Message from Mayor Kapszukiewicz
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The news this week was highlighted by incidences of violence in our city. I want to assure everyone of what many already know: overall, Toledo is a safe city. Regrettably, like all major cities, we are fighting gun violence and an opioid epidemic. We have a number of strategies to combat these two plagues. We are going to continue thinking outside the box and being creative. That includes permeating our "Not in My House" program throughout the city and working with our other law enforcement partners.
We are undertaking what will be an effort to increase the size of the police force. I know hiring more police officers alone won't solve the problem, but I believe we need to have more police on the streets. When 2018 began we had 600 police officers, but we should have 660 officers to be at the U.S. Department of Justice's recommended number of police officers per 1,000 citizens. If we get to 660 officers, we will see officers walking the neighborhoods and getting to know the people who live there. Two police classes will be sworn-in this year, which is unprecedented in recent history.
We will be encouraging the judges in our community to be tougher on offenders who were already on probation and then charged with a gun crime. Those criminals should get tougher sentences.
We will also soon have an announcement about the city of Toledo encouraging gun manufacturers to be more responsible. We have been working with Everytown for Gun Safety, a nonprofit organization that advocates for common sense gun control and against gun violence.
Finally, Sunday is Father's Day and I hope everyone can take the day to enjoy time with their families.
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Toledo Fire and Rescue Department Chief Luis Santiago announced this week that he plans to retire effective Aug. 3.
Chief Santiago has been a Toledo firefighter since May, 1984. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1988, captain in 1993, battalion chief in 2000, deputy/assistant chief in 2007, and was appointed chief of the department on July 2, 2011.
“Chief Santiago has dutifully and honorably served the people of Toledo for more than three decades, and he has admirably led the Fire and Rescue Department since 2011,” Mayor Kapszukiewicz said. “I want to thank him for his bravery as a firefighter, his service to the people of Toledo, and for the advances made by the department under his leadership.”
Under Chief Santiago’s leadership, the department remains one of the few nationally accredited departments in the United States. The fire department received the prestigious ISO rating of 1 in June, 2017.
“It has been a privilege leading this great department, which is full of talented and dedicated men and women,” Chief Santiago said. “It is and was truly an honor serving as fire chief. I wish nothing but the best for the department and the city of Toledo.”
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In 2017, the Toledo Fire and Rescue Department responded to more than 60,600 incidents, of which 53,904 were emergency medical service calls. The remaining 6,758 were fire-related incidents. It was the first time the Toledo Fire and Rescue Department exceeded 60,000 runs in one calendar year. Arson-related arrests increased 57 percent last year compared to 2016 thanks to the work by the fire investigation unit under Chief Santiago’s leadership.
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Toledo Fire and Rescue honored fallen members of the department this week during its 57th annual Memorial Service. More than 70 people gathered at Chubb DeWolfe Park across from department's headquarters for the ceremony Monday. The 58 city firefighters lost in the line of duty since 1872 were honored. Lucas County Common Pleas Court Judge Stacy Cook was the keynote speaker. Judge Cook presided over the 2017 trial of Ray Abou-Arab for the 2014 deaths of Toledo Firefighters Jamie Dickman and Stephen Machcinski.
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Toledo's Water Distribution Hydrant Team finished in sixth place in a national competition to assemble a fire hydrant under a tight deadline.
The Toledo Hydrant Team is comprised of Sam Loy, Michael Franks, and Brandon Dickman.
The team competed last year and defeated five other Ohio cities when Toledo hosted the Ohio Section of the American Water Works Association Annual Conference. That victory earned Toledo the right to represent the state of Ohio at the National American Water Works Association Conference in Las Vegas. The Ohio Water Works Association paid for the team’s travel expenses to the conference.
Congrats Sam, Michael, and Brandon!
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This year marks the 32nd anniversary of the Ohio Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. The Ohio Law Enforcement Torch Run is the largest grass roots fundraiser for Special Olympics Ohio.
According to the Ohio Special Olympics, more than 2,000 law enforcement officers will run or bike in one of five main leg routes or one of several satellite community runs planned throughout the state.
The 2018 Toledo route of the Ohio Law Enforcement Torch Run took place Friday, June 15, and will include the following legs:
- Leg 1: Northwest Neighborhood Station to UTPD – the leg will start at about 2:45 p.m. and run from Northwest Station on Sylvania Ave. to Douglas Rd. then on to UTPD.
- Leg 2: Safety Building to Fifth Third Field – the leg will start at about 5:45 p.m. and run from the Safety Building to Huron St. then to Fifth Third Field where officers and athletes will run onto the field prior to the Mud Hens game.
