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Hundreds protest Trump administration in downtown Toledo & BG

By
Stephen Zenner
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Honking, drums and speeches were all features of the third No Kings rally in downtown Toledo at Promenade Park. 

Hundreds of people showed up and lined Summit Street with signs to show their dissatisfaction with Donald Trump, while hundreds more filed into the amphitheater at Promenade to hear speakers.

“It’s a national effort that’s going on all over the country today, and this is ours here in Toledo,” said Megan Schmidt, 41, the co-founder of Toledo Persists, who coordinated the protest downtown. There was another No Kings protest in West Toledo, which Toledo Persists was not involved with. 

People gather in the amphitheater at Promenade Park during the third No Kings protest in downtown Toledo, Ohio on Saturday. (TFP photo by Stephen Zenner)

“I think the main objective today is just for people to come out and express some of the frustration and the panic that they’re probably feeling right now,” Schmidt said.

Frustrations for the current president’s detractors included the war in Iran, immigration enforcement, defunding healthcare, tax cuts for the rich, cost of living increases, gas prices and fears of an encroaching dictatorship via the Trump administration. 

Other organizations who helped put on the event included the Farm Labor Organizing Committee (FLOC), American Muslims for Palestine (AMP) and the Lucas County Democrats. Notable speakers Baldemar Velasquez, the president of FLOC, and Walaa Kanan, a leader in AMP, both spoke to hundreds gathered in the Promenade amphitheater by the Maumee River. 

Zane P., 31, a protester from Fremont, open carries during the third No Kings protest at Promenade Park. Zane said they open carried for protection after Immigration and Customs Enforcement shot and killed Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (TFP photo by Stephen Zenner)

“Because everything is so intertwined when we talk about the overreach of government or the neglect among people who are vulnerable. This government made it worse than it’s ever been,” Velasquez told the press after his speech. 

Palestine and immigration were both on the docket for issues detractors of the president had foremost in mind, but a new concern jumped in front of both of those large and sensitive issues. 

“I believe that we’re being pulled into something that I think at this point, we’ve crossed the Rubicon, and I don’t know how we’ll get out of it,” said Michelle Carrillo, 59, of Oregon, Ohio, specifically about the war in Iran. 

Carrillo was worried about reinstating the draft for her grandson, because both of her sons had served during previous wars in the Middle East. 

“The older one was in Baghdad,” she said. “I didn’t agree with it. I thought we shouldn’t have gone into Iraq.” Her younger son and older son both served in Afghanistan.

Zane P., 31, of Fremont, Ohio came with an AR style rifle they said was for self-defense, citing Alex Pretti’s homicide, shot to death by ICE agents in Minneapolis, Minn., as a reason they were open carrying. 

“I can’t keep watching people get killed, dude,” Zane P. said, and clarified the weapon was to keep people in the protest safe. Zane said their partner was in the military, and was worried about her getting deployed to Iran. 

While Zane was talking, the other man in tactical gear, Gregory Charles Litzenberg, 38, of Waterville, Ohio, yelled, “We don’t want no fucking war.”

But most people at the protest didn’t don weapons or tactical gear, like Zane and Litzenberg.

For the most part, people were dressed in regular clothes, one man came in a homemade patriotic copy of a minuteman from the 1770s, and a few made appearances in inflatable animal costumes. The gathering featured less vitriol and more community building and a party with live music. 

Jill Hojnacki, 70, of west Toledo, holds an American flag during the third No Kings protest at Promenade Park in downtown Toledo, Ohio on Saturday, March 28, 2026. Hojnacki said she was disappointed with how the country had gone backwards on LGBTQ rights, something she had fought for when she was younger. (TFP photo by Stephen Zenner)

“I am somewhat flabbergasted that we aren’t all out here,” said Jill Hojnacki, 70, of west Toledo. “What is happening right now is really anti-American.”

When pressed for specifics, Hojnacki talked about human rights violations by ICE, “flagrant attempts to take control of our voting and electoral process,” and violations against the constitution under the Trump administration. 

“I fought for LGBTQ rights. I fought for women’s rights. We actually started making progress,” she said. “My first protest was under a flagpole in high school, trying to get them to start the EPA [Environmental Protections Agency]. And now, here Trump is dismantling it all. Name something that he has touched or that DOGE [the Department of Government Efficiency] has touched that isn’t completely messed up at the moment,” she said. 

Baldemar Velasquez, the president of the Farm Labor Organizing Committee (FLOC), speaks during the third No Kings protest at Promenade Park. (TFP photo by Stephen Zenner)

In line with Hojnacki, one particular protester showed up as an inflatable starfish, Clair Miller, 27, of Bryan, Ohio, staying in line with the nature theme, and raised concerns about environmental protections being rolled back on companies.

Another woman, Liz Baker, 38, of west Toledo, made her protest of the president known. 

“A lying felon who only cares about himself shouldn’t be representing all of us,” she said. 

