Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz. (TFP photo by Stephen Zenner)
The following results are sourced from WTOL11 coverage and are still not official until each county board of elections completes its official canvass in the days ahead. The projections below will be updated if anything changes.
Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz declares victory in the race against Roberto Torres and write-in candidate Harold Harris.
Toledo City Council
Eleven candidates ran for six at-large seats on Toledo City Council, including incumbents George Sarantou, Nick Komives, Brittany Jones, Cerssandra McPherson and Mac Driscoll.
The winners are projected to be: Cerssandra McPherson Brittany Jones Nick Komives George Sarantou Erin Kramer Mac Driscoll
Issues
Issue 1: PASSED
(Renewal) A Lucas County Tax Levy for Lucas County Children Services for 1.8 mills which equals $39 per $100,000 of property. $14,069,600 is the estimated amount the levy will raise for LCCS. The Levy will be for the next five years.
Michelle and Ivan Jaffe on the main floor of the old 1940s Post Office building at 117 East Second Street where they are in process of converting the building to a jewelry boutique in downtown Perrysburg. “We will host community events, design sessions, and educational workshops,” Ivan Jaffe said. (TFP photo by Stephen Zenner)
New boutique set to open in historic Perrysburg building
PERRYSBURG – In January, Harold Jaffe Jewelers held a liquidation sale and closed its doors after nearly eight decades in business. But the family name that has long been associated with fine jewelry in the Toledo area is making a comeback.
I.M. Jaffe Jewelers is set to open in December in the former U.S. Post Office building on East Second Street in Perrysburg.
The owners, husband-and-wife team Ivan and Michelle Jaffe, are excited to revive the family business in the new location.
“We both grew up in Perrysburg and thought it was a really cool building,” Michelle Jaffe said. “It still has the original artwork in there on one wall, and the Smithsonian has the rights to it. We’re in the process of trying to get the building back to what it originally looked like.”
John Hart smooths over drywall with a putty knife at the new location of Jaffe Jewelers. (TFP photo by Stephen Zenner)
Ivan’s father, Harold Jaffe, opened his first jewelry store in 1946 on Cherry Street, across from what is now the St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center.
The business “bounced around” the area over the decades, Ivan Jaffe said, moving to Temperance and Petersburg, Mich., the Westgate area in Toledo, Country Charm Shopping Center in Perrysburg, and the Talmadge Road store across from the Franklin Park Mall.
When Ivan Jaffe’s brother, Jeff Jaffe, decided to retire at the end of 2023, the family posted on social media that “unfortunately this means Harold Jaffe Jewelers as you know it is going out of business.”
The Facebook post said Harold Jaffe Jewelers would sell off its $8 million in inventory at deep discounts and then close for good in January 2024.
“Laurie and I have retired and are living near our kids in the Atlanta area,” Jeff Jaffe said in an email. “We are pleased that Ivan and Michelle are continuing the legacy began by our Dad, Harold, in 1946. They are returning to their hometown roots!
“The new store in the historic Perrysburg post office promises to be a very cool venue and we wish them every success in their new venture,” he said.
Ivan Jaffe in the basement of their future space. (TFP photo by Stephen Zenner)
Ivan Jaffe joined the family business in 1976 and earned the elite status of being a certified gemologist. Michelle Jaffe, who has three undergraduate degrees, said she studied jewelry design at Rollins College in Florida and worked at a jewelry store while a student.
She was the director of admissions at Rollins College and added with a laugh that “I never thought I’d end up working the jewelry business.”
The couple said they are “pouring ourselves into every detail of I.M. Jaffe” and will not only be selling and repairing fine jewelry and watches, but want to let clients get involved in every step of the process.
“Our clients are collaborators,” Michelle said. “We’re going to do a lot of hands-on experiences.”
She said that I.M. Jaffe will help customers who are capable and interested to take part in the creation of their own jewelry, including designing, carving the wax, stamping and hand-engraving.
“Everybody has a different comfort level,” she said. “We’re trying to figure out the mechanics right now, but the next generation really likes to have an experience.”
The couple said the new store will be environmentally minded, with “every diamond, gemstone, and precious metal selected with environmental and social responsibility in mind.”
They added that they are committed to “doing good locally and globally.”
Ivan said he and Michelle are looking forward to being active in the community.
“We will host community events, design sessions, and educational workshops,” he said. “We want to be involved.”
The couple said they expect the restoration of the 1940 Perrysburg post office building at 117 East Second Street in Perrysburg to be a “multi-year” project for their jewelry boutique and as a community gathering space.
TFP photos by Stephen Zenner:
Gordon Fuller, a subcontractor, clears front steps at the site. John Hart, a handyman and painter, throws items into dumpster at the future Jaffe Jewelers site.Gordon Fuller, a subcontractor, speaks and coordinates with Ivan Jaffe on the main floor of the old 1940s Post Office building.Michelle and Ivan Jaffe stand in front of their new storefront.
