Phil Copeland takes my advice....

Okay, he probably didn't see what I wrote yesterday on Toledo Talk

I also can't help wondering why Phil Copeland doesn't step up as the major vote getter and end that part of the discussion.

Phil who was the top vote getter in the elections for Toledo City Council has decided to enter his name as well for the President of Toledo City Council. He's offering himself as a compromise candidate and given the statements by Bob McCloskey that his second place poll numbers should make him the "choice" of the Presidency? Guess you'll have to support Phil now Bob...

It's getting to the point where it will be a shorter list to write who is NOT running for the President slot.

Three members have expressed no presidential ambitions publicly: Republicans Betty Shultz and Joe Birmingham, and Democrat Michael Ashford. Another Democrat, Ellen Grachek, isn't a candidate but said yesterday "if the call to leadership were there from my colleagues, I would answer it." (Somehow Ellen I think you don't have to worry about that one, they seem more interested in only nominating themselves...)

Yet, the drama has stepped up another notch:

One apparent offer yesterday, according to Ms. Brown and Mr. Szollosi, was for Mr. Sobczak to cross faction lines and support Mr. Copeland, a recent council appointee who won the most votes in November's at-large election. Mr. Sobczak then would become the council's second-ranking member.

Ms. Brown said Mr. Finkbeiner and other Democratic leaders offered Mr. Sobczak's vote to Mr. Copeland. Mr. Sobczak said, "I don't know that to be not true," and when asked if he'd support Mr. Copeland, said "I'd have to talk to Phil."

Mr. Sobczak and Mr. Copeland said a Copeland candidacy, if it happens, could help mend the Democratic rift. "I'd be a compromise," Mr. Copeland said.

But at least two members of Mr. Copeland's Democratic faction said they'd be unlikely to go along. Mr. Szollosi called a Copeland-Sobczak leadership team "irresponsible" because both men lack experience on council. Ms. Grachek said she had "a distaste for externalities and backroom deals."

Phil has been on Toledo City Council since January of 2005. He was appointed to replace Pete Gerkin. Mark Sobczak has no Council experience.

(The Blade also has an op ed piece City Council's free for all)

Who the Blade would like to see:

In that vein, we still see only three members of this council who could handle that role: either of the two veteran Republicans - Mr. Ludeman or Mr. Sarantou - or Democrat Mr. Szollosi.

The real reason why so many are paying attention to this? And why so many of them want it...

The city charter provides that if anything happens to incapacitate the mayor, the president of council takes over.