Community leaders make the ceremonial first shovel toss of dirt during a press conference Oct. 23 to discuss the groundbreaking for the Collingwood Green V housing development project at 400 Nebraska Avenue in Toledo. The housing project will feature 75 one-bedroom units aimed at persons 62 and older who can thrive in independent livings circumstances. (Courtesy Photo/National Church Residences)
Collingwood Green V apartments becoming a reality
TOLEDO – A groundbreaking ceremony for 75-unit senior apartment complex called Collingwood Green V took place on last month at the corner of Nebraska Ave. and Division St.
This effort comes after years of logistics, funding requests and collaboration involving a collection of nonprofits, businesses and agencies from local to federal. The City of Toledo, Lucas County, Lucas Metropolitan Housing, National Church Residences and Rudolph Libbe Group are the lead partners.
More than 50 people, including LMH staff, elected officials, other dignitaries and news media, attended the presentations and groundbreaking celebrating the housing project, which is aimed at seniors 62 and older who can thrive in independent living circumstances. It’s slated to open in 2026.
“This project is an example of what we can do when we work together,” said Rosalyn Clemens, Toledo Housing and Community development director.
“We’re going to renew possibility in this area so close to downtown,” added U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Ohio District 9, who was among the officials at the presentation.
Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur discusses the groundbreaking for the Collingwood Green V housing development project at 400 Nebraska Ave. (Photo courtesy of National Church Residences)
National Church Residences vice president of Housing Development Amy J. Rosenthal talks about the housing project, slated to open in 2026. (Courtesy Photo/National Church Residences)
Funding for the $29 million development includes a total $6.7 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds, which were directed from City of Toledo and Lucas County Board of Commissioners authority. Union workers will be involved with the construction.
The Collingwood Green housing development replaces the long-demolished Brand Whitlock and Albertus Brown Homes sites. The Whitlock housing development was one of Toledo’s oldest public housing projects; some of those attending were familiar with the neighborhood and recalled the drab atmosphere.
“They had fallen into a state of disrepair,” described Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz.
The Collingwood Green V project will feature 75 one-bedroom units, along with shared space. It adds to a redeveloped neighborhood that is already showcasing colorful exteriors and green space.
“LMH isn’t just building apartments. They are building a community,” said Lucas County commissioner Lisa A. Sobecki.
The reason to focus on seniors is the demographic and population trends in City of Toledo. The 2020 Census showed 14 percent of Toledo residents are 60 and older. The age 85 and older population is specifically increasing at a fast pace, according to the Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio.
“We are living longer as Toledoans, and that’s a good thing,” Kapszukiewicz said.
That trend, however, has an impact on long-range community needs and services.
“Housing is the biggest expense for retirees,” said Bill Harris, immediate past board chair of the Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio.
The speakers emphasized the goal of Collingwood Green V is to provide affordable housing.
A rendering of the Collingwood Green V senior apartment complex is placed near community leaders touting the development. The housing project will feature 75 one-bedroom units aimed at persons 62 and older who can thrive in independent living circumstances.(Courtesy Photo/National Church Residences)
The phrase “affordable housing,” Clemens explained, goes beyond the traditional idea of public housing or Section 8 qualifications. Instead, it indicates that housing costs no more than 30 percent of someone’s income. Within that range, individuals and families are better able to afford other everyday expenses, such as car repairs.
“We are showing everyone that decent, safe and sanitary housing is vital for seniors,” said Brian Murray, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Cleveland Field Office director.
Those eligible to live in the upcoming apartment units will be income at or below 80 percent of the Toledo Area Median Income, which is currently $48,650.
More specifically, 30 apartments are intended for seniors at or below 50 percent of the Toledo Area Median Income, which is currently $30,400.
The statistics for children with separated parents are astounding: In the United States, 50 percent of children will witness a separation of their parents. In addition, 25 million children are growing up in single parent homes. That’s 40 percent of the kids in the U.S., as reported by the Center for Children and Families.
