1-24th Marines were scheduled for weekend urban warfare training in downtown Toledo, when Mayor Carleton "Carty" S. Finkbeiner gave them the boot
Courtesy of NBC 24 News
"Carty" deserves the golden fleece award for ordering members of Company A, 1st Battalion, 24th Marines from Grand Rapids, Michigan, out of Toledo just before the unit was suppose to start a weekend of urban warfare training downtown.
The mayor’s spokesperson Brian Schwartz said, “the mayor asked them to leave because they frighten people. He did not want them practicing and drilling in a highly visible area."
Toledo police said they knew about the training and had approved the unit’s use of the Madison Building and the Promenade Park area. The training was scheduled to start Friday afternoon and last until Sunday. Police said the unit’s presence would have a minimal impact on the city. Police issued a press release earlier in the week saying the marines would be wearing green camouflage uniforms, operate military vehicles, carry rifles, perform foot patrols, and fire blank ammunition during the exercise.
Schwartz said there was a breakdown in communication between police and the Finkbeiner administration that led to the mayor’s action.
“The marines drilled here three times during the Ford administration and once under the Finkbeiner administration. After the last visit, the mayor told then police chief Jack Smith, that he did not want the marines back. Smith failed to inform the current police administration of the mayor’s feelings,” Schwartz said.
Mr. Mayor, I am a 30 year military veteran and would like to say that your order shutting down the urban warfare training scenario this past weekend is about the most asinine thing that I have ever heard of.
I sincerely hope that the Department of Homeland Security and other government agencies will closely review any federal monies and grants that may have been slated for the City of Toledo.
3 comments:
Hey Bosun,
What is it with these politicians and their disrespect of the military?
I wonder how they would feel if something bad happened and the military was needed but did not come?
I hate liberals...
Big Dog,
Liberalism is a mental disorder.
UPDATE: Letter received from Joe McNamara
Toledo City Councilman
February 11, 2008
Dear Bosun:
Thank you for your correspondence regarding Mayor Carty Finkbeiner treatment of Company A, 1st Battalion, 24th Marines. I am dismayed by the Mayor’s conduct. He does not speak for the City Council nor does he reflect the respect that virtually all Toledoan’s have for the men and women who serve this country in the armed forces.
My colleagues and I have drafted a resolution thanking the Marines for their service and apologizing for the way they were treated. We seek passage of the resolution at the Council meeting on February 12, 2008. I hope that this small gesture will begin to heal the damage that has been done.
I find that Mayor’s conduct particular disturbing considering the state of the war on terror. During the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, I was a student at New York University. From the street in front of my apartment building, I was able to watch the World Trade Center collapse. It was a terrifying time to live in New York City and there was a very large military presence in the city after the attacks.
I throughly appreciate the service the US Military provided to New York, as well as the service all veterans have given this country. If Toledo can be a part of the training program that helps keep our troops safe, I am all for it.
Both the Marines and the City of Toledo deserve better than what Mayor Finkbeiner did. My hope is that the Council leadership will move us forward.
Sincerely,
Joe McNamara
Toledo City Councilman
One Government Center
Suite 2120
Toledo, Ohio 43604 USA
Phone: 419-245-1050
Fax: 419-245-1072
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