In 1974, I ran for Congress, my first political campaign. In those days, prior to the Marcy Kaptur era, the 9th Congressional District included not only Toledo but Maumee, Sylvania, Oregon, and Holland. There were almost 375,000 people in Toledo, plus another 45,000 in the suburbs.

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I walked door-to-door to many of these homes, including those in the Toledo suburbs. And in meeting our citizens in their homes, I felt a sense of respect and appreciation with those citizens that continues to this day.

In 1993, 19 years after my first race for public office, I was elected Toledo’s first “Strong Mayor.” Twenty-five years thereafter, I still love my hometown and want it to prosper and grow in population.

On Oct. 5, The Blade’s lead editorial highlighted, “Set out

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