Council Members At-Large Erin Kramer and Nick Komives both attended the protest, alongside United Autoworkers (UAW) Local 14 President Tony Totty.

Kramer, who was there to volunteer with Toledo Persists during the protest, was getting people to sign a petition to put gay marriage on the ballot in Ohio, in case federal protections for gay marriage were to be rescinded. 

“I think it’s really important for people in northwest Ohio to remember that there are a lot of us out there who feel this way about the Trump administration, and we feel like we want to have our voices heard, and we want people to not feel alone,” Kramer said, highlighting the importance of the protest. 

Zane P., 31, a protester from Fremont, Gregory Charles Litzenberg, 37, of Waterville, protest during the third No Kings protest at Promenade Park in downtown Toledo. (TFP photo by Stephen Zenner)
(TFP photo by Lucas Sells)
Laney Auchmuty (left) holds a sign protesting President Trump. (TFP photo by Lucas Sells)
John holds a sign criticizing MAGA patriotism. (TFP photo by Lucas Sells)

AW senior gets in-depth tour of Washington, D.C.

By
Karen Gerhardinger
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Anthony Wayne High School senior Grant Hubley asks a question during a United States Senate Youth Program session in Washington, D.C. earlier this month. (© Photo by Jakub Mosur and Erin Lubin).

Grant Hubley just returned from a Washington, D.C. trip like no other.

The Anthony Wayne High School senior – one of two from Ohio chosen for the United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) – met ABC senior political correspondent Rachel Scott, Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine, as well as senators, reporters, aides, military personnel and policy advisors.

“I don’t think I have had any experience that could compare to this. I did it because I’m so interested in political science and government,” Grant said.  “Every time I heard from a speaker, I thought, ‘I’m going to do that. I’m going to become a Supreme Court justice. Or a senator.’ It did change throughout the week, but I definitely want to move to D.C. and get involved ASAP.”

The March 7-14 program included 105 students who participated in an intensive study of the federal government, but the week’s overall focus was on counteracting polarization, and the first speaker of the week was from Braver Angels – a citizen’s organization uniting red and blue Americans in a working alliance to depolarize our country.

“We talked about how to have conversations that can go from heated to productive. Through workshops the rest of the week, we learned to understand where others are coming from and how to find common ground,” Grant said.

All of the students he met agreed that access to health care, education and affordability are some of the main priorities for Americans – along with keeping politicians accountable, he said. As long as the students framed their questions respectfully, they could ask any question of anyone – including Hegseth and Caine.

“One question we asked them was the ethics behind using AI for border strikes, and about having AI make the final decision instead of a human. We definitely gave them a run for their money,” he said, adding that some of the adults seemed genuinely surprised at the level of questioning.

Participants in the United States Senate Youth Program stand on the steps to the U.S. Supreme Court building. (© Photo by Jakub Mosur and Erin Lubin).

During the week, the students were accompanied by military mentors, who would start conversations and ask for their viewpoints, or weigh in if asked for input on how to frame a question. Grant’s mentor was an Army Ranger, another was a Navy SEAL. 

“They were extremely accomplished people with years of experience,” he said.

Among his favorite speakers were Scott – who shared Grant’s Instagram recap of his experiences – and Justice Jackson, who spoke about how the Supreme Court should make decisions not on politics but on an interpretation of the Constitution.

While in Washington, the youth visited the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, where they heard from the nation’s first Black astronaut, Charles Bolden. They met Dr. Alveda King, the niece of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and visited the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument , the Pentagon, the White House and the State Department, where they spoke to a legislative affairs representative.

“He told us how they have experts on different areas like climate policy or education or traffic safety. Members of Congress go speak with members of the State Department for input on legislation,” Grant explained.

The students met the Senate parliamentarian, who ensures that members of Congress follow parliamentary procedure, and the sergeant at arms, who is responsible for law enforcement.

“We talked about January 6 and their experiences – and how the Capitol functions now after all of that,” he said. “We also learned about how many cybersecurity attacks are attempted on Washington each year – upwards of 40,000 they have to defend against.

“It’s cool to see how, yes, we have all of these senators, but at the same time there are so many other people that it takes to make it work,” he added.

The USSYP is made possible through the Hearst Foundations, and Grant said William Randolph Hearst III stood up and waved to the students. Grant first learned about the program through a friend in Wyoming. After submitting his application, essays, a resume and a letter of recommendation, Grant joined 90 students vying for two spots representing Ohio. Of those, 12 were selected to visit the Ohio Statehouse to make a speech and be interviewed. 

Grant first became interested in politics during his seventh grade year. He joined Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) and, with encouragement from advisor Kay-Lynne Schaller, he embarked on his first project – environmental advocacy. 

“I was talking to congressional candidates in seventh grade. That was the start of it,” Grant said.

Since then, he’s risen to serve as the national first vice president of FCCLA, as well as the Ohio president for the organization, where he served as keynote speaker for two state-level conferences. He is currently the FCCLA chapter president at the high school.

