Toledo United; John Irish Resigns; Chris Redfern Proves Balls of Steel

I've never understood Toledo politics. It's one of the reasons I never write anything about Toledo. A splintered Democratic party divided into an "A" team and a "B" team that oppose each other as much as a Republicans. A party willing to support Republicans to ensure the other team doesn't consolidate power. And a county party controlled by thugs. I never understood any of it - following it always had me hanging my jaw open.

Most folks know about the stripper scandal up in Lucas County. Long story short, John Irish, the Lucas County chair hired strippers to serve as waitresses at a party fundraiser. Well, strippers being...er, um...strippers, they got frisky and exposed themselves a bit during the fundraiser. Like prostitutes, I don't have much of a problem with strippers. However, I do have a problem with strippers at Democratic Party events - our party supports the first amendment, personal freedoms, etc. That doesn't mean we have to condone certain activities at official party events. We're a family friendly party; you should be able to take your kid to our events without worrying about him turning into Don Juan.

Well, today ODP Chair Redfern put on his gloves and sorted stuff out in Lucas county that's needed sorting for years. From the release:

Earlier today, Chairman John Irish and I had an opportunity to discuss the events that occurred at the annual Lucas County golf outing and the Party's handling of the events that have since transpired.

Chairman Irish prefaced that conversation by indicating that he would tender his resignation today and ask for the resignation of his Executive Director, Dominic Montalto.

I appreciated the frank conversation we had, and we now have the opportunity to move forward with the important work of building the strongest Lucas County Party possible.

To that end, the Ohio Democratic Party will open a regional field office and conduct an assessment of the Lucas County Democratic Party to identify its strengths and weakness, and to make recommendations on how to build, unify, and strengthen that Party.

Additionally, I will be conducting meetings of various Lucas County Democratic officials to gather information on how to bridge and heal the divisions of various Democrats in that area. I look forward to assisting Vice-Chairman Dennis Duffey as he begins the process of rebuilding the Lucas County Democratic Party.

Ours is a great political party, and county Parties such as Lucas County are the backbone of our success. While personalities may come and go, the longer term growth and viability of the Lucas County Democratic Party remains paramount to the Ohio Democratic Party.

I recognize as a Northwest Ohioan that the divisions in Lucas County are not easily solved. But whether one is an A-Teamer or a B-Teamer, it matters little to the working families of Lucas County. Elected and appointed Democratic officials in Lucas County must work together, putting the issues that matter most first.

Folks here know I poke the "Fern". They know sometimes I ridicule. Heck, I wasn't a big fan of the 'Fern when her became chair of the ODP. But today Chris Redfern took care of a problem stretching well into Denny White's term as Chair, and beyond. In my book, this make Redfern tough shit - and if he's going to go to the mat to fix out party, I support that and him wholeheartedly.

Corrupt Democrats are just as bad as corrupt Republicans. John Irish and his crew are a bunch of thugs. From the day they took over Lucas County - in a coup d'etat through filling up the precinct captain slots with friends and cousins who had no interest in supporting the party, but were willing to vote a ticket - to today, Irish has been a drag on our party.

Well done Chris, well done.