Toledo News

The Lucas County Commissioners, Pete Gerken, Tina Skeldon Wozniak and Carol Contrada, Toledo Mayor Mike Bell and Council President Joe McNamara came together today to announce the next initiative in City/County cooperation. The City of Toledo and the Lucas County Board of Commissioners have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to seek proposals for a Joint Material Recovery Facility (MRF) in the City of Toledo.  The objective of the MRF is to receive and process single stream recyclables from the City of Toledo and recyclables from the dual stream as collected by the Solid Waste Management District. 

City offices will be closed Friday, December 23rd and Monday, December 26th in observance of the Christmas Eve and Christmas holidays.  Offices will reopen for regular business at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, December 27th.

Toledo Mayor Michael P. Bell and City Councilwoman Lindsay Webb (D-District 6) today announced a plan to acquire and demolish the former North Towne Square mall and prepare the land for future development.  The project would not use city general fund money, but instead would rely on U.S. EPA Transitioned Brownfield Revolving Assistance Grant dollars administered by the city’s Division of Environmental Services. The same fund was tapped to demolish the former Southwyck Mall in 2009.

Derrick Diggs was sworn-in as the Chief of the Toledo Police Department at a ceremony this morning in City Council Chambers. Diggs succeeds Chief Michael Navarre who retires today after 34 years of service to the City of Toledo. 

Toledo Police Chief Mike Navarre has announced that he will retire from the department on October 21, 2011. Chief Navarre, 55 years old, was appointed to the police department on July 12, 1977. He was appointed Chief of Police in May of 1998 by then Mayor Carleton S. Finkbeiner, after the departure of Chief Gerald T. Galvin who was appointed to the chief’s position in Albuquerque, New Mexico that year.

The Toledo Civil Service Commission established the 2011 Fire Fighter Eligibility List on September 9, 2011. The list is available online by visiting the Human Resources web page. 

The City of Toledo and its partners today unveiled a five acre solar field on the grounds of its Collins Park Water Treatment Plant on the city’s east side. The project, which began in 2010 is the culmination of $5.2 million in public/private partnership investment to bring clean, alternative energy to the city while reducing energy consumption costs for the plant.

Toledo Mayor Michael P. Bell and Lucas County Commission President Pete Gerken today signed a regional service sharing agreement to provide refuse and recycling services to the city of Toledo through the Lucas County Solid Waste Management District. The County will contract with Republic Services, formerly Allied Waste, to provide collection services.

Luis Santiago was sworn-in as the Chief of the Toledo Fire and Rescue Department at a ceremony this morning in Chub de Wolfe Park. Santiago succeeds Chief Michael Wolever who retired July 1 after 33 years of service to the City of Toledo.

The Toledo Fire & Rescue Department will accept applications for the next fire civil service exam beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 7, 2011 at the Fire Administration building located at 545 N. Huron St. in downtown Toledo. The department is expecting to hire a class of at least 25 probationary firefighters in late 2011.

CLICK HERE to proceed to the online application.

The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Day celebration started out 10 years ago as an idea to bring the city together on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. It now has become the largest community event in the area to celebrate the activist’s memory and vision.

Mayor Michael P. Bell today released the 2011 Operating Budget at a press conference that included his administration’s finance staff, Safety Director, Police and Fire Chiefs and other directors. The Mayor made clear that 2011 again poses fiscal challenges for the city, noting an environment of increased expenditures and declining resources, but also emphasized that the budget includes no new or increased general fund taxes or fees.

City of Toledo Director of Finance, Patrick McLean, today announced the city’s projections for major revenue sources in the 2011 budget cycle. The city anticipates a 2.6% increase in income tax collections although property and estate taxes along with state revenue sharing will more than offset those gains leaving the city with nearly $1.6 million less in revenue for 2011 than 2010.

The City of Toledo will begin its 2010 Leaf Collection Program on Monday, November 1, and conclude early December, weather permitting.

The Village of Ottawa Hills has initiated discussions with the City of Toledo to provide fire and emergency medical service in the Village. The two parties are ready to move forward with implementing legislation in the near future.  The proposed agreement will benefit both communities, by providing excellent protection and service at a considerably reduced cost to the Village of Ottawa Hills, quicker response time for some Toledo residents and increased revenue for the city.

Mayor Michael P. Bell today joined Toledo Police Chief Michael Navarre and the Board of the Toledo Police Museum to announce the reopening of the museum at Ottawa Park. The historical museum will soon be located in the former Ottawa Park Nature Center.