“Being an officer opens the doors for advocacy,” he said.

Two other events during his seventh grade year had an impact: the 2020 elections and the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“With everything going on in 2020, especially on social media, I started paying attention. Seventh-grade Grant was probably just angry. Now, instead of just watching social media and being irritated, I’m trying to do something.”

Grant has platforms on education, food security and safety through FCCLA and serves as student council president, organizing events in the school. He has spoken nationally, including the national FCCLA and the Lifesavers National Traffic Safety conferences. He’s also slated to speak during the four-day Coca-Cola Scholars Weekend in Atlanta at the end of April.

Through the USSYP, he received a $12,500 scholarship. Grant also has a $20,000 Coca-Cola scholarship and a $3,200 National Honor Society Scholarship National Semifinalist scholarship. While he was accepted into New York University and is waiting to hear back from George Washington University and Columbia University, Grant said he’s leaning towards the University of Dayton.

Grant already has his associate’s degree, having taken international relations, political science and public administration classes through Bowling Green State University while in high school. His goal is to finish his undergraduate degree in two years, get a master’s degree in public administration, go to law school and run for elected office.

Through his USSYP experience, Grant said he may also look at the military – especially after speaking with the military mentors assigned to the students in Washington. 

“I’m motivated by the opportunities and connections I’ve made through this,” he said.

In his free time, Grant enjoys running and going to events like concerts. He is the son of Jeremy and Leah Hubley of Waterville. His sister, Reagan, is a freshman, while his brother Austin, a 2018 graduate, lives in Chicago.

Wild Side: A song of chorus frogs & spring peepers

By
Art Weber
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Photo by Art Weber, nature photographer for Metroparks Toledo.

With the warmer days of spring starting to make an appearance, nature is responding with new activity. Some species are returning after a winter-long absence, others are stirring awake, and many of them are singing songs of love.

Wildlife of all kinds is sensing that it’s time to get that next generation going. Some announce loudly for all to hear that they’re ready for love. 

Take a pause and just listen. It’s a good bet that if you’re anywhere near a vernal pool or wetland, there are frogs – the males – singing long and loud, hoping to attract a female. 

Most of your Metroparks have wetlands that host those chorus frogs and spring peepers. While you’re out, don’t forget to be on the lookout for the early spring wildflowers. And remember, too, that the University-Parks Trail and both legs of the Wabash-Cannonball Trail are “Rails to Trails” projects bordered by ditches that often provide perfect habitats for these frogs and toads.

Waterville to sell 110 acres

By
Karen Gerhardinger
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Waterville plans to sell more than 110 acres of city-owned land with Anthony Wayne Trail addresses. (AWFP image by Lucas Sells)

WATERVILLE –  Waterville plans to sell 110 acres of city-owned land to the highest bidder.

During the March 23 Waterville City Council meeting, Municipal Administrator Jon Gochenour explained that the city has owned two parcels of land – at 6730 Anthony Wayne Trail and 6824 Anthony Wayne Trail – for decades. The 56 acres at 6730 has street access to both the AW Trail and Choctaw Drive off Dutch Road. The 54 acres at 6824 AW Trail is landlocked between Bridgehampton and Waterville Meadows subdivisions.

Over the years, the city has considered using the property for light industrial, but after residents of those subdivisions opposed a zoning change to allow industrial, the city reconsidered.

“In our most recent comprehensive plan, that was revised to recreation and residential,” Gochenour noted, adding that any project planned for the land would require rezoning from its current A-Agricultural – a process that would involve council approval and a public hearing.

The Lucas County Auditor’s valuations of $304,250 for 6730 and $178,810 for 6824 are valued lower because of the land having an agricultural zoning designation. Gochenour said the appraisal value is at $15,000 an acre – or $1,650,000 for the two parcels.

Normally, if a government entity were to try to sell property, it might not get market value. So council held a first reading on an an ordinance to transfer the two properties to the Waterville Community Improvement Corporation (WCIC), which can then market it.

“This will allow the property to be sold at its highest market value rather than through a public bidding process which historically has not met the appraised value of the property,” Gochenour said. 

The sale of the properties will net in portions going to the city and the WCIC, which invests funds back into the community, such as downtown businesses and infrastructure. 

A second reading will be held on Monday, April 13 and a third and final reading on Monday, April 27.

During the meeting, council also heard about Public Works Department employee Gabe Fawcett and listened to members of the Save The Bridge Association provide an update on efforts to hold off demolition of the 118-year-old Roche de Boeuf Interurban Bridge.

Public Works Department technician Gabe Fawcett salutes the flag that he lowered to half-staff in honor of the three Air National Guard members from Ohio who were killed in Iraq on March 12. (Courtesy image)

Saluting the Flag

As a technician with the Public Works Department, one of Fawcett’s duties is to lower the flags to half-staff when ordered by the governor. On Sunday, March 15, Fawcett was alone and had finished lowering the flag in front of City Hall.