The holiday season is quickly approaching, and for me personally, there is an added stress. Although it is often good stress, the planning, preparing, shopping and cleaning is still taxing. For some households, added to that chaos are the complications of co-parenting and children spending time in multiple homes for the holidays. Many parents will ask me how to handle all of this so they (the children) have a good holiday season.
The difficulties children experience in single parent homes are many, but they can be minimized if both parents work together. In the real world, families, no matter how defined, have conflicts. Stress and disagreements are common, and it is destructive to the family when those conflicts get out of hand. Children are often caught in the middle with devastating effects.
(Adobe Stock Image)
Children caught in the middle of parental conflict experience increased anxiety and depression; they often feel like it is their fault. If they would have been better kids, their parents would still be together, or would not fight. When parents argue, especially about money, children often feel like they are a burden.
So, that leads us to how parents can co-parent well and minimize the effects on their children. Here are some suggestions:
Be consistent. Both parents need to be specific with each other about what their rules and expectations are for the children. Then they need to come to a compromise and parent with the same rules and discipline. Make sure it is reasonable and something both parents can live with.
Communication is the most important parenting skill, regardless of whether parents are married. Parents need to commit to talking about every issue regarding their children. Children should not be a part of the conversation; it should be done in private. It may also be helpful to set up a routine where there is weekly communication to keep each other informed and prevent conflict. Another important key is not to talk poorly about the other parent in front of the child. This puts the child in a position of choosing between parents.
Work on conflict resolution. When parents argue rather than resolving the problem amicably, a power struggle often begins. This leaves one parent often giving in, causing a buildup of anger and resentment. The cycle usually repeats itself with frustration and anger from the previous conflicts resurfacing, adding to the present conflict. This then leaves a buildup of animosity that the children feel.
This is not a healthy. Along with communication, as mentioned above, parents need to learn conflict resolution. According to the American Management Association, the 5 steps to conflict resolution are:
Define the source of the conflict (listen to each other)
Look beyond the incident (don’t blame each other; identify the facts)
Request solutions (give suggestions, don’t just complain)
Identify solutions both can support (compromise)
Agree (making sure you have taken into account the other person’s feelings)
The way parents handle the conflict is how your child learns to manage disagreements. Children will watch your behavior more than what you say. The old saying holds true: actions speak louder than words.
A relationship involves two people; it is not one sided. If parents are having conflicts and difficulties, it will disrupt the entire family, and then the children will suffer. The younger the children, the more time you have to build a foundation that enables them to have healthy relationships within and outside of the family.
Don’t waste precious time. Enjoy the holidays and make memories your children will be able to keep with them for a lifetime.
Hello, Toledo Free Press readers! Indulge me for a few lines to tell you a little about myself. I am a lifelong Toledoan. I grew up in a working-class neighborhood. Dad was a Toledo police officer and mom, after raising my three siblings and me, worked as a bank teller.
I am not a professional journalist, which will become painfully evident to the Free Press’ more discerning readers. I spent a 35-year career advocating for workers as an officer and business representative for Teamsters Local 20. I was elected as an at-large member to Toledo City Council and served from 2006 to mid-2009, and the last 18 months as city council president.
After retiring from the Teamsters, former Mayor Mike Collins asked me to serve in his administration as the commissioner of human resources for the City of Toledo. One year later, after his tragic and sudden death, then city council president Paula Hicks-Hudson became mayor by succession. Paula contacted me and asked if I would be willing to serve as her chief of staff and director of public safety.
I served for the next three years until current Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz was elected. During my time as a city councilman, I became friends with Tom Pounds, editor/publisher of the Toledo Free Press. One very early Sunday morning while golfing together, he asked me a question about a City of Toledo water issue. Several holes later, when I felt I had sufficiently answered his question, he said, ‘Wow, you could write a book,” which was code for him seeking a much more succinct response. I realized my TMI moment and we shared a laugh.
But that got us thinking: I might be able to share some of my experiences as a city councilman and administrator with the Free Press readers. So, against that backdrop, I will endeavor to periodically regale the Free Press faithful with insights I have picked up along the way.
