{"id":17632,"date":"2025-10-30T18:53:54","date_gmt":"2025-10-30T18:53:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/?p=17632"},"modified":"2025-10-30T19:10:58","modified_gmt":"2025-10-30T19:10:58","slug":"our-picks-for-city-council","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/index.php\/2025\/10\/30\/our-picks-for-city-council\/","title":{"rendered":"Our Picks for City Council"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Truth Staff<\/em><\/p>\n

Toledo is blessed to have a number of outstanding candidates for the six at-large City Council seats on the ballot in this general election. However, voters are only permitted to vote for as many as six. So these are our six \u2013 four current council members: Brittany Jones, Phd; Cerssandra McPherson; Nick Komives and George Sarantou \u2013 and two newcomers to the political scene: Rob Pasker and Blair Johnson.<\/p>\n

The financial experience of Sarantou, the big issues that Komives has worked on and the community involvement of McPherson, along with the urban planning and non-profit knowledge of Jones presents a fortunate combination of expertise, already on Council, in a number of different areas.<\/p>\n

Now throw in the youth and accomplishments of Johnson and Pasker \u2013 both entrepreneur\/business owners who have been involved in extensive work in the community and we have a well-rounded group of six \u2013 veterans and rookies \u2013 who are and will be prepared to handle the city\u2019s legislative work now and into the future.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"
City Councilwoman Brittany Jones, PhD<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Councilwoman Brittany Jones, PhD<\/strong><\/p>\n

Jones often describes herself as a \u201cbridge-builder,\u201d connecting people who might never sit at the same table\u2014residents and researchers, policymakers and parents, dreamers and doers.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we strip away the noise of politics, what\u2019s left is our responsibility to care for one another. Humanity is not red or blue\u2014it is flesh and blood, breath and spirit. We cannot forget that.\u201d<\/p>\n

She focuses on people over politics.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt the end of the day, we all want the same things\u2014safe neighborhoods, strong families, and opportunities for our children. My role is to help create pathways for that, no matter who you are or how you vote.\u201d<\/p>\n

As Jones seeks re-election, her focus is not on ideology. She talks about finishing the projects she started, about building systems that last, and about making sure no one feels forgotten in the city she loves.<\/p>\n

She believes public service is about leaving a place better than you found it. Not perfect. Not finished. Just better.<\/p>\n

When asked why she is running again, she says: \u201cI\u2019m running for re-election because I believe in building solutions that cross divides and actually make a difference in people\u2019s everyday lives.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her words are calm, but they carry weight. Leadership, she shows, is not about being the loudest voice in the room, it\u2019s about being the most attentive listener.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"
Councilwoman Cerssandra McPherson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Councilwoman Cerssandra McPherson<\/strong><\/p>\n

McPherson\u2019s priorities are community safety, neighborhood revitalization and youth engagement. \u201cBefore and during my time on council, I have worked to get funding in place for youth programs in our community,\u201d said McPherson. \u201cIf Toledo is to have a brighter future, we need to work together and deliver the types of programs that keep our kids safe and sets them up for a future of success.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo one issue stands alone,\u201d said McPherson. \u201cIf we can work together to improve community safety, we can start to focus on the equitable revitalization of our neighborhoods while maintaining affordable rents and increasing homeownership. Toledoans being provided the opportunity to invest in communities, whether it be as homeowners or starting a small business, is good for all of us.\u201d<\/p>\n

McPherson has highlighted the importance of reaching both youth and seniors who may not otherwise engage with city government.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need to reach out to the seniors who are unable to go to different meetings,\u201d McPherson said. \u201cWe need to go and have a conversation with them to ask them, \u2018What is the need? How can we help you?\u2019 And with our young people, we need to continue to listen to them, and provide opportunities where they can come and speak and be free.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"
Councilman Nick Komives<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Councilman Nick Komives<\/strong><\/p>\n

Komives has built a reputation for turning advocacy into action by crafting a steady stream of new ordinances that not only meet urgent needs but also strengthen Toledo\u2019s foundation for decades to come.<\/p>\n