“He marched a few steps away from the pole, executed an about face, and rendered a salute before continuing on with his work. There was no ceremony, no audience and no one there to see it – just a quiet moment of respect and professionalism,” said Waterville Police Lt. Austin Gunn, who happened to look out the window at that moment.

So Gunn searched the security camera footage to capture the moment and share it with council.

Fawcett, who is a member of the Ohio Military Reserve, didn’t realize he was on camera as he thought about the three Ohio Air National Guard members killed in a March 12 crash in Iraq during Ohio Operation Epic Fury. Those members included Capt. Seth Koval, Capt. Curtis Angst and Tech. Sgt. Tyler Simmons of the 121st Air Refueling Wing in Columbus.

“It was a simple act, but a powerful one. It speaks volumes about the pride and respect that [Fawcett] has for our country and community. Moments like this often go unnoticed, but they reflect the character and values we are fortunate to have in the people who serve our city in every capacity,” Gunn said in an email to council. “Acts like this are a great reminder that professionalism and respect for tradition still run strong throughout our workforce. 

Efforts to save the 118-year-old Roche de Boeuf Interurban Bridge continue, with 600 people signing an online petition with Save the Bridge Association. (AWFP photo by Karen Gerhardinger)

Save The Bridge Association

While Mayor Tim Pedro awaits a call from Gov. Mike DeWine to see if he will grant another one-year pause on demolition of the historic Roche de Boeuf Interurban Bridge, members of the Save The Bridge Association (STBA) have been busy gathering support and information.

After city council members asked for more details in earlier meetings about the cost to renovate, stabilize and insure the property – which is owned by the state – Janice Braida and Dave Weber of STBA returned with some more details.

Braida said she spoke to two local insurance agents, Rex Childers and Jake McVicker, who both believe that the bridge could be insured reasonably if safety measures are put into place. Childers, a Waterville resident, plans to present more information later. 

No injuries have occurred as a result of fallen debris from the bridge, but Waterville could post warning signs like those on the Wood County side, and then cordon off the bridge with 3,000 feet of high-strength rope and buoys that would “funnel” kayakers under the most stable arch, Weber said. He asked council to approve $16,000 in materials and permission to install it with volunteers or by hiring a company.

Braida has sent letters to Gov. DeWine and has support from U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Toledo), who asked the National Park Service to expand the American Battlefield Protection Program’s Battlefield Land Acquisition Grants to formally include land associated with the Northwest Indian War (1785-1795). That would encompass the Roche de Boeuf limestone outcropping – on which the bridge rests – which was used by Native Americans as a meeting place.

Kaptur noted that the bridge faces demolition but could be repurposed into a pedestrian and bike bridge to link communities and preserve history, she noted. Kaptur supports a one-year pause to investigate options.

STBA has gathered 600 signatures on its online petition to save the bridge, and has installed posters around town to encourage support for their efforts. She asked each council member to voice whether they support saving the 118-year-old structure, which the Ohio Department of Transportation is seeking bids for demolition this summer.

“It’s good when we can save historic landmarks,” said Council Member Nick Sargent. “There are a lot of question marks. We need some of that tangible, concrete commitments on the insurance and fixed bid type costs.”

Todd Borowski said he supports saving the beautiful landmark, but wants to ensure its safety. 

“I support the pause, but there’s a lot of work to be done,” added Council Member Scott Jahns.

Pedro said council would not move forward with a vote on the $16,000 to cordon off the area until he heard more from DeWine.

During the meeting, council also:

-Heard that the Easter Egg Hunt will be held on Saturday, March 28 at Conrad Park, with activities, free donuts, vendors and the Easter Bunny at 10 a.m. and timed-by-age egg hunts from 11 a.m. to noon.

-Learned that phase one of the new city website is finished, with additional refinements expected over the coming months.

-Heard that the Waterville Police will collect over-the-counter and prescription drugs as part of the National Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the alley behind City Hall, 25 N. Second St.

-Asked Gochenour to contact a company installing fiberoptic lines to refrain from entering residents’ back yards without permission.

Providence Township Fire adjusting to changes

By
Karen Gerhardinger
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Providence Township Fire and Rescue Lt. Nick Meko points to the secure lock box for narcotics and other controlled substances inside an ambulance. The DEA is now requiring digital vaults with more detailed tracking to be installed in each ambulance and at the fire station. (AWFP photo by Karen Gerhardinger)

PROVIDENCE TOWNSHIP – Providence Township Fire Chief Rick Triggs reported two changes that the department is now handling: new Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) requirements and an adjustment to how Lucas County’s 911 dispatching system coordinates sending out the water tender task force.

During the Providence Township Trustees’ March 18 meeting, Triggs explained that the DEA published its final rule implementing the Protecting Patient Access to Emergency Medications Act (PPAEMA). Effective March 9, EMS agencies not owned or operated by a hospital must obtain a controlled substance registration from the DEA. This is something that PTFD has maintained over the years, Triggs said.

