I am not in the Councilmembers district, but, wanted to share the newsletter with those that are.
Collins
Corner
" Connecting
with the Constituents of District 2
Volume
1, Issue 1 - April 1, 2008
Toledo
City Council
One
Govt. Center Suite #2120
Toledo,
Ohio 43604
Office
Of:
D.
Michael Collins
Councilman
District
2
Legislative Aide:
Jenny Gogol
Council Committees
Law & Criminal Justice, Chair
Finance
& Budget, Vice-Chair
Env.,
Utilities & Public Service
Human Resources
Intergovernmental
Relations
Public
Safety
Zoning & Planning
CONTACT:
dmichael.collins@toledo.oh.gov
Phone:
419.245.1050
Fax:
419.245.1072
Welcome.......
to
my very first edition of Collins Corner, a quarterly electronic
newsletter designed to connect and reach out to the constituents of
District 2.
I
sincerely appreciate the trust and confidence you have placed with
me in allowing me the privilege to represent you on Toledo City
Council. These past three months have been challenging, yet
rewarding, and I feel that we have taken positive strides to not
only address current issues, but also most importantly to create
solutions that will be far-reaching into the future of our great
city.
The
concept of this newsletter is something that I felt extremely
important in maintaining. Not only in exchange of ideas, but to
also connect with the constituents who elected me to be their voice,
and to represent them. I sincerely hope you enjoy this innovative
concept, and will always welcome your thoughts, ideas, and
suggestions. My goal is to email quarterly newsletter updates,
however plan on emailing also when there are items on the agenda
that will warrant public hearings. I will notify you through this
email distribution list of the public meeting date, time and
location so that you have an opportunity to attend and testify for
the record your thoughts and views.
If
there is something that you would like me to include in this
newsletter, please feel free to contact me with your suggestions.
I
am very excited about serving the constituents of District 2
D.
Michael Collins
If
you are not able to make the public hearing, you can email me, and I
will make sure that your email gets submitted into the record. If
you know someone that would like to be added to this email list,
have him or her call me or email me at my City Council office.
In
closing, whether it is a tree that needs to be trimmed, a sidewalk
that needs to be repaired, a pothole that needs to be filled, or
holding the Administration's feet to the fire on issues such as
Southwyck, I am here to serve you.
Thank
you for allowing me the honor!
Collins
Corner
Volume
1, Issue 1 - April, 2008
On
January 2, 2008 D. Michael Collins was sworn in to office as the
next Council representative for District 2. Longtime family
friend, Judge Ruth Ann Franks, administered the oath of office,
while his wife Sandra Drabik and family members stood by his side.
Collins
Corner
Volume
1, Issue 1 - April, 2008
Pledge
to Recycle
I
am sure that you, like so many other constituents are concerned
about the legislation, which was passed on March 25, 2008 concerning
a new program for Solid Waste pick-up.
Let
me begin by explaining that this program, in my opinion, will be
very successful and reinforce the quality of life of our community
while protecting the infrastructure and will prove to be fiscally
responsible.
If
you currently recycle, and are enrolled with the City of Toledo to
receive the discount, then effective May 1, 2008 your discounted
recycling rate will be reduced to $2.00 per month. On May 1, 2009
your rate will again be reduced to $1.00 per month, and effective
May 1, 2010 you will not be charged any fees if you recycle.
If
you currently do not recycle, and wish to enroll in the City of
Toledo Recycling program so that you may start to receive the
discounted recycling rates, then click on the link below to enroll.
You will need to know your account number for your water bill when
you enroll. If you have any questions at any time, please contact
my office and we will be happy to help you enroll.
http://64.254.137.40/recycle/Pledge_Form.htm
2008
Budgets - Update
On
March 25, 2008 Toledo City Council passed the 2008 Operating Budget.
Now, we enter into discussions with the Administration for the 2008
Capitol Improvements Budget (CIP). There will be a public hearing
scheduled, most likely in the next three weeks, where the
Administration will present before City Council the various projects
that they would like to see funded in this budget.
