Message from Mayor Kapszukiewicz
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Earlier this week I was in Ann Arbor for an algae conference that was also attended by many Great Lakes scientists and policy experts. I stirred some media attention for my strong comments about the agricultural lobby’s influence on Ohio legislators. To read the news article on the conference look
here
.
We know the vast majority of nutrients feeding toxic algae blooms in Lake Erie and the Maumee River comes from runoff from northwest Ohio farms inside the western Lake Erie watershed. Yet, enforcement against algae-inducing phosphorus has been sorely lacking. Billions of state and federal dollars are spent on farm incentives, but the progress toward reducing farm runoff is moving at a glacial speed.
Cities like Toledo have dramatically slashed the release of algae-feeding phosphorus. Our Bay View Treatment Plant has not had a combined sewage overflow release for 12 years. Over the past 25 years, taxpayers in northwest Ohio have invested nearly $1 billion in plant and system upgrades that have drastically cut our phosphorus discharges. We are doing our part, but it is not fair that Toledoans are having to pay to fix a problem being caused by others.
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I take the bus to work at least once a week and it has been a great way to commute. TARTA needs the Toledo community to rally around it to ensure its future is strong. Our economy is based in a large way on movement. Successful cities invest in and have strong public transportation systems.
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I also unveiled a sign that will hang at my parking spot at One Government Center indicating when I have taken the bus to work.
I hope everyone has a great Cinco de Mayo weekend!
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The Toledo Police Department Forensic Laboratory received Forensic Science Testing accreditation by the ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board. The accreditation verifies that the department’s forensic laboratory meets and/or exceeds the strict standard in forensic science testing set forth by the ANAB.
The Forensic Laboratory accreditation process included an on-site visit by assessors and an off site examination of the laboratory's records and procedures. This is the first time the Toledo Police Department sought national accreditation in Forensic Science Testing from the ANAB. The laboratory specializes in firearms forensics and drug chemistry. Four civilian criminalists work in the forensic laboratory.
This is the second accreditation awarded to the department this year. The Department received reaccreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies in March.
“ANAB accreditation adds an additional layer of credibility and expertise to our Forensic Lab," Police Chief George Kral said. "It demonstrates the commitment we have to providing our best to the citizens of Toledo” said. I am very proud of our employees who work in the Forensic Lab. Attaining this accreditation was a rigorous endeavor and I commend all involved.”
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The 2018 grass-cutting program started on April 1. So far, the city has mowed 652 lots.
The budget to cut vacant lots this year is $750,000 from the city's general fund and $250,000 from the nuisance abatement trust fund. That $1 million is being invested back into our community. The city uses community partners - nonprofits such as church groups and neighborhood coalitions - that mow a set inventory of lots for the city during the season. The city also employs neighborhood partners - citizens who enrolled in Toledo's mowing program - to cut grass at nuisance properties. Community Partners are paid $28 a lot and are assigned 40 lots to mow on a monthly basis April through October. They are cut twice during May and June. Neighborhood Partners are paid $28 for a normal cut, $56 for a challenging cut, and $84 for an extreme cut. All lots are reviewed by city staff and the prices are negotiated based on the services rendered.
A 2017 pilot program to hire people to cut grass was successful enough that the city expanded the program this year to fight blight.
Grass-cutting in city parks started last week. The city aims to mow each park every 10 days.
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2018 Drop Off Refuse and Recycling
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Recycling season is officially underway and Toledo residents showed up in large numbers during the city's first two events of the year.
During Party for the Planet, which was April 21 at The Toledo Zoo, people brought more than 1,600 gallons of paint to recycle; 18,598 pounds of electronic waste like computers and monitors; 4,400 pounds of clothing donated to Goodwill; more than 2,000 tires; 5,340 pounds of paper to be shredded and recycled, and 10 tons of unwanted debris.
During the recycling event at Woodsdale Park in Council District 2 on April 28, people dropped off 1,500 gallons of paint to recycle;
5,601 pounds of of electronic waste; 805 pounds of clothing donated to the Salvation Army; 1,700 tires; 1,775 pounds of documents to be shredded and recycled, and 6.5 tons of unwanted debris.
