Douglas DeGood

Douglas "Doug" Kent DeGood (May 4, 1947 – December 1, 2019), was an American Democratic politician who served as the mayor of Toledo, Ohio from 1977 until 1983.

Douglas DeGood
Mayor of Toledo, Ohio
In office
1977–1983
Preceded byHarry W. Kessler
Succeeded byDonna Owens
Personal details
Born(1947-05-04)May 4, 1947
Tiffin, Ohio
Died(2019-12-01)December 1, 2019
Washington, D.C.
Political partyDemocrat
Alma materUniversity of Toledo

Background

DeGood was born in Tiffin, Ohio to parents Freda and Kenneth DeGood, and moved to Toledo in 1956. He graduated from Whitmer High School and University of Toledo, earning bachelor's and master's degrees in political science. He served as the program director for a local YMCA branch, and as a member of the Lucas County Board of Education.[1][2]

Political career

Toledo city council

In 1973, DeGood ran for Toledo city council, but did not succeed in the primary elections. In January 1975, he was appointed to the council to fill an unexpired term of councilwoman Carol Peitrykowski, who had been appointed to Lucas County Clerk of Courts. He was elected to a full two-year term the following fall, and served on the council until 1977.[2]

Mayor of Toledo

DeGood successfully ran for city mayor in 1977 as a member of the Democratic Party. He defeated Republican opponent Max Reddish, and succeeded the incumbent Harry W. Kessler, who he considered a friend and mentor. DeGood's election made him the youngest mayor of a large city in the United States, at the age of 30.[2]

On July 1, 1979, strained city finances and negotiation breakdowns with police and fire department unions led to an illegal two-day strike of safety workers. This resulted in numerous fires, destroyed property, and the murder of a city bus driver during a robbery, which brought national media attention to the problem.[3][1] The stress of the events caused DeGood to collapse in his office, requiring hospitalization for 24 hours. A court injunction later required the workers to return to duty, which they agreed to, and negotiations resumed.[4][5]

DeGood ran for a second term and was re-elected in 1979, and again in 1981. During his terms, planning and construction began for the downtown area's Portside Festival Marketplace shopping mall (now Imagination Station) and Seagate complex, the latter being dedicated in 1982.[6] Former city officials considered DeGood's efforts in redeveloping the downtown area as some of his most significant achievements.[2] However, some critics questioned the cost, and claimed that the use of Federal funds could burden small businesses and push them out of the downtown area.[7]

In 1981, voters rejected a 0.5 percent income tax increase, which lead to layoffs of city workers and services cutbacks. Following a year of campaigning by DeGood, voters approved a 0.75 percent increase in 1982.[8][1]

Despite endorsement from the Democratic Party, DeGood did not run again for any public office after his third term ended in 1983. He started a small business, began consulting, and later moved from the Toledo area.[9]

Personal life

DeGood married his wife Karen in July 1975, and they had two sons, Alex and Kevin. In 2000, DeGood and his wife moved to the Atlanta, Georgia area.[2]

Death

On December 1, 2019, DeGood died at Georgetown University Hospital, as the result of massive brain injuries he sustained in an accidental fall, while visiting family in Washington, D.C.. Funeral services were private and his remains were cremated.[2][9]

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References
  1. "Toledo Mayoral Papers, 1920-1982". The Ward M. Canaday Center for Special Collections, University of Toledo. Record Group IX: Douglas DeGood (1977-1982). Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  2. Zaborney, Mark (December 5, 2019). "Doug DeGood (1947-2019): Toledo Mayor oversaw Portside, One SeaGate projects". The Blade. Archived from the original on December 6, 2019. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  3. Shabecoff, Philip (July 8, 1979). "Toledo Walkout Last Week Was an Example of the New Militancy". New York Times. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  4. Henry, Tom (May 10, 2009). "The Toledo Municipal Strike of 1979: When chaos reigned". The Blade. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  5. Ryan, Carl (April 7, 2010). "Mayhem in Toledo followed 1979 walkout". The Blade. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  6. "Owens-Illinois Today and Tomorrow". The Ward M. Canaday Center for Special Collections, University of Toledo. Archived from the original on September 27, 2016. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  7. Peterson, Ivan (December 5, 1982). "Residents of Toledo divided over downtown renewal efforts". New York Times. Archived from the original on May 24, 2015. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  8. "DeGood Says Rebuilding to Begin Today". The Blade. June 9, 1982. Retrieved January 19, 2020 – via Google News Archive.
  9. "Douglas Kent DeGood". Legacy.com. Archived from the original on January 19, 2020. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
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