According to the American Ambulance Association, the new rules address gaps in regulatory clarity and accountability.

“For the first time, EMS agencies are formally recognized as DEA registrants in their own right. This designation brings long-needed clarity, but it also introduces direct responsibility for controlled substance compliance, documentation, and chain-of-custody tracking,” according to an AAA press release. “For EMS leaders, the PPAEMA isn’t just a regulatory technicality. It fundamentally changes how controlled substances must be tracked, documented, and reported.”

The DEA requires departments to have vaults or storage units with digital tracking to provide a continuous, time-stamped record of controlled substance activity. While PTFD has vaults that are bolted inside each ambulance for paramedics and advanced EMTs to access Narcan and other controlled substances, the current method utilizes a written log.

A digital vault would allow tracking to see who was in the vault, how long the door was open, and other details. The cost to get digital vaults for the two squads and the fire station is estimated at just under $10,000, he said.

“I’m sure the federal government and state are providing additional funding to pay for it,” Trustee Steve Kendall said sarcastically.

Another change that Triggs recently learned about is how the 911 RCOG dispatches the “tender task force” – other departments that arrive on scene with water tenders in areas that don’t have fire hydrants. Now Lt. Nick Meko will need to provide a list of task force departments to Fulton, Henry and Wood Counties, which all have crews to provide water in the event of a fire in different areas of the township.

PTFD is also dealing with its 2022 ambulance being out of commission following a February accident. Estimates for repairs are around $110,000, plus the cost to recertify all of the equipment on board. The ambulance drivers were not at fault in the accident, which resulted in one person filing a Worker’s Compensation claim, Triggs said.

During the meeting, trustees also:

-Listened to resident Craig Kemmer share his discussion with a representative for the Northwest Ohio Aggregation Coalition (NOAC), which the township relies upon to negotiate lower electric rates. Trustees agreed to utilize the NOAC contract with Dynergy instead of the Toledo Edison rates.

-Discussed the impact of recent high winds, including downed trees and wires.

-Heard road superintendent Kevin Keifer say that he is still awating quotes from electrical contractors about repairing wiring on fuel tanks.

-Learned that a furnace unit in the maintenance garage fell from the ceiling and damaged the backhoe hood, which can be replaced at a cost of $502. The old heater can be repaired and rehung with stronger anchors.

Toledo area yoga studio guide

By
Lucas Sells
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A class at Yogaja Yoga, a local Toledo studio. (Courtesy photo)

Yoga Studios are some of the best ways to find calm while practicing mindful exercise. This roundup lists locations around the Toledo area where you can find your next Zen hotspot. Did we miss any of your favorites? Let us know in the comments.

Drop-ins at Pura Vida pay $10 per class. (Courtesy photo)

Pura Vida Wellness Studio

4326 S. Detroit Ave. l (419) 464-1611 l puravidawellnessstudio.com 

Pura Vida, located in south Toledo, offers classes on a weekly basis. Sessions can vary in intensity, from beginner classes to Pilates and the more advanced power yoga. In addition to communal classes, they also offer one-on-one sessions, as well as massages and sound healing. 

Pura Vida is a locally owned studio with experienced instructors, licensed massage therapists and certified healers. They pride themselves on offering these services at an accessible rate, with drop-ins at $10 and memberships at $44 a month.

Presence Yoga

3450 Central Ave #131 l (419)-376-6300 l presenceyogaltd.com

Presence Yoga offers both in-person and online services and can be brought to your home. Marketing themselves as highly customizable, they offer a wide variety of classes to accommodate your needs. Presence also offers student and senior discounts. 

Presence was founded by Rev. Nicole Ritz, an ordained interfaith minister who seeks to share the strength and happiness from her yoga practice.  

This downtown Sylvania, California Yoga Studio, also offers retreats, including an upcoming one in Costa Rica. (Courtesy photo)

California Yoga Studio 

5441 Main Street, Sylvania l (567) 343-0807 l californiayogastudio.com

California Yoga, located in Sylvania, offers memberships that allow access to meditation, wellness brunches, and varied yoga styles. Along with a studio, they also offer a teacher training program for those who are interested in becoming an instructor. 

California Yoga also offers a retreat; this year’s will be in Costa Rica. 

Located near the University of Toledo, Yogaja Yoga also offers Zoom classes. (Courtesy photo)

Yogaja Yoga

Cricket West Second Floor, 3145 West Central Ave l 567-343-5569 by text. l yogajayoga.com

Located right by the University of Toledo campus, Yogaja Yoga offers a studio with scheduled yoga instructors. They also offer online ‘OZ’ classes that are held over Zoom. Membership begins at $99/month with a five-week introductory offer for $50.

Along with studio sessions, Yogaja fulfills parties and private event coverage. 