\u201cI take pride in the number of ordinances I\u2019ve brought forward, especially those tackling housing rights and discrimination. That work has shown me how interconnected our challenges are. In the next term, I aim to continue exploring creative solutions\u2014whether it\u2019s securing revenue to fund eviction defense or investing in infrastructure that will last for another generation.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne initiative I\u2019m especially excited about is a convenience drop-off site for waste. It\u2019s a win on multiple fronts: curbing illegal dumping, beautifying neighborhoods, providing residents easier access to services and generating new revenue for the city during challenging budget times.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy legacy is the cultural shift we\u2019ve created around sustainability. When I began my tenure, I was often the lone voice pushing for environmental initiatives. Today, the entire council embraces them, and the public has responded with strong support. You can see it in the use of services like food waste drop-off sites and in the way sustainability is now part of how we think as a city.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"
Rob Pasker<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Rob Pasker\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

Pasker is running for City Council at large to represent the people of Toledo. He has noted that he wants to create a space for locals to join the movement and allow the people to voice opinions and learn more about his vision.<\/p>\n

He is advocating for safe and protected neighborhoods, and\u00a0 stable housing environments which is the foundation for families.<\/p>\n

Pasker\u2019s campaign emphasizes grassroots energy, community engagement and bold solutions for Toledo\u2019s future. \u201cThis campaign is powered by people who believe Toledo\u2019s best days are ahead. Together, we\u2019re building the momentum to make it happen,\u201d Pasker said.<\/p>\n

The candidate\u2019s mission is to open doors for people so they can live their purpose. He wants to create a better version of Toledo. Toledo is one of the best places to invest in America, said Pasker. Out of state investors are buying up the land while the locals are struggling to acquire homes.<\/p>\n

He also said that he wants equal response times when police are called\u00a0 across the city. He would like mental health professionals to assist in police interactions with the public and he would like to invest in crime prevention.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy campaign is about creating real Pathways to Prosperity<\/em>,\u201d said Pasker. \u201cThat means safe neighborhoods, strong housing opportunities and economic empowerment that lifts up families and businesses alike.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"
Blair Johnson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Blair Johnson<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sometimes, to make a house a home, you have to first fix what\u2019s broken. That\u2019s exactly how local business owner and community leader Blair Johnson<\/strong> approaches both real estate and public service.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf the foundation isn\u2019t strong,\u201d Johnson said, \u201ceverything else will fall apart. And in our communities, the foundation is people.\u201d<\/p>\n

That\u2019s not just talk\u2014Johnson\u2019s lived it. With years of experience in residential remodeling and inspection, he\u2019s seen firsthand how poor housing conditions can affect families. But he\u2019s also watched how a little help\u2014like a new roof, working heat or clean water\u2014can lift people up.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t need heroes,\u201d he explained. \u201cWe need listeners. People who will actually hear what residents are saying and figure out how to help. I\u2019m not running to be a politician. I\u2019m running to be a public servant. I just want to serve again.\u201d<\/p>\n

When asked why he decided to run for council, Johnson doesn\u2019t hesitate.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur people need help,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd not just help\u2014they need someone who will really show up.\u201d<\/p>\n

He talks about his parents\u2019 backgrounds in service\u2014his mother worked for the U.S. Postal Service, and his father is a Navy veteran and business consultant.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was raised to believe in working with people, not just over people,\u201d he said. \u201cThat\u2019s what public service is supposed to be about.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Truth Staff Toledo is blessed to have a number of outstanding candidates for the six at-large City Council seats on the ballot in this general election. However, voters are only permitted to vote for as many as six. So these are our six \u2013 four current council members: Brittany Jones, Phd; Cerssandra McPherson; Nick […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":17633,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[250,252,17],"tags":[],"wf_post_folders":[318],"class_list":["post-17632","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-local-news","category-politics","category-local"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17632","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17632"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17632\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17647,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17632\/revisions\/17647"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17633"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17632"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17632"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17632"},{"taxonomy":"wf_post_folders","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wf_post_folders?post=17632"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}