Members of the Old West End Association heard from candidates running for Toledo mayor, city council, and school board on Tuesday at a candidate forum hosted by the group.

Ten candidates in those races presented their platforms and fielded questions from the audience. About 50 people attended the forum, which took place at the Libbey House on Scottwood Avenue.

The mayoral candidates present were Sandy Drabik Collins, Opal Covey, Mike Ferner, Carty Finkbeiner, Paula Hicks-Hudson, and Sandy Spang.

Attendees also heard from Toledo Public Schools Board of Education candidates Perry Lefevre, Randall Parker III, and Stephanie Eichenberg, and council District 4 candidate Yvonne Harper.

Courtney Macklin, association president, said residents are frequently concerned about neighborhood safety and historic preservation, given the large number of historic homes in the neighborhood.

“It's a nice opportunity,” she said of the forum. “Whoever wins the election, they've already had some face time with our group. A lot of people who live in our neighborhood are very passionate.”

It was an impassioned evening at times for the candidates as well, who at times elicited laughs from the crowd and turned serious at others. Mr. Ferner broke out an impersonation of comedian Lewis Black,  and Ms. Covey compared her 15-year quest for mayor to a baby that will “be a big one” when she gives birth.

Mr. Finkbeiner opened his remarks by reading a letter to the editor he submitted to the Blade which rebutted criticisms of his public safety platform. He chided Blade editors who do not live in the city of Toledo and did not attend a public safety forum earlier in the campaign season.

“They are pontificating about the urban core, but none of them seem to live there,” he said. He said he has heard residents’ concerns about violence.

Mr. Finkbeiner recalled a time when he was mayor after a rash of shootings. He said he called for increased police presence patrolling and “intervening” on the streets, which he said resulted in decreased shootings in the following months.

“It proved to me that the guys who wear the blue uniforms, if you tell them to intervene, to be assertive, and not take any BS, can make Toledo a much safer city than it is today,” he said.

Ms. Hicks-Hudson told residents of District 4, which she represented on council before being appointed mayor in February upon the death of Mayor D. Michael Collins, that they know the kind of leader she is.

“I am the same person who was here four years ago, and I will be the same person four years from now,” she said.

All candidates present Tuesday will appear on the Nov. 3 ballot.

Contact Lauren Lindstrom at llindstrom@theblade.com, 419-724-6154, or on Twitter @lelindstrom.

First Published October 21, 2015, 4:00 a.m.