Toledo mayor takes flak for refusing Marines

[unhappycamper]

Toledo mayor takes flak for refusing Marines
By John Seewer - The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Feb 14, 2008 6:22:53 EST

TOLEDO, Ohio — Turning away a squad of U.S. Marine Corps reservists planning a weekend of training downtown has put the city’s mayor in the crossfire of veterans.

Even some supporters wonder what he was thinking.

Mayor Carty Finkbeiner told the Marine unit, based in Grand Rapids, Mich., to turn around when they arrived in town Friday. He said he didn’t want them downtown where they could scare unsuspecting visitors and office workers.

City Council members have sent an apology to the Marines, and the local visitors bureau offered the unit’s 200 members a free hotel stay, restaurant gift certificates and a visit to the zoo.

“I’m shaking I’m so upset,” said Ron Hernandez, a former Marine who served in Vietnam. “It’s a slap in the face.”


Rest of article at: http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2008/02/ap_toledomayor_080213/



uhc comment: Previous threads on this incident -->

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=259&topic_id=11172
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=259&topic_id=11217
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=259&topic_id=11295
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=259&topic_id=11334

[MADem]

1. Carty Finkbeiner ?????

What a NAME from Central Casting!!! With a meanass FACE to match!

:rofl:

[LiberalFighter]

2. My letter to the mayor. MARINES WERE WRONG

Sir,

First, they didn't notify you that they were going to perform operations in your city.

Second, if mayors appoint city police chiefs in Ohio what was your police chief doing not reporting to you about this activity?

Third, why do the Marines from Grand Rapids MI need to travel over 180 miles to train in Toledo Ohio?

Fourth, don't they have urban locations in Michigan to perform the same training?

Fifth, why are they putting Toledo residents at risk but not willing to do the same in Grand Rapids?

Sixth, why are they wasting fuel unnecessarily?