Opportunity Lost

Earlier this week I attended the Ohio Trucking Association state convention here in Toledo. This convention brings together some of the most powerful business interests in the state and nation. Officers from global companies such as Cummins and Chevron were present. Representatives from the larges trucking companies in Ohio and the nation were in attendance, along with small operations and single owner-operators. There were also a few lawyers and other service industry representatives such as insurance agents.

Mayor Finkbeiner was scheduled to open the convention. A chance to address the collective group of powerful businessmen and women who are key to any growth of Toledo's, Lucas County's and Ohio's business community. But, at the start of the convention, it was expressed to the audience that organizers were uncertain if the Mayor was coming, so they started without him.

He showed up late, about 30 minutes late. Carty breezed into the room, read and presented a plaque showing a "proclamation" of how important the OTA was with a bunch of "whereas" language, gave lip service to the InterModal Project, and left.

Instead of addressing the group with sincere comments, encouragement, and plans for making Toledo and NW Ohio more business friendly and profitable for all, he insulted a group of powerful business people, and strolled off, not to be seen again at the two day event.

Now I don't know what was on his calender for the day. I don't know what pressing business kept him from getting out of bed on time, and meeting his commitment to this group at 8 a.m., or what occupied his time for the next two full days of convention; but I do know he did the City and its citizens a disservice with his actions and attitude.

TAHL