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TOLEDO -- More controversy surrounding Toledo's Mayor Carleton "Carty" Finkbeiner.
This time, because he said the f-word on a powerful Detroit radio station right after suspending his spokesman for using the same word off the air.
The mayor made the comment on Detroit powerhouse radio station WJR-760 AM, defending his controversial decision to kick Marines out of the city.
Shortly before this interview aired, the mayor's spokesman, Brian Schwartz, was suspended for reportedly saying the f-word to a WJR-AM producer, off the air. The mayor didn't have anything to say about that today.
We followed the mayor for about a block, but he wouldn't talk.
And this isn't the first time the mayor's salty language has gotten him in hot water.
As of Friday evening, the mayor did offer an updated response to the entire Marine controversy, which started a week ago. It reads:
During the past seven days the issue of the Marines being denied the opportunity to practice Urban Patrolling Exercises in Toledo’s Central Business District, has had quite a run.
Today it is a week old and I have these comments:
1. I stated in 2006 I did not wish such “patrolling exercises” to take place in the Central Business District. That was communicated, in writing, to the Marine Corps. I stand by that position today.
2. How the Marine exercises scheduled for last weekend came about, remains unanswered. Suffice it to say, communication among all parties involved was lacking.
3. I have great respect for the U.S. Marine Corps and the military, and my belief that the practice of “urban war exercises” in central cities does not conflict with my genuine respect for the military. The Marines will be welcome to Toledo, by myself, in the future and together we’ll work to find places appropriate for their training.
4. Deputy Chief Ron Spann, who met with the Marines in mid-January, was an excellent police officer, and a Deputy Chief of great distinction. His death was a great loss to his wife, Claudia, their three daughters and this City. We mourn his loss. Ron had met with the Marines, and when he was hospitalized shortly thereafter, Toledo lost its point of contact with the Marine Corps.
5. Some Toledoans disagree with my priority to protect Toledoans first and foremost. That is the Mayor’s job. I respect their right to disagree, regret that we differ on this issue, and wish that we now move forward.
6. Today I signed the Council legislation apologizing to the Marines. That apology is genuine and sincerely extended by all of us. We will learn from this experience and put procedures in place to ensure that this will not happen again.
