Wednesdays with Wade

The Division of Environmental Services has several ongoing improvement projects at  Bandore Park ,  Delaware Creek , and  Detwiler Park . These improvements will restore natural habitats, reduce erosion and runoff, and improve the water quality of several streams in the city. In this episode, Parks and Youth Services Director Joe Fausnaugh and Environmental Services Commissioner Abed Semaan join M...

Doing some spring cleaning? Megan Robson, Director of Public Service and Dennis Kennedy, Commissioner of Urban Beautification meet with Mayor Wade to discuss Clean Toledo, fighting blight, bulk trash pickup, and how we can all work to keep our little piece of Toledo beautiful. The full schedule of Clean Toledo events is up at toledo.oh.gov/recycling-events Here is a printable info sheet . Call Eng...

Lori Hauser, CEO of Imagination Station, calls this event the "Super Bowl of Science." There is no shortage of things to do the weekend before. Carl Nelson, Lead Scientist at Imagination Station, talks the science of it all. This is a once in a lifetime event for Toledoans! Toledo won't be in the path of totality for a total solar eclipse again until 2099! Viewing parties at Promenad...

Mayor Wade and Director of Housing and Community Development, Rosalyn Clemens, discuss the challenges and opportunities in Toledo neighborhoods and how she is working to preserve homes and homeownership in Toledo. Director Clemens discusses some great new developments and some long-term strategy. 2024 is set to be a transformative year for Toledo residents! You can learn more about Housing and Com...

We make history in the now moment, and Toledo has a history of being a bit ahead of the curve. Mayor Wade, Carrie Hartman, and Benita Robinson talk about CEDAW and gender equity, building a Toledo city workforce and administration that best represents Toledo's demographics, and women in politics. The ⁠Her Voice, Her Run⁠ networking event is March 21, 2024. If you are (or know) a tenacious woma...

In case you missed it, or would just like to listen again--here is the 2024 State of the City Address from Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz. President of Council Carrie Hartman and Kid Mayor Lilly Jones begin. Mayor Wade's speech begins at (5:59). Toledo is at a tipping point, and we are excited to tip our perceptions toward all that can be as we continue to do the work and sustain the momentum we hav...

Join us on Facebook Live for the State of the City and 2024 Kid Mayor reveal! Opening remarks begin at 4:45 p.m. Mayor Kapszukiewicz's speech set to begin at 5:00 p.m. Stay tuned, and we will publish the full speech right here on the podcast!

Mayor Wade and Deputy Mayor Abby Arnold discuss some interesting long-term plans for road construction and strategic planning that centers resident safety and comfort. Road construction is more than just filling potholes and repaving roads. While we are thrilled with how much progress we have made on both of those things, we are also excited for the incremental and impactful changes we can make wi...

Mayor Wade champions what he calls "one of the great success stories we've had over the last few years" as he discusses all things Toledo roads with the Transportation Department. This episode is a companion to the series of "On Your Block" meetings the City is hosting through February. There have been meetings scheduled in each district and the associated Council Member is...

Councilman Nick Komives and Public Utilities Director Ed Moore discuss the Water Rate Affordability Program (WRAP), the outcome of a 2021 study on water rate affordability in Toledo. Apply for assistance on the City of Toledo website. Subscribe to the Wednesdays with Wade Newsletter or our NEW quarterly Sustainability Newsletter here .

Councilwoman Cerssandra McPherson and Mayor Kapszukiewicz ring in Black History Month talking about Toledo's Jazz History. Listen along as they discuss Toledo legends like Art Tatum, Jon Hendricks, and Rusty's Café. Glass City Jazz Fest comes back in August, but the spirit of Jazz is present year-round in Toledo!

Malcolm Cunningham, Director of the Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (MONSE) and Anthony Smith, Executive Director of Cities United join Mayor Wade to discuss public safety, and long and short term strategies to continue reducing violence in our communities. Learn a little more at toledo.oh.gov/MONSE

Learn about Toledo's ongoing commitment to sustainability , the One Percent for the Environment fund, and how Dana's work helps guide the city through our Climate Action Plan. Interested in Toledo's sustainability efforts? We have you covered! Subscribe to our quarterly email newsletter, "Protecting Our Natural Resources."

Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz meets with Erin Baker, Director and Caryn Maloney, Commissioner of the Human Relations Commission to discuss all things MLK Unity Celebration. This is a virtual event with supplemental in-person events all weekend long. Visit toledo.oh.gov/mlk for more info.

Happy New Year, Toledo! After a brief break in podcast episodes, we are back with a helpful and informative conversation with Colleen Ali, the City's Landlord-Tenant Manager. EDIT: Our Wednesdays with Wade meeting for January has been canceled due to a schedule conflict. Mayor Wade will be joining Chief Troendle and Malcolm Cunningham for a panel with the MacArthur Foundation called "Reth...

Happy Holidays Toledo! Join me for another podcast episode January 3, 2024!

Strong communities have a positive impact on our quality of life. Join me, Caryn Maloney of the Human Relations Commission, and Valerie Fatica Toledo's Disability Manager as we discuss the interesting and fun opportunities Toledo has that can help residents foster a stronger sense of community in our everyday lives.

Toledo's grant writing team, Simon Nyi (Commissioner) and Laura Shaffer (Coordinator), sit down to discuss how Toledo makes use of grants, and how that money helps ease the financial burden on Toledo residents for some of our more ambitious projects. Grants are funds offered from various entities dedicated to specific goals and outcomes. These funds, when awarded, allow Toledo to move forward...

Join me and Director of Parks, Joe Fausnaugh as we discuss how we can use our city parks during the winter months. Joe explains the importance of the outdoors for our physical and mental health, and our parks are ready for the public all winter. Join us for the Ottawa Park Tree Lighting Sunday, December 3 (6-8pm)! Unfortunately, we have had to cancel the Live Wednesdays with Wade on Facebook next...

There is no shortage of opportunities to give back to the community throughout the year. I spent some time with City employees Mike Kimble and Paul Cooper discuss the 10th anniversary of their Joys of Toys toy drive. If you are looking for other ways to give to the community this holiday season, we will be sharing opportunities on the City of Toledo Facebook page for the next several weeks.

Today is the deadline to get the 2024 Budget Proposal to City Council for their review and approval. What happens now? I've invited Toledo's Director of Finance, Melanie Campbell and Chair of the City Council Finance Committee, Councilman George Sarantou to discuss how money moves through the structure of city government. From residents, and other sources, through the departments and counc...

If you're one of approximately 70,000 Toledo residents who live on an unimproved street, you'll be happy to know that passing the Toledo City Charter amendment (Issue 24) means we can start putting money toward improving those roads which the previous version of the charter has prevented us from doing for 58 years. Join me in this discussion with the Toledo Department of Transportation Dir...

Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz talks with Director of Public Service Megan Robson and Commissioner of Urban Beautification Dennis Kennedy about the start of leaf collection season and what residents need to know. This episode is part 1 of the November 2023 show.

Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz talks with Keep Toledo-Lucas County Beautiful Executive Director Adam Cassi and Director of Public Service Megan Robson about Correct Recycling Month this November. As we approach the holiday season, where paper and plastic packaging are abundant, listen to this episode for tips on ensuring you're recycling effectively. This episode is part 3 of the October 2023 show.

Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz talks with Chief of Police Mike Troendle about Toledo's crime stats through the end of the third quarter of 2023. This episode is part 2 of the October 2023 show.