Signing the petition
When confronted by an obvious non-Toledoan while attending the Toledo Jeep Fest to sign the petition to put this proposed amendment on the ballot, I initially hesitated. Normally, I will sign just about any petition or accept any flyer/handout, sympathetic to the rejection invariably faced when interrupting someone’s day by asking them to sign or read something.
At first, I thought ‘No, I won’t sign.’ Then I thought, ‘Well, this is not a vote for Wade’s third term. He would still have to run again and win.’ Then I got to thinking about who are the future Mayor wannabes and whether they may be better or worse than what we currently have.
Proposed Charter Amendment Issue 9 – City of Toledo
A majority affirmative vote is necessary for passage.
Shall the proposed amendment, set forth by citizen-initiated petition, to ChapterVI Section 87D of the Charter of the City of Toledo to limit the number of consecutive four-year terms to three from two, to be consistent with the term limits applied to the Toledo City Council, be adopted?
___ Yes
___ No
The turnover on city council has been rapid as of late, with a few exceptions. Some of the new council members show potential as the city’s leader. Others not so much. But given four more years to demonstrate their acumen for city government, they may just fit the bill. I have often said there are two types of people who run for office: civil servants and self-servants. You can usually spot who is whom from a mile away. We currently have both.
Metaphorically speaking, it takes a new mayor about six months to find their parking space in the government center garage, meaning that time is usually lost to the inevitable transitioning that takes place with a new administration. At the time, I considered the options. Should the amendment pass, Wade will have an opportunity to make his case for what a third term would bring. Should the amendment fail, we lose an option that may have been best. That’s when I grabbed the clipboard and signed the petition.
Now that the results are in, we know that Issue 9 passed: 50,467 YES (55.37 percent) to 40,677 NO (44.63 percent) with 100 percent of precincts counted, which is unofficial until certified.
Wade has stated he will take advantage of the passage of Issue 9 and seek another term as mayor of the City of Toledo, but there hasn’t been an official announcement yet.
So, where are do we go from here? Can the mayor make a cogent case for a third term? Will a current city council member rise to the occasion? Will a local businessperson be willing to take the salary pay cut and jump into the fray? Will a dark horse emerge from the citizenry?
In a post-ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds world, will it be status quo, utopia or an apocalypse? Time will tell. Whomever it is, their success will be the city’s success. As Gene Krantz, our American aerospace engineer heroically said, “Failure is not an option.”
Measure failureleaves map making in hands of GOP elected officials
This story was originally published by Signal Statewide Tuesday night. Sign up for their free newsletters at SignalOhio.org/StateSignals.
By Andrew Tobias, Signal Statewide
Ohio voters have defeated Issue 1, giving a huge victory to state republicans who managed to turn the public against the proposed redistricting amendment despite being massively outspent.
The measure’s failure comes after a barrage of pro-Issue 1 ads. The “yes” campaign, underwritten by a handful of national groups and labor unions, outspent Issue 1’s opponents by a roughly seven-to-one margin, according to state campaign finance records.
However, republicans painted the measure as a democratic power grab, releasing ads featuring former president Donald Trump. Republicans also wrote ballot language summarizing Issue 1 that described it as repealing popular anti-gerrymandering reforms passed by voters in 2015 and 2018. Campaigns for and against the measure and their allies agreed the language portrayed the issue negatively and made it less likely to pass.
“Ohio voters spoke loudly and clearly on Issue 1,” Bob Paduchik, a former Ohio republican party chairman who led the anti-Issue 1 campaign, said in a statement.
“Ohio’s constitution is not for sale to foreign billionaires and out of state left-wing special interest groups. Despite democrats’ best efforts to deceive Ohioans into changing our constitution and rigging elections in their favor, the truth has carried the day,” said Paduchik. “We are grateful to our elected republican leaders, the Ohio Republican Party, the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, Ohio Manufacturers Association, and many others that took a stand to protect representational democracy.”
Citizens Not Politicians, the main pro-Issue 1 campaign group, did not immediately issue a concession statement.
