Site of Robert James Worthington of Toledo

After getting a feel for the political climate, going door-to-door, and going through changes in my personal life including moving, I have decided not to spend time on a campaign that (statistically, not pessimistically) would have ultimately ended in disappointment. I have decided to instead spend that time (2-4 months and beyond) helping to inform citizens about our government and elections, and focusing on other projects that will help our communities and potentially finally show any doubters (about my age and "experience") that I have what it takes to serve, especially further down the road.  

As some of you know, I applied for the appointment to the vacant council seat in April of this year (2017), and it showed me a lot about what our system is like, which had kept me on the fence about running or not. So already having attempted to become a Councilmember this year, coupled with the above, and after a discussion with Sarah, I've made my decision.

I do plan to run again in the near future. 

Thank you to all who have supported me so far, and I look forward to continuing our work together.

This page is intended for those who are serious about being informed.

PUBLIC SERVICE, NOT POLITICS:

I'm passionate about Public Service, and strive to show the difference between how I am a Public Servant and not a Politician.

I'm not influenced by money or pressure. 

I lead by example, and represent to the best of my ability, based on the best interest of the city and her citizens.

THIS CAMPAIGN:

I will not accept financial contributions, I will use my own money.

I will not accept an endorsement if there are strings attached.

I will not be a puppet to any person, party, or organization.

I will not be negative about my opponents.

RUNNING for CITY COUNCIL:

I was originally running for Mayor, but I thought it selfish to stay in the race and hurt the chances of others who have better chances of winning this year.

Plus, this way, I have a better chance of being able to serve the people of Toledo NOW as opposed to years from now by just getting my name out there this year.

EXPECT MORE, DEMAND MORE:

I want to set a standard of how much effort should be put into serving the people of Toledo. I want to be present more, I want to talk to more people, I want to host more events for people to have something to do. I want people to be proud of their government, and I want government officials to want to make the people proud. I believe more could be done in this city, and I believe it's time we see it done.

TRANSPARENCY:

You won't have to wonder what I'm doing, how I spend my time, or how I spend my money. I'm going to tell you. Because as a Public Official, paid by you, you'd have the right to know.

MY SALARY:

If the proposed salary increase is approved by Council, I will not accept the full amount if I am elected. I will only live off of a living wage (of $15/hour, 40 hours/week, minus taxes). I don't believe I should be able to live on more that that when there are so many people in the city who are stuck at the abhorrently low minimum wage of $8.15/hour. The current salary is $27,500/year, the proposed increase is $39,500/year. If this is the case, I will invest the remainder of my salary in the City and the neighborhoods.

BEING IN TOUCH WITH CITIZENS:

I believe when a citizen reaches out to a government official, they should get a response. I will give that response.

Furthermore, I believe elected officials should be out in the communities and neighborhoods, earning the trust of the citizens, and getting to know them and their own issues which they may be able to help. I believe a great way to do this is to host events, which I call "community days" to bring people out to have a good time, including small picnics, craft days around holidays for children, exercising days to promote health, etc. I want to be able to host these events on a regular basis, at rotating locations around the city, on my dime, not on more of the taxpayers'.

I'M HERE TO STAY, TOLEDO:

I could have taken the lead of a lot of my peers and left this city, but I didn't. I'm here to stay because I want to help. This is my home, and I'm not going anywhere until I see the job of making it an even prouder, even more beautiful and compassionate city, is done. I may not win this election, or even the next. But I will keep trying, reaching out to those who will listen, so eventually I will be able to use my efforts and skills for the good of this city.

The REPUTATION of TOLEDO:

If we want people to live here, work here, shop here, and visit our great attractions, we need to fix the reputation of the city and the "bad parts" of the city.

There are really good people all over this city, and stereotypes about one "side" or the other are only hurting the city as a whole.

We need to work on building bridges, and bridging the gaps, not abandoning whole communities and leaving struggling neighborhoods to rot.

We need to work together with all of our citizens, not just those who are like us, or those who already have means to stay afloat. We're all in this together.

MOTIVATION AND PRIDE:

I want to give the people of Toledo a reason to love their city, and have a reason stay positive.

We have a great city, but lately it's been really hard to see that. Especially if you're my age, and/or you have no extra money to spend on living life.

CRIME and CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM:

Violent crime, theft, etc. There is crime in every city. We can do our best to try to control it, but it would be better if we reduced the need and the motivation for crime. If people have jobs and money, they're less likely to want to sacrifice the security of a good life by committing crime. If we judge, and we're too aggressive, all we're going to get is retaliation, and a continuance of discrimination and disproportionate incarceration and suppression that isn't helping anyone. Some are career criminals, some just make a mistake or two. We're all human beings, and it's time we stop acting like the rest of us are perfect. 

