The Truth Staff
Lucas County Recorder Michael Ashford held a fundraiser on Tuesday, October 6, at the Peacock Café, as friends, supporters and community leaders joined him on the first day of early voting in a push for the state’s Democratic Party slate and a few local issues.
Ashford, who is not on the ballot during this election cycle, spent a few minutes addressing the guests about matters of concern, such as the false advertising that is so pervasive on the television these days.
“I’m so sick and tired … and tired and sick … of these commercials – they are as rock bottom as you can get,” he said to the accompanying groans of agreement from his listeners.
He expressed his particular frustration with an ad accusing Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur of wanting men to play girls’ sports and have access to girls’ locker rooms. He also noted the ad featuring a woman who had undergone a sex change operation and blamed Sherrod Brown for allowing such things to happen when she was underaged. That particular woman is from Texas, Ashford observed, as many in attendance agreed.
Issue # 9, the Toledo Public Schools’ levy request, also grabbed Ashford’s attention. “If nothing else, support Issue 9,” he said, expressing his dismay that state legislators have voted over the years to move so much of taxpayers’ funds into charter schools.
“Have you been in a charter school recently,” he asked his listeners. “There are few amenities, the teachers don’t have the same accreditation” as those in public schools, he said.
“The teachers work hard, the children work hard,” he said praising the efforts of those in public school classrooms.
During his time on the podium, Ashford thanked the numerous guests in general and several in particular such as Lucas County Commissioner for her support and Theresa M. Gabriel, and her son Robert, for opening up their place of business, The Peacock Café, for the event.