COAST takes Red Light Camera Campaign to Toledo, Cleveland and Garfield Heights

After huge wins against Red Light and Speeding cameras in 2008 in Cincinnati and 2009 in Heath and Chillicothe, Ohio, on February 6 COAST Chairman Jason Gloyd presented its victories to an audience in Cleveland, where residents from Cleveland and Garfield Heights pledged to pass petitions to ban the pernicious devices in their communities.  COAST has pledged legal and logistical support for the effort.  COAST has also committed to helping Toledo get the issue on the ballot there in 2010. 

Cleveland Plain Dealer Columnist Regina Brett says, "The problem I have with the cameras is they make me a jittery driver. Every time I drive down Cedar Hill into downtown Cleveland, I have to time it just right. If the light even tries to turn yellow, I hit the brakes so the camera won't nail me. One day, I hit my brakes and so did the guy behind me. But the guy behind him didn't.

COASTer Scott Ross Discusses Traffic Cameras on Conklin Show

This week on Conklin and Company, Bill Hormann sits down with Scott Ross to discuss the Red Light cameras. Scott gives 7 reasons why to oppose the cameras:

1. Erosion of civil liberties
2. Cameras are money grabs
3. Fines more expensive
4. Shortened yellow-light times
5. Don't increase public safety
6. Owners (not driver) liable
7. Presumption of guilt

Bill also talks with Joe McNamara about the city budget and tax hikes, and Tom Crothers about the new downtown development including the new downtown arena.

Volunteers turn in Toledo Red Light Camera Petitions

Press Conference at 2:30 PM at City Hall Clerk of Council's office


Today at 2:30 PM, volunteers from WeDemandAVote.Com/Toledo turn in petitions at Toledo City Hall for a Charter Amendment to ban the use of Red Light and Speeding Cameras in the City of Toledo. WeDemandAVote.Com/Toledo will turn in more than 8,400 signatures to the Toledo Clerk of Council. This is nearly twice the 4.625 signatures required to attain ballot access for the proposal.

COAST is proud a member of the WeDemandAVote.Com/Toledo coalition and proud partner of the many Toledoans who have together forced this issue to a vote this November.

In November of 2008, Cincinnati voters became the first in the nation to ban the use of Red Light and Speeding Cameras within City limits. Because Toledo City Council will not repeal these oppressive devices on their own, COAST came to Toledo in January to launch this drive, which has culminated in this accomplishment.

If Toledo City Council does as the Ohio Constitution requires, they will check the sufficiency of the petitions through the Lucas County Board of Elections and vote before September 3 to place the issue on this November's ballot. If they refuse, COAST's attorneys promptly will litigate to force them to do as they are required by the Constitution.

COAST's Toledo coordinator, Scott Ross said: "More than 8,400 Toledoans have demanded that the pernicious and confiscatory policies of Mayor Carty Finkbeiner and this City Council be put to a vote this November. Thanks to these volunteer circulators and signers, voters will have the chance to seize back a small part of their liberties taken by these invasive devices.

"COAST's seven reasons to oppose Red Light and Speeding Cameras may be read here.

Toledo Red Light campaign charges forward; Tiny little Heath is already submitted

Pernicious devices under attack from Ohio voters

COAST staffer Scott Ross and volunteers traveled to Toledo in July to spur the petition drive for a Charter Amendment against Red Light Cameras in that City to the November ballot. Activists in tiny Heath Ohio quickly collected their required number of signatures to assure ballot access there.

COASTers Kim Grant, Dan Regenold, Chris Finney and Scott Ross joined Americans for Prosperity staffers Jack Boyle and Jonathan Petrea in Toledo in July to spur efforts there over the top. At the same time, in a matter of days, activists in tiny Heath Ohio printed their petitions and gathered the required number of signatures to assure ballot access there.

As of the publication of this newsletter, the Toledo effort has reached 6,250 signatures against a needed 4,750 valid signature requirement. Toledoans have until approximately August 13 to finish their signature-gathering efforts to attain ballot access for the November 4 election.

“COAST was proud to provide important volunteer resources for petition campaigns in both Heath and Toledo,” said COAST Chairman Jason Gloyd. “In addition to advancing the cause of liberty in those cities, we have identified local leaders for the future legislative and political battles throughout Ohio.”

