Lucas County commissioner race takes to television

A Lucas County commissioner race is moving to television, as one candidate’s advertisements will start airing as soon as Friday.

Former Toledo Councilman Tom Waniewski, a Republican, stars in a new 30-second advertisement highlighting his upbringing in the city’s Polish community, his work as a reporter turned politician, and his campaign message stressing the need for change on the board of commissioners.

“I’m taking these early days of the election year to work on my branding,” Mr. Waniewski said. “I’m getting my name out there and publishing positive branding.”

The ad will air during the opening and closing weekends of the Olympic games on Channel 24, WNWO-TV. It cost $2,500, paid for by Mr. Waniewski’s campaign account, and secured through Hubbub Marketing agency.

Although the ad does not call out his opponent Democratic Commissioner Pete Gerken by name, it criticizes the current commissioners for reckless spending. The ad doesn’t go into specifics, but Mr. Waniewski said he was concerned about the amount of money the new Lucas County jail will cost, which is estimated to be around $290 million. He was also worried about the expenses of the Lucas County Canine Care and Control facility and employee payouts.

“I hope people take away that I am the better candidate to bring fiscal management to the commissioner’s office,” Mr. Waniewski said.

Mr. Gerken said the canine facility was paid in cash without borrowing, and they are trying to lower costs on building the jail so they do not have to borrow money with the current high interest rates. He stood behind the commissioners’ fiscal record.

“The commissioners office spending is well-documented and financially secure,” Mr. Gerken said. “We have never gone below our reserve policy.”

Beyond what the board of commissioners has spent money on, Mr. Waniewski said he is also concerned with what they haven’t spent money on. He said city residents are being asked to pay for issues created by local governments and have received no help from the county.

He pointed to the fees Maumee residents are being asked to pay to have their sewers inspected before selling their homes, and the fees that homeowners in Lucas County are being asked to pay to clean up Swan Creek.

“The county should be helping with these costs to the residents, but they can’t if they are spending their money on payouts,” Mr. Waniewski said.

Mr. Gerken said the county is working with Maumee residents to find a better solution, and the commissioners are listening to Lucas County residents regarding Swan Creek.

“We have not imposed any costs yet, and we are hearing what those residents are saying,” Mr. Gerken said. “No action has been taken yet.”

Although Mr. Waniewski is focusing his campaign on the commissioners’ county budget, Mr. Gerken pointed to the city’s budget while Mr. Waniewski was on city council.

“I find it interesting that my opponent is looking into the commissioners budget when he was on city council, they had to approve exigent circumstances …,” Mr. Gerken said. “I will put my financial record up against his any day.”

In 2010, Toledo City Council approved an exigent circumstances measure that forced concessions from city unions and created unilateral cuts for all exempt city employees and many union members. The measure was made when council was warned that city employee labor-union contracts were pushing the city to the brink of bankruptcy.

Mr. Waniewski is the first commissioner candidate to air ads. Democratic Commissioner Anita Lopez will be on the November ballot against Waterville City Councilman John Rozic, a Republican. Mr. Gerken said he has bought television slots in the past but would not confirm if he is buying any for this election cycle.

“I have a campaign plan, and I’ll roll it out as necessary,” Mr. Gerken said. “It’s only July. Right now, my campaign plan is just good government.”