ANTHONY WAYNE – When Anthony Wayne-area voters head to the polls, some will find plenty of choices – and others not enough. In Swanton Township, four candidates are vying for two trustee positions. In Waterville, just one candidate is certified to run for three open seats.
Below is a list of candidates and issues to expect on the ballot, and we will be adding to this content as we gather information throughout election season.
Anthony Wayne Local Schools
Two incumbents are running for re-election to their seats: Kyle Miller and Mike Stamm. Miller, who is currently board president, is seeking a second four-year term. Stamm, who was elected in 2023 to a two-year unexpired term, is seeking a four-year term.
Waterville city council will have three openings in January, but only Mary Duncan is certified to be on the ballot for her third term. Rob Allen submitted petitions, but those were ruled invalid by the Lucas County Board of Elections. Current council member Anthony Bruno is not seeking re-election, and council member John Rozic is term-limited. Council members Duncan, Todd Borowski, Rod Frey and Wayne Wagner will review applications, conduct interviews and name two new council members in January.
Some Waterville voters will also be asked to vote on two liquor sales issues related to the planned Meijer store – which will begin construction late this year or in early 2026. Meijer is seeking a D-6 permit to allow the sale of wine and mixed beverages on Sundays both in the main store and in the out lot that will contain a gas station and convenience store.
Whitehouse
Three candidates are certified to run for three, four-year terms on Whitehouse Village Council.
Incumbents Louann Artiaga and Steve Fine are running for re-election while Joe Bublick is seeking his first term in office. Read more about the candidates here.
Also on the ballot are three proposed charter changes. Two ask voters whether they support imposing term limits on both the mayor and council. If approved, the mayor and council members would need to sit out after serving three consecutive four-year terms.
Another proposed charter amendment would change how the mayor can appoint, transfer, remove or suspend department heads or chiefs. A change would require a majority vote by council in order for the mayor to take action on any personnel changes.
Whitehouse Village Council members Louann Artiaga (left) and Steve Fine (right) are on the ballot, along with Joe Bublick (center) for three open seats. (TFP photo by Karen Gerhardinger)
Townships
Three candidates are seeking two positions on the Monclova Township board of trustees.
Trudy Yoder VicaryDebbie Stevens LauxBarbara Lang
Incumbents Barbara Lang and Trudy Yoder Vicary are re-running, challenged by Debbie Stevens-Laux. Lang won a seat on the board in 2003 and again every term since 2009 – a total of 20 years. Vicary was first elected to office in 2021. Stevens-Laux is the co-owner of Stevens Gardens in Monclova Township and is seeking her first term.
Providence Township trustees Steve Kendall and Lee Bialecki were the only candidates to submit petitions to be re-elected to their positions, but Bialecki’s petitions were deemed insufficient by the Lucas County Board of Elections last month. The board – which also includes trustee Jeremiah Floyd – will consider filling that third position during the first meeting in January.
In Swanton Township, incumbents Jeff Michael and Kyle McPherson are being challenged for the two open trustees’ positions by Bill Anderson and Matt Beil. Learn more about these four candidates here.
Matt BeilBill AndersonKyle McPhersonJeff MichaelSandy SpeikerMindy Curry
Following the death of fiscal officer Peggy Michael in June, that position is now on the ballot as well. Trustees Michael, McPherson and Mike Nowicki appointed Sandy Speiker to fill the fiscal officer position. Mindy Curry and Speiker are seeking to fill that position.
Read more about about the candidates for Swanton Township fiscal officer role here.
In Waterville Township, Kim Anderson is not seeking re-election to the board of trustees. Toby Miller, who is currently chair of the board of zoning appeals, is on the ballot along with Kyle Hertzfeld, who has served on the board continuously since 2006.
Early voting begins Tuesday, Oct. 7 at the Lucas County Board of Elections, 3737 W. Sylvania Ave. in Toledo. On Tuesday, Nov. 4, polls open at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m. For information on polling locations, early voting or absentee voting – as well as sample ballots visit lucascountyohiovotes.gov.
The Toledo Free Press will provide more detailed articles on AW-area races in the coming weeks. If you are a candidate, contact [email protected] to join the coverage.
Sustainability Coordinator Sara Grunberg standing by a sign in the parking lot explaining phase one. (TFP photo by Steven Bieber)
Panels added to Lourdes University parking lot
SYLVANIA – The Sisters of St. Francis announced in April that they will tackle the growing climate crisis by building solar panels in the parking lot of Lourdes University near the Russell J. Ebeid Hall. The announcement was made on April 22, 2025 – Earth Day. It also came one day after the passing of Pope Francis.
The project is currently in phase one, which involves building solar canopies. This first phase is expected to be finished by the end of the year. Once completed, the project will move forward to phases two and three.
