Message from Mayor Kapszukiewicz
I want to congratulate the Toledo Mud Hens for an exciting opening day Thursday and their incredible victory. It was a chilly spring day, but that didn't stop more than 20,000 people from coming to enjoy the game and the amazing amenities downtown.

Opening day has become an unofficial civic holiday here in Toledo. It started nearly 20 years ago with the construction of Fifth Third Field, which has been the catalyst for an economic revitalization of downtown. More and more people are moving downtown, other historic buildings are being renovated into apartments and commercial space, and you can expect more development around our beautiful river.

We are also working to make sure all neighborhoods of Toledo are beautiful. You will hear more soon on a new partnership with the Lucas County Land Bank and an increased crackdown on illegal dumping.

On another topic, more than 50 mayors, law enforcement leaders, and policy officials will meet here in Toledo for two days next week to share strategies on reducing gun violence. The U.S. Conference of Mayors is organizing the two-day event . Gun violence is a serious problem that will never be solved if we are afraid to talk about it. Congress is afraid to talk about this, and since they are unwilling to fix the problem, mayors from across the country will work together to identify common sense policies that will make our cities safer.

Finally, Toledo received some bad news this week from our state government in Columbus. Under the newly signed transportation budget, Toledo will pay a higher gas tax - and yet still end up with millions of dollars less in state funding. Even worse, our police department will be prevented from using the tools and technology they believe they need to keep our city safe.

This is disappointing, to be sure, but Toledo is tough and resilient. We've been knocked down before, and we always pull ourselves up and fight back. We will continue to do so - but it sure would be nice if the politicians in Columbus would help us out every once in a while.
Take it Off, Toledo!
Mayor Kapszukiewicz this week announced the featured participants for Take It Off, Toledo! , the city’s wellness and weight loss challenge, which begins May 1.

“The first 29 days of the challenge are 100 percent focused on getting people to sign up and get ready for the year-long challenge,” Mayor Kapszukiewicz said. “We launched a new website, takeitofftoledo.com , Facebook, Instagram, and twitter accounts for the challenge. The focus of this is wellness, happiness, and health.”

The challenge will run through April, 2020. There will be a different theme or topic each month throughout the year, including shopping, cooking, getting moving, sleep, screen time, heart health, drinking water, family fitness, and more.

“We will be doing a variety of videos, stories, and articles on the topics each month with our community partners and featured participants,” the mayor said. “We will also host events and highlight the work of others in our community.”
The events include Free Family Fun Days at The University of Toledo Recreation Center and YMCA locations in Toledo that will feature health screenings, fitness assessments, swimming, games, and use the facilities. The confirmed dates are 10 a.m. - noon, May 4 at the West Toledo YMCA; 11 a.m.-1 p.m., June 15 at the Wayman D. Palmer Community YMCA; 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., June 19 at the Downtown YMCA, and June 22 at the UT Recreation Center. More will be scheduled later this year. The YMCA will conduct a variety of indoor and outdoor group exercise classes at Toledo parks.

Challenge members will be encouraged to participate in the Metroparks Toledo Trail Challenge.

We will attempt to set a world record at 5 p.m., Aug. 4 for the largest simultaneous one-mile walk. The goal is to have as many people as possible start the walk from wherever they are and walk for a mile with friends, family, and neighbors. There will also be locations for people to walk in groups.
Cooking classes at the Toledo GROWs Robert J. Anderson Urban Agriculture Center, 900 Oneida St. and Market on the Green, 1806 Madison Ave.

The city will partner with the Toledo Lucas County Public Library on educational information about healthy eating, shopping, cooking, and other health-minded topics.
Featured participants:
  • Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz
  • Toledo City Council President Matt Cherry
  • Tricia Cullop, University of Toledo women’s basketball head coach
  • Dennis Hopson
  • Dr. Romules Durant, TPS Superintendent
  • Toledo City Councilman Peter Ujvagi
  • Meredith and Shaun Soleau
  • Kristian Brown, WTVG-TV, Channel 13
  • Mark Jacobs, Toledo City Paper publisher
  • Jeffrey Dempsey, president of Mercy Health St. Vincent Medical Center and Children’s Hospital
  • Randy Oostra, president and CEO of ProMedica
  • Andrew Kinsey, WTOL 11 anchor
  • Jay Hannah, WNWO NBC 24
  • Brigette Burnett, Buckeye Broadband
  • Monsignor Michael Billian
  • Rev. Donald Perryman
  • Toledo Fire Chief Brian Byrd
  • Toledo Police Chief George Kral
  • Erika White
  • Christina Rodriguez, executive director of Mom’s House Toledo
Community Partners:
  • Toledo Lucas County Public Library
  • Toledo-Lucas County Health Department
  • ProMedica
  • Mercy Health
  • Metroparks Toledo
  • City of Toledo Parks
  • YMCA
  • University of Toledo
  • ToleGO Bike Share
  • TARTA
Downtown Transportation Plan Survey

Take a moment to complete the Downtown Transportation Plan survey.

The city is seeking public input on the plan, which will take a comprehensive look at the transportation elements downtown and how to enhance economic development and residential space.