Already, Heath volunteers have indicated a willingness to help with petition campaigns in nearby Columbus and its suburbs.

Red Light & Speeding Cameras in Full Retreat Throughout Ohio

COAST, AFP team up to kill bad idea statewide

In 2008, Cincinnati became first major City to ban red light cameras in its Charter.

COAST and Americans for Prosperity’s Ohio Chapter have achieved more progress in their goal to eradicate red light and speeding cameras throughout Ohio.

Here’s a rundown:

• In Toledo, COAST sent local organizer Scott Ross to Toledo to spearhead the conclusion of the petition drive there. The petition drive is more than half way to conclusion and is proceeding well. COASTers Chris Finney, Dan Regenold and Kim Grant took a road trip to Toledo to help boost the effort.
• Governor Strickland’s initiative to place speeding cameras on State highways was stripped from the state budget bill.
• The City of Canton rejected Red Light Cameras in March of this year after opponents exposed the Mayor for accepting contributions from RedFlex, the company that installs and operates the devices.
• With COAST’s help, the close-knit community of Heath Ohio has launched a Charter Amendment to strike down Council’s implementation of a Red Light Camera program there.
• COAST traveled to Pickerington (south of Columbus) earlier this year to fight Red Light Cameras. Under threat of a Charter Amendment petition drive the Council there abandoned plans for Red Light Cameras in that City.
• COAST is working on organizing a 2010 drive in Dayton against Red Light Cameras. Local volunteers are enthusiastic in their support.

Global Warming: A Lot of Hot Air

Tomorrow AFP’s Hot Air Balloon to Stop in Toledo
Right now in Washington, President Obama and Speaker Pelosi are pushing a Cap and Trade scheme that raises taxes on your gasoline, raises taxes on your home heating and cooling, and kills jobs by the thousands with government rationing of our energy -- all in the name of Al Gore's Global Warming alarmism.

You can fight back -- just like we did with Tea Parties. Bring your family out to Americans for Prosperity’s Hot Air Tour Thursday, April 30th in Toledo at University of Toledo’s Carter Recreational Field at 9:00am as we urge Senator Brown to VOTE NO on the Cap and Trade Scheme. We'll have free food and a giant 70-foot-tall hot air balloon with free rides (weather permitting).

Toledo, Ohio (Register)
9:00am -- Thursday, April 30th
University of Toledo’s Carter Recreational Field (intersection of Oakwood & N. Westwood: map)
The first 50 registrants receive a free t-shirt.

For more information, contact Americans for Prosperity at 202-349-5880.

Be sure to forward this e-mail and encourage folks you know to sign up, including friends from work, family, your college, home school group, political group, and other community associations!
One of the driving forces behind Congressional inaction on the energy issue is global warming alarmism. We are working hard to bring you the missing half of the global warming issue. What will the impact of reactionary legislation be on our national economy, local businesses, and even your personal budget?

Note: Hot air balloon rides are weather and wind permitting.

Toledo Red Light Drive Gains Momentum

Drive for liberty expands throughout Ohio

The WeDemandAVote.Com coalition and COAST have taken the drive to ban Red Light Cameras to Toledo, and soon Pickerington, Ohio. Of course, that team banned Red Light Cameras forever in Cincinnati in 2008. The Toledo drive will present a Charter Amendment to ban the pernicious devices in their City, with the same verbiage as the Cincinnati amendment. Pickerington’s rebels propose a referendum to repeal a new ordinance that will enact the devices, anticipated for passage this month.

Others Catching On To Red Light Cameras

Following Cincinnati’s lead in ditching the hated devices

Cincinnati is ahead of the curve when it comes to learning of the intrusiveness of red light and speeding cameras. Last year, with the assistance of COAST, Cincinnati voters banned red light and speeding cameras.

Now, Pinal County Arizona has dumped the pernicious devices, and in Italy, red light cameras have been shut down across the country as a result of a massive fraud scandal involving 109 public officials and contractors.

