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After his first three months in office, how is Pete Sehnert doing as mayor?

poll conducted April 14-18, 2008

-RSKnopfJr

GOTV

A new mayor, new members on city council and school boards across the county, as well as a bevy of levys. The 2007 election has a little bit for everyone. The board of elections is predicting that only 35% of registered voters will be going to the polls, but once again, I have faith that the people of Findlay and Hancock County are really going to come out tomorrow and beat that number.

For Mayor of Findlay, FCPolitico endorses...

When I started this blog in May, I knew that tonight was coming. And let me be totally honest with you...for the past several months, I have not been looking forward to this moment. Since the mayoral forum, people have (jokingly) been asking me who I was going to vote for, and the answer has always been the same - honestly, I didn't know. Friends of mine, as well as the FCPolitiGal, have suggested that I just explain to everyone the situation I am in, and not make a recommendation for mayor (especially since the holidays are coming up, and family gatherings might be a little strained if I make the wrong decision).

Election 2007: Peter M. Sehnert, candidate for Mayor of Findlay

On September 28, I sent letters to the candidates running for Mayor of Findlay. I asked them a series of questions, and offered to publish their answers, unedited. Below are the responses I received from mayoral candidate Peter M. Sehnert; I offer no comment or interpretation about what appears...that is up to you, the voter!

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Why do you want to be mayor?

no response

Election 2007: Thomas M. Knopf, candidate for Mayor of Findlay

On September 28, I sent letters to the candidates running for Mayor of Findlay. I asked them a series of questions, and offered to publish their answers, unedited. Below are the responses I received from mayoral candidate Thomas M. Knopf; I offer no comment or interpretation about what appears...that is up to you, the voter!

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Why do you want to be mayor?

My decision to run for Findlay Mayor primarily came about because I did not agree with certain financial decisions our representatives had made and where our tax dollars were being spent.  $109,000 was invested in a burned out building downtown, not to mention $23,000 for a city-wide wi-fi study and decorative light poles and new lights along Main Street which cost taxpayers $206,000.  Clearly $338,000 could have been better spent towards any number of other endeavors which would have benefited all city residents.   

I want to be Findlay’s next mayor in order to ensure that the city finances, your tax dollars and mine, are spent towards worthwhile projects that benefit a majority of our residents and not the elite few who have the greatest influence within our government.    

Behind the scenes of the Mayoral Forum

Before I get to what happened on the 22nd, I want to give you some background information. Since 2001, I have worked at The University of Findlay, and have been fortunate to work with very talented people in an exciting and challenging environment. In 2006, I was asked to manage a new group, which included oversight of the University's TV station. Since I joined the team, we have taped quite a few concerts/lectures/games that make it to the small screen, but I have never been involved in a 'LIVE' event before.

Mayoral Forum videos

Here are the videos from the 2007 Mayoral Forum. The entire forum is covered in eight parts. If you did not see the forum, or only read about it or heard about it from others, I encourage you to watch these and make up your own mind.

I

Election 2007: Candidates for Mayor of Fostoria

On September 28, I sent letters to the candidates running for Mayor of Fostoria. I asked them a series of questions, and offered to publish their unedited answers. Below are the responses I received; I offer no comment or interpretation about what appears...that is up to you, the voter!

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Why do you want to be mayor?

CAROL S. BOOS - no response

JOHN DAVOLI - no response

SCOTT HOFACKER - no response

PAT STERLING - no response

Greetings Candidate!

Last week, I sent a copy of the following letter to the candidates running for Findlay and Fostoria mayor, Findlay city council and the Findlay Board of Education. Go ahead and read it...I'll see you on the other side.

I sent each candidate 5-20 questions (depending on the office) and invited them to respond to as many or as few as they deemed appropriate. On the following days, YOU will see their unedited answers and YOU will be able to add your comments:

• Wed Oct 17 - Candidates for Mayor of Fostoria
• Thu Oct 18 - Candidates for Findlay Board of Education
• Fri Oct 19 - James W. Madison, council candidate 1st ward
• Sat Oct 20 - J. Michael Slough, council candidate 1st ward
• Sun Oct 21 - Michael Eier, council candidate 5th ward
• Mon Oct 22 - Debra E. Seng, council candidate 5th ward
• Wed Oct 24 - Mario J. Bower, council candidate at-large
• Thu Oct 25 - James P. Slough, council candidate at-large
• Fri Oct 26 - John T. Urbanski, council candidate at-large
• Sat Oct 27 - Randy C. Ward, council candidate at-large
• Mon Oct 29 - Thomas M. Knopf, Findlay mayoral candidate
• Tue Oct 30 - Peter M. Sehnert, Findlay mayoral candidate

I want you to prepare in advance for the endorsement days. I will give my selections, but through your comments, I want you to participate as well:

• Wed Oct 31 - Findlay school board endorsement
• Thu Nov 1 - Findlay council race endorsements
• Fri Nov 2 - Findlay mayor endorsement

Make sure you keep an open mind going into all of these. But more than anything, make sure you participate! As the saying goes around here..."All Voices Heard"!!

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Have you heard? Some of the individuals who write blogs for The Courier's Virtual Village have been invited to be on Good Mornings with Chris Oaks tomorrow (Wednesday). Yours truly will be among those in attendance telling everyone else how wonderful you all are, as well as trying to promote the National Presidential Caucus (sign up now...I am working on providing babysitting). So, tune in to 1330-WFIN at 8am on Wednesday...and then let me know how it went.

-RSKnopfJr

Local Endorsements I

Tonight in Fostoria, the United Auto Workers CAP (Community Action Program) Council invited candidates from Seneca, Sandusky, Wyandot, Wood and Hancock counties to speak at it's 16th annual candidate's night. The Fostoria Area U.A.W. CAP Council is the local representative of The International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW).

From the Findlay area, Democratic candidates Mario Bower (running for an at-large city council seat) and Thomas Knopf (running for Mayor) had an opportunity to address the assembled audience of union workers and members of the community. Both candidates received an official endorsement from the UAW CAP Council and a financial contribution to their campaigns.

Bower spoke of the history of flooding in Findlay, and how even though past city councils have not addressed the issue, and some people believe that this is not council's role, he wants city council to look out for the welfare of the community by initiating solutions. Knopf used his time to once again talk about the role he envisions for community members, and stated goals of a balanced budget, no income tax increase, and asking city council to pass a living wage law.

A surprise guest for the evening was Henry County Democrat Robin Weirauch, who is running for the 5th District Congressional seat. She spoke about fun her day has been and the amount of traveling she has done since announcing her candidacy. She shared her campaign website address (www.robinforcongress.com) and told how she made her official announcement on YouTube.

-RSKnopfJr