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The torch run concludes with a final leg from the Ohio State Highway Patrol Academy to the Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium at The Ohio State University for the Opening Ceremonies of the State Summer Games on June 22. Officers will carry the torch into the stadium and pass it to Special Olympics athletes who will light the cauldron to signify the official start of the State Summer Games. More information about the Ohio Law Enforcement Torch Run
here
.
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Roosevelt and Willys pools open on Saturday, June 16.
The Savage Park Splash Pad will open on Saturday, June 23.
Pickford, Wilson, and Jamie Farr pool opened last week.
Navarre Pool remains under construction. The Kapszukiewicz administration will announce an opening date for Navarre Pool as soon as it is available.
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Thanks to a generous donation from the Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club, the first 1,000 children at Wilson Park Pool will swim free.
Also, thanks to GLG Construction Services and The Toledo Journal who donated $500 each to pay for the first 1,000 children to swim free at Roosevelt Park Pool when it opens on June 16.
Willys and Roosevelt pools, and the Savage Park Splash Pad, are closed on Mondays. Wilson, Pickford, Jamie Farr, and Navarre pools are closed on Tuesdays.
The pools have a modest entry fee of $1 for children 12 and under. The cost is $2 for those 13 and older. The splash pad is free.
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Pool Locations and Phone Numbers:
- Willys Pool, 1375 Hillcrest Ave., 419-936-2928
- Roosevelt Pool, 910 Dorr St., 419-936-2501
- Wilson Pool, 3253 Otto St., 419-936-3071
- Pickford Pool, 3000 Medford Dr., 419-936-2863
- Navarre Pool, 1001 White St., 419-936-3064
- Jamie Farr Pool, 2000 Summit St., 419-936-3072
- Savage Park Splash Pad, 645 Vance St., 419-936-2502
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Smith Fest
The seventh annual Smith Fest — a
free
, youth-oriented celebration at Smith Park, 998 Dorr St. — will be Saturday,
June 16
. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Children can participate in tennis, basketball, archery, golf, swimming, and horseback riding. There will be book giveaways, and more than 150 bicycles will be raffled off. Children will receive lunch and a T-shirt.
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Toledo Lucas County Public Library Brown Bag Summer Concert
As always, the events are
Free
! Bring your lunch. They provide the music.
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Join us at the Main Library, North Lawn, 12:15 - 1:15 p.m.,
Wednesdays.
The dates and bands are:
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By The Numbers
(
year-to-date
)
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45,504
potholes filled
238
water main breaks repaired
664,222
feet of sanitary sewers cleaned
3.62 million
pounds of debris removed with street sweepers.
1,150
trees trimmed
1,145
illegal signs removed
4,408
vehicles towed
2,711
fire runs
24,232
EMS runs
4,794
building inspections completed
2,589
contractor licenses issued
733
new jobs
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Text Alerts
Sign up for Toledo text alerts
here
.
We are now using text alerts for road work, in addition to news like leaf collection and boil water advisories.
The 2018 construction projects map can be viewed
here
.
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Mayor
Kapszukiewicz and other officials
raised the pride flag at One Government Center for Pride Month.
It was the first time in Toledo history the flag was raised at the government center downtown.
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Toledo In The News
Restoration of downtown's former Hotel Seagate moving forward
Toledo City Council is poised to approve a study that will pave the way for downtown’s first tax increment financing district, something Lucas County Commissioners hope will allow tax revenues generated from their restoration of the former Hotel Seagate to stay in the area.
"Darryl's spirit is amazing considering what he is going through," Battalion Chief Brian Byrd said. "Darryl want's to get better and get back to work." Battalion Chief Brian Byrd is helping to plan a bone marrow drive that's being called, "Do it for Darryl."
Food drive aims to help feed local families
According to the Toledo Northwestern Ohio Food Bank, one in six people and one in four children are at risk of not having enough food in our community. 15.8% of people in Northwest Ohio do not have reliable access to enough nutritious food to lead healthy lives. That's why 13abc, the Toledo Northwestern Ohio Food Bank, Dave White Chevrolet and Cedar Point are teaming up for another year of the Hope for the Hungry Food Drive.
US EPA announces Action Plan Three in effort to help Lake Erie
The U.S. EPA gathered to announce Action Plan Three, an initiative outlining the Great Lakes Restorative Initiative plan for 2020 through 2025. The plan is looking more towards the future and how to help Lake Erie, but some people think the plan will do more harm than good.
Diocese grants time for inspection of St. Anthony Church
The Lucas County Land Bank’s request for more time to inspect St. Anthony Church has been granted, giving the the group a chance to see if the historic structure is salvageable. Land bank officials now have until noon, June 26, to inspect the church and determine if it is structurally sound.
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