A rendering of what the solar panel project will look like upon completion. (Photo courtesy of Sisters of St. Francis)
The overall project will cost $5 million. The money was raised through fundraising and government grants, as the Sisters are a nonprofit organization. Once completed, the solar project will reduce 328.2 metric tons of carbon emissions annually, save $63,000 in yearly energy costs, and provide the campus with clean, renewable energy for decades to come. The CO2 reduction is equivalent to offsetting 100 percent of the Franciscan Center’s energy use on campus.
To build the solar panels, the Sisters of St. Francis are working with Elevated Energy. This nonprofit organization installs rooftop solar systems, ground-mount solar systems, solar carports, and car charging stations. They have been in the solar industry for 17 years.
Elevated Energy offers guidance on where solar panels can be added and assists with development, construction, engineering and fundraising throughout the process. The Sisters also received help in identifying grants and optimizing the direct pay incentive.
Sara Grunberg, sustainability coordinator for the Sisters of St. Francis, encouraged other universities to invest in green energy.
“This is our response to that climate crisis,” she said. “However, if you do look at it from a financial standpoint, the savings are $63,000 annually, and it’s estimated to last 25 to 30 years. So $63,000 annually is what we’re expected to save.”
“That money can be reinvested into the sister’s mission industry elsewhere,” she added. “So from the lens of a university, it is a great investment, and it’s also a great education tool for students who might want to get involved in that type of work.”
She also noted that the solar power initiative responds to Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’ encyclical, which calls each of us to care for the earth and for the poor. Laudato Si’ translates from Latin to “Praise be to you, my Lord.”
Solar panels are not the Sisters’ only commitment to helping the environment. According to a press release from April, this initiative is part of the Sisters’ larger seven-year commitment to Laudato Si’ and to the Sylvania community that has been their home since 1916.
The announcement follows years of sustainability efforts on campus, including the launch of an advanced composting program, planting over 100 trees, a thriving beekeeping initiative, and donating over 500 lbs. of fresh produce from the Grateful Harvest Community Garden. Together, these efforts reflect a faith-based commitment to both ecological action and community care.
The solar panels will be in the parking lot of Russel J. Ebeid Hall. (TFP photo by Steven Bieber)
Grunberg added that funding and infrastructure are likely the leading factors preventing other universities from investing in similar green energy projects, especially with the current administration revoking tax credits.
In partnership with Jaden Jefferson Reports,La Prensa, The Sojourner’s Truth, and WTOL11
TOLEDO – November is not so far off, and with it comes a general election with the potential of mixing up much of Lucas County’s elected officials.
98 officials will be elected in Lucas County during the Tuesday, Nov. 4 General Election. Trustees, mayors and city council members may all see some changes as people cast their votes.
Six At-Large City Council positions and the city’s main executive one, the mayor, will all be up for grabs this year in Toledo.
As we continue to cover these candidates, we will add to the guide up until the November election.
Mayoral Candidates
Wade Kapszukiewicz
Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz sat down with Toledo Free Press reporter Stephen Zenner in early October to unpack his experience in politics, how faith led him to serve, economic development and other relevant local topics.
Political Experience:
Mayor of Toledo 2018-present Chairman of the Lucas County Landbank from 2010-2019 Lucas County Treasurer 2005-2018 Toledo City Council Member from 1999-2003
Education:
Undergraduate: Bachelor’s in journalism and political science from Marquette University in 1994 Valedictorian of the College of Communication, Journalism, and Performing Arts.
Graduate: Master’s in public policy from the University of Michigan
Professional experience:
Worked for New Ohio Institute, a public policy research organization that studied issues affecting Ohio’s urban areas Taught at both Lourdes University and Owens Community College as an adjunct professor during his time on City Council.
Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz is seeking a third term in office. He joined Jaden Jefferson on Community Focus in April 2025 to make his case for another four years, provide a view of where the city is headed, and respond to ongoing challenges.
Roberto Torres
Stephen Zenner sits down with Independent mayoral candidate Roberto Torres to talk about his experiences working in Cleveland and Detroit, in addition to his work in Toledo. The two of them discuss the candidate’s philosophy on economic development, local political differences, and how his experience growing up in a northwest Ohio migrant camp shaped him.
Political Experience:
Director/Advisor of the Mayor’s Office Immigrant Affairs and Economic Inclusion for Detroit, Michigan 2018-2025 Executive Director of the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan 2015-2017 Executive Director of the Northwest Ohio Chamber of Commerce 2013-2015 Director of Economic Development Canton, Ohio 2008-2012 Manager of Economic Development Specialist Toledo, Ohio 2006-2008 Director of the Office Latino Affairs Toledo, Ohio 2003-2006 Director of the Toledo Youth Commission Toledo, Ohio 1998-2003
Education:
Undergraduate: Bachelor of Arts from Bowling Green State University, 1985
Professional Experience:
Consultant with Catholic Youth and School Services in Toledo United States Marine Corps
Roberto Torres is an independent who’s seeking the office of mayor in Toledo. He spoke with Jaden Jefferson in the April 2025 episode of Community Focus about his previous experience, economic plans, on thoughts on the city’s future.
