“A major concern in moving
downtown is the city leadership,” said Oostra whose health
care system has committed millions of dollars towards
several major moves into the downtown area. Some of the
moves started during the short tenure of Mayor D. Michael
Collins and have continued, without apprehension or skipping
a beat, he noted, during Hicks-Hudson’s term in office.
“We think about leadership
and the way the city works, the progress the city has made
and you have to think very positively about [Paula
Hicks-Hudson’s] leadership,” he told the supportive audience
as he introduced Hicks-Hudson. “We have been really pleased
with the great things going on in the city, thanks to [the
mayor].”
The mayor began her own
remarks by noting that over $300 million is currently being
invested in downtown-area Toledo and over 3,000 individuals
are moving into the area. While she is pleased with the
downtown progress, Hicks-Hudson said that the city’s
attention now needs to turn more intently to improving
neighborhoods.
“How do we add to this
story?” she asked. “People from the business community, the
arts, the non-profits – all us coming together for that
shared vision. All of the pillars of our community coming
together for all of the neighborhoods.”
Hicks-Hudson, who ascended
to the mayor’s office upon the death of Mayor D. Michael
Collins in February 1915 and won the right to complete his
term in a special election held in November of that year, is
starting her campaign to serve a full four-year term in this
year’s election. Her chief opponents in the September 12
primary will be Lucas County Treasurer Wade Kapszukiewicz
and Toledo City Councilman Tom Waniewski. The top two
finishers will face off in the November general election.
“How can we as a community
help neighborhoods come together?” she asked.
Hicks-Hudson offered a
two-part answer to improving the condition of the city’s
neighborhoods. First, “make sure the neighborhoods are
safe.” Second, “take the opportunity to ensure young people
are prepared when they enter school.”
With respect to the first
part, the mayor mentioned the importance of reclaiming
vacant properties and making sure that people can move about
their neighborhoods safely.
As to the second part,
Hicks-Hudson stressed the importance of those pillars of the
community working with school districts to ensure kids are
ready to enter school and, from a health standpoint, she
noted that her office is working with the federal government
to address issues such as lead poisoning abatement.
The City of Toledo last
year became the first city in Ohio to pass a lead safe
ordinance and the enforcement of that ordinance starts this
summer. Several other Ohio cities, such as Cleveland, seem
poised to follow that example.
“I intend to bring
everyone to the table, my office is the center to bring
everyone together,” she said of the vision she holds for
Toledo. “Moving our city forward is a vital part of what I
am.”
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