DRUGS:

First, I don't do any drugs, or drink, or smoke, myself, but with 70% of the vote in 2015 being FOR Issue 1, "Sensible Marijuana: No Fine, No Jail Time," it's time we start voicing our citizens' approval. Recreational, and especially medicinal, I support the private use of marijuana as long as it does not bother or harm anyone in the process. I support marijuana because I have witnessed how it helps alleviate pain. I support marijuana because it is an immeasurably better choice than prescription medication, and other hard drugs, including heroin, which, while laced with so many other substances, has caused the overdose and death of so many people over the past few years. I support marijuana because the addiction, if any at all, is minimal. I will not stay silent. I will communicate with the state legislature, and citizens around the state who will listen, and our Congress members, to testify on behalf of legalizing marijuana in a do-no-harm manner, that will help our citizens who are suffering, help reduce crime, and even help our economy in the form of billions of dollars. (I might add here that a recent poll has shown that 63% of Americans now support marijuana).

SEXUAL ASSAULT, BULLYING, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, and SEX TRAFFICKING:

We can't be so passive and silent about these issues. Sexual assault is taking place, on the streets, in the home, in schools, and we need to combat it. We need to make sure everyone knows how "not okay" it actually is. Men, especially, as it is statistically more likely for a man to be the perpetrator. It is intolerable to act on another's body without their expressed, legal consenting permission, either in a sexual manner, or in a physically violent manner, which is even worse. I believe in meaningful legal action when the case is clear, and on the other hand, we must also be careful not to falsely accuse such serious charges. Protection for those affected is essential. Education and information on all matters, including bullying, should be increased, and also in all matters, we need to STOP VICTIM BLAMING. As many of us know, Toledo has been ranked #4 in the United States by the FBI in the rate of Sex Trafficking throughout the country. We must combat this further, and I am so proud of local efforts already underway. Being bullied, beaten, sexually assaulted, raped, or trafficked, is no fault of the recipient, and I will starkly defend them on that point, and any other. 

THE ROADS, THE ROADS, THE POTHOLES, THE ROADS, THE POTHOLES, THE ROADS:

How many times do we have to say "fix the damn roads" before it's done? As a younger person, I can honestly say that citizens have been saying it since I've been born. I heard it all growing up, and now I feel it every time I hit a foot-deep pothole out on the streets of Toledo while driving. This is a top priority for citizens, and should be a top priority for our government. We're spending a whole heck of a lot of money elsewhere, especially on salaries, and I think it's time we stop running such a "for-profit" government, and start investing in our physical infrastructure.

LOWER TAXES:

Give people as much extra money as possible until they have money to spare for taxes. 

Even if we lower taxes in small increments, it's a few extra dollars, a few extra meals per year that struggling families could use.

HOUSING and BUSINESS, and VACANCIES:
We need to get families into homes that are sitting empty. Especially homes on main roadways that are boarded up and making our visitors think we're run-down. We need to attract those who want to move into affordable housing, and let them know that they will be able to live peacefully, securely, and happily in Toledo. We, as citizens who already live here, need to make sure to keep up on our own property, as best we can in these hard economic times.

We need to get businesses into the vacant buildings and storefronts that are wasting away all over the city. We need to attract investors and innovators who want to make a name for themselves, or bring their already well-established name to Toledo. As everything is related, I believe we can do this by improving the reputation of the city and the neighborhoods, to create a more business friendly environment.

The truth is, we can say "You Will Do Better in Toledo" all we want, but until it feels like the truth, I say "Let's do Better, Toledo."

MINIMUM WAGE:

We need to, over the next few years, move to a direction of living wages.

This means $15/Hour, 40 Hours/Week. I don't say that as a political soundbite I grabbed. I say that as someone who has run the numbers and truly believes it.

We do not need to force this at the municipal level until businesses are able to implement this by being able to afford the expense. Hopefully, it will be implemented nationally for a more even effect.

Living wages mean more disposable income, which means more money to support the local economy, small businesses, and the ability to generate more tax income to help the city prosper.

MONEY FOR CITY EMPLOYEES:

I disagree with the high salaries digging into the city budget, including those of the elected officials, and those employees of the highest positions.

I do not believe any city employee's salary should fall below a living wage.

I do not believe any benefits of city employees should be cut. 

When you serve the public, I believe you and your family deserve to be able to live securely, but that you should not expect to live excessively.

You.

Mostly, my reasoning is that for the past year and a half, I've heard multiple people say things like "you should run again," or "I wish you would have won." This faith in me by the electors of the city and my fellow citizens is the biggest inspiration to run for this office. They believe in me, so I believe in myself so much more. It really is amazing how many people are noticing what's going on around them and are ready to do something about it. Thank you all.

I believe I can do more for the people than anyone else, not because I'm full of myself, but because that's who I prove myself to be. I do as much as I can for others, regardless of inconveniences to myself. I do as much as I can until it's done, sometimes surprising even myself with how much energy and stamina I show in the process. Then I sleep a bit, and do it all over again.

I've been structuring my life to serve in public office for 10 years now. I have perhaps a more relevant and useful college degree than most candidates for any office - Law & Social Thought. I specifically structured my courses to better educate me to be an elected official, as opposed to just a student of politics, or a specific practitioner of law. Once I decided what I wanted to do 10 years ago, I made sure I'd be in a position to get there and do extremely well.