Message from Mayor Kapszukiewicz
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There is a lot of roadway construction going on in our city right now - particularly downtown and along some of our major arteries. Additionally, we announced this week that the
Martin
Luther King
, Jr.
Bridge
connecting downtown Toledo and East Toledo will be closed for about 45 days beginning Sept. 24.
We understand that these projects are inconvenient and stressful. I want everyone to know that I too feel stress and frustration when I am sandwiched in between traffic and orange barrels. I also want everyone to know your city employees are doing everything they can to mitigate the frustration that comes along with road work. This is necessary work, and quite frankly, it is not enough. Toledo, like other Ohio cities, has fallen behind on infrastructure work because of funding changes at the state level that have removed millions from our budget.
We made the decision this week to push the Martin Luther King, Jr. Bridge closure to September rather than this month to accommodate businesses in East Toledo that depend on unimpeded bridge traffic.
We have to close the bridge for Toledo Waterways Initiative work to install an 84-inch pipe connecting a combined sewer overflow to a 5.2-million-gallon storage basin under International Park. The project was supposed to be completed by tunneling under Main Street in East Toledo, which would have allowed the bridge to remain open, but that plan was changed for safety and engineering reasons. The Sept. 24 closure will not impact the popular
Frogtown Regatta
, which is scheduled for Sept. 22. We are also developing a plan to encourage people to continue patronizing East Toledo businesses via a detour to the
Craig
Memorial
Bridge
. We are working with TARTA to make sure pedestrians who use the M
artin
Luther King
, Jr.
Bridge
will be able to travel across the Maumee River.
In short, I know construction is a headache. We will be a better city when it is over. We are also working on ways to do more road repairs in the future.
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Finally, this week I participated in a ribbon cutting ceremony for Nueva Esperanza Credit Union on Broadway in South Toledo. That is a great example of saving a historic building in a way that will help a neighborhood. The Old South End is one of our oldest neighborhoods. It is vibrant with some of the best public art and food in our state.
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I wish all our moms a very Happy Mothers Day!
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Toledo's recycling stream is still too contaminated.
We have a growing amount of trash or residue in our recycling stream collected on the routes.
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Previous audits placed Toledo's residue between 19 percent and 37 percent. The city’s last material audit performed by our processor, ReCommunity/Republic Service found 44 percent trash or residue in the recycling stream.
That audit is being disputed since it was conducted at a facility not owned by our contract processor.
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Toledo and Lucas County are working to establish a Material Recovery Facility in Toledo that will allow us the flexibility to seek alternate processors and save a significant amount on transportation.
More information on upcoming city of Toledo refuse and recycling days
here
.
Learn more about Lucas County's electronic waste program
here
.
Here is this week's sustainability tip:
"This Spring, minimize your grass space by incorporating plenty of natural vegetation. This includes native trees, shrubs, and ground covers. You'll save water and energy."
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Mayor Kapszukiewicz, Toledo Police Assistant Chief James O’Bryant, Lucas County Prosecutor Julia Bates, and Criminal Division Chief Jeff Lingo announced the start of the “Not In My House” program this week at the Frederick Douglass Community Center.
Toledo Police Community Services Officers canvassed the neighborhood following the news conference to speak with residents about the program. The concept is simple - your house, your rules. Any responsible party may call Toledo Police to report guns or drugs inside their own home. Police will respond and remove the contraband without fear of arrest or prosecution. The exception is all firearms must be forensically tested per department policy. In the event the firearm has been involved in a violent crime, follow up will be conducted within the full extent of the law.
The Toledo Police Department is actively engaged in a variety of ongoing proactive efforts with the goal of reducing violence in our city. From the STOP program to Friday Night Hoops, from Special Operations Bureau and Federal Task Force gang sweeps to the Brains and Bodies program. Ultimately, reducing violence in our city hinges greatly on cooperation and collaboration with the community. Residents are encouraged to get involved and engage with their police department.
Those interested in learning more about the “Not In My House” program should contact Toledo Police Community Services Section at 419-245-1119. Community Services Officers will be educating people on the “Not In My House” program at upcoming community meetings and events.
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Bike To Work Day is
Friday, May 18.
Leave the car at home!
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Kenwood Boulevard Cleanup
Volunteers are needed to help clean up the boulevards, plant flowers on the end caps, and mulch the beds, 9 a.m. - noon, Saturday,
May 19
. Volunteers can sign up via the Old Orchard website,
oldorchardtoledo.org
.
Click the pink event graphic to sign up.
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2018 Annual Toledo Public Schools Aviation Expo
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.,
May 19 and 20
.
