City of Toledo News
Message from Mayor Kapszukiewicz
Twenty-nine men and women Friday continue the strong tradition of Toledo having the best-equipped and best-trained fire service.

I am honored to attend the graduation ceremony at Bowsher High School for Fire Class 292. They were sworn in on Dec. 1, 2017 and completed a rigorous training program that involved emergency medical training and multiple phases of firefighting. After graduation, the recruits will hold professional certifications as State of Ohio Firefighter II and State of Ohio/Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technicians. They will begin a 12-month probationary period at various Toledo Fire Stations in which they will be closely supervised by assigned station officers.

They are ready to serve every neighborhood in Toledo, to save lives, and to protect property. Our fire service has a rich tradition that these firefighters have joined. What they have done to reach this point is a great accomplishment. They spent countless hours training, gave up time with their families, and elected to take on a life of service that puts the lives of others above their own. They will work long hours, save lives in the bitter cold at the scene of an accident, and on the same day, they will save lives inside an unimaginably hot burning building. And they will be busy. This week alone, our fire and rescue department went on 1,089 EMS runs and 115 fire runs.

I know I speak for all Toledoans when I say congratulations to our newest firefighters.

Also this week, I want to say Ramadan Mubarak to all Muslims in Toledo and around the world who are observing. Over the coming month, we wish you a blessed and peaceful Ramadan.
PARKS
Scott Howard and Mike Sheehy, who are Toledo park maintenance employees, donated their Saturday morning to deliver and assemble a shed for the Glass City Dog Park. 

The Glass City Dog Park is leased property located within Woodsdale Park at Woodsdale Avenue and the Anthony Wayne Trail. Scott and Mike spend their work days doing things to improve the city parks. When they learned of the need for a shed, they did not hesitate to volunteer their time to make a difference in the community. Their work was very much appreciated by members of the dog park.
The water has been turned on to the city pools, pump rooms, and bath houses for the 2018 season. Jamie Farr and Pickford pools were power washed this week, and electricians changed lights in the bathhouse at Wilson Pool.

The pools and splash pad will be open next month but an opening date has not been set. Last year’s pool season was June 24 to Aug. 5. The pools that will open this year are Willys, 1375 Hillcrest Ave.; Roosevelt, 910 Dorr St.; Navarre, 1001 White St.; Pickford, 3000 Medford Dr.; Wilson, 3253 Otto St., and Jamie Farr, 2140 N. Summit St. Admission is $1 at the junior pools – Wilson, Jaime Farr, Navarre, and Pickford. Admission at Roosevelt and Willys pools is $1 for swimmers who are less than 13 years old and $2 for swimmers who are 13-years-old and up. The splash pad is free.
Flood Control
There was flooding in Point Place Friday due to Lake Erie and river levels rising five feet in three hours. Places on Edgewater Drive and 121st Street were flooded.

Toledo Sewer and Drainage Services employees placed six pumps in the area, including two on Edgewater Drive.

The Division of Water Reclamation employees operated six of the underground pump stations in Point Place to pump surface water from the storm water collection system back into waterways.

Streets, Bridges, and Harbor employees installed and closed flood gates in Point Place.

The Bay View Water Treatment Plant ran at about double its dry weather flow capacity. The Cullen Park Boat Ramp was closed.
Mark Your Calendars
Glass City Dog Park Open House

See the Glass City Dog Park, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Saturday, May 19 .

The event is free and open to members and non-members. There will be raffles, a silent auction and a chance to win a free membership.

Visitors will be asked to sign a waiver of liability, show proof of current vaccinations and that their dog has been spayed or neutered. 
Kenwood Boulevard Cleanup

Volunteers are needed to help clean up the boulevard, 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. 
2018 Annual Toledo Public Schools Aviation Expo

9 a.m. to 4 p.m., May 19 and 20 .

More info here .
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.
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.
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. 
Anthony Wayne Memorial Service
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.
By The Numbers
( year-to-date )

41,938 potholes filled
227 water main breaks repaired
544,389 feet of sanitary sewers cleaned
998 illegal signs removed
2,877,411 pounds of debris removed with street sweepers.
973 trees trimmed
3,759 vehicles towed
3,988 building inspections completed
2,511 contractor licenses issued
647 new jobs

Engage Toledo
How can we help you? The Engage Toledo app lets you to make service requests 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays. We are committed to customer service.

To download for an Android,   click  here.
To download for an iPhone,   click  here.   
Honors this week
Mayor Kapszukiewicz presented a proclamation for Rotary Weekend, which celebrates the first, and one of the largest non-profit humanitarian service organizations. It will commence Friday, May 18 and run until Sunday, May 20. The city of Toledo joins Rotarians across the world in celebrating the accomplishments of Rotary International and recognizes its years of service and commitment to lasting change. 
Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz and Councilman Peter Ujvagi welcomed officials from Hungary and members of the Ohio National Guard this week. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the partnership between the Ohio National Guard and the nation of Hungary. The Department of Defense’s State Partnership Program, which is managed by the National Guard Bureau, was created to promote regional stability and civil-military relationships.

The  Hungarian  delegation included Major General Istvan Szabo, Colonel Janos Hess, Command Sergeant Major István Kriston, and Captain Jozsef Lengyel. Major General Szabo was presented with a mayoral proclamation and a gift from the Toledo Museum of Art – a locally-made piece of glass art.
The mayor was given the Chief of Staff Military Defense Plaque, which is from the highest military office in Hungary.

The Ohio National Guard and Hungarian delegation met with the Lucas County commissioners earlier in the morning, when they were presented with a resolution and the county’s stone frog statue.
Yvonne Spitulski retired after more than 41 years of dedicated service to the city of Toledo’s taxation Department. Yvonne began her career August 1, 1972 as a temporary Stenographer I. She completed her probationary period and became a permanent employee on November 13, 1972. She has worked her way up to the permanent position of Supervisor of Tax Audits, and she briefly served as alternate Tax Administrator in 2015 for a special project. Congratulations and thanks for your many years of service.
Toledo In The News

BODY WORLDS Rx brings the human body to new light at Imagination Station Imagination Station, Toledo’s Science Center, is always looking for new and exciting temporary exhibitions to deliver the wonder of science in fun and innovative ways to the community. The science center’s latest temporary exhibition, BODY WORLDS Rx, opened May 11 and promises to deliver a rare and unprecedented look at the human anatomy.

If only the walls could talk, they would tell stories of the decades of good times and hard times at the Family Food Center.

Pothole season shifts to construction season after bumpy winter Another frustrating winter has come and gone for Toledo drivers. You told us where Toledo's meanest streets were, and we took that list to city administrators to find out what they're doing to give you a smoother drive.

City leaders looking to crackdown on illegal dumping Have you noticed trash in your neighborhoods?

City council makes push for sidewalk repairs City leaders have made a big push to get the sidewalk in front of your house fixed. They have more than doubled what they are spending on fixing these sidewalks this year, with 700 properties are on the list to be fixed. The proposed $1 million dollars is for sidewalks that are almost unusable because of city of Toledo trees. 

Toledo Zoo welcomes its new rhino, Aashish The Toledo Zoo is showing off its newest addition. Meet Aashish, the three and a half year old male Indian rhinoceros. The rhino arrived at its new home in Toledo Thursday.

Undercover detectives recognized for carryout shooting incident Two undercover Toledo police detectives received the department’s highest recognition Friday for their service during a December shoot out with violent suspects at an Old West End carryout. The detectives received the Medal of Valor, the highest award obtainable by an officer, who performs an exceptionally brave act that is of great danger to himself.
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Was it #Laurel? or #Yanny? (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbjnIK6VEjc)
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