Harold Harris
*Harris is a write-in candidate
Harold Harris is an independent seeking the office of mayor in Toledo as a write-in candidate. He lost the primary election to Kapszukiewicz and Torres, but continues to campaign. Jaden Jefferson spoke to Harris ahead of the primary election in the Spring, where he shared his main goal for Toledo, reducing crime, specifically gun violence.
Political Experience:
Harris believes his grass roots organizing over the past six years is good preparation for his run for Mayor.
Professional experience: Harris achieved the E-6 rank of Technical Sergeant in the United States Air Force. He served in the Air Force for 20 years from the Vietnam War into the Gulf War era from 1974 to 1994
September 23, 2025 edition of Jaden Jefferson’s Community Focus: Toledo business owner and city council candidate Ed Beczynski answers the question of if he’ll still be involved in his businesses, if elected; discusses neighborhood redevelopment; and offers his take on other matters.
Emily Desmond
*Desmond is a write-in candidate who just announced her run in early October.
October 13, 2025 edition of Jaden Jefferson’s TFP The Weekend where he sits down with Toledo City Council At-Large write-in candidate, Emily Desmond. Desmond shares her hope for the future of Toledo, its neighborhoods and salient issues she wishes to advocate for.
Political Experience:
Volunteered for Nick Komives’s Toledo City Council campaign; supported State Representative Michele Grim and Ohio Senate candidate Reem Subei.
Supported the grassroots coalition Toledo Persists.
A founding member of Toledo Area Progressives.
Toledo SOUP, committee member, 2012-2015
Uptown Board, board member, 2025-2017
Toledo Area Progressives, founding member, 2017
Keep Toledo/Lucas County Beautiful 2021-2024
Urban Wholistics, fundraising and events volunteer, 2024-present
Toledo Rotary, member, August 2025-present
Professional Experience:
Communications Specialist for Advocates for Basic Legal Equality (ABLE) 2021-Present
Editor-in-Chief Swell Magazine 2021-Present
Marketing Specialist for Balance Pan-Asian Grille 2018-2020
Public Relations Specialist for the Toledo Museum of Art 2017-2018
Content Specialist for ProMedica 2013-2016
Social Media Director/Content Editor at Thrive Media 2011-2013
Founder/President of Social B. Creative 2011-Present
Writer and Media Assistant for Propel Media 2010-2011
Writer & Arts and Entertainment Editor for the Toledo City Paper 2007-2010
Education:
Undergraduate: Bachelor of Science in Print Journalism from Bowling Green State University, 2008 with minors in Early Childhood Education and Popular Culture
In December 2024, Jaden Jefferson spoke with Toledo City Council At-Large Member Mac Driscoll on Community Focus. Driscoll discussed the mayor’s proposed budget for 2025 — and discusses what he’s heard from residents.
Blair M. Johnson
Professional Experience:
BMJ Enterprises, General Contractor and Handyman BMJ Auto & Logistics LLC Owner Breaking the Glass Founder Project Toledo 419
Education:
High School: Start High School
Associate: Owens Community College, Criminal Justice and Corrections
Blair Johnson is a local contractor who, for the first time, is taking the dip in the world of local politics. In Jaden Jefferson’s September 15 edition of Community Focus, Johnson discusses his run for an at-large seat on Toledo City Council.
Brittany D. Jones
Political Experience:
City Council Member At-Large since February 2024
Professional Experience:
Survey & Evaluation Analyst for the United Way of Greater Toledo 2022 to present Growing Back To Your Roots, Founder/CEO (2015 – Present) Central State University, Lucas County Agent | Family & Consumer Sciences (2017 – 2018) Children’s Hunger Alliance, School & Summer Nutrition Manager (2015 – 2016) United North Corporation, Housing Program Coordinator (2014 – 2015)
Education:
Undergraduate: Bachelor of Arts Public Affairs, Journalism The Ohio State University 2009
Graduate: Master of Arts in City/Urban community and regional planning from Wayne State University 2015
PhD: Doctor of Philosophy in spatial integrated social science from the University of Toledo 2021
Nick Komives, Toledo City Council Member At-Large, addresses the press concerning $28.5 million in federal funding that may be cut from development on the east side in the parking lot of the Huntington Bank off 75 Main Street in east Toledo, Ohio on Thursday June 12, 2025. (TFP photo by Stephen Zenner)
Political Experience:
Toledo City Council Member At-Large since 2018
Professional Experience:
Executive Director of Equality Toledo since 2015 Development Officer at the United Way of Greater Toledo since 2015
Education:
Undergraduate: The University of Toledo Bachelor of Arts in Law and Social Thought, 2012
Associates: Owens Community College Associates in Arts in English, 2010
For more information on Nick Komives, take a look at this WTOL11 interview with him from September. WTOL11 is a media partner of the Toledo Free Press.