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District 3 Opiate Town Hall
Councilman Peter Ujvagi, the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department, the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board of Lucas County, and the Lucas County Sheriff's Office D.A.R.T.Unit will hold an Opiate Town Hall from noon to 4 p.m., Saturday,
May 19
at the East Toledo Family Center,
1020 Varland Ave.
There will be food, raffles, and resource tables for community members to get information about the opiate epidemic. Children will be able to do arts and craft projects facilitated by adult volunteers. The Mercy Health St. Charles Hospital van will be administering rapid HIV and Hepatitis C testing from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will also be free Narcan training and kits. Bring your unused medications, including pet medications, and drop them off in an anonymous drop box.
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Downtown Toledo Transportation Plan
There will be a public meeting on the
Downtown Toledo Transportation Plan,
5:30 to 7 p.m., Tuesday,
May 22
at the SeaGate Convention Centre, Room 104. It is the first of three public meetings. More information at
bit.ly/downtowntransportation
The city of Toledo supports the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, please contact Joan Easler, ADA coordinator, at 419-245-1059 at least 72 hours before the start time.
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Old Orchard Garden Tour
Tour 11 interesting gardens exhibiting different design styles, plant selections, and beautiful outdoor spaces 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday,
June 10
. As one of the city’s unique and historic neighborhoods, Old Orchard continues to be a haven for trees and gardens since its transformation from apple and pear orchards in the 1920’s. Tickets are $10 and are available online at
oldorchardgardens.org
. Proceeds benefit the Old Orchard Neighborhoods Association beautification initiatives.
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Anthony Wayne Memorial Service
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In commemoration of the 57th anniversary of the Anthony Wayne Trail fire, we cordially invite you to attend a memorial service in honor of fallen Toledo Firefighters. The service will take place at noon, Monday,
June 11
at the Toledo Firefighters Memorial located across from 545 North Huron St., Michael P. Bell Administrative Building. A brief reception will follow in headquarters.
Please join us as we gather in memory of all Toledo firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty and our retirees who passed in 2017. Captain George S. Fraser and Captain Benn R. Miner will be added to the monument during the service. A brief reception will follow.
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By The Numbers
(
year-to-date
)
41,265
potholes filled
223
water main breaks repaired
512,879
feet of sanitary sewers cleaned
951
illegal signs removed
2,563,681
pounds of debris removed with street sweepers.
949
trees trimmed
3,584
vehicles towed
1,125
EMS runs and
140
fire runs
3,786
building inspections completed
2,480
contractor licenses issued
647
new jobs
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Text Alerts
Sign up for Toledo text alerts
here
.
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Mayor Kapszukiewicz presented a proclamation to Lucas County Children Services in honor of Foster Care Awareness Month.
May is National Foster Care Month - a month set aside to acknowledge foster parents, family members, volunteers, mentors, policymakers, child welfare professionals, and other members of the community who help children and youth in foster care find permanent homes and connections. During National Foster Care Month, we renew our commitment to ensuring a bright future for the children and youth in foster care, and we celebrate all those who make a meaningful difference in their lives.
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As the weather heats up, residential and business customers in Toledo should be on alert for phone calls or door-to-door visits from electric utility scammers who demand immediate payment to avoid service disconnection. Although the scammers work year-round, they are most active in the summer and winter months, when people cannot go without air conditioning or heat.
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To help spread the word about utility scams, FirstEnergy put together a video, “Hang Up, Don’t Pay Up: When a Scammer Calls.” It features two business owners contacted by phone scammers impersonating FirstEnergy electric company employees and provides tips for avoiding scams.
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Toledo In The News
Toledo Mowing Partner Program Expanded
High grass on vacant properties has been an issue plaguing Toledo during the summer months, for years. "It looks bad when it's not mowed at all," said south Toledo resident, Precious Martin. Martin said the tall grass on some vacant homes in her neighborhood is not only an eyesore, but attracts some unwanted guests.
Birding's biggest week draw for NW Ohio from around globe
The Blackburnian Warbler was there. Then it wasn’t. There was a flash of the bird’s brilliant orange face then it took flight, escaping out of the frame before Joshua Covill could trip the shutter on his camera. Mr. Covill is one of thousands of birders in northwest Ohio to enjoy the 10-day Biggest Week in American Birding festival. The festival’s international draw was underscored by the presence of Kevin Loughlin’s Wildside Nature Tours, a Yardley, Pa.-based company that coordinates birding tours from Africa to Antarctica and beyond.
UT students celebrate graduation
With the sun shining on the University of Toledo’s Glass Bowl, thousands of fresh graduates filed into the stadium ready to start a new chapter in their life. Decorated caps and ear-to-ear smiles filled the stadium as proud parents and friends cheered on the graduates. Keynote speaker Charles “Chuck” Ealey, a former UT quarterback, shared with the students what he’s learned through life.
South Toledo house on its way to becoming home for family of 11
Members of the northwest Ohio community are coming together to make sure a family has a safe place to stay. Crews are working to make a 100-year-old house on Western Ave. in South Toledo new again for a family of 11 desperate for a place to call home.
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