Message from Mayor Kapszukiewicz
Our regional water proposal continues to gain support from Toledo City Council and our suburban partners. Here is a link to a story about a public hearing held Thursday.

This is good news because there is nothing more important than working with our neighbors to form strong regional partnerships.

Here is what our plan does:

For the first time in history, we are solving the decades-old issue in Toledo of minimum water rates, assuring there will be help for low-income residents in the region, replacing lead lines, and recognizing the need for a redundant water source. The plan currently before city council gives our suburban partners a meaningful seat at the table while ensuring long-term reliable rates for the region. All of this happens while saving the people of our region one quarter of a billion dollars.

We have talked about regional water for decades, and it is time to act. There is still work to do, but this is a great first step. We need to protect our ratepayers.
 
On another topic, I want to encourage everyone to attend Jeep Fest next week. Jeep is fundamental to Toledo’s heritage. Toledo is the only place in the world making the iconic Jeep Wrangler and is also the home of the Jeep Cherokee. Fiat Chrysler Automobile’s Toledo Assembly Complex is one of the region’s largest and most modern manufacturing plants. For nearly eight decades Jeep has been touching the lives of Toledoans – and people throughout the United States and abroad. I hope our entire city will celebrate that rich history during Jeep Fest, which will be held Aug. 10-12.

Finally this week, I want to assure every one that our safety forces are working very hard to keep Toledo safe. We had a terrible incident last week in which a person being pursued by police lost his life. We moved quickly to be as transparent as possible, and I hope other cities will make the same decision to share information with the public - such as police dash cam and body camera videos - as quickly as possible.

If the events of the past several weeks (officer-related shootings and hazmat incidents with exposure to dangerous drugs ) doesn't convince you that our safety forces have some of the hardest jobs in America, then I don't know what more evidence you could possibly need.
Fire and Rescue
Toledo Fire and Rescue Department Battalion Chief Brian Byrd was sworn in Friday by Mayor Kapszukiewicz as the department’s next fire chief during a standing room only ceremony Friday in Toledo City Council Chambers.

Mayor Kapszukiewicz said: "Chief Santiago worked truly up until his last hours as fire chief continuing to innovate and look for better ways to move the department forward... Chief Byrd has the skills and commitment to lead the department forward with “spirit of innovation, fairness, vision, and energy that will serve not only the fire service well but also the citizens of the City of Toledo."
Chief Byrd has been a Toledo firefighter since 1988. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1992, captain in 1997, battalion chief in 2000, and deputy chief in 2008.
Police
Toledo Police provided role playing exercises for media this week to offer insight on the work officers do every day.

Journalists were issued simulation weapons before a role-playing exercise at the Center for Emergency Preparedness at Owens Community College in Walbridge.

Members of the Toledo media, including television stations WTVG, WTOL, and WNWO, and The Blade, participated in "shoot or not” scenario-based sessions. Police officers closely monitored the exercises as reporters encountered non-compliant suspects for common calls officers would experience, such as a traffic stops or complaints.
Engineering Services
The Anthony Wayne Trail Gateway project, which began in June 2017, was set to be completed this month. The project will include a public art feature and landscaped green space. It will aesthetically and functionally transform the entryway into downtown from northbound I-75 and Anthony Wayne Trail, welcoming people into the heart of Toledo. 

The new design provides direct access to the Erie Street Market and S. Erie Street for incoming northbound traffic from I-75 and the Anthony Wayne Trail. It also opens up two-way traffic on Lafayette Street east of Erie Street, providing improved access in and out of the Warehouse District.

The city has been waiting for a back-ordered shipment of glass that will be part of the art element.

"We are going to pour a slab that the glass is used on," said Doug Stephens, Toledo Engineering Services Commissioner. "We have been doing the best we can to make progress without the glass that was back ordered for months. The steel portion of the feature will go up this month and then grading work will begin."
Mark Your Calendars
Ottawa Park Concert Series

The next FREE Ottawa Park Summer Concert is 6 p.m., Saturday, Aug 4.
Toledo Jeep Fest 2018
Jeep Fest this year will be held  Aug. 10-12. Organizers anticipate 1,200 to 1,500 vehicles will be part of the event. They’re also planning for more vendors, food trucks, and family entertainment options. The schedule of events is listed at www.toledojeepfest.com .