Additional Chain Locations in the area include:

HOTWORX l hotworx.net

Body Alive l bodyalivefitness.com

Toledo Works: Tech in Toledo

By
Toledo Free Press
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Episode 4 of Toledo Works

Stephen Zenner speaks to Mike Vanderpool of Anthony Wayne Innovations and Justin Beaudry of Toledo Codes, two guests who are instrumental in the evolution of the 419 tech scene. The guests talk about the downtown “Innovation Corridor,” promoting a more universal understanding of technology through education, and more.

Everywhere in Toledo, you’ll find people who play a role in making our city tick – from hospitals and factories to restaurants and art galleries – and behind every person is a story. Our program, Toledo Works, highlights those stories from workers’ firsthand accounts. Each week, Toledo Free Press hosts Jaden Jefferson and Stephen Zenner focus on a different topic within the Toledo workforce, exploring their day-to-day challenges and triumphs.

Swanton Township trustees approve fund transfers

By
Karen Gerhardinger
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(AWFP photo by Karen Gerhardinger)

SWANTON TOWNSHIP – It’s not unusual for a fiscal officer to reallocate money from one fund to another. But since her election to office in November 2025, new Swanton Township Fiscal Officer Mindy Curry has found a need to relocate funds multiple times.

“This is to document expenses properly and put them in the correct fund account,” Curry told township trustees during their March 10 meeting, as they acknowledged and approved a slew of transfer requests. 

As an example, Curry said the previous administration was paying for garbage pickup out of the Roads and Bridge Fund instead of the General Fund. Legal expenses were being paid out of the Legal Salary Fund instead of the Accounting and Legal Fees Fund. And water service was coming out of the Operating Supplies Fund instead of the Water and Sewage Fund.

“We’re having to reallocate funds to be where they’re supposed to be,” Curry said, explaining that she has worked with the state auditor in order to make the township fund account numbers compliant. 

Trustee Matt Beil said that, in the process, it was discovered that the township has spent $700,000 in the past five years for legal services. 

“That was the prior administration. It will be a stretch if we spend $30,000 a year,” said Beil, explaining that all entities have some type of legal expenses. 

Curry shared that the appropriation budget for legal fees included $150,832 for 2025; $100,000 for 2024; $200,000 each for 2023 and 2022; and $275,000 for 2021.

Resident Mike Tye expressed concern that the township might be headed into a shortfall, but Curry said that funds were in place to pay the bills, and that trustees were simply reallocating from one fund to another.

“We’re not in a bad position. We’re just moving stuff around to be compliant. The auditor said we need to do this,” Curry said, adding that many of these reallocations were verified by the state auditor.

Now that the funds are allocated in the correct area, Curry can work on submitting the permanent budget, which is due to the county auditor on March 31. Trustees approved her request to hire traveling Fiscal Officer Anthony B. Pranger at the rate of $45 per hour to assist with the finalization of the 2026 permanent budget. A contract was also approved with Charles E. Harris and Associates for $700 maximum to assist with the year-end financial statements and tax returns. 

“Once the budget is ready for review by the trustees, a special meeting will be held for the trustees to approve it. The public is welcome to attend,” she said, adding that a special notice will be posted at swantontwp.org.

During the meeting, the trustees also:

-Listened to Beil say that a contract with Whitehouse Fire Department is set to expire. WFD covers the southern portion of the township while Springfield Township Fire covers the north. A new contract is expected to increase the cost dramatically, but specifics are not yet in writing. Fire and EMS coverage is paid for out of a 1.4 mill fire levy and 1 mill EMS levy that were approved in 2001. Beil plans to meet with Whitehouse and other surrounding fire departments to look at options to present in the coming weeks, but he cautioned that it will likely mean a levy.

-Thanked roads maintenance supervisor Anthony Peet and Mike Stinson for their work in fixing headstones in the cemetery. Peet explained that a tombstone jack is able to pick up a maximum of 15,000 pounds and allow time for the ground to be leveled. He estimates that 96 – some dating back to the early 1800s – need to be reset.

-Listened to a presentation by Laurie Manning of Hylant Group on options for insurance to cover property and vehicle liability through Ohio Plan Risk Management. 

-Heard Trustee Bill Anderson say that the township now has a map of 911 calls from the county dispatch. A four-year rolling average of the number of calls coming into the call center from Swanton Township is used to figure how much should be paid for its 911 bill. Previously, calls were erroneously added to the call list, but that has been whittled to just five, added Beil.

– Listened to an update on the annual meeting with the Lucas County Engineer. Some upcoming projects include roundabouts at the intersections of Monclova and Wilkins roads and Providence-Neapolis-Swanton and Archbold Whitehouse roads. Both begin in June and will have 45-day closures posted on the township website. The trustees also learned that the township can request, at no charge, to have a traffic study to determine the correct speed limit on Reed Road, where 25 mph signs were improperly placed. Unless otherwise marked all township roads are 50 mph or 55 mph. Yellow horse crossing signs were also determined to not meet standards. 