Erin Kramer
Professional Experience:
Owens Community College Director of Admissions, Adjunct Instructor, Admissions Representative, 2017-present University of Toledo Success Coach, Adjunct Instructor, 2007-2019
Education:
Undergraduate: University of Toledo Bachelor of Arts in Communication 1996
Graduate: University of Toledo Master of Arts in English Literature 2005
Erin Kramer is a Democrat seeking an at-large seat on Toledo City Council. In this Community Focus interview with Jaden Jefferson, she discusses economic development, housing, youth programming and more.
Cerssandra McPherson
In preparation for the November 2025 election, the Toledo Free Press has created a Voter’s Guide, complete with video interviews like this one. Stephen Zenner speaks to Toledo City Council Member At-Large Cerssandra McPherson about her goals for improving the lives of Toledoans.
Political Experience:
Toledo City Council Member At-Large since 2020
Professional Experience:
Special education paraprofessional for 32 years in Toledo Public Schools
Tom Names, a candidate for an at-large seat on council, talks about his plans on Jaden Jefferson’s Community Focus.
Rob Pasker
Professional Experience:
Won 20 under 40 Toledo award 2024 Certified Branch Office Manager with NID Housing Broker/owner of Pasker Real Estate President of Pasker & Associates LTD Co-Found of Go Matcha, Go Substitute teacher for Toledo Public Schools
Education:
Associates: Columbus State Community College Associate of Arts
Bachelors: Franklin University Bachelors of Business Administration
On Jaden Jefferson’s Community Focus on Sept. 21, Northwest Ohio realtor Rob Pasker III discusses his bid for an at-large seat on Toledo City Council and the issues he’d like to address, from economic development opportunities to youth programming.
George Sarantou
In September, Stephen Zenner interviewed George Sarantou about his experience as a Toledo City Council Member At-Large, as well as his plans for improving the lives of Toledoans.
Political Experience:
Toledo City Council Member since 2021 Finance Director for the City of Toledo Probate Court Administrator
Professional Experience:
Financial Advisor for three decades Reading mentor with TPS
Served as a Toledo City Council Member for District 5 from 2007 to 2020 Ran for Lucas County Commissioner 2024, and lost to Pete Gerken 2017 ran for mayor of Toledo, but lost the primary to current mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz.
Professional experience:
Worked as an investigative reporter before moving into politics Started Access Toledo Served as chairman of the United Way Board Retired as development director of Catholic Charities
Graduate degree: Bowling Green State University, 1998
A former member of Toledo City Council, Republican Tom Waniewski is now running to unseat Lucas County Commissioner Pete Gerken. He joins me on this week’s Community Focus, to discuss how he’d lead in the position, if elected.
Issues on the ballot
Issue 1:
(Renewal) A Lucas County Tax Levy for Lucas County Children Services for 1.8 mills which equals $39 per $100,000 of property. $14,069,600 is the estimated amount the levy will raise for LCCS. The Levy will be for the next five years.
Issue 14:
Ballot 13I: Will Liquor, Wine & Spirits be sold on Sunday at Batroon3, LLC (Top Shelf Liquor) 3303 Dorr Street
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, but Toledo government shuns spending money to maintain essential public infrastructure and passes inconvenience and expense on to its citizens.
Failure to maintain the Collins Park Water Plant resulted in the 2014 interruption of potable water and prompted expensive catchup dollars to update both the Collins Park and Bayview plants. The city did not recognize the failure of an 84-inch sewer culvert under the Bowsher High School football field in 2022 as a precursor to pipe collapses and sink holes along Arlington Avenue this past spring, resulting in raw sewage releases. The bill for emergency repair funding is forthcoming.
Road repair is the leading complaint to Engage Toledo. The income earmarked for Toledo roads: gas taxes, licensing fees, overweight truck fines, federal and state matching grants and what can be spared from the Toledo budget, has been meager. The city averaged only 11.7 lane miles per year of road resurfacing from 2015-2020. The mayor’s refrain is that money would be spent on road repair, if there was only a large source of money.
Regrettably, more of the $180 million of the American Recovery Plan Act of 2021 allocated to Toledo was not spent on infrastructure as allowed by the Act. Currently, in the second, four-year tax levy to catch up on neglected repair, Toledo is now averaging 44.8 lane miles per year (2021-2025), but the levies are not solving the problem.
The long-term strategic plan is a relatively simple arithmetic exercise. There are approximately 2,680 lane miles of road. If the useful life of a freshly rebuilt/repaved road, including patching, averages as much as 40 years, the city should be routinely budgeting to repave 2.5 percent of the roads (67 lane miles) annually and be caught up in forty years.
The 114 roads announced for 2025 only represents 42.64 lane miles of road or 1.6 percent of the total lane miles, and it will take about 60 years on average before all the roads are repaired. But don’t count on seeing your residential road being repaired inside 60 years, because the city sometimes prioritizes repair on roads that least require resurfacing.
