Setting the Goal Posts

We all need to have a clear goal in mind when we set out on an endeavor. The Watchdog is pleased to announce that some of our original goals have been met. The questions raised about the 1033 surplus property, the various accounts handled through the city books for police youth programs and an account handled "off record" have been pretty thoroughly taken care of. Those accounts that were "slushy" will now be handled appropriately and the record-keeping of the 1033 program will now be properly supervised. We commend Toledo City Manager Pete Wall for taking the steps necessary in clearing these issues up. We also commend our Chief of Police for getting the whole process down on paper so that the 1033 program history is now clear and concise. It should have been done a long time ago, and we realize that going back through piles of records is no fun. But all those who worked on this should be proud that documentation is now in place. The City Council will now be completely up-to-date on the process and expenses related to the 1033 program. This shows us that good government is obtainable in Toledo. We here at the Doghouse think this is a major accomplishment and a direct result of our efforts to let the sun shine in. All the stonewalling and name-calling by others finally broke down under persistence and honesty. To those who gave the Watchdog moral support during the slander and nastiness, we say THANK YOU. To the VOICEOFTOLEDO.BLOGSPOT.COM we also offer thanks. No one should underestimate the power of a decent human, no matter how cantankerous, to change the world for good. While we don't always agree on tactics, together we made Toledo City Government respond to the unrelenting pressure to do it right! Although some won't ever be convinced, there is a large support base of honest, law-abiding citizens out there who encouraged and supported our efforts. We also salute them. And Mr. Wall? You are going to face this next Monday with a NEW START! CONGRATULATIONS! YOU DID IT! Lowell was right! He had every confidence in you!

We are now on the ten-yard line. The goal posts are not going to be moved--forward or back--so that others can say we aren't playing fair. Other issues that were uncovered during this investigative process will again be laid in the hands of those who need to examine them. When that is done, we rest our case on this first endeavour. If the people in charge call us out, find nothing improper or unethical, inform us that we were entirely out of bounds with our concerns, we will publicly apologize in the press and before the citizens of the community. On the other hand, if the concerns are valid, will the WORKDOG do the same?

The Watchdog Project will continue. It is our strongest hope that public officials and employees in our fair City will realize that open government is best for everyone. Allowing for polite dissent, agreeing to disagree, being civil and courteous at all times makes the political process strong. And if the City is embarking on a new initiative that is subject to potential conflicts of interest, cronyism, favoritism and squandering of public monies, the leadership might want to be ABSOLUTELY SURE that all records, payments, legal forms and registrations have been clearly and properly delineated before the project gets too far down the line. The Watchdog would like to go back to the cozy blanket in the corner, but he will be ETERNALLY VIGILANT in the DEFENSE OF LIBERTY. And to all of you who visited this blog, thanks for reading and participating in Citizen Journalism.

Welcome News-Times Readers!

Terry Dillman of the News-Times has published this blog's address in the December 28th edition. We welcome new readers to the blog. Feel free to scroll down and read about the various topics we have been discussing here. For another take, visit "Voice of Toledo" and "Toledo Workdog". We each have our own style and own bias, but the Toledo Watchdog makes a dedicated effort to refrain from personal slander and wild accusations. All of the facts referred to in the blog posts contained here have been confirmed and proven by the author. While the coverage in today's News-Times is mostly concerned with the 1033 Surplus program, that is only because the reporter, Terry Dillman, has been following that story since the inception. We feel vindicated that the City is now taking steps to clear up the "slushiness" of the accounting procedures revolving around the 1033 program and other accounts at the police department. To these efforts, we send our hearty thanks and praise. Good job!

As regular readers may be aware, however, there are still issues remaining. It is these issues, related in previous posts, that will concern THE WATCHDOG in the coming year. Our motto is a simple one: "Eternal vigilance is the price of Liberty". City officials and public employees should not be complacent in thinking that the citizenry does not care what they do with public money. We will not rest until City leadership maintains open and transparent procedures at all times.

Christmas Truce

WORKDOG is right and we agree--let's call a truce for the holidays. The issues will still be there, unfortunately, in January. What would be nice would be to work together on a solution to the convoluted shenanigans at the TPD. One suggestion is to have the Chief look over his official Job Description and see if there isn't some way to cut back on the overload from youth programs, computer classes, wireless installer, quartermaster, supply officer, etc., and just stick to the job of Police Chief. Another idea is to work with some local friends and set up a non-profit organization to take care of the Challenge Camp. The support is definitely there for the Camp. There is no criticism of the Camp and it's usefullness to area youth. If the Camp were a separate entity and could contract with the City under specific guidelines, many of these issues concerning co-mingled funds and phony expenses would go away. As long as the Challenge Camp is run as a city-sponsored activity, the people will have the right to look at the record. Turn the program into a private non-profit and the Chief and the family will not only have more control over the program, they will have more privacy. What do you think, WORKDOG? Could you help the Chief put this together, what with your training and education and experience and all? Shall we all work to fix it instead of sniping at each other?