Message from Mayor Kapszukiewicz
|
|
As you all know, Toledo has suffered a great loss and we continue to face tough days ahead.
The death of Officer Anthony Dia has affected us all. We offer his family, friends, and fellow officers the deepest of condolences. I had the privilege of speaking at his funeral this week.
As I said during
the service Tuesday
: What do we do when we see a police officer like Anthony Dia? Do we love him or do we hate him? Are we appreciative? Do we appreciate him? Or do we vilify him? Too often these days, I think we know the answer to that question. Anthony Dia loved, because the fact of the matter is that he was better than us. And he is the best of us.
|
|
|
|
The Dia family lost a son, and a husband, and a father, but it has indeed gained more than 600 brothers and sisters: the police family here in Toledo. I might also suggest that the Dia family has gained several thousand more because Toledo is a family, and the Toledo family hurts over the loss of our son, our brother.
|
|
I hope you will keep the Dia family in your prayers and reflect on the tragic murder of Officer Anthony Dia.
|
|
While we are still mourning for Officer Dia, we face the increasing challenge posed to us and the entire nation from COVID-19. Let me say this as plainly as I can: the threat from the virus is real and there are simple steps we can do to minimize the danger.
That is why Toledo has joined other Ohio cities and declared that all residents should wear face coverings when in public.
The sharp increase in COVID-19 cases requires us to take this important action to protect our residents and our businesses. Masks will save lives, and every day matters. Given the choice of a mask or the risk of hospitalization and further economic pain, I am certain Toledoans will choose to wear face coverings.
The mask declaration requires face coverings to be worn, covering the mouth and nose, in enclosed areas with others. This includes grocery stores, retail stores, pharmacies, health care facilities, libraries, bars, restaurants, and while using public transportation. Individuals are not required to wear masks at a religious facility. However, the city, along with the local and state health departments, and the CDC, strongly recommend the wearing of masks at any public place. There are exemptions, including medical conditions and for children, which you can read at
this link
.
I expect Toledo City Council on Tuesday to codify this important measure with adoption of an ordinance that will allow a mask policy to be enforced, as other cities in Ohio have already done.
Toledo City Council
I released a second statement yesterday regarding the arrest of four members of Toledo City Council. Those arrests by the FBI have outraged Toledoans who expect their elected officials to hold themselves to the highest of ethical standards and have made it impossible to conduct the business of the city.
Honest and effective government is always important, but in a year that has brought unprecedented challenges to communities throughout our country, the ability to conduct the people’s business without delay is essential.
We need to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the economic hardships and budget shortfalls it has caused. We need to continue to promote effective policing policies at a time when many of our citizens have taken to the streets to call for change and reform. And we need to devote resources to strengthening our economy, providing basic services, and investing in our neighborhoods.
None of this important work can be accomplished if the four arrested members of Council continue to act as though nothing is wrong or nothing has changed.
As a result, I am repeating my call for these members to resign. Should they not resign by 6 p.m. Sunday, I plan to formally ask Ohio Attorney General David Yost to exercise his power under the law to begin the process of suspending the members from City Council, pending the results of their legal proceedings.
|
|
While the Ohio EPA’s order suspending water disconnections expires today, July 10, the City of Toledo Department of Public Utilities’ moratorium on water disconnections remains in effect until further notice.
On March 10, 2020, Toledo City Council passed and ordinance placing a moratorium on water shut offs and waiving late fees for City of Toledo residents until the threat of COVID-19 is diminished, well in advance of Governor DeWine and the Ohio EPA’s order on March 31.
Toledo Public Utilities Director Ed Moore wants to ensure customers that while the City of Toledo’s moratorium remains in place, preventing residential service termination within Toledo during this time, the Department of Public Utilities will continue meter readings and sending monthly invoices.
“All customers are strongly encouraged to make every effort to continue to pay their bills. We understand this is a very challenging time and we want to encourage those customers needing assistance to reach out sooner rather than later for flexible payment plan options,” Mr. Moore said.
|
|
Toledo-Lucas County Health Department
|
|
The
Home at Last
Program provides down payment assistance to first-time home buyers.
|
|
|
Free Summer Lunch Program for Children
|
|
Food will be provided free to children Monday through Friday,
until Aug. 14
through a partnership with the Children’s Hunger Alliance for the City of Toledo’s Children Feeding Program. (While supplies last. No need to pre-register.)
Children’s Hunger Alliance staff will be at the following parks, Monday through Friday:
- Wilson Park, 600 East Oakland St., Toledo, Ohio 43608, underneath open air shelter, 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
- Navarre Park, 1001 White St., Toledo, Ohio 43605, pool house/parking lot, 12:15 p.m. to 1 p.m.
- Savage Park, 650 Nebraska Ave., Toledo, Ohio 43604, underneath open air shelter, 1:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.
- Walbridge Park, 2761 Broadway, Toledo 43609, underneath open air shelter, 2:45 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.
- Ottawa Park, 2200 Kenwood Blvd., Toledo 43606, underneath open air shelter, 12:15 p.m. to 1 p.m.
|
|
July 11 Drop Off Refuse and Recycling
|
|
The next Engage Toledo Drop Off Refuse and Recycling event is
9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, July 11
at Keyser Elementary School, 3900 Hill Ave.
Acceptable items include electronic waste, but no televisions, CRT monitors, or appliances; 10 tires, on or off the rim, but no commercial tires; documents; houseware goods; clothing; toys; bulky items; and refuse. Latex paint will be accepted for $1 per gallon.
For more information please call Engage Toledo at 419-936-2020 or visit
www.toledo.oh.gov
.
|
|
Toledo Regional Water Commission
There will be a Toledo Regional Water Commission meeting at 10 a.m., Wednesday, July 15 through Zoom Webinar.
The city of Toledo supports the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, please contact the Office of Diversity and Inclusion ADA Coordinator at 419-245-1198.
|
|
By The Numbers
(year to date)
|
|
56,275
potholes filled
1,701,047
pounds of debris cleared from streets with street sweepers
1,545,012
pounds of debris cleared from alleys
115
water main breaks repaired
757,669
feet of sanitary sewers cleaned
7,808
feet of storm sewers cleaned
477
trees trimmed
1,112
illegal signs removed
4,151
building inspections completed
1,471
contractor licenses issued
3,233
fire runs
26,515
EMS runs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