-Learned that the zoning board approved the use of temporary signs for the Greens at Oak Openings.

-Heard from Trustee Mike Nowicki that Zoning Commission members interviewed four qualified candidates for the zoning inspector position. After offering the position to one candidate, the board learned that he had a conflict of interest, and are now working with another candidate. 

-Heard that T-Mobile is looking at adding additional cells onto the tower at SR 295 and Monclova Road.

-Listened to an update on the Arrowhead Lake Mobile Home Park violation letter sent in December to the owners – who have not responded or taken any action to correct violations. Nowicki said John Borell, the county’s assistant prosecuting attorney, is looking at options, and will attend the April meeting to share more, Nowicki said.

-Heard that Anderson is looking at a cemetery information management system to streamline the burial records that are currently kept in eight log books dating back to the 1800s. 

-Learned that the Metroparks will have volunteers out in Oak Openings through October, monitoring birds, frogs and turtles. Beil said he will meet with the Metroparks quarterly to share ideas, including the best locations for gravel lots along Girdham Road, which is a major destination for birders in the spring.

-Appointed Bruce Wholf to the Zoning Commission.

-Approved a contract with Falcon Forge AI to assist in compliance with state requirements on cybersecurity. The township must be compliant, or at least show significant progress, by July 1 in order to avoid state penalties.

-Agreed to get quotes for updating the website, and to create a Facebook page for the township to make announcements. The township hall will now have internet service and a landline with the number (419) 826-9730.

-Heard that a previous trustee has not returned a key to the township hall as requested. The board agreed to have the locks redone on all the township buildings.

-Listened to James Stewart, of 12613 Airport Hwy., say that semi trucks are entering the business at 12545 Airport Hwy. at all hours of the night and idling for hours just 33 feet from his property, causing diesel smoke to come into his home. Trustees agreed that the new zoning inspector would look into it.

Monclova recommends four zoning text amendments

By
Karen Gerhardinger
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Waterside resident Jeanette Gannon addressed the Monclova Township Board of Trustees during its March 17 meeting, asking Trustee Debbie Stevens-Laux (left) to keep her promise to represent the people when it comes to data centers. Also listening is township administrator Harold Grim. (AWFP photo by Karen Gerhardinger)

MONCLOVA – Monclova Township Trustees agreed to send four proposed zoning text amendments to the Lucas County Planning Commission for review – just the start of a process that will include public comment before enacting any change.

“This is based on the many conversations we’ve discussed at these meetings,” said Trustee Barbara Lang during the March 16 meeting. “This is the formalization of that process.”

Monclova Township Zoning Administrator Eric Wagner prepared four proposed zoning text amendments for consideration. (AWFP photo by Karen Gerhardinger)

Zoning Administrator Eric Wagner provided a copy of these proposed amendments, which include:

• The Board of Zoning Appeals may set conditions governing lighting, screening, parking, landscaping and hours of operation when issuing a conditional use permit, with the effort to “protect the general health, safety and welfare of the community.”

•A definition and rules governing the use of auxiliary electric generators, including noise, screening, distance from adjacent properties (300 feet for commercial/industrial/multi-family and 20 feet for residential), and type of fuel used (only natural gas or propane).

•Limiting the types of businesses that locate in the Toledo, Maumee, Monclova Township Joint Economic Development Zone to those with permanent structures and a minimum number of employees. The goal is to avoid passive commercial uses with few or no employees, Lang said.

• Methods for notifying the public of upcoming hearings may now include on the township’s website and social media accounts, on ohiopublicnotices.com or in one or more newspapers of general circulation at least 10 days before the hearing.

The county will review and made recommendations on these text amendments and then forward them to the township’s Zoning Commission. The Board of Trustees will make a final decision. Public hearings will be held in each of the meetings to gather input.

During the meeting, the trustees also:

-Heard that a Little Free Library, donated and stocked by Anthony Wayne High School student Lila Hippert, was installed at Keener Park.

-Noted that additional seating and enhanced the speakers in the meeting room will accommodate what has been a higher than normal attendance rate the past several months.

-Approved a contract with Bowers Asphalt to repave 3.75 miles of roadway this summer, including streets in Wrenwood, Ridge at Wrenwood and Keystone Drive.

-Set a public hearing for a street lighting district in Stoney Creek Plat 5, lots 133-181, for Monday, April 20 at 5:30 p.m.

-Approved several purchases for the Maintenance Department, including: $163,163 for a Toro Groundmaster 5910 mower; $105,490 for a Case TV370B Track Loader; $15,978 for a Conrkhite 3621 HD split tilt deck trailer; $63,903 for a Ford F-250 4×4 crew cab pickup truck; $4,074 for Department of Transportation approved warning light package for the truck; and $17,889 for a Grassopper729T6 rear discharge mower. All of the purchases were appropriated in the budget for this year, said Fiscal Officer Gavin Pike.