Maintaining roads makes the roads safer, saves money on tires and car undercarriage repair, especially the most deteriorated roads, and makes Toledo more attractive for businesses and residential neighborhoods. Addressing road repair early also saves government money because road repair costs are rising quicker than other inflationary costs.
Toledo is a remarkable place, and we all know the reasons why. Our cultural institutions are globally recognized. Our culture is welcoming to families of all shapes and sizes. Our Mud Hens and Walleye are the envy of minor league cities across the country. We can walk or float to one of the world’s Great Lakes within minutes.
And yet, this is a city that has been in decline for over 50 years. Since its peak in 1970, Toledo has lost nearly one-third of its population. We have lost nearly 6 percent in the last decade alone. Manufacturing jobs have been cut in half, and family household income isn’t even keeping up with inflation.
There are a number of reasons for this, but the one voters should focus on this Tuesday is straightforward: This is a one-party town, run by Democrats, who have no checks and balances on their power. The result of this lack of political competition has been absolutely devastating to this city.
When there is no opposition party to check your work, or debate your approach, or create sensible compromises, the consequences are dire for voters and taxpayers. Democrats in Lucas County have used their consolidated power to put friends and political cronies in lucrative taxpayer-funded jobs, double dip by collecting a taxpayer-funded pension at the same time as a taxpayer-funded salary, and steered taxpayer-funded contracts to their politically connected friends, consultants and donors.
Most horrifying is the lack of government transparency. This city received roughly $180 million in COVID relief funds, and refused to tell the public how it planned to spend the money. It was later found that much of the money was spent on consulting fees for political allies, and loosely defined projects with zero oversight.
Local Democrats have shown us time and again: They care about their own power, taxpayers be damned.
Elections are usually defined by one core issue that motivates people to show up at the polls. For Toledoans this Tuesday, whether you are Republican, Democrat, or neither, that issue must be accountability. We must provide competition and accountability on city council, and eventually the county commission, to ensure that taxpayers have oversight over the corruption – and literal crimes – that have taken place in this city under one party rule.
Unfortunately, the local GOP isn’t quite ready to recruit a full slate electable candidates. So Republicans like myself are joining with moderate Democrats to support a slate of independently-minded candidates in Tom Waniewski, Ed Beczynski, and Rob Pasker.
A group of residents opposed to data centers gathers in front of the Waterville Township Hall prior to an Oct. 29 meeting. Pictured are (from left) Arnold Graf, Lyn Cox, Todd Heller and Leslie Harper. (AWFP photo by Karen Gerhardinger)
WATERVILLE TOWNSHIP – The dozens of Anthony Wayne-area residents who filled the basement of Waterville First Presbyterian Church on Oct. 29 came to share their opinions about data centers with Waterville Township trustees. While trustees Kim Anderson, Kyle Hertzfeld, Julie Theroux and incoming trustee Toby Miller fielded those questions, an overall theme beyond data centers also emerged – the future of the township.
For the fourth time in the past 18 months, the trustees have placed a levy on the ballot to generate income for the General Fund. Currently, residents pay an average of $13 a year toward the fund, which covers expenses beyond police, fire, EMS and roads. And it’s not enough to keep the township going, Hertzfeld said.
“Without the General Fund, there really is no township. We’ll be out of money in a year and a half,” he said. “We can’t take money from any other fund and put it in the General Fund; it’s illegal. I’m pleading with you to at least look at AREIS and look at what you’re paying.”
After reading what he called “totally wrong” information about the levy on Facebook, Hertzfeld suggested that residents go to the Lucas County Auditor’s website to see just how much of their property taxes go to the township and the General Fund in particular. The township receives 18.09 percent of property taxes. Of that, just .33 percent – or $22,000 a year – supports the General Fund. That’s about $20 a year for a home valued at $330,000.
A citizen committee including resident William Walborn paid for postcards to be sent out to all residents about the levy, which is Issue 9 on the ballot. The request is for a 3.5-mill levy that will cost about $10 a month per $100,000 in home value, to generate $398,800 a year.
These funds cover township hall operations, zoning and planning, legal and audit compliance and community services. It also supports the Police Department’s budget, which is strained because of increasing costs for equipment and training, even while officers are the lowest paid in the county, noted Miller.
If the township doesn’t have enough money in its General Fund, the state would place the township into fiscal emergency and the state would make decisions on funding.
“Honestly, I don’t know what the state is going to do if it doesn’t pass,” Hertzfeld said.
Lucas County Economic Development Department director Matthew Heyrman.
As costs for basic services go up, the township has three choices: raise taxes, reduce services or increase revenue by growing the economy, said Bill Burkett, a township Zoning Commission member and senior planner with Regional Growth Partnership. Burkett, along with Lucas County Economic Development Department director Matt Heyrman, spoke about how the LCEDD and RGP have teamed up with JobsOhio to look for sectors to pursue in order to grow the county’s economy – including data centers.
