WTOL.com, Toledo's News Leader, News 11 | Marine training session shut down by Toledo mayor

Marine training session shut down by Toledo mayor

TOLEDO --  A story that's getting national attention. In fact, the WTOL newsroom has been receiving calls from people in states spanning the nation. They're upset about a decision the Mayor of Toledo made about Marines training in the Glass City.

Two years ago Marines from Grand Rapids, Michigan used Toledo for urban training exercises.

Marine Reserve Unit Commander Dan Whisnant tells News 11 the Marines set up similar training for this weekend, but when they were about an hour outside of Toledo, Friday, they received word that Mayor Carty Finkbeiner didn't want them in town.

The Mayor's Spokesperson Brian Schwartz declined an on-camera interview. But, he says there was a communication failure between the police department and the Mayor's office.

But the commander says the Toledo Police Department had agreed to let the Marine unit use the Madison Building and Promenade Park for their training.

Commander Whisnant says he respects the Mayor's decision but it was extremely disappointing because of what the Marines learn.

Whisnant says, "They don't know about Toledo and it's the same thing when you go into Iraq and Afghanistan. You have to learn that neighborhood very quickly in order to take care of your buddy on your left and right and in order to track down the enemy."

The commander says the 200 Marines went back to Grand Rapids and have been doing exercises there. But, the Mayor's decision cost the unit more than 10,000 dollars in vehicle transportation, hotels, lost training and more.

Stay with WTOL.com and News 11 for continuing coverage of this story.

Posted by N Dutton