If you've seen the video you're one of tens of thousands around the globe. An internet clip shows a heckler booing mayoral candidate Ben Konop. 13abc sat the two down for Toledo's own beer summit.
We decided to take a cue from the president and settle some differences over a beer. The video is a viral internet sensation. In the video Toledo mayoral candidate Ben Konop is trying to hold a news conference. Thirty-one-year-old landscape architect Maxwell Austin is sitting on his front porch booing and mispronouncing Konop's name.
The video, shot by 13abc photographer Chris Gierowski, is grabbing headlines on CNN, MSN and Comedy Central. It happened one month ago.
In light of the president's beer summit, 13abc thought we should bring Ben and Austin together for a brew. It turns out both of them can look back and laugh.
Ben Konop tells Austin, "It's kind of funny. I mean, I got to give you credit. It's comedic."
Austin says he mispronounced Konop's last name on purpose. He also says before the cameras were rolling, someone with Konop's campaign trampled his flowerbed, and that's what initially set him off.
Maxwell Austin explains to Konop, "No apology. No 'I'm sorry' or 'oops'."
So, the two Toledoans talked it out, shared their views on the city and found some common ground.
Someone asked Austin if he's going to follow in the footsteps of Joe the plumber or maybe make a run for office. He said no. He did give Konop some advice on how to help the city.
