Community Focus with Jaden Jefferson

WAKT : Interview with Craig Thompson

WSPD : Harold Harris is a candidate for Mayor of the city of Toledo

WTOL 11: Community activist launches bid for Toledo mayor

TOLEDO BLADE : Harold Harris advocates for ‘Real Police Reform’ on the streets of Toledo

https://www.toledoblade.com/local/police-fire/2021/07/12/harold-harris-advocates-for-real-police-reform-on-the-streets-of-toledo/stories/20210709050

TOLEDO FREE PRESS

Primary Election: Meet the 3 Toledo mayoral candidates

https://toledofreepress.com/for-mayor-toledo-primary-election/

Harold Harris holds a sign for his candidacy at the corner of N. Erie and Monroe streets in downtown Toledo on March 28. (TFP Photo/Stephen Zenner)

Harris, 69, announced his candidacy as an Independent, non-committed candidate. He explained the non-committed title he gave himself like this: “I’m not committed to the Republican Party. I’m not committed to the Democratic Party. I’m committed to the people.”

Goals:

• Reduce Toledo crime, specifically shootings and homicides
• Prevent incumbent Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz from getting a third term as the mayor of Toledo
• Provide basic services to Toledoans in the form of road maintenance, tree removal, etc.
• Create an attentive city government that hears the people’s needs

Proposed Changes:

“The most important one [issue] is gun violence, homicides, shootings,” Harris said, and blamed Kapszukiewicz for a rise in crime.

“30 years ago, you never heard of drive-by shootings, never heard of murders and homicides [in Toledo]. We’re gonna bring those numbers down,” he said, referring to the crime involving deaths in Toledo.

How Harris said he would change Toledo for the better revolved mainly around his own ability and competency.

When asked how Harris would bring down crime in Toledo, he responded, “I think it’s pretty simple. I’m [going to] meet with the police chief, okay? I’m gonna give him my direction. He works directly for me, okay? And we’re gonna take care of it.”

Face-to-face command ability, authenticity and military experience provided the bulk of Harris’ explanation on how he would run the city, reduce crime and fix up Toledo’s neighborhoods.

“I’m an action person. I’m not going to burn time talking about an issue,” he said, and clarified that he didn’t have much on his mind concerning legislation or policy. “My thing is, let’s keep it simple.”

Harris said he was interested in giving power back to the people, and felt Kapszukiewicz was purposefully ignoring the needs of everyday Toledoans.

“The guy on the 22nd floor has brought me out of retirement,” Harris said. “But that’s okay, because I’m fighting for the people; it’s all about the people, and, hopefully, I will do a good job for them.”

Because of his stated frustration with Kapszukiewicz, Harris refused to say Kapszukiewicz’s name during the interview. Instead, Harris alluded to Toledo’s current mayor as “the guy at 1 Government Center” or “the guy on the 22nd floor of 1 Government Center.”

Being among the people and listening to their needs was an utmost priority to Harris, and he sought to reconnect people with their government through the reinstatement of the Block Watch program.

“They’re [the Toledo city government is] not hearing these people cry out,” Harris said.

Experience:

Harris achieved the E-6 rank of Technical Sergeant in the United States Air Force.

He served in the Air Force for 20 years from the Vietnam War into the Gulf War era.

He is a disabled veteran, a combat veteran and Harris believes his grass roots organizing over the past six years is good preparation for Mayor.

“I’ve pushed everything from issue nine to issue 21 to voter registration, to voting, to police reform, you name it,” he said.