This
meeting will fall under the "Committee of the Whole" category,
and will be a public meeting. Once I receive notification of a date
and time for this meeting, I will email you to make sure that you
are aware of this meeting incase you would like to testify.
The
Toledo Botanical Gardens
The
Toledo Botanical Gardens will hold their Annual Spring Plant Sale
the weekend of May 9-10. I encourage everyone to support this great
community resource.
Southwyck
Update
This
project is advancing and at the time of this newsletter the schedule
tentatively being presented is that all of the properties in the
complex will be leveled by the end of 2008. The new complex should
start taking shape in 2009, with a grand opening scheduled in the
spring of 2010.
Larry
Dillin, of the Dillin Corporation, is finalizing the business
arrangements with the current property holders, and has gone on
record to state that he will become the managing partner in this
very important project. In May 2008 Mr. Dillin will be going to the
retail convention in Las Vegas, Nevada to contract with commercial
enterprises both retail, and service-related to complete the plan.
Commitment
to
Neighborhood
Block Watches
I am a strong
supporter of The Neighborhood Block Watch program, and would
consider it an honor to speak at your Block Watch meeting. If you
are interested in having me speak, please call my City Council
office to schedule.
Haefner
Ditch Update
On Friday,
February 22, 2008 Mayor Finkbeiner held a press conference
announcing the groundbreaking of $1.4 million dollar improvement
project for Haefner Ditch. This will improve drainage to the
Florita, Longwood, Birdie, and Raynor areas. Above, Rocleen
Reihing, President of the Reynolds Corners Community Development
Corporation, speaks to the media about her willingness and
excitement
Insert Meeshawn Grahm photo from press
conference
Tornado
Warning Sirens
In
the next couple of weeks Lucas County Emergency Management Agency
will be placing 2 new warning sirens in our district. One will be
located at Highland Park, and the second near St. John's High
School on Airport Highway. The funding for this project comes out
of Homeland Security.
Red
Cross Regional
Distribution
Center
The
American Red Cross will begin construction this spring in The
Science Technology Corridor for a major distribution center, which
will serve more than 250 hospitals in Northwest Ohio and Southeast
Michigan. The overall project is estimated to be at $8.7million
dollars and at least 200 jobs will be retained.
Congresswoman
Kaptur is to be applauded for her commitment to this project.
Bowsher
All-American, Meeshawn Graham signs
Letter
of Intent to attend U of M
On February 13,
2008, Bowsher All-American, National Champion, and three-time Ohio
State Champion Meeshawn Graham signed a letter of intent to continue
her track & field career at the University of Michigan. I was
privileged to be able to witness her signing, and wish her all the
best .
The
Toledo Zoo
The
Toledo Zoo is expanding their parking lot for visitors and
employees. The parking lot will expand to the south side of Spencer
Street, and to date 15 homes have been removed and 4 additional
homes will also be removed. The project will be for the visitor
parking followed by a second phase for employee parking.
Projection
completion is scheduled for the fall of 2008.
Potholes
Division
of Streets, Bridges & Harbor - Pothole Repair
If
you see a pothole, please take a moment and either click on the
above link to report, or call or email me the location of the
pothole and I will report it to the Division of Streets, Bridges and
Harbor
ASAP
to ensure the issue is resolved.
Collins
Corner
Volume
1, Issue 1 - April, 2008
Unfortunately for residents of D-2 and the rest of the city, the councilman sees his primary duty as protecting the jobs, health care and myriad other benefits of the unionized cops out there looking for a reason to pull us over to issue a citation and collect more money for the city government machine. Cops, in his time on the force and now, are in the mind of the Councilman a money-making machine for city government. And so he feels they should be amply rewarded for bringing in all of that cash. Watching and listening to Mr. Collins, I get the feeling he still considers himself the president of the cops' union, not a representative of the people. The cops' union was already strong enough. Now the good people of D-2 have elected a councilmember whose only interest is in enriching fellow cops. All in the name of law and order, of course. And we can't compensate our police enough for plopping their fat asses in patrol car seats and driving around to look for easy hits, can we?