Ohio House minority leader Allison Russo, a democrat from suburban Columbus, told reporters after the race was called that the ballot language was “100 percent” why it failed.
“I think if voters had accurate information going into the ballot box, it would have passed overwhelmingly,” she said. “There’s no doubt in my mind that it fell simply because of the misleading ballot language and the abuse of power that happened from people like Frank LaRose.”
LaRose, the republican Ohio secretary of state, chairs the Ohio Ballot Board, the GOP-controlled panel that wrote the Issue 1 ballot language.
When CNP issued a statement around midnight the night of the election, it argued voters against the amendment proposal thought they were voting to end gerrymandering.
“Though we didn’t get the outcome we worked for, we have laid a powerful foundation,” former Ohio Supreme Court Justice Maureen O’Connor, who led the campaign, said in the statement. “We will continue to push for an Ohio where every vote truly counts and where transparency and fairness guide our electoral process. In analyzing the vote tonight, it is clear that the millions of Ohioans who voted yes want to end gerrymandering. And it is also clear that those who voted no thought that they were voting to end gerrymandering.”
Cartoon by Don Lee for the Toledo Free Press.
The defeat of Issue 1 means that republicans will continue to control redistricting in Ohio. The development has potential national ramifications, since there only a few dozen congressional districts nationally competitive. The dynamic leads the parties to duke it out every two years over control of the U.S. House of Representatives, including this year, when national republicans have tried to retain their narrow control of the chamber.
The development means Ohio will keep redistricting amendments voters approved by overwhelming majorities in 2015 and 2018, with support from both parties. Those reforms were meant to prevent gerrymandering by imposing tougher rules for splitting counties and other communities and including language meant to encourage partisan fairness, although republicans, after winning key statewide elections in 2018, ultimately ended up arguing in court that those requirements were optional.
The rules still did produce more competitive congressional elections in 2020 and 2022, although part of that is a reflection of the profound uncompetitiveness of the republican-drawn maps that the state used for the previous decade.
With Issue 1’s defeat, the Ohio Redistricting Commission, a panel of elected officials that republicans control thanks to their success in the 2018 elections, will remain in charge of redistricting. The panel will redraw Ohio’s congressional maps ahead of the 2026 election. Ohio’s state legislative maps would have been redrawn if Issue 1 passed, but instead they will remain in place through 2030.
Ohio Supreme Court rejected seven sets of maps under existing system
The 2015 and 2018 reforms failed the first time they were used ahead of the 2022 elections. The Ohio Supreme Court rejected seven sets of maps drawn by the GOP-controlled Ohio Redistricting Commission as illegally gerrymandered in favor of republicans. As the legal process dragged on, the state ended up having to delay its primary election in 2022 for state legislative races, leading to historically low voter turnout. As a result of the uncertainty and confusion, both parties failed to field candidates in a handful of races.
Ultimately, though, Republicans managed to push for the maps to be used in the 2022 election, thanks to a mix of legal victories and a willingness to ignore the Ohio Supreme Court’s orders. O’Connor, a republican chief justice who joined the court’s three democrats to reject the seven maps as unconstitutional, ended up joining the campaign to push for Issue 1 shortly after she was forced to retire at the end of 2022 due to judicial age limits.
O’Connor served as a key spokesperson for the Issue 1 campaign, which portrayed the amendment as nonpartisan even though its financial backing came from liberal groups, including a handful of well-known “dark money” groups that don’t disclose their donors.
Republican worried new map making process could cost them seats
After republicans solidified their control of the Ohio Supreme Court in the November 2022 election, they ended up striking a deal with redistricting commission democrats on a new set of state legislative maps. Democrats described their vote as a compromise, arguing they would have gotten a potentially worse deal had they not agreed.
Republicans believed Issue 1 would cause them to lose seats in Congress and the state legislature. So they tried to defeat the measure by portraying it as a democratic power grab. They convinced former president Donald Trump to oppose it, which became a cornerstone of their campaign strategy. They also tried to argue the current redistricting system works – pointing to the bipartisan vote for the state legislative maps, although Gov. Mike DeWine’s backing of an Iowa-style redistricting plan muddles that idea.