“Growth is inevitable. Growth can diversify our economy and pay for the services we need,” Burkett said.
“I would rather people vote for a levy than to get a data center,” said Tony Braida, one of several residents who addressed trustees.
Lisa Haberstock agreed.
“We have to get this passed,” she said, holding a flier about the levy. “What’s going to happen if this doesn’t pass? If the state takes over, will they care that people don’t want a data center? The data center will be here if we leave it to the state.”
She encouraged the township residents to band together with other Anthony Wayne area residents and leaders to fight the efforts to bring a data center to the area, whether it’s Waterville Township, Monclova Township, Waterville or Whitehouse.
In April 2024, Heyrman and RGP began digging into the pros and cons of data centers, and whether they would work in the county. Access to land, water and power, as well as the proper zoning and community acceptance, are all necessities. Some of the planning documents were shared on the AW-CRAP Facebook page, but weren’t meant for public distribution because they’re just ideas as they work on a plan to attract developers, Heyrman said.
“Data centers only want to come into communities where they’re welcome,” Heyrman said, adding that a community’s unwillingness to change zoning is a signal that data centers are not welcome.
“Didn’t we just do that?” asked Janice Braida, referring to Waterville Township’s Sept. 27 vote to allow data centers in agriculturally-zoned areas with a conditional use permit.
Mike Daum and Todd Heller both questioned the timing of how long data centers have been pursued, citing changes in zoning and realtors seeking agreements with landowners.
Last spring, Theroux began hearing from farmers that realtors were approaching them about options to sell. So the trustees hired a Columbus law firm to represent the township’s interest, and then moved forward with a text amendment to its zoning code. This allows the township to specify conditions regarding lighting, sound, landscape, buffers and other factors.
“It gives us control to make sure they’re thoroughly vetted. Without the text amendment, we face serious risk,” Theroux said, noting that the township does not currently have a proposal for a data center. “We want to make sure we have a voice in future proposals.”
Reading a list of headlines warning of the downsides of data centers – including public health, rising electric and water rates, and the consumption of valuable farmland, Janice Braida urged the trustees to represent the citizens.
“We are putting our trust in you to protect our community from big tech data centers that are stealing from everyday Americans,” Janice Braida said, encouraging trustees to look into a moratorium or ban on data centers.
Toby Miller. (AWFP photo by Karen Gerhardinger)
Toby Miller, who is running unopposed to fill Kim Anderson‘s spot on the board of trustees, said courts have ruled against long-term moratoriums. A short-term pause for a safety or other evaluation is fine, but a ban would open up the township to lawsuits as it would be seen as an infringement on landowner rights.
“The General Fund doesn’t have enough in it to pay for legal fees,” Miller said. “If you pass a ban, they (landowners) can just file to annex their land into a neighboring community. They’ll take the land out of our jurisdiction and do what they want to do, and we’d lose the tax revenue.”
Resident Arnold Graf asked how much revenue the township or schools would stand to gain, while Tony Braida questioned the need to give tax breaks to huge tech companies. Each jurisdiction would need to negotiate its own agreement, Heyrman said, explaining that a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) agreement would funnel the money into the township and the schools.
For David and Amy Lindquist, who have been farming in the area for over 30 years, the news that their neighbor was looking at selling land for a data center was like a gut punch.
“I know a lot of people see dollar signs. If this was in your neighborhood or across the street would you want this for your family? Take the time to put yourselves in our shoes,” Amy Lindquist said. “People tell us that we use data. Well, we use a toilet every day, but it doesn’t mean we want to live next to a sewage treatment plant.”
The Lindquists are concerned about the ongoing hum that neighbors of some data centers report hearing constantly. Susanne Peats brought up long-term health and environmental costs, including on the Great Lakes. She asked who would clean up the data center site when it became obsolete.
Russ Schifferly urged the community to think about the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on society, and how greed influences decisions. A Neapolis-Waterville Road resident, Schifferly said he’s often outside at night and hears drones flying over multiple times a week, collecting data to sell to the government and other entities.
“Eventually our freedoms get taken away by organizations that want to control the people,” he said. “We are helping to facilitate the takeover of artificial intelligence that will take over our society. This is a societal issue.”
“It’s Terminator from 1984,” chimed in an audience member, referring to the futuristic blockbuster movie with Arnold Schwarzenneger.
Theroux encouraged residents to stay informed, including attending a Thursday, Nov. 20 town hall meeting from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. program at Anthony Wayne High School. Moderated by Jerry Anderson and live streamed on WGTE, the event is sponsored by RGP and LCEDD and will include a panel of experts on data centers. Questions may be emailed in advance to [email protected].
During the meeting, the trustees also:
-Encouraged residents to go to watervilletownship.com to gain access to a land use plan update survey. About 179 responses have come in so far, Anderson said, but more voices are needed as the township plans for its future.
