Message from Mayor Kapszukiewicz |
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I understand some people may be concerned about getting vaccinated now that COVID-19 vaccines are available. Rest assured: safety is a top priority, and there are many reasons to get vaccinated. The COVID-19 vaccines currently available in the United States have been shown to be highly effective at preventing COVID-19.
Vaccinations in Phase 1B are expected to begin next week. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced a tiered system for offering vaccinations to the estimated 2.2 million people who are eligible for the vaccine under this phase, beginning with those who are 80 or older.
The week of Jan. 25, Ohioans 75 and older, and those with severe congenital or developmental disorders will be eligible. The week of Feb. 1, Ohioans 70 and older, and employees of K-12 schools will be eligible. The week of Feb. 8, Ohioans 65 and older will be eligible.
Please call The United Way of Greater Toledo’s 2-1-1 line to assist anyone who is disabled, multilingual, has no access to technology, or is experiencing technical difficulties.
Call the Area Office on Aging at 419-382-0624 for service available for older adults in our community.
Remember, COVID-19 vaccines are given by appointment only.
As you have heard me say many times: We are in this together and we will get through this together.
My family and I will register to be vaccinated as soon as possible, and I urge you to do the same. We can achieve victory over COVID-19 through vaccinations. Meanwhile, stay vigilant by wearing your mask in public, washing hands often, and avoiding gatherings.
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While we are dealing with the pandemic, city crews continue to deliver services. This week, we started a 10-day pothole repair blitz – a move to fill as many potholes as possible.
We repaired about 78,000 potholes last year and about 139,000 in 2019. Pothole patching soon will not be needed on such a large scale in Toledo, because we will begin our long overdue residential repaving program in the spring.
Last year, we resurfaced less than three miles of residential streets. Over the next four years, we will repair more than 40 miles of residential streets each year, made possible by the temporary, 0.25-percent income tax you approved in November.
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Finally, I would like to remind everyone to join us virtually for the 2021 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Celebration.
Dr. King once said "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."
We are living in a time of challenge and controversy, and I believe his message of unity resonates very strongly today. The details for the event Monday can be found at this link and below.
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Public Utilities Senior Water Discount |
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The senior water discount program is available to primary, single-family, and owner-occupied residences of Toledo. Homeowners must be 65 or older, or totally and permanently disabled.
Applications can be found online or by calling customer service at 419-245-1800.
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Free Monthly Bulk Refuse Pickup |
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City employees at the Hoffman Road Landfill were hit hard by COVID-19 last year, yet they managed to safely process more volume at the site than it has received in more than two decades.
“Trash disposal is often a thankless job because it happens behind the scenes and out of the limelight,” said Scott Lockhart, a senior professional engineer for the city. “Yet, it happens five days a week, 52 weeks a year, no matter what.”
The landfill team didn’t stop working or slow down. They safely handled 198,550 tons of solid waste and demolition debris in 2020 – the highest amount of tonnage at the landfill in more than 20 years.
“With more people at home, household trash volumes were up 19.5 percent last year over 2019,” Mr. Lockhart said. “Demolition debris hauled by city crews totaled the most since 2017 – nearly 40,000 tons. The landfill team also held three free disposal days last year for Toledo residents.”
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Toledo’s historic Ottawa Park Ice Rink will open for the season at 5 p.m., today, Jan. 15.
“If you are looking for a healthy, outdoor activity this winter, you need to go no further than the corner of West Bancroft Street and Parkside Boulevard in Toledo to enjoy ice skating at its best,” said Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Commissioner Karen Ranney Wolkins. “In its 52nd season of operation, the Ottawa Park Ice Rink has made adjustments to make your experience as safe as possible.”
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2021 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Celebration |
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The City of Toledo's Human Relations Commission and the University of Toledo will co-host the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Celebration beginning at 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 18.
Join us at this link or on Facebook Live, facebook.com/cityoftoledo, for a special virtual celebration featuring keynote speaker and author, Austin Channing Brown in celebration of Blackness and recognizing the possibility of racial justice in organizations and communities.
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There will also be community read events hosted by local organizations reading and discussing Austin Channing Brown’s NY Times bestselling book, “I’m Still Here.” Please join one or more of the upcoming community reads:
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By The Numbers
(year to date)
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709 potholes filled
30 water main breaks repaired
43,408 feet of sanitary sewers cleaned
100 feet of storm sewers cleaned
76,520 pounds of debris removed from alleys
42 trees trimmed
14 illegal signs removed
323 building inspections completed
309 contractor licenses issued
238 fire runs
1,980 EMS runs
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