-Set the Safety Township program for June 8-11 at Monclova Primary School, with the graduation set for Friday, June 12. Two-hour morning and afternoon sessions are available with a maximum of 30 spots per session. The fee is $30.00 per person.

-Heard Lang say that the Ohio House is considering establishing a Data Center Study Commission, and a substitute House Bill 646 includes the Ohio Township Association’s request to include a township representative on the commission.

-Thanked Dennis Luginbuhl for his 48 years of service with Monclova Township Fire and Rescue. He joined the department in 1977 and retired on Feb. 23.

-Authorized Fire Chief Matt Homik to advertise for bids on self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) equipment.

-Approved a memo of understanding with the Northwest Ohio Fire Prevention Association to handle the annual fire safety inspections for mobile food vendors. The township will still conduct inspections when vendors set up in the area, but the annual inspections are much more detailed and time consuming, Homik said.

-Heard that Grim is working with the Lucas County Engineer and the city of Maumee to do a joint project on resurfacing of Black Road in 2028. 

-Thanked township crews for extensive cleanup after the winds that knocked down power lines and blocked roads. 

-Heard that the township had 137 runs in February.

-Learned that the fire inspector and firefighters who are going through advanced incident command training all attended a class at the Cleveland Auto Show to learn how to safely work around electric and hybrid vehicles. This information will be utilized to provide training for the entire department.

-Listened to Waterside resident Risa Sindel ask that the trustees govern with integrity and a “straight moral compass.” She added that many residents are keeping notes on trustees’ decisions regarding data centers and development.

-Listened to resident Jeannette Gammon urge Trustee Debbie Stevens-Laux to keep her campaign promise of doing what is best for the people. 

-Learned that the post office building at 7959 Monclova Rd., a small portion of vacant land and the property lot for the post office were sold to Young Investment Properties. Both were previously owned by Lempak Properties Ltd.

-Learned that 2.6 acres at the northwest corner of Albon and Maumee Western were sold by Sky Group to Ridi’s. The property is zoned C-2.

Maritime Academy students’ weekend art exhibition

By
Paul Hubbard
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Jacqueline Hatcher (center) with Maritime Academy art students. (Courtesy photo)

Courtesy of The Sojourner’s Truth

TOLEDO – The Maritime Academy of Toledo showcased its art students’ creativity during its first art exhibition held at Truth Colours Art Gallery on the weekend of March 20-22.

Maritime Superintendent Misha Stredrick, EdD, wanted to recognize the creativity coming out of art teacher Jaqueline Hatcher‘s Maritime classroom. 

“She is just phenomenal,” said Stredrick of the art teacher. “Each day, I go into her classroom and the atmosphere is just amazing. It’s almost like a therapeutic mood – calm, dim lights, music playing … and the students are creating all types of things. I said what we need is a showroom.”

Stredrick approached The Truth Colours Gallery. “I wanted to reach out and see if we could make a connection, especially seeing that it is a Black-owned gallery.”

That’s when Stredrick met Nikola Welcome-Bovell, an accomplished artist herself and the manager/curator of The Truth Colours Gallery.

“It was like talking to an old friend,” Stredrick said of that connection. “The ideas that we threw out … and the idea [for this art show] was birthed out of those conversations.

The exhibition featured student artwork including stained glass, yarn panting, acrylic paint markers, watercolor, oil pastels and ebony pencils, noted Stredrick. The collection also included images of TV characters, flowers, fruits, animals angels and family situations, she added.

Maritime board members, administration, faculty and staff. (Courtesy photo)

“My reason for this exhibition is to give the youth an opportunity to showcase their work – to showcase their work in our gallery so our children can see their potential,” said Welcome-Bovell.

The exhibition was more than just art, however. Guests enjoyed great finger food prepared by Maritime Culinary Art‘s program headed by its teacher, Christopher Lowe. This is another program Maritime offers that will lead to employment. Students can also major in business at Maritime. 

In 2026-2027 Maritime hopes to expand its study majors to health care, welding and dental assistant. 

Jim Rush from Thread PR firm, who attended the art show, was duly impressed and said that corporate Toledo should start using this Art Gallery for a variety of events. This will bring corporate executives closer to the community they sell to and serve.

In addition to the art students and their families, other Maritime notables included Joy Goodner, a Maritime board member; Tamar Campbell, Community School Coordinator from Maritime’s sponsor in Columbus; Kathy Sampson, business manager; and Principal Jacob Lofton. They all remarked on the amazing art event. 

St. Clair Art Gallery in Hensville has offered their gallery for the next Maritime Art Show. Maritime’s board wants to thank Stredrick for her planning and input. Also, a shoutout to Maritime’s art teacher Jaqueline Hatcher. Many thanks to Fletcher Word, owner of The  Sojourner’s Truth and The Truth Colours Gallery.

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