“By leveraging a network of concerned citizens throughout the city, within our Toledo Block Watch system, we can enlist hundreds more people to join the fight against heroin,” said Mr. Melden. “We talk all the time about being a compassionate city. This is what a compassionate city looks like.”
"With an expected 15% voter turnout, Toledo City Council candidate Sam Melden, running for an at-large seat, talks about election day: 'My belief about democracy is: the more voices, the better we are. The louder the voices, the better we are. Nobody’s voice should feel diminished or devalued during an election.'”
"I think it's really, really important that as young families, young parents, young professionals are making decisions about where they're going to live, where they're going to start a business, we're looking to set down roots, that when they look to their elected leadership in this building, it's important that they see themselves,” said Sam Melden."
"The website, ToledoGo.tv, provides a link to the state’s voter registration page and lists the dates of the upcoming primary and general elections. A web form allows voters to find their polling location and receive email reminders in the days leading up to an election."
"With several fresh faces equipped with party endorsements for the 2017 local elections, I get the sense that Toledo voters are sick and tired of the traditional blame-shame politics of the past.
Instead, I surmise, the public is strongly desirous of candidates who cross racial, social and cultural lines but bring effective concrete proposals for rebuilding our city and community.
One such candidate is Sam Melden, a Toledo-born millennial with a background in the nonprofit world. Recently, I had a conversation with Melden to discuss his agenda and message."
"If the voters elect him to an at-large council seat, Mr. Melden said he will handle issues with a fresh approach to examine the solution and impact each decision will have on the community. He called for fresh thinking, best practices, and proven solutions to decide issues as an elected official."
"'I’m really excited to share my positions on key issues that are facing our community. I’m really excited to get out on doors and talk to the citizens and neighbors. We all share this together so meeting people and talking about what’s important to them and connecting over what’s important to all of us, I’m really excited for that,' said Melden."
"There is at least one fresh face out there preparing to run for council — Sam Melden. He has made peace with the machine, but he is close to the generation of young leaders who have been shut out. Indeed, he is almost their spokesman. He has brains, imagination, and deep roots in this community. He could make a difference."
"Sam Melden, 32, who is director of growth and advancement at Leadership Toledo, said local business professionals have a problem with “false narratives' and 'old stories about our community.'
'What do we do from here? We keep going,' he said.
'What we do, is the next time someone wants to tell a false story about our community, we stand up again and tell a better story,' Mr. Melden said. 'And we’ll keep doing that forever.'"
"Hickory Farms CEO said the company is moving its headquarters from Toledo to Chicago. Sam Melden of Leadership Toledo said he disagrees with the CEO's statement because there are some talented young professionals in our area."