On Feb. 1, meteorologists were predicting up to 13 inches of snow and Super Bowl oddsmakers were predicting a narrow victory either way. But no one could have predicted that Toledo Mayor D. Michael Collins’ heart was about to stop beating.
.
When news broke that Collins had suffered a cardiac arrest while driving home from a news conference regarding the pending Level 3 snow emergency, the city was shocked and saddened. As of Feb. 5, Collins is still hospitalized in critical condition at the University of Toledo Medical Center.
Toledo Free Press adds our thoughts and prayers for him and his family to those pouring in from around the city and state.
Government, however, doesn’t stop for grief. Toledo City Council President Paula Hicks-Hudson was sworn in as acting mayor that same evening at UTMC.
It’s certainly a big job to be thrust into with only a few hours’ notice, that’s for sure. But Hicks-Hudson, a Democrat, should be well-qualified. A lawyer with years of experience in state and local government, she’s served on City Council since 2011 and as its president since 2013. Her previous positions include city legislative director, county assistant prosecutor, director of the Lucas County Board of Elections and state legal counsel.
Fellow Council members describe Hicks-Hudson as respectful, logical, thorough, inquisitive and open to others’ opinions. That’s promising.
She’s indicated she doesn’t intend to make drastic changes in the short term. But she does admit differences from Collins, an Independent, in long-term plans and priorities. Even if Collins starts to recover today, he faces a long road. If he is unable to return to office, Hicks-Hudson will be mayor until a general election in November.
And what about staff? After a year of tweaking duties and positions to find the right mix, everyone seems to be working well together. Will Hicks-Hudson keep all of Collins’ staff? That’s unlikely. Change isn’t necessarily bad, but swapping players in certain positions could impede recent forward momentum.
Among the major projects Collins was working on include ongoing negotiations with Fiat Chrysler over Jeep Wrangler production, ProMedica’s move Downtown and finding a developer for the former Southwyck site. There’s a city budget that needs passing, a county jail that needs building and a water plant that needs ongoing infrastructure improvements.
There are a lot of balls in the air, but lately City Council seemed to be getting in a groove, all finally rowing in the same direction.
We seem to be on the verge of a major resurgence in Downtown development. Most business owners are excited about the possibilities ahead.
I was encouraged by several recent Council votes, particularly the approval of ProMedica’s move Downtown. Collins has been receptive to the idea since the health system approached him more than a year ago. The near-unanimous vote was a great victory for him and is poised to be a legacy project for him.
Now he’s fighting for his life. But the city he fought for must go forward.
The tragedy would be compounded if this unexpected and tragic event disrupted that newfound momentum.
Thomas F. Pounds is president and publisher of Toledo Free Press. He can be reached at tpounds@toledofreepress.com.
