Message from Mayor Kapszukiewicz
This past week has been another difficult time for our country where we are forced to confront how we can honor our Constitutional freedoms and still prevent the sort of senseless mass slaughter that is happening on a far too regular basis in our neighborhoods.

The Washington Post asked me to write an opinion piece on the mass shootings that occurred in El Paso and Dayton last weekend. If you didn't get a chance to read it, you can find it at this link .

The reason the national media reached out to me this week was because President Trump accidentally misspoke and offered his prayers to "victims in Toledo." As I wrote in my op-ed, I believe the president simply misspoke. It happens to all of us from time to time, and at any rate, I was happy to accept his prayers, even if they were meant for Dayton.

The more important thing to focus on is what we need to do as a nation to stop this from happening. Unfortunately, we are the only country in the developed world where mass shootings occur on a regular basis. Americans can do anything when they put their minds to it, as the recent 50th anniversary of the moon landing proves. Why do we allow these mass killings to continue?

As I mentioned in my op-ed, Toledo is leading a national effort of big cities to try to bring about change by applying free market pressure on the gun industry. This approach is not going to solve the problem overnight, but at least it is something . If our politicians in Washington are too cowardly to work toward a solution, then those of us at the local level will continue to pursue creative strategies like this to make a difference.

Enough is enough. Something has to change.
New Sister City Agreement
In happier news this week, I was honored to sign a new sister cities agreement with Coburg, Germany. Toledo City Council President Matt Cherry, Bürgermeisterin (Vice Mayor) Frau Dr. Birgit Weber, and I signed the agreement Tuesday during a ceremony at One Government Center.

It is essential, in today’s world, that we celebrate our cultural differences and seek to learn from our shared experiences. Toledo and Coburg are strengthening our economic, educational, and cultural ties, and we are working together to support the growth and well-being of both communities.

Toledo and Coburg first began exploring the feasibility of a sister city agreement in 2016. The Coburg city council unanimously voted in favor of entering into an agreement with Toledo on Sept. 29, 2017. The Greater Toledo International Youth Orchestra performed in Coburg as the first Toledo Sister Cities delegation in June, 2018. I am confident that Toledo and Coburg will have a long and mutually-beneficial relationship.
Jeep Fest is Back!

Finally, I want to remind everyone to attend Toledo Jeep Fest this weekend downtown, including an all-Jeep exhibit at the  SeaGate Convention Centre .

The histories of Jeep and Toledo are interconnected, and Jeep Fest has become a massive hit with people from across North America. This year is especially amazing because we will be able to showcase our pride for the Jeep Gladiator pickup – the latest in a long line of Jeeps made in Toledo!
Streets
The city mill and fill program, which began on April 22, is currently moving through Council District 6.

Crews are working on replacing the surfaces of:
  • Ketukkee Trail from the 5400 block of Ketukkee to the dead end,
  • 116th Street from Ottawa River Road to Summit Street.
  • Coast Guard Road from Summit Ext to the dead end.

Paving has been completed in Districts 3 and 4 on Homeland, from Torgler to Angel; Whitehouse, from Torgler to Shoreland; 283 rd , from Lehman to 104 th; 285 th , from Lehman to 104 th ; Roseann, from Onondaga to Rose Point; Roseanna, from Rose Point to 290 th , and 289 th , from the 4300 block of 289 th to the 4400 block of 289 th .
Mark Your Calendars
Ottawa Park Summer Concert

Join us for an another exciting concert THIS SATURDAY at the Ottawa Park Amphitheater, 2205 Kenwood Blvd. All Concert Showtimes: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Dezire performs on Saturday, Aug. 10 ; the Nu Tones perform on Aug. 17; The 25’s perform on Aug. 24; and East River Drive. performs on Aug. 31.
28th Annual Pollyball Tournament
The Hylant Family Foundation presents the 28th annual Pollyball Tournament to raise funds for the YWCA of Northwest Ohio Breast Cancer Awareness and Early Detection Program. It will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 10 at International Park.

This annual sand volleyball tournament will feature a fun-filled day of friendly competition. For those not participating in the tournament, there will be a variety of family-friendly activities available throughout the day.

Pollyball honors the life of Polly Hylant-Tracy who lost her battle with cancer in 1990. Over the past 28 years, Pollyball has raised nearly $1,000,000 to support breast cancer detection and awareness programs, including ACS, the YWCA as well as MCO for cancer research, The Victory Center, and Reeling and Healing Inc. More info at www.pollyball.com
8th Barrio Latino Art Festival
The Eighth Barrio Latino Art Festival is Saturday, Aug. 10 . A parade will start at 1 p.m. from Danny Thomas Park to Broadway.

The Barrio Latino Art Festival celebrates diversity, innovation, and achievement. This is a great event full of live music, dancing, food, artwork, mural painting, and more.
The Ribbon Cutting and Dedication of SONIA Organics at Tatum Park
SONIA Organics, The Lucas County Land Bank, Bench Farms and the Junction Neighborhood Community is proud to host a ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony for our newly constructed SONIA Organics at Tatum Park at 10 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 17.

The holistic green space is located in the center city, minutes away from downtown Toledo, next to the historic Art Tatum House. More at this link .
Take It Off, Toledo
Participate in free group exercise classes in city parks all summer, co-presented by The YMCA of Greater Toledo ! Check out the schedules at:

Haven't signed up to join the challenge yet? It is not too late. Sign up today at  takeitofftoledo.com .
By The Numbers
(year to date)
131,384 potholes filled
1,712 illegal signs removed
172 water main breaks repaired
1,029,331  feet of sanitary sewers cleaned
36,082 feet of storm sewers cleaned
2,011,790  pounds of debris cleared from streets with street sweepers
4,270,974 pounds of debris cleared from alleys
5,608 building inspections performed
1,802 contractor licenses issued
828 trees trimmed
14,573  grass cutting work orders completed at nuisance and vacant properties
3,967  fire runs
32,221  EMS runs
Toledo In The News
What Dayton and Toledo Actually Do Have in Common: Both Are 'Certified Welcoming' Places for Immigrants Despite some recent  confusion , Dayton and Toledo are not actually the same city in  Ohio . Located about 150 miles apart, Toledo and Dayton are in different regions of the Buckeye state, but they have one important link: they are both officially designated as “welcoming” places for immigrants. 

UToledo physicists awarded $7.4 million to rev up solar technology to power space vehicles The U.S. Air Force awarded a team of physicists at The University of Toledo $7.4 million to enhance the reliability and efficiency of lightweight power to improve the safety and effectiveness of Department of Defense missions.

Toledo hosts Jeep Fest this weekend Jeep owners from the United States, Canada, and Mexico are heading to Toledo for the 2019 Toledo Jeep Fest, the third such festival in the hometown of the Jeep. This year, the feature will be launch of the Toledo-built Jeep Gladiator, event organizers said in their news release.
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