My Blog

Foundational Qualifications of A Public Servant

One of the expected questions that is almost always asked in a political season is, "What qualifies you to run for..." and then the office in question is stated. The usual answer is a resume of positions held and things done. Though those things shouldn't be downplayed, many times the most important aspect is overlooked. This is something you can't go to school for or list as a bullet point on a resume. It's something you have or you don't and is the foundation which all the others rest upon. Character.

It doesn't really matter what past roles have been filled if they've been held with odious character and interaction with others. This normally stems from whatever ideology or worldview they have adopted. But even those things can be weighed on the scale of decency, morality, and goodness. On this are many things dependent.

Wisdom is one. To have experience is not the same as having wisdom. Learning from mistakes so that they will not be repeated is a clear indication of someone who is growing wiser. Continuing to make the same mistakes over and over is a sign of someone who is arrogant, prideful, and to a great extent, a fool.

Principle is another. If you don't have a position that you're willing to stand on regardless of which way the political winds blow, then you're nothing but a puppet that can be used by someone, whether they be an individual or organization, for their own ends.

Integrity. Keeping your word. Today, you have to wonder every time a politician or city official opens their mouth what kind of spin or lie is being perpetrated on the listener. It's a rarity when someone means what they say and says what they mean, ready to deal with the disagreements and backlash in a way that's lucid but yet firm.
Many people running for city council this year have no political experience. I stand in that camp. Many more are not running under any political party banner. I'm also in that camp. This means that people have to look at us more closely. They have to find out who we are as we reveal it to them. I think that's the way it should be. There's no hiding under party cloak and eliminating those who won't vote for the other party.

Coming to the table with ideas is a good thing. But the reality of the matter is that there will be eleven (or eight if Nine Is Fine passes) other people who will have to be in on the process of working out what are the best ideas for the city. The way that we find out what's best for the city is to ask the citizens. Being transparent with Toledoans and keeping them in the loop because they are the bosses. This requires another character attribute. Humility.

These are, whether I win this election or not, the key ingredients that people should look for in anyone pursuing elected office. It's a call to begin to raise the standard of the kinds of people we put into office based on who they are as well as what they may have done because the latter influences the first.

Now, this is not to say that we're to look for the perfect candidate because there is no such thing. No one has all the answers and the individual who says that they do are narcissistic, delusional, or both. However, it is to say that we should look deeper, think more soberly, and evaluate more discerningly in order to see the city of Toledo grow into what we all know it can be. To pick leaders who lead by example, service, and strong character. The rest is just details.

P.R.E.Z. For Council - Rallying The Troops!!!

Well, it's crunch time. From now until September 14th, P.R.E.Z. For Council Campaign will be walking door to door getting the word out about the Less Is More platform.

Now is the time to become a part of changing the structure and mindset of the city by changing the status quo down at One Government Center in Toledo. If you think I'm leading up to helping take one of those city council seats, you're absolutely correct.

What we going to need in the next coming month are a couple of things.

1. One of the main things we need right now are volunteers to go door to door to pass out fliers and business cards to remind people to vote September 15th. If you can help out in this capacity, just write to pfchq@prezforcouncil.org with the days you'll be available or become a friend on Facebook and send me a message.

2. We also have a campaign called Drive For Five. We're trying to get 100 people to give just $5.00 to the campaign before September 14th. This can be either through the Paypal donate button on the right, or sending a check to:

David Washington Campaign
3628 Torrance Dr.
Toledo, OH 43612

It's the classic example of doing more with less.

It's time to put in the hard work that's going to be needed to take this past the halfway point. You help and support is greatly appreciated.

God bless.

The Facebook Tour Coming Near You!

City council at large candidate David "P.R.E.Z." Washington, has announced his Facebook Tour taking place on August 6th-8th, calling it an extension of his commitment to public service.

"Normally on the campaign trail, you're trying to get the word out about your candidacy. You go door to door pretty much uninvited. Well, our approach is slightly different."

Through the online social media network Facebook, which touts over 147,000 members in the Toledo area alone, P.R.E.Z. will be giving personalized door to door service. By going to his Facebook page (which can be found under the name Prez Washington), those who become his friend will be able to specify a local issue they'd like to address and he will come to their residence to spend time listening to their concerns.