Republicans also argued the citizens’ redistricting commission would be unaccountable to voters. Under a set of rules described as giving the citizens’ commission financial independence, Issue 1 guarantees the redistricting process $7 million of funding every 10 years and requires the legislature to pay any legal bills that accrue while defending commission maps against court challenges.
Issue 1 failed despite public polling in Ohio mostly showing the measure with a strong lead. However, a public poll released last week by Miami University specifically asked voters about the measure using parts of the republican-drawn ballot language. It showed it tied at 47 percent. This shows how important ballot language can be for issue campaigns, especially if it’s an issue that’s not top of mind for most voters.
Signal Statewide is a nonprofit news organization covering government, education, health, economy and public safety.
Moe’s Place offers low prices, yummy bites, gathering place
ROSSFORD – Moe’s has become a Rossford staple over the years; a bar and grill that features unbeatable prices, indulgent bites and a friendly atmosphere. Amenities, like the pool table, dart board, outdoor patio and arcade games, encourage connectedness.
In fact, it’s hard to find folks not engaged in conversation. The TV’s offer a wide range of sports viewing, and the bar holds plenty of stools for fans.
It’s not often strangers will invite conversation with you at restaurants. You can expect this at Moe’s, where the patrons never meet a stranger. I spoke to several customers who treated me as a longtime friend, though we had never met.
The staff tells me that Wednesday nights are always packed, and that they run circles around each other, grabbing plates and checking in on customers. I chatted with several locals who stop by Moe’s up to six days a week.
There is no shortage of options on the menu. From homestyle meals made just the way your mama whipped them up in the kitchen, to deep fried delicacies. For a little unexpected color, there are a variety of Mediterranean cuisine options available.
Fish and chips for $7.99.
Flaming Moe and onion rings for $6.99.Moe Balls, boneless wings and fries for $7.99.
To sample what Moe’s Place is known for, I ordered Moe Balls ($7.99), a fish and chips dinner ($7.99) and the Flaming Moe ($6.99), and each dish was fresh off the grill. The Moe Balls and boneless wings atop waffle fries were competitive with other restaurants who market themselves as wing specialists.
The bar also offers an impressive menu of options. If you can think it, you can drink it here. Bartenders at Moe’s hold a tenure of 10-23 years and can hold a conversation better than most, organically engaging customers. They mix drinks with expertise and keep track of regulars’ orders.
“I don’t even keep food in my fridge; this is the only place I eat,” said Mike Jamison, a regular at Moe’s. He doesn’t just take it to go; he also enjoys cracking open a cold one with fellow frequenters of the restaurant.
Regulars and staff are family. Tyler Niese, a regular of Moe’s for 28 years, told me that if he’s going on vacation, he’ll get the bartenders a trinket. “I’ll make sure I get them something for their birthday, as well.” It’s clear both staff and customers have a close bond.
A retired staff member of 23 years, who I’m told made the best soups at Moe’s, continues to eat there. He describes Moe’s as “the Cheers of Rossford.” Two gentlemen at the bar described themselves as the Cliff and Norm of Moe’s. Their typical menu selections includes Coors Light, the club sandwich and Moe Balls.
Regulars Lucas and Mike Verboskey shoot pool at Moe’s Place.
During my time there, I spoke with father-son duo Mike and LucasVerbosky of Rossford while they were shooting pool. “We live right down the road and come here when we can,” says father, Mike Verbrosky.
From my observation, Moe’s Place has a friendly atmosphere with scrumptious bar bites, and is a local gem worth returning to.
Libertarian congressional candidate Tom Pruss monitors election results during his watch party at Sidelines Sports Eatery & Pub in Sylvania.
Tom Pruss: ‘I’m happy to offer an alternative to the red and blue paradigm’
Story and photos by Lori King
SYLVANIA – While local democrats and republicans gathered for their respective election watch parties Tuesday night, Tom Pruss was the sole candidate for the libertarian party.
