Message from Mayor Kapszukiewicz
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We had a
news conference
this week explaining the logistics of our road repair program should Issue 1 pass.
As
this article
explains, 60 percent of the roads funding would go toward reconstruction and 40 percent would go toward resurfacing. This is a meaningful repair program rather than just the Band Aids the city has been forced to live with for years. We do not want to keep fixing potholes year after year. We want to fix the problem.
We are putting a focus on fixing the worst roads, which is something the city has avoided in the past because of the exorbitant cost. The city for many years in the past has used Band-Aids,
and applied top layers of asphalt on our roads, rather than doing the proper reconstruction where needed. Because of that, many roads are now in such terrible shape. With Issue 1, we will have the funding to complete full reconstructions of roads that the city has avoided fixing because of the triage mentality the city government has had to use for many years.
Many have asked about the state gas tax, and questioned why that funding won't cover the cost. That additional revenue is helpful but it is nowhere near what we need to fix the roads. It is $5 million, and it is intended for maintaining roads with things like crack sealing. In contrast, the passage of Issue 1 would provide eight times more funding to fix our roads ($40 million every year for a decade). And remember, Issue 1 requires that this new money for roads be spent on roads -- and it can't be transferred back to the general fund.
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We are excited for the start of the 10th annual Restaurant Week in
Toledo
on Feb. 24. Share your Restaurant Week adventures on social media and use the Libbey sponsored
#CelebrateRWT20
hashtag to be entered to win a $200 gift card to Libbey Glass Factory Outlet!
Find more information at
restaurantweektoledo.com
. Forty participating restaurants can be sorted by location and meal type.
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The next Wednesdays with Wade will be
4:30 to 6 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 26
at the Birmingham Branch Library, 203 Paine Ave.
Residents and business owners are encouraged to ask questions on any topic, meet neighbors, and learn about city projects. The meetings are held at different library branches throughout the city.
The city of Toledo supports the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, please contact Joan Easler, ADA coordinator, at 419-245-1059.
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AT&T Toledo Smart Cities Hackathon
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Interested in making Toledo a smarter city and solving some of the biggest problems facing our region? Register for the AT&T Toledo Smart Cities Hackathon, in partnership with the Toledo Lucas County Public Library, happening
Feb. 22-23.
Hackathon teams will compete for prize money while finding solutions to issues like access to clean water and transportation in the Toledo area.
If you’re not interested in hacking, but still want to watch the action, you are welcome to take part in the opening and closing sessions.
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Battle of the Badges – TPD vs. TFD Basketball Game
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The second annual Battle of the Badges is coming back to Savage Arena! Come out to the University of Toledo at
2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 29
for the Rockets game against Ball State.
Immediately following the Toledo game, the Police and Fire departments will play in the Battle of the Badges for the ultimate bragging rights.
Tickets are available and
on sale now
for $11. $5 from every ticket sale goes to the charity of each departments choice.
Use promo code "POLICE" for the Toledo Police Patrolmans' Association.
Use promo code "FIRE" for the Toledo Firefighters Local 92.
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16th Annual Seed Swap
The Toledo GROWS 16th Annual Seed Swap is coming up! It's
12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 29
at Scott High School.
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How can we help you? The Engage Toledo app lets you make service requests 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays. We are committed to customer service.
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By The Numbers
(year to date)
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14,480
potholes filled
52
water main breaks repaired
242,503
feet of sanitary sewers cleaned
2,743
feet of storm sewers cleaned
496
illegal signs removed
158
trees trimmed
1,181
building inspections
1,081
contractor licenses
116,689
gallons of brine used
13,689
tons of salt used
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Celebrate Black History Month
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This week, we highlighted former
Tol
edo Public Schools
Superintendent Crystal Ellis, who started at the district in 1969 and retired in 1996 after more than six years in the top spot. He was the first African-American to hold the top job in the district. Crystal is a true trailblazer, a dynamic man, and a great educator. View more on the city’s
twitter account
.
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TFD diversity
Toledo Fire & Rescue Department is making great strides.
Toledo firefighter turned tailor helps TFRD save money, prevent cancer
Firefighters save lives, and the last thing they need to worry about is whether their gear will keep them safe. "It used to be the dirtier your gear the better because it proved you were a fireman's fireman," said firefighter Brett Langston. Now, firefighters in-training are taught to keep their gear as clean as possible to prevent cancer.
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