"There has to be some kind of rapport with Toledo citizens. In this manner, they know they have our ear and I know I'm not interrupting their evening. Our job as elected officials is to represent the citizens who vote for us. You can't represent someone if you don't communicate with them. Politicians talk. Public servants listen."

P.R.E.Z. will also try to accommodate those who are not able to meet on those dates. "We have a lot of work to do but we'll do our best to serve the people who genuinely want to be heard."

P.R.E.Z. Appearing On WSPD

For the second time in a little under two weeks, I will be appearing on WSPD. The first time I was on Fred Levebre's show. This time I will be on the Brian Wilson's program at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 22nd. Make sure you tune it in on your radio dials or if you're not in the area, you'll be able to catch the podcast later on that night at WSPD.com.

I hope to be able to briefly touch on the PFC Campaign's Drive For 5 where the goal is to simply get 100 people to donate $500 among other things. Now, I know to many that's not that much money. However, I don't just say less is more as a mere campaign slogan. I say it because I want to show how less can be more and this is an opportunity to prove how we can make these dollars work for us with maximum impact.

You can donate right at the website through or Paypal button. Just click on it and give your $5.00 or more if you feel so inclined. The good thing about this is that you do not have to live in Toledo to give to the campaign. If you haven't already, I highly suggest to go to my website to see what I stand for. If this something you can rally behind even if you don't live here, then by all means, I encourage you to give whatever you feel comfortable with.

We'll be giving you updates on the Drive for 5 as well as other things as the campaign trail heats up (and trust me, it's about to get blazing). Also, if you have any questions or concerns, go ahead and contact me via my website or on Facebook.

Ohh...and while you're at the website, make sure you vote in our poll this week which asks the question, Who Do You Like For Mayor in the upcoming election in Toledo?

God bless.

Block Watch Forum At West Toledo Library

Next Monday, July 13th from 6:15 p.m. to 8:15 p.m., the PFC Campaign will be hosting a Block Watch Forum. Citizens of Toledo from block watches around the city (and just citizens in general) are invited to come in and share their concerns about a list of city topics which include:


* The trash fee and basic trash services.
* City infrastructure.
* Council meetings.
* Police and fire services.
* Red light cameras.
* Local business development.

This is a forum where I simply sit back and listen. It's what elected officials should do a whole lot more of instead of talking when their face is in front of a camera. It's the lack of communication that makes residents so frustrated with the current administration and council in general. My goal here is to dialogue with the people and come up with some possible solutions that the city as a whole is facing. I don't espouse to have all of the solutions and anyone who has an answer for everything probably has answers but no solutions. Solutions are what we need a long term solutions, not patch up jobs that will only take care of the issues temporarily. We need to look to the future of the city as a whole and build upon the great potential that's here.

My hope is that you'll come out to the Block Watch Forum and share your concerns and ideas. That's what communities are supposed to do.

God bless.

I Admit It: I Haven't Been Perfect

Just became aware of a comment addressing my background which said:

That was my biggest concern for Teamwork toledo -

Toledo Free Press ran criminal background checks in Lucas County and Toledo on each of the six candidates who are part of Teamwork Toledo. David Washington was charged in a 1993 incident with criminal trespass, vandalism and assault. All the charges were dropped, except assault, which was reduced to a peace bond violation, to which he pleaded no contest. He also pleaded no contest to passing bad checks in 1990. He served three days in jail and was placed on probation for one year, according to court records.

P.R.E.Z. Leaves Teamwork Toledo

I will get specific later. As for now, this is the press release I've put out about my leaving Teamwork Toledo:

The group of six candidates running as Teamwork Toledo will see itself whittled down to five candidates as David "P.R.E.Z." Washington, the last of the six to join the team has decided to leave as of today.

When asked what prompted him to make the decision, P.R.E.Z. commented, "It's become apparent that we simply have very different methods on how to attain and reach our goals. After a time of prayer and contemplation, it became clear that it would be best for me to move on and pursue things separately."

P.R.E.Z. is one of several individuals running for the six Toledo city council at large seats. He was active in the Toledo Tea Party and is a member of the civic organization the Children Of Liberty.

"There's no ill will here. I have formed some great relationships and I will still help in endeavors to get others onto city council."

P.R.E.Z. is running a campaign based on "Less is more: less taxing, less spending, less government." He's currently wrapping up his petition drive and will announce his idea platform by July 7th.

Anyone interested in following his campaign can go to www.prezforcouncil.org.