Pruss, running against political powerhouses Marcy Kaptur and Derek Merrin for the U.S. House of Representatives Ohio District 9 seat, was the first to arrive at his watch party at Sidelines Sports Eatery & Pub.
A political sign promoting three libertarian candidates: Chase Oliver for president; Don Kissick for United States senate; and Tom Pruss.
Pruss, a Toledo resident, carried in a political sign that promoted three libertarian candidates: Chase Oliver for president; Don Kissick for United States senate; and himself. He propped the sign up against a wall, sat at a table, opened a laptop and settled into what would be a long night of monitoring election results.
While he waited for his supporters to show up, he took the opportunity to explain why he was in the race and what was at stake.
“This is just the beginning because we just regained ballot access this year,” Pruss said. “Because of the strict Ohio election laws the republicans passed just two years ago, they made it quite hard for third parties to get on the ballot. So Chase Oliver has to get at least 3 percent of the vote in Ohio just to make us relevant to be on the ballot again.
“If we don’t (get 3 percent), that means we spend millions of dollars paying people to go out and get petitions and signatures, and that’s hard money that a third party just can’t afford. I think it’s very daunting, honestly,” he admitted. Oliver ended up with 567, 492 votes, or 0.4 percent.
Libertarian congressional candidate Tom Pruss hands the computer to Steve Winters, who voted for him.
Libertarian congressional candidate Tom Pruss talks to supporters as they monitor election results.
Pruss said their goal is to field more candidates for more seats, and that people seem to think libertarians only come out every four years to run somebody for president. “No, we have people all over the country holding office. In fact, Cassaundra Fryman, the mayor of Plymouth, Ohio, has been mayor for two terms, but you’re not gonna see that on television. We’re all over the place.”
Pruss described libertarians as ordinary people who have a passion for their country, and that “we believe in freedoms that are God-given to us. As I was telling somebody earlier today, the constitution doesn’t tell us the freedoms we have, it’s to tell the government the limits that they to govern over us, and that’s where people make the disconnect,” he explained.
When asked about taking votes away from the other parties, he bluntly stated “horse hockey. People are going to vote for me because they are going to vote for me. Are you going to tell Marcy Kaptur that she’s taking votes away from Derek Merrin and vice versa? That makes no sense to me.
“I have people who with good conscience could not vote for either one. I’m happy to offer an alternative. As my slogan is, I’m not left; I’m not right. I’m sensibly centered,” he said.
Scott Macy, left, was the first supporter to arrive. Macy said he came straight from the polling booth, where he voted for Pruss.
Pruss said his platform is a true smaller government, “not what republicans would consider smaller government. The difference between the republicans and democrats is that democrats are on a bus going 100 miles an hour towards a cliff; republicans say, ‘Oh, hold on here! Let’s go 90 miles an hour.’ Both heading for that same cliff at full rate. Libertarians are like, let’s put on the brake, let’s pause and take a look to see what we’re doing with our money.”
He added that “every year that Marcy Kaptur is in office, she’s voting for arms to blow up innocent children all over the world in my name. I don’t like that. Conversley, I don’t like Derek Merrin being in Columbus passing legislation that doesn’t grant everybody bodily autonomy. The insanity has to stop.”
Pruss said he was happy to offer an alternative to the red and blue paradigm that everybody thinks they’re forced to have to vote for, and that you shouldn’t be forced to vote for the lesser of two evils because the lesser of two evils is still evil. “I just want to go out there and earn people’s vote, as an independent, as a libertarian. Ideally, I want to be a spoiler.
Libertarian congressional candidate Tom Pruss sits with supporters during his election watch party.
“I’ll think I’ll run away with 15 votes,” he quipped.
“Hey, it’s a start,” responded Scott Macy, a libertarian who voted for Pruss and then came straight to the watch party.
He told Pruss, who was complaining about the media ignoring him, that “I think you started something (on Facebook) because you talked about how nobody wanted to know you.” Macy insinuated they clearly did.
After about an hour, Pruss was surrounded by a dozen supporters who said they all voted for him. Pruss ended up earning 4 percent of the vote.