The City of Toledo will once again offer the Garden Partners program in an effort to maintain urban beautification projects in neighborhoods throughout the city despite the recent budget challenges.

Today, Toledo Mayor Michael Bell attended a press conference held by Vice President Joe Biden in Washington, D.C. During the press conference, the Vice President announced that The Toledo Lucas County Port Authority will receive a $15 million Department of Energy grant to “ramp-up” energy efficiency building retrofits.

The City of Toledo will begin a targeted enforcement of the red light camera fines on May 1 as part of an effort to boost compliance and collect the outstanding citations that have not been paid.

The State Employment Relations Board (SERB) has declined the City of Toledo’s emergency request for designation of illegal strike based on their judgment that there was not a demonstrated continuing or recurring threat of illegal strike and that the action more appropriately constitutes pursuit of an unfair labor practice charge.

Following Judge Jensen’s ruling on the request by the Toledo Police Patrolmen’s Association for a Temporary Restraining Order against the City of Toledo enjoining enforcement of exigent circumstances, Mayor Michael P. Bell issued the following statement:

As of January 1, 2009 the City of Toledo is implementing a new trash collection system. Refuse collection days will move forward one business day after each city holiday, thus resulting in no weekend holiday collection.

Toledo, OH - Recognizing the hardship and pain of housing foreclosure, Mayor Carty Finkbeiner sent letters today to U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, U.S. HUD Secretary Steve Preston, Senator George Voinovich, Senator Sherrod Brown and Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, calling upon the Bush Administration to provide additional assistance for hurting Toledo families. 

Toledo, OH - Today was a great day for one of Toledo's great old buildings. The City of Toledo received a $3 million Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund (C.O.R.F.) grant to conduct remediation work on the former Fiberglas Tower.

Toledo, OH - Mayor Finkbeiner has released the attached statement, following the decision of AFSCME Local 7 to vote down the proposed new contract with the City of Toledo.

Toledo, OH - In recognition of University of Toledo Rockets Coach Tom Amstutz' spectacular success -- both on and off of the football field-- Mayor Finkbeiner has declared this Friday, November 28 as Tom Amstutz Day in the City of Toledo. Beginning on Thanksgiving Day, all Lamar electronic billboards across the City will beam a special message to Coach Amstutz, in appreciation for his place in Rockets history.

Toledo, OH - On Friday, November 21 Mayor Finkbeiner attended a meeting and presentation in Columbus at the Governor's Residence. Attendees included Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, Lt. Governor Lee Fisher, members of their staff and the Ohio Department of Development.

2008 Leaf Collection Schedule

Toledo, OH - Mayor Finkbeiner and several other Mayors from across the country sent a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, urging a prompt resolution to the proposed $25 billion bridge loan to the auto industry. The letter was sent from the office of Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero, and included endorsements from 13 Mayors.

Cleveland, OH - Mayor Carty Finkbeiner attended the 2008 Northern Ohio Minority Business Council banquet and awards ceremony in Cleveland, where he wasone of four Ohio mayors to be honored for their efforts in expanding minority-based businesses in their communities.

Toledo, OH - Mayor Finkbeiner and UAW Local 12 President Bruce Baumhower spent today in Washington, D.C., lobbying for Federal financial assistance to America's beleaguered auto industry. While there, they -- along with a group of about 40 Mayors, City Managers, and Labor Leaders -- met with Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, and Congressman John Dingell. Mayor Finkbeiner and Mr. Baumhower also met privately with Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown.

Toledo, OH - Mayor Carty Finkbeiner has released the following statement regarding his 2009 proposed Operating Budget.

Toledo, OH - This weekend, Mayor Finkbeiner and his wife Amy traveled to New York City to spend Friday night and Saturday as guests of Steve, Tim, Bob, and Kip Forbes and their families.

Toledo, OH - Good news for Toledoans looking to ease the burden of unpaid Code Enforcement citations.  Beginning October 1, 2008 individuals and businesses will have a chance to pay off their delinquent Code Enforcement citations as part of the city’s first ever Code Enforcement Amnesty Program.  This limited one-time offer will run through December 31, 2008.

Toledo, OH - Today Mayor Finkbeiner announced one of the most important economic development deals of 2008.

Toledo, OH - Today, Toledo City Council approved the appointment of Jerry Chabler to the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority Board.

