1-24th Marines were scheduled for weekend urban warfare training in downtown Toledo, when Mayor Carleton "Carty" S. Finkbeiner gave them the boot
Courtesy of NBC 24 News
"Carty" deserves the golden fleece award for ordering members of Company A, 1st Battalion, 24th Marines from Grand Rapids, Michigan, out of Toledo just before the unit was suppose to start a weekend of urban warfare training downtown.
The mayor’s spokesperson Brian Schwartz said, “the mayor asked them to leave because they frighten people. He did not want them practicing and drilling in a highly visible area."
Toledo police said they knew about the training and had approved the unit’s use of the Madison Building and the Promenade Park area. The training was scheduled to start Friday afternoon and last until Sunday. Police said the unit’s presence would have a minimal impact on the city. Police issued a press release earlier in the week saying the marines would be wearing green camouflage uniforms, operate military vehicles, carry rifles, perform foot patrols, and fire blank ammunition during the exercise.
Schwartz said there was a breakdown in communication between police and the Finkbeiner administration that led to the mayor’s action.
“The marines drilled here three times during the Ford administration and once under the Finkbeiner administration. After the last visit, the mayor told then police chief Jack Smith, that he did not want the marines back. Smith failed to inform the current police administration of the mayor’s feelings,” Schwartz said.
Mr. Mayor, I am a 30 year military veteran and would like to say that your order shutting down the urban warfare training scenario this past weekend is about the most asinine thing that I have ever heard of.
I sincerely hope that the Department of Homeland Security and other government agencies will closely review any federal monies and grants that may have been slated for the City of Toledo.
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