Message from Mayor Kapszukiewicz |
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I want to thank everyone who attended the community town hall on gun violence Saturday at Scott High School or watched online.
“The Mayor's Initiative to Reduce Gun Violence” needs community members like those who attended the town hall on Saturday, and many more who have a desire to help stop the violence. We are taking steps that include expanding youth recreation programs – to a degree that Toledo has never before seen – to give young Toledoans better options. You will soon see an announcement on that endeavor. Prevention is one of the biggest aspects of redirecting kids away from violence.
We all want to see an end to gun violence and we all have a role to play.
The next community meeting for the initiative is set for 2 to 4 p.m., May 15 at Woodward High School. Register to attend at this link.
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I was thrilled this week to be joined by Lucas County Commissioner Gary Byers and Toledo Council Member Nick Komives to announce the creation of the Toledo Litter League, a community-wide, summer-long, litter cleanup and beautification initiative operated by Keep Toledo/Lucas County Beautiful.
This is another way we are endeavoring to keep Toledo and Lucas County beautiful and litter-free. Toledoans and Lucas County residents care deeply about their community, which is why I am certain this program will be a great success.
Toledo Litter League is a competitive, baseball-themed litter abatement program aimed at “striking out” litter in Toledo and Lucas County. Teams will consist of businesses, neighborhood groups, faith-based organizations, private clubs, civic organizations, and individuals. More information and how to sign up can be found at toledo.oh.gov/litter-league.
The “opening day” is Saturday, May 1 and it runs through Saturday, Aug. 31. I hope to see as many Toledoans as possible participate in this great initiative to clean up litter in our neighborhoods.
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The “VProject,” a community-based effort to vaccinate residents against COVID-19, announced a new phase of its initiative this week: a door-to-door effort to make vaccines more easily accessible.
Volunteers from The Movement grassroots organization will canvas Toledo neighborhoods to answer questions.
“We’re fighting an invisible ghost,” said The Movement organizer Tina Butts. “We’re going to turn every brick, every rock, we’ll be at every corner store... we’re going to have boots on the ground.”
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Grindhrs provides entertainment, hospitality, and coffee in a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community and allies. They offer a variety of classic coffee and espresso drinks with a creative twist.
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Engage Toledo Drop Off Refuse and Recycling Event |
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The first free refuse and recycling drop-off event of 2021 will be 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, April 24 at the Toledo Zoo, 2 Hippo Way.
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.
The city has partnered with The Ability Center of Greater Toledo for the event this Saturday, as well as May 15 at Rogers High School and June 19 at Scott High School. Durable medical equipment will be collected by The Ability Center on those three dates. A list of accepted items can be found at this link. The items will be sanitized by Ability Center staff and given to individuals with disabilities.
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Virtual Water Affordability Public Meeting |
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The City of Toledo Department of Public Utilities will hold a virtual water affordability public meeting at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 28.
The City of Toledo is preparing a Water Affordability Plan. The purpose of the plan is to develop a way to ensure that water and sewer service is available, and that all Toledo residents have access without feeling the need to make trade-offs between paying for water service and paying for other basic household necessities.
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By The Numbers
(year-to-date)
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30,350 potholes filled
202 water main breaks repaired
511,480 feet of sanitary sewers cleaned
3,588 feet of storm sewers cleaned
392,903 pounds of debris cleaned from streets with street sweepers
704,220 pounds of debris removed from alleys
422,940 pounds of debris removed by Clean Toledo blight team
1,006 tires collected by Clean Toledo blight team
930 trees trimmed
574 illegal signs removed
3,036 building inspections completed
1,195 contractor licenses issued
1,859 fire runs
15,813EMS runs
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Having recently announced a second year’s worth of tuition pledges for the post-secondary educations of a Toledo high school’s graduates, HOPE Toledo leaders say they have their eyes set on broader outcomes.
Every year, roughly 2,500 tons of garbage -- or five million pounds -- travel through our waterways and out into Lake Erie. But thanks to a new partnership and federal dollars, that number could soon be drastically reduced.
The University of Toledo’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion recognized its inaugural class of honorees in the Inclusive Wall of Honor ceremony on Thursday, April 8. The Inclusive Wall of Honor is intended to acknowledge individuals who have made significant contributions as employees or are exceptional alumni, said Willie McKether, PhD, vice president for Diversity and Inclusion and vice provost, as he opened the ceremony.
Bidding is open for the Toledo Police Department’s first abandoned and forfeited motor vehicle auction of the year. The online auction will close May 10. Auction items may be inspected on April 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Toledo police impound lot at 198 Dura Ave. For registration and bidding details or to view the list of auctioned vehicles, go to pamelaroseauction.com.
Do you want your beer to do more than just taste great? Well, Earnest Brew Works and The Toledo Zoo have just the beer for you. EBW and the Zoo have partnered to raise awareness for red pandas with a “Red Panda” Irish Red Cream Ale. Four packs of the 16-ounce cans will be available beginning Saturday, May 15 at the zoo, the brewery, and select retailers in the Toledo area.
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