Charter change to allow Toledo mayor to run for 3rd term headed to elections board

Toledo City Council at a special meeting Wednesday voted to submit to the Lucas County Board of Elections a petition for a proposed charter amendment that would change consecutive term limits for the mayor’s office from two to three terms upon voter approval in the November general election.

Dozens of Toledo firefighters opposed to Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz getting a crack at running for a third term attended the meeting.

Toledo Firefighters Local 92, the union representing Toledo’s rank-and-file firefighters, has not had a contract since March. City officials, on Aug. 15, requested the parties enter mediation. In an Aug.16 letter to union members, union president Matt Tabb said the union would oppose the mayor for re-election.

“Local 92 intends to defeat him at the ballot box and the bargaining table,” the letter states.

A petition drive in support of changing the charter started in March by a group of local business leaders in support of Mr. Kapszukiewicz. To put the amendment on the ballot required a minimum of 5,700 signatures of registered voters by August. The petition was submitted to council last week with the required number of signatures.

The law requires council to forward the petition to the board of elections to be put on the ballot if the petition has been deemed sufficient by the clerk, according to Council President Carrie Hartman.

“The board of elections has certified to the clerk there are enough valid signatures for the petition to go on the ballot,” Ms. Hartman said. “Council can only speak through ordinance or resolution, hence the vote on this ordinance is to allow for the petition to go forward for a vote of the people.”

Council voted 10-0 in favor of the ordinance. Councilmen Nick Komives and Theresa Gadus were not in attendance.

“The people have a right to speak as to whether they support this or not,” said Councilman John Hobbs III. “This is what democracy is about. This is an opportunity for the citizens to vote on whether they want this charter change or not.”

Councilman Cerssandra McPherson echoed Councilman Hobbs’ sentiments.

“It is our duty always to adhere to the citizens of Toledo, and to support their decisions,” she said. “I am in support of the citizens of Toledo having their voices be heard at the polls.”

“Obviously, this is a very important issue,” Councilman George Sarantou chimed in. “We live in a democracy. The citizens have to determine charter amendments. That's the way it is, that’s the way it should be. It’s not our decision. It’s up to the citizens.”

Before the meeting, Councilman Adam Martinez said he had mixed feelings about Mr. Kapszukiewicz running for a third term. To some, it would appear to be a power grab.

“Mayor Kapszukiewicz has been a good mayor. That being said, I think this is a little self-serving,” he said. “It was a petition organized by members of the business community in support of the mayor. But if this was truly a response to the office of the mayor needing a third term, he should not be allowed to participate. Rather, future mayors should benefit from it.”

Firefighters did not comment at the meeting because public comment is not permitted at city council meetings. Brian Mascareno, a member of Toledo Fire and Rescue for 22 years, and a member of the negotiating team of Local 92, afterward said members came to the meeting to show their frustration at not having a new contract for so long.

“We have concerns about negotiations not proceeding between Local 92 and the mayor’s office,” Mr. Mascareno said. “Our intent during the negotiations is to make sure we have the financial resources to continue to give the same level of care that we’ve given to the citizens of Toledo.

“For whatever reason, they’ve chosen to walk away from the bargaining table. We remain willing to go back and continue to negotiate to make sure we make progress.”

Mr. Kapszukiewicz declined to comment on the proposed charter change, but has previously indicated he would run for a third term if allowed to. In March, he issued a statement about how he loves being mayor, and would run for another term “if given the chance.”

If voters pass the amendment, Mr. Kapszukiewicz would get the chance to run for three consecutive four-year terms. He was elected in 2017, and re-elected in 2021.

Toledo voters defeated a similar charter change proposal to extend term limits in November, 2022.