Jan Scotland, a local businessman who in 2008 launched an unsuccessful bid for Lucas County commissioner, announced Thursday he intends to run for mayor of Toledo.
“I see a situation where the city is kind of falling apart and treading water. There are too many issues out here that aren’t being addressed, and it seems like the main answer to it is to go to committee,” the 65-year-old Republican said. “The policies of the current administration, or the lack of polices of the current administration, are getting us in trouble.”
Mr. Scotland said gun violence is an example of a problem that current Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz has been unable to effectively address. He said he believes part of the problem is a lack of respect and support for the police, a lack of sports and activities for Toledo’s youth, and a lack of economic opportunity — all things he said city leaders shouldn’t need to form a committee to identify.
“If you don’t understand what’s going on that’s causing the violence, then you shouldn’t be mayor,” Mr. Scotland said.
Mayor Kapszukiewicz, who is running for another four-year term and has the Lucas County Democratic Party’s endorsement, has announced a series of free and low-cost activities for youth this summer. The options range from athletics to music camps to podcasting and coding programs.
Mr. Scotland said he doesn’t know what all is available, which he believes is a sign the current administration isn’t doing a good enough job getting the word out to Toledo families.
Another issue he’d like to address as mayor is developing a plan for the $180.9 million in federal American Rescue Plan money the city will receive over the next two years.
Mr. Scotland launched his State Farm Insurance business in 1990, and before that he worked as a purchasing supervisor at Owens Corning. He served briefly on Toledo City Council after an appointment in 1987 when Linda Furney resigned to take office in the Ohio Senate. He lost the election that fall to retain the seat to Democrat Jack Ford.
In 1996 he founded Sleepy Hollow Athletic League, a Toledo sports league serving children ages 4 to 14. In 2004 he received a Jefferson Award from the American Institute for Public Service, a national organization that recognizes volunteers who make a difference in their community, for his efforts.
Former Toledo Councilman George Sarantou is also mulling a mayoral run. The 69-year-old Republican pulled petitions June 8 for both the mayoral seat and an at-large city council seat and said he’ll gauge his viability by collecting signatures for both.
The deadline to file completed petitions is July 16.
First Published June 24, 2021, 4:11 p.m.