In Ohio, Toledo already has launched its campaign for a Charter Amendment to ban the pernicious devices, and the cities of Warren, Pickerington, Northwood, Chillicothe have asked for COAST’s help in banning the devices there. Honolulu, Hawaii has even contacted us seeking assistance. (We are hoping they fund a winter trip there for training.)

Who says Cincinnati is behind the times?

Toledo Red Light Camera Repeal Campaign Heats Up in the Cold Winter

The campaign to ban red light and speeding cameras in Toledo got an organizational boost this week with the announcement of two co-chairs of the campaign, and the launch of a web site where volunteers can get information and even download petitions in their home.

The Toledo campaign, known as WeDemandAVote.Com/Toledo, named as its campaign co-chairmen:

Atty Watkins
(419) 509-9171
Attyspatty@Yahoo.Com

Hans G. Schnapp
(419) 944-3067
HansGSchnapp@Hotmail.Com

The group also announced the launch of its web site: www.WeDemandAVote.Com/Toledo. There, red light camera information can be accessed, petitions and instruction sheets can be down-loaded and printed at home, and contact information can be found.

A further organizational meeting of the group will be held on Thursday, February 5, 2009 at 7 PM at Delaney’s Lounge, 309 West Alexis, Toledo, Ohio 43612. Call Bill Delaney at 419-654-4251 or e-mail him at Bar-Buddies@Juno.Com for more information on the meeting or to get your copies of petitions. Delaney’s Lounge is also the official pick-up and drop-off location for petitions.

The WeDemandAVote.Com/Toledo campaign has been formed to place on the fall ballot a Charter Amendment to effectively ban red light and speeding cameras in the City of Toledo. Currently, the City of Toledo splits revenues with the operator of the private camera company, RedFlex, and plans to extract more than $3.5 million in red light and speeding camera fines from already-beleaguered Toledo residents in 2009.

COAST takes Red Light Camera fight to Toledo

57 Toledoans show for initial organizing meeting

Last Monday, COAST Board member and legal counsel Chris Finney traveled to Toledo to bring petitions banning red light cameras to this northern Ohio City. COAST will be joined in the effort by representatives from the Republican Party, the Libertarian Party, and Americans for Prosperity – Ohio.

The Toledo Blade took note of the meeting here. Later, they blasted the COAST initiative here. COAST wears their scorn with pride, and as an indication it is on the right track. The Blade has been a lead cheerleader for the left-leaning state and local policies and politicians that have decimated Toledo families, the economy and community.

Read more about the COAST visit to Toledo here.

COAST, Americans for Prosperity take red light camera ban to Toledo

Organizing meeting is Monday, January 12 at 7 PM at Point Place Branch Library

COAST and Americans for Prosperity-Ohio, two partners in the coalition that enacted a ban on red light and speeding cameras in Cincinnati in 2008, are taking their campaign to Toledo this year. Their goal is to place on the November 2009 ballot a Charter Amendment banning red light and speeding cameras in that city.

The groups will be hosting an organizing meeting for the 2009 campaign on Monday, January 12, 2009 at the Point Place Branch Library, 2727 117th St. Toledo 43611 at 7:00 PM. Members of the public are invited to join the assemblage to help place the initiative on the ballot.

Throughout the spring and summer, volunteers in Toledo will be collecting the 7,000 valid signatures to place the issue before the voters. The total number of signatures needed, to account for bad and invalid signatures, will be approximately 14,000.

In 2008, volunteers from a broad-based coalition in Cincinnati collected more than 14,000 signatures to place the ban in the Cincinnati City Charter, and in November that ban was enacted into the Cincinnati City Charter. The Cincinnati coalition included representatives from the Cincinnati Chapter of the NAACP, the Southwest Ohio Green Party and the Ohio Libertarian Party. The group later was joined by the Hamilton County Republican Party, civic clubs and candidates from both political parties. The same groups will be invited to join the Toledo effort.

“COAST hopes to help start brushfires for liberty throughout Ohio,” said COAST Chairman Jason Gloyd. “Our experience is that, when given the chance to limit the encroachment of government interference in our lives, people grasp for liberty every time. The Toledo initiative brings hope for freedom to the oppressed citizens of northwest Ohio.”

All Toledo-area residents are invited to join COAST and AFP-Ohio at the organizing meeting.