Message from Mayor Kapszukiewicz
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As many know, we had terrible news in city government this week. Four members of Toledo City Council
were arrested
. I was heartbroken, disappointed, and angry when I learned that news, and I believe it hurts us all.
As I
said this week
, I was inspired to run for public office by a Catholic priest, Fr. Timothy O’Brien, who impressed upon me the benefits of a life dedicated to serving the public good. Because of his mentorship, I have no tolerance for public officials who abuse the trust of the citizens. One of the reasons Toledo has seen relatively little political corruption, historically, is because the public doesn’t tolerate it either.
I encourage all Toledoans to say a prayer for our city and for the hope that justice will be done in this case.
Home at Last
Toledo Neighborhoods Director Rosalyn Clemens and I were proud this week to announce the creation of the city’s “
Home at Last Program
,” which offers down payment assistance for eligible first-time home buyers. The program, which was launched to commemorate National Homeownership Month, is another strong effort we are making toward helping neighborhoods.
Homeownership plays an extremely important role in our city and the Home at Last program is another tool my administration is using to assist our residents, and to create and sustain healthy neighborhoods. This program follows the implementation of the
Emergency Microenterprise Recovery Grant
t
o aid in the economic recovery of microenterprises negatively impacted by COVID-19 and the
Emergency Rental Assistance Fund
to help renters.
Home at Last is designed to help income-eligible residents who have never owned a home get over the finish line with down payment and closing assistance. All of the details can be found at
toledo.oh.gov/home-at-last
.
You will see more efforts later this year to help neighborhoods.
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COVID-19 cases are again increasing.
I urge everyone to stay safe and follow the guidelines. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine yesterday said seven counties across the state have been placed on “Alert Level 3” under a new coronavirus alert system. The governor asked residents in those counties to “consider necessary travel only.” While Lucas County is not among those seven counties, we must remain vigilant and practice some common sense measures to stay safe: wearing a face covering in public, avoiding large gatherings of people, and regular hand-washing.
As the governor said, please consider online options, perhaps even for church services.
Our state is also
requiring school staff
to wear face coverings when school resumes in the fall, and is strongly recommending students in third grade and up wear masks.
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Finally this week, I want to wish everyone a happy and safe Independence Day.
Our nation’s Founding Fathers gathered in a hot, stuffy room in Philadelphia 244 years ago and created a new system for how people should govern themselves. Our Constitution is the world's oldest, continually active constitution. The rest of the world looks to us as an example of how representative Democracy should work, and that is why what we do in the United States matters so much.
While we cannot celebrate with parades and firework displays, as we have in the past, I hope everyone will reflect on how our nation can move forward together with respect and appreciation for the many different races, religions, and customs that make our country so great.
Happy Independence Day and God Bless Toledo.
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Toledo-Lucas County Health Department
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2020 Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award
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The City of Toledo's Office of Diversity and Inclusion and the Engineering Services Division are the "Local Public Agency of the Year" winners for the 2020 Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award from the Ohio Department of Transportation.
“The city of Toledo is grateful to be honored with the Local Public Agency of the Year Award for 2020," said Matthew L. Boaz, director of Diversity and Inclusion for the city. "We will celebrate this recognition while continuing to provide opportunities to disadvantaged businesses as we strive for inclusive excellence within our programs and services!”
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Free Summer Lunch Program for Children
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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.
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Join us at
7:30 p.m., Thursday, July 9
at Navarre Park, 1001 White St., for Toy Story 4 in the park.
Bring a blanket and enjoy a movie under the stars! Physical distancing protocols will be followed.
The city of Toledo supports the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability to fully participate in this event, please contact ADA Administrator Joan Easler, City of Toledo Office of Diversity and Inclusion, at 419-245-1059.
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July 11 Drop Off Refuse and Recycling
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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
.
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By The Numbers
(year to date)
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55,570
potholes filled
1,543,967
pounds of debris cleared from streets with street sweepers
1,498,967
pounds of debris cleared from alleys
115
water main breaks repaired
733,192
feet of sanitary sewers cleaned
7,608
feet of storm sewers cleaned
472
trees trimmed
1,112
illegal signs removed
4,025
building inspections completed
1,471
contractor licenses issued
2.994
fire runs
25,079
EMS runs
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Toledo-created play recognized in Chicago
Even five years after premiering on Broadway, people are still talking about Hamilton’s artistry, diversity, well-crafted songs, and relevant political themes — which were thrust even more in the spotlight after the 2016 election.
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