Flag City Politico

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!

---

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!

---

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!

---

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"!!

---

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

_____ for Mayor

Both of the candidates for mayor of Findlay now have websites, so let the real campaigning begin. Here is a snapshot of each (click to open a larger size), or better yet, visit their sites to find out more information about Pete and Thomas.

It is interesting how the Pete's site is mostly red, while Thomas' is mainly blue. That may not mean anything, but subconsciously, I know this means something.  ;-)

After you visit their sites, come back to the FCPolitico and leave some feedback in the comments section with your review of each as well as what you think of their chances this November.

Pete Sehnert for Mayor
'The Right Man for the Job'
www.electsehnert.com 

Thomas Knopf for Mayor
'Putting People First!'
www.thomasknopf.com

-RSKnopfJr

Hancock County Democratic Party BBQ

This past Sunday, I was a guest at the Hancock County Democratic Party summer BBQ. The event was held at the AMVETS shelter house on Melrose, and was attended by about 75 people. I was able to take a few pictures of the event, and did my best to record the audio of the event to share with you. The videos include some of the pictures I took (with generic Democratic/American images to give it a little oomph)...the audio is the speech that each candidate gave to the assembled crowd.

Nancy Stephani, the chairperson of the local Dems, introduced a father whose son just returned from Iraq. The young soldier told the assembled group that it is not true what everyone is hearing...that soldiers are in 'favor' of the war. He said it was just the opposite. His colleagues want to come home before any more get injured or killed. 'Support the Troops - Stop the War' signs were available for those wanted them.

Stephani then introduced Findlay city councilman Michael Eier (fifth ward) who spoke about the opportunity presented to the local party this year. He pointed out that the Democratic Party has made great strides on the national and state levels, and it appears that Hancock County could be next. He went on to point out that, win or lose, this was probably going to be his last run at city council. Eier plans on moving on and becoming more active in his church.

After Eier spoke, Stephani told the group that there is a real opportunity for a Democrat to become the next mayor of Findlay. She then introduced candidate Thomas Knopf. Knopf read prepared remarks before taking a few questions from the audience. In his speech, Knopf's theme was 'Putting People First' and most of the language reflected the hope and opportunities he feels are before the community. Knopf told the crowd that they had the opportunity to make a difference and for their voices to be heard by helping elect him.

If you were at the event and would like to add additional comments, please do so. I look forward to hearing what others thought about the afternoon, and if you think the local Democrats have a real opportunity to be elected this November.

-RSKnopfJr

I Heard It Through the Grapevine

A few weeks ago, I heard from a few party insiders that there was a 'significant name' looking to start a write-in campaign to become Findlay's mayor. My first thought was that Tony Iriti was not going to go quietly into the night, but I could not find out any more information about this possibility.

Late tonight, however, I heard something new. It is going around that a few people in the Hancock County GOP are not too thrilled with the possibility of Pete Sehnert being the next mayor. There are those inside the municipal building, as well as long-time Republicans, who feel that Tony Iriti's defeat last May was a fluke due to low voter turnout, and that it should not have happened. According to one person, Sehnert has been summoned to talk with the head of the local GOP to discuss the possibility of him (Sehnert) stepping aside for the good of the party.

From what I understand, the GOP is talking about doing one of the following:

Scenario 1 - Resign and Replace
Pete Sehnert would resign as the Republican candidate for Mayor. The Republican Central Committee would then nominate FRANK GUGLIELMI as their candidate and let him be on the ballot in November.

Scenario 2 - Win and Replace
It would be difficult for Democratic candidate Thomas Knopf to be elected. So, let Sehnert win the race, have him resign, and the Republican Central Committee would then appoint Guglielmi as the mayor.

Scenario 3 - Write-In
Frank Guglielmi runs as a write-in candidate.

Exciting, isn't it? We might have a race worth following this autumn.
 
So, who is Frank Guglielmi? He is a Findlay businessman who unsuccessfully ran for the Republican nomination to replace Mike Oxley (losing to Jim Jordan). According to campaign finance records from 2006, Guglielmi spent over $1.66 million running for the nomination, with 93.9% of that being self-financed (folks, that’s a whopping $1.56+ million from his own pocket). Would he spend this much again, especially for a mayoral contest? Even if he is the nominee going into the election, probably not. However, if it is scenario 3, he is going to have to boost his name recognition a little bit more since it will not be on the ballot, and that requires resources ($$$).

Are any of these scenarios likely? They are real enough that the Hancock County Democratic Party (I heard) is talking about the possibility, discussing how all three scenarios affect their candidate, and planning on what to do if it happens.

Put aside the moral issues I have with forcing a candidate to resign because some people don’t like them; over 55% of Republicans that voted in May selected Sehnert, and their selection is being pressured into dropping out (anyone feeling disenfranchised?). I would expect things like this in other cities or parts of the country (Chicago comes to mind), but not here in Flag City USA! On the other hand, I am not surprised (unfortunately) by anything politicians are capable of in this day and age.

Remember…these are just rumors that I heard, and they are subject to change. But as we know, rumors and politics go hand-in-hand. If anyone has any more information or has anything to contribute, either put it into the comments section or e-mail me.

-RSKnopfJr