Toledo-Lucas County Health Department
Health officials remind parents to protect their children’s health by immunizing them against vaccine preventable childhood diseases. Vaccinations are the most effective way to prevent serious illness in children and adults. Those who are interested in having their children vaccinated are encouraged to contact their healthcare provider or visit the Health Department’s Shots 4 Tots ‘n Teens vaccine clinic schedule or call 419-213-4121.
Mark Your Calendars
Toledo Museum of Art
The Toledo Museum of Art is celebrating Slow Art Day Saturday, April 6 with yoga in the galleries, mindful art walks, and the opening of a new exhibition,  “Everything is Rhythm”: Mid-Century Art & Music. More at this link .
Warehouse District Cleanup

Join us at Maddie & Bella Coffee Roasters, 44 South St. Clair St. at 9 a.m., Saturday, April 6 for the Warehouse District Cleanup.
Child Abuse Prevention Month
On April 10 , Lucas County Children Services will conduct a social media campaign for “Wear Blue Day,” to encourage people to wear blue for child abuse and neglect awareness. The hashtag #OhioWearsBlue will be used, and photos of participants will be posted on the agency’s Facebook page. Submissions can be sent to  information@jfs.ohio.gov  or  information@co.lucas.oh.us.
Coffee with Cops
No agenda, no speakers. 9-11 a.m. Thursday, April 11 at Westbrook Senior Village , 715 South Holland Sylvania Rd. Just a chance to sit and talk with officers about issues that concern you. Questions? Contact Community Services at 419-936-3444.
TMACOG Public Transportation Meeting
“On the Move: 2045 Transportation Plan – Update 2020" is the update of the Toledo region’s long-range transportation plan. The plan is the prioritized list of projects, initiatives, and policies that will guide transportation investments in the Toledo metropolitan area (Lucas and Wood counties in Ohio, and southern Monroe County in Michigan). The remaining meeting is 6:30 to 8 p.m., April 11 at the Adelante Center, 520 Broadway.
Abandoned and Forfeited Motor Vehicle Auction

The Toledo Police Department will hold its first abandoned and forfeited motor vehicle auction of the year at 11 a.m., Saturday, April 13 .

The auction will be held at the Toledo Police Impound Lot, 198 Dura Ave. All vehicles will be sold AS IS (without any warranty) and all sales are final. There are no refunds for any reason. Most will have a salvage title. There will be approximately 80 cars, trucks, and motorcycles. Visit the Toledo Police web site at www.toledopolice.com to view a list of vehicles currently scheduled for auction.
2019 MLB Pitch Hit & Run

Join us 9 a.m.- 1 p.m., Saturday, April 20 at Fifth Third Field, for a FREE MLB Pitch Hit & Run competition for boys and girls, ages 7-14. This is a great event to help kids stay active--and it’s FREE! More info here.
By The Numbers
(year to date)
20,538 potholes filled
292 trees trimmed
114 water main breaks repaired
430,199 feet of sanitary sewers cleaned
5,326  feet of storm sewers cleaned
516,160 pounds of debris cleared with street sweepers
2,281 building inspections
1,555 contractor licenses
Toledo Threat
The Toledo Threat Women's Professional Development Basketball Team season starts soon! It is Toledo’s First Women’s Professional Basketball Team.

They are part of the WBDA (Women's Basketball Development Association).
The team's first annual fan festival is 3-5 p.m., April 28 at Owens Community College.

“Our fan festival will be a huge event where we invite the Toledo and Oregon community out to meet the Threat and see them in action,” said owner Sandi Brown. “There will be food, fun, games, music, and entertainment. The Toledo Threat will have an open practice following the event for anyone who wants to stay and watch.”

2019 HOME GAMES:
  • May 4 vs. Cleveland
  • May 25 vs. Grand Rapids
  • June 1 vs. Milwaukee
  • June 22 vs. Detroit
  • July 27 vs. Minneapolis

All home games will be played at Owens Community College and begin at 5 p.m.
Charitable Giving Campaign
The 2018 Charitable Giving campaign chairpersons accepted an award this week from the United Way of Greater Toledo for Best in Show, Best Labor/Management Partnership, Top Volunteerism.
Toledo In The News
Repair work at The Toledo Shipyard generates dozens of jobs and millions in revenue The Port of Toledo helps provide a living for thousands of people in our area. Hundreds of ships sail in and out of here every year loaded with everything from iron ore to grain. But it's not just the cargo that's paying big dividends for the region. It's also the work being done to keep those ships out on the water.

City council approves new laws for food truck operations in Toledo From Toledo to Waterville, food trucks are becoming a common sight in the area. "It's been a slow change, but I think they're more welcome now," said co-owner of Rosie's Italian Grill Phil Barone. Along with his Toledo restaurant, Barone also runs its Rolling Chef food truck. Since getting on the road a few years ago he says the food truck game has drastically expanded.

United Nations invites Lake Erie activists to speak about bill of rights The  Lake Erie Bill of Rights  charter initiative in Toledo is reaching the international stage. Two local organizers of the effort have been invited to the United Nations General Assembly in New York later this month to speak about their work during an Earth Day event. Markie Miller and Crystal Jankowski of Toledoans for Safe Water, the force behind the initiative approved by Toledo voters in February, are headed to the “Ninth Interactive Dialogue of the General Assembly on Harmony with Nature” on April 22.
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