Toledo, OH - In 2000, the Parent Community Partnership (part of Lucas County Family Council) founded Parent Week -- a seven-day celebration of the joys and challenges of parenting. This event focuses on the importance of strong parenting, and of the role of the entire community plays in keeping our children safe. Now in its 8th year, Parent Week is now celebrated across the entire state of Ohio, and endorsed by Governor Ted Strickland.

The Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commission is sponsoring a Planning and Development Forum featuring Ohio Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher as the keynote speaker. The forum will be held Tuesday, October 7th, 2008 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the McMaster Family Center for Lifelong Learning at the Main Library in Downtown Toledo.  The forum will include sessions on local and state planning and development issues and projects. Registration is required.

Toledo, OH - One house. A family of 13. Hundreds of volunteers. An incredible, high-energy week! 
Mayor Carty Finkbeiner and the City of Toledo are saying “Thank you” for everyone’s effort in building the new home for Toledo firefighter Aaron Frisch, his wife Jackie, and their 11 children for “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.”

Toledo, OH - In light of the sale of the Commodore Perry building today, Mayor Finkbeiner issues the following statement:

"The Commodore Perry was a strategic investment, acting as a catalyst for further redevelopment in a targeted area of the city.  The project was revitalized in the late '90s, and today is a solid, well-maintained building that provides housing to residents wishing to live in downtown Toledo.

Toledo, OH - The City of Toledo Department of Development recently delivered a $5000 Downtown Incentive Grant check to Don Mewhort, Sandra Hylant and Neal Mahoney, the new owners of Midland Title and Escrow at 401 Adams St.

Toledo, OH - The City of Toledo has introduced to City Council legislation towards finalizing its agreement with Perrysburg Township to develop a Joint Economic Development District (JEDD).

Toledo, OH - "I believe the announcement of Healthcare REIT’s move to Dana’s Headquarters in Toledo is a strategic move for both companies - and the best of a challenging era for Toledo, Dana and Healthcare REIT."

Toledo, OH - I accept full responsibility for the City’s desire and commitment to transform the former flea market at the Erie Street Market into a multi-purpose entertainment facility.  After a nationally recognized recording group was committed to coming to Toledo on August 2, the City worked night and day to prepare for the rededication of the hall.

Toledo, OH - Mayor Finkbeiner and Toledo Police Chief Mike Navarre announce the increase in the Toledo Police Class for 2008.  Thirty-three (33) men and women will be recruited for the Police class, scheduled to begin December 1.

Toledo, OH - Repeated storms have caused significant damage to trees city-wide. City of Toledo Forestry crews have been working exclusively on storm clean-up. Thank you for your patience as Forestry crews continue to perform storm clean-up. 

Toledo, Ohio - Read the letter Mayor Carty Finkbeiner and Toledo Public Schools Superintendent John Foley sent on Monday, July 14, 2008 to Executive Director Michael Shoemaker of the Ohio School Facilities Commission. The letter asks the Ohio School Facilities Commission to work with the District and the City of Toledo in maintaining the Scott High School building.

Toledo, Ohio - Below is text of a letter Mayor Carty Finkbeiner sent Thursday, July 10, 2008 to Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, and Senators George Voinovich and Sherrod Brown.  It asks for the U.S. Census Bureau to work with Toledo’s 2010 Everyone Counts Committee to ensure all locations where the City’s residents reside are counted.

Toledo, OH - On Monday, June 16, 2008 the first meeting of the Mayor’s Intermodal Advisory Committee was held.  The group discussed the focus of the meetings and organized the objectives to accomplish.

Toledo, OH - Recent storms have brought considerable damage to trees.  The City of Toledo Division of Forestry would like to remind Toledoans that Forestry crews are working to clear blocked streets, and removing trees from the public right of way.

Toledo, OH - Mayor Carty Finkbeiner today announced a ten-person committee to study where an Intermodal Transportation Hub could best be located, and how it can be financed.

Toledo, OH - The Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission has approved Toledo's application for $4.9 million grant for the Marina District Project.

Toledo, Ohio - Toledo Mayor Carty Finkbeiner has been appointed to Governor Strickland’s 21st Century Transportation Commission effective May 6.

Toledo, OH - Effective May 5, 2008, the City of Toledo will begin the next step in continuing improvements to refuse and recycling collection services provided to residents.

Toledo, OH - If you have ever considered hosting an event along Toledo's beautiful waterfront or in the downtown area... it's easier than you think!