TOLEDO – As Ohio, and much of the country, awoke this morning to a red wave, it was a different story for the blue dot that is Lucas County.
Schuyler Beckwith, chair of the Lucas County Democratic Party, addresses democratic supporters and politicians during the election watch party.
Krista Schneider passed out dozens of handheld signs that read ‘Reelect Sherrod Brown.
The mood at the democratic watch party inside the UAW Local 12 Union Hall on Tuesday night was mostly cheerful as hundreds of supporters and elected officials celebrated each time a local democrat claimed victory, or a local issue passed, like Issue 9, the Toledo mayoral term limit expansion.
But, at times, there were bouts of somber silence as they watched Issue 1 fail and realized businessman Bernie Moreno was going to defeat populist Sherrod Brown.
Earlier in the evening, when the numbers were favoring Brown, democratic volunteer Krista Schneider enthusiastically passed out dozens of handheld signs that read ‘Reelect Sherrod Brown.’
“Love, life and moving away from hatred,” she proclaimed as she handed out the placards in support of the union-friendly Brown, who was at a different watch party at the Hyatt Regency Downtown Columbus Convention Center Hotel in Columbus.
Standing nearby was Michele Grim, and as she took a Brown handsign, she said “he’s with us in spirit and in our hearts and minds.” Grim, who was running for an reelection bid to serve in the 43rd House District, securing that seat.
Also present inside the union hall were winners of their local elections: Toledo city council at-large newcomer Mac Driscoll, winning by a resounding 70 percent; Lucas County commissioner Pete Gerken; Lucas County Common Pleas judge Ken Walz; Lucas County State Rep. Grim; and Erika White, who will take the seat for the state’s 41st District.
Toledo city council at-large member Mac Driscoll, center, celebrates his win with Anna Schramm and Phil Moline.Lucas County Common Pleas judge Ken Walz is introduced by UAW Local 14 President Tony Totty. Walz will be the newest judge on the bench.
Michele Grim speaks to a supporter at the democratic watch party. She was reelected to to her 43rd House District seat.
One of the more celebratory moments was when Driscoll toasted to his victory with Ruffino Lumina Prosecco in clear plastic cups.
Expected to arrive later in the evening was Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, 78. Kaptur is serving her 21st term and battling the race of her political career against Derek Merrin. Merrin’s political career began in 2005 when he was elected to the Waterville city council. He was just 19, becoming the Waterville mayor two years later.
But, at 11:30 p.m., UAW Local 14 President Tony Totty walked up to the podium and announced to the dwindling audience that she wasn’t going to make an appearance.
As of the publishing of this story, the race between Kaptur and Merrin for U.S. House of Representative Ohio District 9 is still too close to call. Both are tied at 48 percent, though Kaptur has a 1,193 vote lead.
Head coach Ginny Boggess watches action on the court while her players anticipate a three-point shot attempt.
New season lifts off for Toledo women’s basketball
Story by Steve Bieber | Photos by Scott Grau
TOLEDO – Head coach Ginny Boggess has a perfect 1-0 record after winning her first game against Marshall on Monday.
It was a fitting debut as Toledo women’s basketball kicked off its 50th anniversary season in front of 3,754 fans who welcomed the new coach to Savage Arena with great enthusiasm.
Students were among 3,754 fans who welcomed new head coach Ginny Boggess.
University of Toledo women’s basketball head coach Ginny Bogges.
Boggess spent the past three seasons as head coach at Monmouth University in New Jersey, where she inherited a two-win team and coached them to a NCAA tournament appearance.
The Rockets starting slowly, allowing Marshall to surge to 22-8 in the first quarter, but they turned it around and outscored the Herd each quarter after that, eventually chipping away at the lead. It wasn’t until early in the fourth quarter that Toledo took the lead after center Hannah Noveroske‘s layup put them up 56-54.
Both teams battled back and forth in the fourth quarter until Kendall Carruthers, a Springfield High School graduate, made a jump shot with 25 seconds left to give the Rockets the go-ahead three-point lead. Marshall had the chance to tie the game with five seconds remaining but failed after Maddie Kellione’s three-point basket was called off due to a traveling violation.