The free, family-friendly community festival is organized by the Lucas County Convention & Tourism Bureau, the United Automobile Workers, the Lucas County Board of Commissioners, the City of Toledo, and many others.
By The Numbers
( year-to-date )
50,990 potholes filled
277 water main breaks repaired
907,891 feet of sanitary sewers cleaned
4.9 million pounds of debris removed with street sweepers.
1,621 trees trimmed
1,399 illegal signs removed
31,991 EMS runs
3,726 fire runs
5,626 vehicles towed
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 .
Honors this Week
Chief Luis Santiago retired on Friday, Aug. 3 after more than 34 years of dedicated service to the City of Toledo’s Toledo Fire and Rescue Department. Chief Santiago began his career with the City of Toledo’s Fire and Rescue Department as a line firefighter in May 1984, where he proudly served in stations 5, 21, and 24. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1988, Captain in 1993, Battalion Chief in 2000, Deputy Chief/Assistant Chief in 2007, and Chief on July 2, 2011, the department’s first Hispanic fire chief. He served the people of Toledo and the City of Toledo Fire and Rescue Department with honor and valor during his tenure. We wish him continued success and happiness in his retirement. He will be greatly missed by his colleagues, who have developed family-like bonds, and the citizens of Toledo for his commitment to the highest professional standards and leadership.
The Toledo Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club commemorated its 26 th National Buffalo Soldiers Day anniversary on Saturday, July 28 at Wilson Park. The Toledo Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club upholds the rich history and legacy of the United States Army’s Buffalo Soldiers, after whom they were named. National Buffalo Soldiers Day celebrates and recognizes the Buffalo Soldiers, an all-African-American unit of the 9 th and 10 th Calvary regiments, that was established during the U.S. Civil War. The soldiers became the most highly decorated unit in American military history. The Buffalo Soldiers played a pivotal role in the development of the western United States, served alongside President Theodore Roosevelt and the Rough Riders at San Juan Hill, and later showed their grit through two world wars. In observance of National Buffalo Soldiers Day, Mayor Kapszukiewicz issued a proclamation to recognize National Buffalo Soldiers Day upon its anniversary.
Toledo In The News

Stu dy to assess region's workforce Lucas County officials are joining Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce members in a regional study to better ensure education and workforce development.

Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz outlines first 6 months in office Mayor Kapszukiewicz outlined the progress so far this year during a speech to the Rotary Club of Toledo.

'Shoot or not?' Police put the media in their shoes Scott Sands is familiar with firearms, but he felt a rush of anxiety when he was running toward the sound of gunshots during a robbery simulation Tuesday at Owens Center for Emergency Preparedness. The afternoon radio host of 1370 WSPD played the role of a police officer during a gas station robbery.

Neighbors discuss public safety with mayor and chief of police Neighbors in Point Place packed the summer's first Wednesdays with Wade. They were seeking answers to a number of questions. From roads and bike paths, to water quality, the proposed jail and of course safety.

Toledo City Council discusses mayor's water plan Toledo City Council President Matt Cherry concluded a more than two-hour discussion about regional water Thursday by firmly endorsing the mayor’s proposal. “We truly want to work with the suburbs, we truly want to equalize rates, and we truly want to work together,” Mr. Cherry said. “That’s why I fully support the mayor’s plan going forward.” Other council members raised questions about the plan — which aims to amend the city’s charter and form a regional water commission — as they prepare for a likely vote on the matter Aug. 14.

Chief Brian Byrd sworn in as Toledo's new fire chief In a packed hall at One Government Center, friends, family and many city officials and well-wishers witnessed Byrd take his oath of office to serve as Toledo's newest chief of fire and rescue.
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