Message from Mayor Kapszukiewicz
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I want to start by thanking everyone in Toledo for joining me this week in observing the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 attack. The
names of 2,983 people
— the victims who died in the crash in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, at the Pentagon, and at the World Trade Center, in addition to the victims from the first World Trade Center bombing in 1993 — were recited during a moving ceremony Wednesday in New York. Remembering the victims and their sacrifices is paramount for Toledo. As a community, we extend our love and support.
It is always a difficult anniversary for those of us who were alive on that Tuesday, 18 years ago. It is also a struggle for our children to learn about the attacks that claimed nearly 3,000 lives. As we go forward as a nation, I am continuously moved by the bravery and intrepidity of the American people.
Even as we pause this week to look back on the events of Sept. 11, we also strive to move forward on myriad of issues we face as a city — some good and some challenging. I read with dismay Thursday that the Trump administration announced
the repeal of a major clean water regulation
, which limited the polluting chemicals that could be used near streams, wetlands, and other bodies of water — just like the beautiful waterways that run through our region before flowing into Lake Erie. The lake is the source of drinking water for more than 500,000 people in the Toledo region alone. I call on President Trump to reconsider his repeal of the "Waters of the United States rule," which has served since 2015 to protect one of our most precious natural resources.
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Also this week, we celebrated
Rocket Week
— the annual recognition of the University of Toledo's prowess, both on the athletic field and in the classroom.
Toledo is blessed to have such an outstanding university. The University of Toledo sets a high standard and I am proud the join everyone in our community when I say
Go Rockets
!
Throughout Rocket Week, and especially on Rocket Thursday, fans are encouraged to wear their Rocket gear or school colors midnight blue and gold in support of UToledo. I hope to see everyone at the home-opening football game of the Toledo Rockets, when they host Murray State at the Glass Bowl, tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 14 at 7 p.m.
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UT coaches, players, cheerleaders, and band members converged on Levis Square in downtown Toledo Thursday.
WATCH
Rocket Week continues through Saturday. Fly your UT Rocket flags at home and work. See you at the game! More at
utrockets.com/rocketweek
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Pothole Blitz
The Toledo crews working to fill every pothole in the city completed a massive blitz Friday, Sept. 13 — filling 125,232 potholes since the endeavor started in May.
City workers were temporarily reassigned from other tasks to conduct the pothole-repair blitz. Crews were taken off alley reconstruction, work, and street cleaning to conduct the systematic pothole blitz.
"We will continue to revisit open service orders and other known areas that need to be addressed," Public Service Director Paul Rasmusson said.
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Paving for Pizza
The city of Toledo received $10,000 from Domino’s last year and did a
"
Paving for Pizza week
"
in June. Domino’s corporate headquarters sent $5,000 and the other $5,000 came from the local franchises. The money paid to patch nearly 6,000 potholes. Thank you Domino’s!
Mill and Fill
The city "Mill and Fill" program, which began on April 22, is currently in Council District 1 on Melody lane at Hill Avenue. Paving is also in progress on South Terrace View at Richards Road and on Richards.
All streets identified for mill and fill in Districts 3, 4, 6, and 5 have been completed.
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The overhaul of Danny Thomas Park in Toledo’s Old South End, thanks to a $2 million investment by the Cal Ripken, Sr., Foundation, is quickly progressing.
The new youth development park will feature a 75,000-square-foot synthetic turf field for baseball, soccer, and football games and practices. The facility will serve as the central location for the YMCA of Greater Toledo and the Believe Center’s youth programs.
The foundation began building youth development parks in cities across the nation in 2010. Danny Thomas Park will be the first in Ohio.
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Solheim Cup
2019 (and 2021)
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Toledo is already getting ready for
Solheim Cup 2021
and we will have some exciting news soon.
The first 50 people to arrive will get a free Solheim 2021 pin.
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Ottawa Park Summer Concert
Join us for an another exciting concert
THIS SATURDAY, Sept. 14,
at the Ottawa Park Amphitheater, 2205 Kenwood Blvd, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
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Health Department Promotes Farmers Market
The Creating Healthy Communities program at the Toledo Lucas County Health Department encourages community members to purchase and eat fresh fruits and vegetables, while they’re in season. A farmers market will take place
1 - 5 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 17
at the East Toledo Family Center, 1020 Varland Ave.
The Toledo Farmers Market staff will be on-site to assist with those individuals using SNAP benefits. WIC farmer’s market coupons and Senior Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program coupons will be accepted, in addition to those paying with cash.
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Water Affordability Workshop
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The ProMedica Financial Opportunity Center and the city of Toledo will hold a free water affordability workshop,
5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 18
at 1806 Madison Ave.
The session will help attendees:
- Experience how money management skills can improve your sense of wellbeing.
- Schedule an appointment for a financial “check-up.”
- Learn new ways to get on track and stay current with utility bills.
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Momentum is a three-day festival in downtown Toledo centered on our revitalizing waterfront along the Maumee River. Momentum celebrates the transformative vibrancy of the arts for our city and region by supporting local creatives and inviting international artists to perform and exhibit in Toledo.
The 2019 Momentum festival will be held
Sept. 19-21
, encompassing Promenade Park and activating spaces linked to Imagination Station Toledo
From
5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., Sept. 19
, watch live glassblowing as artists work together at Gathered Glassblowing Studio, 23 North Huron St., to create Keys to The City. Eight artists will be creating six keys each to be awarded to individuals by the city, with one complete set to be permanently installed in the mayor’s office later this fall. More details at
this link
. Additional information available at
momentumtoledo.org
.
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Welcoming Week: Community Picnic
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Welcoming Week is on Sept. 14-23, and partnering with
Welcome Toledo-Lucas County
, Women of Toledo is taking the lead at hosting a community picnic
11 a.m to 3 p.m. Saturday,
Sept. 21
at Picnic Shelter #1, Olander Park, Sylvania.
Building on our desire to learn from and about our community members, and incorporating our belief that diversity is more than skin deep; our goal for the picnic is
to bring together immigrants, refugees, expatriates, and U.S.-born residents in a spirit of unity to build strong connections across the community and affirm the benefits of welcoming everyone – including new Americans. More info at
this link
.
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By The Numbers
(year to date)
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147,164
potholes filled
199
water main breaks repaired
1,266,459
feet of sanitary sewers cleaned
42,242
feet of storm sewers cleaned
2,252,570
pounds of debris cleared from streets with street sweepers
5,009,076
pounds of debris cleared from alleys
2,026
illegal signs removed
959
trees trimmed
6,896
building inspections
1,959
contractor licences
4,659
fire runs
37,505
EMS runs
26,646
inspections violations issued
$5,095,632
matching dollars leveraged for homeless providers
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Glass City Dog Park Celebrates Five Years
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Created as a safe place to allow dogs the ability to run free and socialize with other dogs,
Glass City Dog Park
has become much more than a place for dogs to burn off excess energy. The park has become a community unto itself, where members take care of the park, fellow dogs, and community members! The friendships that have blossomed as a result of the park have been nothing short of amazing.
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Toledo on full display at Solheim Cup in Scotland
PERTHSHIRE, Scotland — “Toledo, Spain?” a Brit with a thick accent asked incredulously. “Nope, Toledo, Ohio,” Inverness member Dick Ressner replied. Toledo, Ohio, indeed. The Glass City is omnipresent this week at Gleneagles, with a booth promoting the city and the 2021 Solheim Cup occupying prime real estate near the 2,200-seat first tee arena.
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