It'd be nice to see the Marina District going up and to see Southwyck developed. It takes time to get things done," Mr. Reichert said.
Contact Tom Troy at tomtroy@theblade.com or 419-724-6058.
First Published April 9, 2012, 4:15 a.m.
