Message from Mayor Kapszukiewicz |
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As you probably know, there was a shooting in Toledo over the weekend at a large gathering of people who had come together to celebrate the 4th of July holiday. The incident claimed the life of 17-year-old Stephon Johnson.
Senseless tragedies like this have become all-too-common, and what is especially alarming is that this problem is not unique to Toledo. Quite the contrary, it is happening in every big city across the country.
As this link explains, the sad scene we saw here played out in countless cities over the 4th of July weekend.
But just because we are dealing with a national problem doesn’t mean that we should tolerate it here in Toledo. We shouldn’t tolerate it, and we can’t accept it.
There isn’t a simple solution to this problem, but we all have a responsibility to do our part to make a difference.
For its part, the City of Toledo has made historic investments this year in youth programming and summer jobs initiatives. We are attacking the root causes of the problem by investing in neighborhoods and social infrastructure, and we are treating gun violence as the public health crisis that it is.
Most elected officials don’t adopt these approaches, because they don’t often produce immediate results. But the goal here is to solve the problem — not politicize it for short-term political gain.
This is a situation where we all need to work together, and we all need to be accountable. There is a role for the City of Toledo to play, and the City has stepped up with historic investments that will make a long-term difference.
But there is also a role to be played by faith leaders, mentors, teachers, coaches, family members, and others. We need to do this work together, and I know we will. Toledoans always do.
Finally, before I move on to the next topic, I must say a word about the incredibly heroic service provided by our Toledo Police Department that night. Anyone who has seen the body cam video of the incident knows that the officers who responded to the shooting are the dictionary definition of heroes — they ran TOWARD the gunfire in an effort to protect their fellow citizens.
Their actions saved lives — plain and simple — and Chief Kral and I could not be more proud of them.
In fact, all Toledoans should be proud of the excellence of our safety forces. As you know, I campaigned four years ago on a promise to increase the size of our police force, and we have made good on that promise.
While previous city administrations let the size of TPD shrink — in one case even taking the incredible step of laying off police officers — my administration has reversed this trend and added police officers to the street.
Police are only one part of the public safety solution, but they are a crucial part. The actions our officers showed over the weekend prove that point.
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I encourage Toledo families to research the process of claiming a one-time child tax credit that can mean thousands of dollars of additional income for Toledo families with children.
The tax credit, ranging from $3,000 to $3,600 per child, is available under President Biden’s American Rescue Plan Act. A family with three children ages 17 or younger, for example, may be eligible for more than $10,000 in additional income. With an income threshold of $75,000 per individual or $150,000 per married couple, a majority of Toledo families could be eligible for the credit. To receive the credits, residents must have filed federal tax returns for 2019 or 2020, or signed up to receive a stimulus check from the Internal Revenue Service. If their annual income is below the level required to file a tax return, all that is needed is to fill out and submit a simple form to receive the credit.
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Finally this week, I want to thank TARTA for its plan to provide free shuttle buses to and from the Toledo Jeep Fest downtown Aug. 6-8. I was happy to join the transit authority Thursday for the exciting announcement.
Toledo Jeep Fest, which started in 2016, will have its fifth edition this year. It was canceled in 2020 because of the pandemic, but I am thrilled the birthplace of the Jeep will once again host this great event, especially because this year is also TARTA’s 50th anniversary and Jeep’s 80th!
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2021 Road Repaving and Repair Program |
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The 2021 road repaving and repair program continues to move forward.
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The City of Toledo will repave 109 residential streets this year, which come to about 42 miles of street repaving. |
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Above are pictures showing a finished patch and seal project on South Cove Boulevard. We are able to mill a portion of the road that needed repair, versus the entire street. Once complete, we seal the entire road. This allows us to repair more roads faster and less expensively than a traditional mill and fill process. |
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How to become a licensed mobile food vendor in Toledo
Anyone selling from food from a truck, trailer, cart, or other mobile rigs must follow state, county, and city regulations regarding mobile food.
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Search the full list of things to do to find just the right activity for your child.
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Free Disposal Day at Hoffman Road Landfill and Free Engage Toledo Drop Off Refuse and Recycling Event This Saturday |
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The next free disposal day at the Hoffman Road Landfill and the next Engage Toledo Drop Off Refuse and Recycling Event are both Saturday, July 10.
The Hoffman Road Landfill will be open for free disposal to city residents from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday. The other free landfill disposal days this year are Aug. 7, Sept. 11, Oct. 23, and Nov. 27.
Toledo residents are permitted to bring a truck or trailer load of bulky solid waste items for free disposal to the landfill, 3962 Hoffman Rd. A list of materials that will not be accepted on free landfill days, and those that will be accepted for a fee, can be found at this link.
The free Engage Toledo Drop Off Refuse and Recycling event will be 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday at Keyser Elementary, 3900 Hill Ave.
Acceptable items include electronic waste; televisions and CRT monitors; up to 10 tires, on or off the rim, but no commercial tires; documents; clothing; toys; bulky items, and refuse. Latex paint will be accepted for $1 per gallon. Major appliances will not be accepted.
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TSA Dance Party Tuesdays in the Parks |
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Shake out the sillies Tuesday, July 13 while dancing your heart out to the live sounds of Toledo School for the Arts' Pop Music Combo and Glass City Steel Drum Band!
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Pop Music Combo
- 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at Ottawa Park
- 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Sleepy Hollow Park
Glass City Steel
- 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at Willys Park
- 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Bennett Park
- 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Wilson Park
- 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Jamie Farr Park
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Jazz in the Park at Drummond Woods Park |
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Join us for a free evening of jazz in the park. The next one will be at Drummond Woods Park, 3643-3699 Drummond Rd.
The show starts at 7 p.m., Thursday, July 15. Bring blankets and lawn chairs.
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By The Numbers
(year-to-date)
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46,150 potholes filled
231 water main breaks repaired
927,674 feet of sanitary sewers cleaned
11,523 feet of storm sewers cleaned
2,464,191 pounds of debris cleaned from streets with street sweepers
1,946,270 pounds of debris removed from alleys
1,488,083 pounds of debris removed by the Clean Toledo blight team
2,572 tires collected by the Clean Toledo blight team
1,102 trees trimmed
783 illegal signs removed
5,334 building inspections completed
1,389 contractor licenses issued
28,043 EMS runs
3,351 fire runs
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