-Approved a joint cooperation agreement with the county to pay for the Swan Creek ditch maintenance, using approximately $54,000 in storm water funds to cover the cost for residents.
-Learned that police officer Joel Turner is resigning to take a job with Norfolk Southern. Chief Kevin Smith announced the hiring of David Terry and George Roush to part-time positions.
-Set a public hearing on a request to rezone 8346 Dutch Rd. from Agricultural to R-A Suburban Residential with a planned unit development (PUD). The meeting will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 19 at 6:30 p.m. It may be moved from the township hall at 621 Farnsworth Rd. next door to Waterville First Presbyterian Church.
From left, Madison Matusek, Scot Matusek, Zoey Matusek and Erika Minor build in the LEGO play zone at Imagination Station. (TFP photo by Laurie Bertke)
TOLEDO — ”Are you ready? 3-2-1…go!”
One by one, kids eagerly stepped up to watch their LEGO brick creations sail down a miniature zipline at Imagination Station. Educator Carrie Martin assisted by offering design tips and ranking their builds according to qualities like “explosion factor.”
The construction engineering major at The University of Toledo pointed out the “museum of fame” she had accumulated during the evening and admired the originality of the models designed by kids. “There are pieces here that I didn’t know existed with LEGO, and yet they saw it and knew exactly how to use it,” she said.
The LEGO zipline was one of several activities aimed at encouraging attendees to practice their engineering skills during a member preview night on Oct. 3 for Traveling Bricks, a new LEGO-themed exhibit at Imagination Station.
Traveling Bricks runs through Jan. 4 at Imagination Station. (TFP photo by Laurie Bertke)
LEGO fans also built and tested cars made from the bricks on ramps, assembled custom LEGO Minifigures and enjoyed rounds of trivia in the KeyBank Discovery Theatre.
Martin, a longtime fan of the classic, versatile building toy, said that as a freshman her classmates had to share why they became engineers and 90 percent of them said it was because they played with LEGO as kids. “So us having a LEGO exhibit here when we focus so heavily on STEM stuff — it’s so cool. I love it. It’s fantastic.”
Traveling Bricks brings more than one million LEGO pieces to the Imagination Station and features 120 models that explore the history of transportation. Creations are themed around land, air, sea and space, and range from the world’s oldest-known boat dating to 8000 B.C. to a towering Saturn V Rocket built from 26,000 bricks that stands nine feet tall.
(TFP photo by Laurie Bertke)
One of the most dazzling models is a 22-foot-long model of the Titanic. Built from an estimated 200,000 bricks, the ship comes adorned with tiny LEGO minifigures taking in the sights from its decks. Many visitors stopped to take pictures and expressed admiration for the creation.
“I thought the Titanic was really cool,” Max Taylor, 11, said as he and his brother Leo, 5, built and tested cars on a ramp.
The two boys have many shelves filled with LEGO models at home. Max said his favorite things to build are cars and planes, while Leo said he likes to make people.
One of the most dazzling models of Traveling Bricks is a 22-foot-long model of the Titanic, which was built from an estimated 200,000 bricks. (TFP photo by Laurie Bertke)
Along with presenting history through the lens of science and art, the LEGO exhibit includes a large play zone with about 200,000 loose bricks for families to build, play and learn together.
Fans say building with the familiar toy is not only fun, but helps teach creativity, communication, problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
According to Eryn Barwinski, education coordinator for Imagination Station, the LEGO exhibit promotes the learning concept of STEAM — Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics — in a variety of ways.
Family programs offered this fall will explore engineering concepts and include opportunities to program LEGO robots. “It also connects to the creative side of STEAM.” she said. “LEGOs are fun for everyone because there’s the art side.”
Traveling Bricks opened to the public on Oct. 4 and runs through Jan. 4. The exhibit is included in the price of admission.
Special LEGO-themed events include bridge-building workshops on Nov. 1 and 15, a series of homeschooling workshops this fall and a visit from former LEGO Masters contestant Tim Croll the weekend of Nov. 2-3. Some of these events require advance tickets; visit the Imagination Station website for additional information.
TFP photos by Laurie Bertke
Educator Carrie Martin helps Sincere Starks, 7, test out a LEGO model on a miniature zipline. (TFP photo by Laurie Bertke)Oliver Kertesz, 9, looks for LEGO bricks in the play zone at Imagination Station.Educator Rachel Hybarger helps Leo Taylor test his LEGO car on a ramp. Bellizare Gaietto, 5, and his mother, Ellen Gaieto, watch as educator Carrie Martin tests his LEGO model on a miniature zipline. Families construct two-dimensional LEGO pictures in the play zone at Imagination Station.The exhibit includes a pit of thousands of bricks for free play. Traveling Bricks features a gallery of space craft models including a towering Saturn V Rocket built from 26,000 bricks that stands nine feet tall.