Despite the rough start, Boggess spoke highly of her players for pulling it off.
“First and foremost, I want to thank the sixth man here at Savage Arena for showing up and showing out tonight,” she said. “I was really excited how our seniors led, and we’ve got some talented young players who stepped up in big moments for us.
“Overall, the toughness, the resiliency, the championship culture and the ‘Blue Collar, Gold Standard mentality’ was really shown tonight and I’m proud of our fight,” she added.
The coach said she had been awake since 4:48 a.m., feeling eager all day leading up to the game, and feeling excited for her seniors and the rest of the team. She also discussed the impact of the fans and said the home crowd lived up to her expectations.
“It’s amazing. I walked down and just got goosebumps all over my body; this is a really really special place.”
Ginny Bogges shouts instructions to her players on the court during the home season opener against Marshall.
Ginny Bogges talks to her bench during the home season opener against Marshall.
Boggess has made it her mission to continue the tradition at the university.
“I’m here because of the leadership and tradition and because women’s basketball is important at the University of Toledo. We want to keep that tradition going. I really believe this is a special place and these are special players. We’ll continue to keep working really hard to represent you guys,” she vowed.
One fan watching the season opener was Toledo native Dick Greenblatt. He has been a fan since he graduated from the university in 1967. He said he was impressed with what he saw from the new head coach.
“I like her. I think she’s got a lot of good ideas and she’s going to work out just great,” he said.
Sylvania resident Kaiko Zureich has been following the Toledo’s women’s basketball team for 15 years. She is not only a fan but a mentor to freshman Jessica Cook. She felt that the future is bright for the players and new coach.
“We have a great new coach. The girls are really coming together as a team. I am a mentor so I talk to the girls a lot, and I’m excited about this season. They’ll get it together and we’re going to go far,” Zureich said.
Coach Ginny Bogges talks to guard Destiny Robinson during the home season opener against Marshall.
Game Recap
First Quarter
Marshall scored 10 points to start the game, but Toledo finally scored when Noveroske made a layup with 5:55 left in the first quarter.
Toledo trailed 16-5 at the first media timeout, and the Rockets made 18 percent of their field goals.
A jump shot from Sammi Mikonowicz and a free throw from Emmi Rinat cut the lead to 22-8 at the end of the first quarter.
Second Quarter
Mikonowicz’s three-point-play and a layup from Faith Fredd-Robinson helped cut the lead to 28-19 at the 4:45 mark.
The Rockets battled back and outscored Marshal 21-15 in the second quarter.
Toledo’s offense showed improvement after shooting 8-16 and received help with a huge trey from Nan Garcia near the end of the half to cut the lead to 37-29.
Third Quarter
Mikonowicz opened the half with a layup to make the lead 37-31.
Rockets trailed 44-41 at the break after shooting 5-of-8 from the floor.
Toledo cut the lead to one when Cook made a layup to make the score 44-43 with 3:46 left to play.
After trading baskets, Khera Goss nailed both free throws to help Toledo pull within one again as Toledo trailed 54-53 after three quarters.
Toledo guard and Rossford High School graduate Sammi Mikonowicz goes in for a layup between Marshall defenders during the third quarter .
Fourth Quarter
A layup from Noveroske gave the Rockets their first lead at the 9:28 mark of the fourth quarter.
After battling back and forth, the Rockets led the Thundering Herd 64-61 after Garcia made both free throws with five minutes left to play.
Kendall Carruthers’s jump shot gave Toledo a 71-68 lead with 25 seconds left in the game.
Marshall’s Kellione had a chance to tie the game with .07 seconds left, but traveled, giving the Rockets the win.
Noveroske and Mikonowicz led the team in scoring with 16 and 15 points, respectively.
University of Toledo women’s basketball head coach Ginny Boggess celebrates her first win as time expires on the clock during her first home season opener against Marshall.
Coach Ginny Boggess and her UToledo Lady Rockets earn their first win. (TFP Photo/Lori King)
