Glass City Jungle

The below was received via e-mail from Toledo City Council District 2 Councilman D. Michael Collins in his November 2009 newsletter:

A message from Councilman Collins:
Greetings:
As we enter into this Holiday season, while we have challenges that cannot be denied, we also have opportunities to make this season a very special experience – both personally and with our loved ones. Thanksgiving is a period of uniting and reuniting, not only with family and friends but also the privilege of living in this great nation. Without a doubt our lives have become far more complicated than that of which was the experience of our founding fathers.

In this issue of Collins Corner, you will find information related to the City of Toledo’s transition to automated refuse collection, including dates of upcoming public meetings that I will host in District 2, as well as updated information about the annual leaf pick-up and my personal opinion about Mayor Finkbeiner’s 2010 proposed budget that he presented earlier today.

In closing, as my family gathers around the table this Thanksgiving I will be giving thanks for many blessings in my life. Having the privilege to serve the citizens of District 2 and represent your voice on City Council has truly been one of the biggest blessings of all. THANK YOU

District 2 – Public Meetings on the City of Toledo’s Transition to Automated Refuse Collection
TOMORROW – November 18, 2009
There will be a representative from the Division of Solid Waste present at these meetings to give an overview of the new Automation refuse and recycling program that will begin in the City of Toledo in the month of December. There will also be time allotted for a Q&A session. I hope you can join me at one of these meetings. If not, and you have questions about this transition that you would like answers to, please feel free to contact me at my City Council office.

November 18, 2009 @ 1:30PM
Margaret Hunt Senior Center, 2121 Garden Lake Parkway
November 18, 2009 @ 6:30PM
The University of Toledo Health Science Campus, 3000 Arlington
Avenue, Health Education Building, Room #100
(Any questions, call me at City Council at 419.245.1050)

Don’t Forget to “LEAP Forward”

I just wanted to offer a friendly reminder that under the City of Toledo’s LEAP Forward Refuse & Recycling Program, we are scheduled to leap forward two more times during the month of November. Thanksgiving, and the day after Thanksgiving are both considered holidays for the City of Toledo and therefore no refuse collection throughout the city will occur on those two days.

This will also occur in the month of December for Christmas Eve, and Christmas.

Again, when that time comes, you will leap forward two days for two holidays, not one.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns regarding this, or any other matter you can always call my office at 419.245.1050 and it will be my pleasure to assist you.

Mayor Finkbeiner presents Toledo City Council with his 2010 “Balanced Budget” Proposal

Yesterday, Mayor Finkbeiner presented his 2010 “balanced budget” proposal. The mayor balanced this budget based upon the following revenue assumptions:
• $2 million dollars in delinquent income tax collections
• $12 million dollars by eliminating the income tax credit for residents of the City of Toledo who work outside the City of Toledo and pay income taxes to other jurisdictions
• $18.2 million dollars by imposing a refuse fee of $16.00 per household, per
month
• $14.9 million dollars from the State of Ohio
• $16.3 million dollars from property taxes
• $1.2 million dollars in interest income
The budget also calls for a class of 40 firefighters to begin in January 2010 and a class of 40 police officers to begin in September 2010.

My commitment to public safety will not be compromised, however I will not support the refuse fee OR the tax credit adjustment. I strongly feel the Finkbeiner Administration has fallen short of utilizing internal budget and cost-adjustments, which are needed in order
to create a greater level of efficiencies in the delivery of our core services.

Leaf Collection

The City of Toledo is currently collecting leaves in the 43614 and 43615 zip codes. In an effort to ensure that your leaves are collected,
please have your leaves raked to the curb.

Given the current financial challenges that our city is facing, there will not be multiple collections this year.

Once a zip code has been completed, residents are encouraged to mulch leaves and use them in their yard and gardens. If you wish, you can bag the leaves and place them at the curb for refuse collection.

CONGRATULATIONS!

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Mayor-elect Michael P. Bell, along with Councilmen-elect Rob Ludeman and Adam Martinez on their victories in the November election.

The Lights Before Christmas At The Toledo Zoo

November 20th through December 31st
.
When I think of the holidays in Toledo, I always think of The Lights Before Christmas at the Toledo Zoo. In my opinion this is A MUST
SEE! For more details visit their website at http://www.toledozoo.org/