Message from Mayor Kapszukiewicz |
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I was thrilled this week to kick off the repaving of the first unimproved street to be fixed during our 2021 residential road repaving program.
The roads program this year is historic not just because of the amount of resurfacing and repair it will accomplish, but also because it will include unimproved streets too. In the past, resurfacing was limited to just improved streets, which unfairly excluded the roughly 15 percent of Toledo streets that lack curbs and sewers.
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Thanks to the Toledo Roads Levy approved last year, now all Toledo streets have the opportunity to be properly resurfaced, which will help make every neighborhood in Toledo stronger and more livable. Remember, this is a multi-year program. The list of all streets scheduled to be repaved or reconstructed this year is posted at toledo.oh.gov/roads.
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We had more good neighborhoods news this week with the demolition of the former Driggs Dairy at Grand and Detroit avenues.
That was a proactive step in our strategy for vacant land re-use and smart land assembly. Too many neighborhoods in Toledo are impacted by abandoned industrial or commercial sites that contribute to blight, declining property values, and crime, and that is why we are razing this building while also encouraging the redevelopment of vacant property across our community, like we did at Southwyck and like you will soon see at the former North Towne Square Mall property.
The demolition is just a small part of our strategy to enhance neighborhoods with environmental cleanups, demolitions, and restorations of abandoned sites.
I want to thank council members John Hobbs, III, Vanice Williams, and Cerssandra McPherson, and neighborhood activist K. LaVerne Redden, for joining me Tuesday for the announcement. I am confident that the demolition will produce a positive outcome for that neighborhood, including increased property values and public safety improvements.
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Finally this week, I urge everyone to take a moment to remember the more than 5,300 American workers who died in 2019 alone. I was honored Wednesday to join the United Labor Committee to commemorate the lives lost and to mark Workers’ Memorial Day, which this year also fell on the 50th anniversary of the very important Occupational Safety and Health Act.
You will see small American flags placed along the Anthony Wayne Trail near South Avenue – 5,200 of them – to connote the average number of workers killed on the job in the United States every year. I believe that number can and should be zero – all it takes is proper training, proper regulation, and if everyone had the benefit of being represented by a union. There is no reason that anyone should be injured or have to lose his or her life performing the work they choose to do.
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If you received the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, both require two doses to be fully vaccinated. Don't delay. Get your second dose as close to the recommended interval as possible. |
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Fifty fire recruits reported today to the Toledo Fire & Rescue Training Academy on the Owens Community College Campus to begin day one of six-month fire academy.
The recruits reporting make up the most diverse recruit class the Toledo Fire & Rescue Department has had in sometime, including, 13 females (2 Black/African American, 2 Hispanic/Latino, 9 White/Caucasian) and 37 males, (1 Asian, 1 Lebanese, 16 Black/African American, 5 Hispanic/Latino, 14 White/Caucasian).
"I'm very proud of the recruitment efforts that have yielded such a diverse recruit class," Fire Chief Brian Byrd said. "This is the most diverse recruit class the Toledo Fire & Rescue Department has ever achieved without a court order. I would like to thank the many community partners including the University of Toledo, Owens Community College, Toledo Public Schools as well as our community leaders, organizations, and businesses who have supported our recruitment efforts."
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Engage Toledo Drop Off Refuse and Recycling Event |
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The next free refuse and recycling drop-off event of 2021 will be 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, May 1 at Riverside Elementary, 500 Chicago St.
Acceptable items include electronic waste; up to 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. Televisions and CRT monitors will be accepted. Major appliances will not be accepted.
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The Human Relations Commission along with The MultiFaith Council of Northwest Ohio, Community Solidarity Response Network of Toledo, NAACP Toledo Branch, YWCA of Northwest Ohio, The Toledo Symphony, and The Toledo Opera, is hosting a Gathering for Peace from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m., Sunday, May 2 at the Ottawa Park Kenwood Pavilion.
The event serves as a safe space for a time of reflection, prayer, song and conversation regarding violence in our community. Resource tables, food bags, art, and activities for children will be available. Participants are encouraged to bring their own seating if picnic tables are not comfortable enough.
The Toledo Symphony and the Toledo Opera will begin playing at 2:30 p.m. with a short program beginning at 3 p.m.
Masks and social distancing required.
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Virtual Wednesdays with Wade |
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Join us for another virtual "Wednesdays With Wade" at 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 5 with Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz at facebook.com/cityoftoledo.
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By The Numbers
(year-to-date)
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31,270 potholes filled
204 water main breaks repaired
546,627 feet of sanitary sewers cleaned
6,908 feet of storm sewers cleaned
556,443 pounds of debris cleaned from streets with street sweepers
823,140 pounds of debris removed from alleys
546,443 pounds of debris removed by the Clean Toledo blight team
1,127 tires collected by the Clean Toledo blight team
942 trees trimmed
588 illegal signs removed
3,262 building inspections completed
1,214 contractor licenses issued
1,944 fire runs
16,724 EMS runs
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