By Asia Nail
The Truth Reporter
Right now, Toledo feels like it’s at a crossroads, and people are asking, “Which way will we go?” Who we choose for City Council really determines how our neighborhoods feel, and honestly, how we live day to day. Right now, three other candidates are also stepping up, sharing their ideas, and talking about what they’d actually do for our city. They are all everyday folks you might see around town, at a shop, or even waving at a stoplight. Most importantly, they are our neighbors, local business owners, and community members who care about Toledo and the people who call it home.
First is Ed Beczynski, a restaurateur who owns Focaccia’s Delicatessen in downtown Toledo. He’s spent years running his businesses, learning how to balance budgets, working with people, and bringing in positive results. Ed wants to use that experience to help bring investment, growth, and opportunities back to Toledo.
Next is Erin Kramer, who works at Owens Community College as the director of admissions. Erin knows the city from the inside out, working with students, families, and local organizations. She’s focused on building partnerships and making sure every neighborhood and resident has a fair shot at success.
Then, there’s Councilman Mac Driscoll, who was appointed to the City Council in 2024. An urban planner with experience in downtown development, Mac brings a fresh perspective and expertise in shaping the city’s growth. His priorities include equity, safety, and creating spaces where every Toledo resident can feel proud of where they live.
We asked each of the candidates the same five questions about their vision, priorities, and plans for Toledo. Here’s what they had to say.
Ed Beczynski
Background & Vision: How has your professional and personal experience prepared you to serve on city council, and how does it shape your vision for the city?
Owning my own businesses for nearly 30 years, it’ll be 30 years next year, has taught me a lot about working with people, customers, employees, and everyone involved. This experience has also taught me how to balance my budget, learn how to increase sales, and manage resources efficiently. Skills like these are exactly what the city needs to make the most of our residents tax dollars.
In my line of work, I’ve spent decades in sales, and I see a direct parallel to what the city needs: to bring in more revenue.
For Toledo, this is about attracting new people, bringing old residents home, encouraging businesses to grow here, and growing the city’s tax base. Right now, the city faces a deficit of over $40 million, and too often the conversation focuses only on cuts. While eliminating waste is important, the bigger opportunity is figuring out how to bring in more investment and revenue to strengthen the city’s future.
Knowing how to balance a budget and manage resources effectively is a skill I’ve honed over the years, and it will be invaluable if I’m elected to city council.
Economic & Community Development: What strategies would you use to foster economic growth in Toledo while maintaining the city’s character and quality of life?
“To bring people back to Toledo, we first have to clean up our neighborhoods. Walking the streets and knocking on doors over the last six months, it’s heartbreaking to see some areas thriving while others are falling apart. We can’t let parts of our city go downhill like that.
Economic growth can’t happen without safe, well-kept neighborhoods. That’s step one: clean up and protect our communities.
We need Toledo to get its fair share. I hear about the three C’s—Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati—but what about us? We’ve got a beautiful, affordable city, and it’s time to show the world what we’ve got.
I recently spoke with the Speaker of the House for forty minutes. Just because the majority there are Republicans, politics shouldn’t stand in the way, Republican, Democrat, it doesn’t matter. We can, and will, work together to bring growth and investment to Toledo.
This isn’t about politics; it’s about our community. My plan is simple: make our neighborhoods safe, work with investors and state leaders, and put party lines aside to help Toledo grow.
Erin Kramer
Background & Vision: How has your professional and personal experience prepared you to serve on city council, and how does it shape your vision for the city?
I’ve lived in Toledo almost my whole life, and I really love this city. I’ve been a community activist for years, especially around gun violence prevention, and that has pushed me forward. Through this work, I’ve gotten to know a lot of elected officials and community leaders, and it’s always been volunteer work for me.
For my job, I’ve been the director of admissions at Owens Community College since 2019. That role has me out in the community all the time—libraries, local events, programs supporting reentry and social services. Meeting all kinds of people from different walks of life has shaped why I want to get more involved in city government.
I’ve also been involved in local campaigns since high school. My family taught me the value of unions, fair wages, and collective action. All of that has informed who I am today and why I’m running for office.
Economic & Community Development: What strategies would you use to foster economic growth in Toledo while maintaining the city’s character and quality of life?
One thing I’d focus on as a council member is making sure city policies benefit everyone, no matter the zip code. Downtown has gotten a lot of attention lately, which is great, but the effect should spread across all neighborhoods.
I’ve been intentional during my campaign about visiting every part of the city—from South Toledo to East Toledo, Point Place, and beyond, talking to residents and community groups. I’ll do the same on council, making sure every neighborhood is heard and every policy lifts everyone up.
This isn’t about politics, it’s about Toledo. We all want safe neighborhoods, clean streets, affordable housing, and good jobs. That’s nonpartisan, and it benefits the whole city.
Councilman Mac Driscoll
Background & Vision: How has your professional and personal experience prepared you to serve on city council, and how does it shape your vision for the city?
I’ve always loved Toledo. Growing up here, seeing the neighborhoods, and then working downtown in urban planning and economic development for almost a decade really showed me both the challenges and the incredible potential of this city. Being appointed to City Council gave me a front-row seat to the issues facing all our neighborhoods, and it reinforced something I’ve long believed: success in one area, like downtown, can and should be replicated across the entire city. Every neighborhood deserves the chance to thrive.
My professional experience has taught me how to plan and implement projects that attract new residents, grow businesses, and revitalize infrastructure. But it’s also given me a deep appreciation for the human side of this work, the families, the workers, and the neighbors who make Toledo what it is. That perspective shapes my vision for the city: a Toledo where every resident has access to opportunity, safety, and the pride that comes from living in a well-cared-for community.
Personally, being rooted here has shown me the importance of listening, learning, and staying connected. Whether it’s meeting people at community events or riding the bus to see our neighborhoods firsthand, I want to stay engaged with the people I serve. That’s what helps me make decisions that reflect the real needs and aspirations of Toledoans.
Economic & Community Development: What strategies would you use to foster economic growth in Toledo while maintaining the city’s character and quality of life?
Toledo has seen tremendous growth downtown, and I want to use that as a blueprint for other neighborhoods. We revitalized housing there, repurposed vacant buildings, and created spaces where people want to live, work, and spend time. Bringing more residents downtown naturally supports local businesses, but the same principles can work in our neighborhoods: repairing and improving existing housing, attracting new families, and creating community-centered commercial spaces.
We also need to invest in infrastructure that makes our city more livable—walkable streets, bike lanes, parks, and spaces for kids. Families are more likely to move into neighborhoods that feel safe, vibrant, and welcoming. Places like the Junction neighborhood and Savage Park show just how transformative thoughtful investment can be, both in attracting new residents and improving life for those who already live there.
And beyond housing and amenities, we must focus on economic development that puts good jobs where they’re needed most. Many of our neighborhoods lack family-sustaining employment, and public transportation alone can’t solve that. We need to strategically develop sites, attract employers, and ensure residents have access to work that can support their families. That’s how you grow a neighborhood in a way that’s sustainable and inclusive.
We want to thank all three candidates—Ed Beczynski, Erin Kramer, and Mac Driscoll—for taking the time to share their vision, priorities, and plans for Toledo. Your insights help our community better understand the perspectives and goals of those running for city council.
The full interviews with all three candidates are on The Truth’s website at www.thetruthtoledo.com
Voters, remember that Election Day is Tuesday, November 4th. Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.