The city accepts household hazardous waste, electronic waste, up to ten tires (on or off the rim, but no commercial tires) per person, paper, housewares, clothing, toys, bulky items, and refuse. Televisions, air conditioners, refrigerators, and other large appliances are NOT accepted. Latex paint costs $1 per gallon to drop off.
More information on the upcoming refuse and recycling days
here
.
Learn more about Lucas County's electronic waste program
here
.
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Toledo Legal Aid Society and the Lucas County Board of Commissioners this week launched a new website,
toledolegalaid.com
. The site helps underserved populations better navigate the legal system.
The website will have contact information for those in need of services, as well as provide external links to the dockets of Lucas County Court of Common Pleas, Toledo Municipal Court, Maumee Municipal Court, Oregon Municipal Court, and Sylvania Municipal Court. These links will facilitate access to important court information for those in need of assistance. Frequently Asked Questions, as well as further resources related to non-criminal legal assistance and reentry are also provided on the website.
The development and launch of the website is part of the MacArthur Foundation Safety + Justice Challenge initiative spearheaded by Lucas County and committed partners and stakeholders. The $1.75 million grant has been used to build a safer, healthier, and more just community. The website will provide a new avenue of access to the justice system for those who need it most.
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Economic Development
A Japanese company that supports development of automotive and other industrial products announced plans to open its first North American facility in Toledo.
TPAM, a subsidiary of Topia, is a leading prototyping company and one of the few specialist companies that can handle all parts of the product-making process. The company will invest $4 million and create at least 30 new jobs with the potential to hire a significant number of additional people in the next five years. TPAM cited Ohio's low cost and favorable business climate as key factors in the decision to locate in Toledo, as well as the proximity in the marketplace relative to the company's customer base. The company will take over an existing 62,000 square-foot facility in north Toledo.
TPAM received several grants and incentives through JobsOhio, the Ohio Tax Credit Authority, the city of Toledo, and Lucas County. The
Regional Growth Partnership
also assisted.
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This week was National Small Business week. Today is a good time to remember your small and local businesses in Toledo. The city highlights a different local business on Twitter every week with the hashtag #ToledoLocalBusiness. This week we thanked
Michael’s Cafe and Bakery
f
or being a valued
local business
in
Toledo
.
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Bike To Work Day is
Friday, May 18.
Leave the car at home!
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Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc. (ABLE), Legal Aid of Western Ohio, Inc. (LAWO) and The Toledo Bar Association will welcome Toledo-born and legal assistance advocate, University of Michigan Coach Jim Harbaugh to serve as the 2018 Access to Justice Awards Dinner keynote speaker. The event is Thursday,
May 10, 2018
, at SeaGate Convention Centre with a sponsor reception and awards dinner kicking off at 7 p.m. Tickets and info
here
.
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2018 In-Demand Jobs Week,
May 7-11
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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 TPS Aviation Expo
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.,
May 19 and 20
. More info
here
.
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By The Numbers
(
year-to-date
)
40,911
potholes filled
222
water main breaks repaired
488,091
feet of sanitary sewers cleaned
924
illegal signs removed
2,139,801
pounds of debris removed with street sweepers.
3,438
vehicles towed
3,620
building inspections completed
2,460
contractor licenses issued
643
new jobs
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Text Alerts
Sign up for Toledo text alerts
here
.
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Mayor Kapszukiewicz signed a proclamation for Libbey Inc. - honoring the Toledo company for its 200th anniversary.
The glass manufacturing company established its roots in Toledo in 1888, and again in 1892, when Edward Drummond Libbey changed its name from the New England Glass Company to what it is today.
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Mayor Kapszukiewicz presented a proclamation to
Fifth Third
Bank officials Thursday for 5/3rd Day — May 3 — to celebrate the work they do volunteering in the community and supporting programs that combat hunger.
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Toledo In The News
A local high school student working to raise awareness Sunday. Abigail Stuck, a senior at Whitmer High School, organized a walk to raise awareness about suicide prevention.
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