Toledo Blade, Aug. 26: Collins requests documentation from City
 Collins asks the City of Toledo administration for documentation of all of the current loans using Section 108 Department of Housing and Urban Development funding involving the City.  Landmark RE Management LLC is seeking funding assistance from the City of Toledo.  

WTOL, Aug. 2: Theft of TPD lieutenant's handgun and badge
 Collins comments on story of concerns raised after a Toledo Police Department Lieutenant's badge and gun were stolen from his home.  He felt this was not a targeted theft, but a crime of opportunity.  

WTOL, Toledo city administrator pushing for casino permit
 Collins cautions Toledo residents to not rely on the casino as a financial savior for the City.  He raised previous concerns regarding  legal issues with the casino project that were addressed by the City administration.  

Toledo Blade, July 7, 2010, Toledo City Council divided on immigration
Collins opposed Council's taking up the immigration legislation because it does not deal with governing Toledo. He thinks we have enough on our plate trying to save Toledo.

Developing downtown Toledo: the steam plant
Collins wants Ball and Jackson to surrender the Steam Plant Building to the City of Toledo.

Toledo Blade, June 26, 2010
S. Toledo YMCA site to become green space
Building scheduled for demolition.

WTOL 11, May 25, 2010. Controversy swirling around City of Toledo's promise to lower trash fee
Controversy swirling around City of Toledo's promise to lower trash fee, read the full story/watch video - click here.

13abc News, May 13, 2010

Toledo community protests dangerous intersection

13abc News, Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Collins worries about Mayor Bell canceling discount trash fee for recycling: "Mayor Bell cancels discount trash fee for recycling", watch video: http://abclocal.go.com/wtvg/story?section=news/local&id=7450780

Toledo Blade, May 2, 2010, Property owners' questions about city of Toledo's policy multiply
Collins: "One administration is blaming another administration but the curious thing is it's the same people working in the city and it's just another leader," Mr. Collins said. "I think it's a cavalier approach, and I think it's wrong when they go to closing and they are told there are no outstanding costs for utilities and then for the buyer to find out two years later there is [an] outstanding obligation."

Collins' opinion on proposed City Budget Ordinances, March 28, 2010

Income Tax Credit Elimination
Entertainment - Event Tax
Refuse Fee
Early Retirement Incentive Program 

Read what Collins says about the proposed City Budget Ordinances - click here

Toledo Blade, April 1, 2010: Webb, Collins say budget votes based on principles
Collins: "I think people expect of me on city council to be their voice. If their voice is not consistent with the majority of council, I don't think their reaction is that I should go along to get along,"

Mayor Mike Bell's budget seeks cuts, $15 trash fee, events tax

Collins: I will vote against elimination of the tax credit. I believe the unintended consequences of elimination of the credit would place the City in a weaker financial position in the future.  Toledoans working outside the City of Toledo would have the heaviest burden of income tax in the state. And regarding changing the employee pension pick ups and health care costs, the Mayor and City Council can not unilaterally change collective bargaining agreements. To seek such changes in the current agreements requires implementation of a statutory process. This takes time and we can not balance the budget on what we think we can accomplish.
Read the Blade's article: Mayor Mike Bell's budget seeks cuts, $15 trash fee, events tax

Legal bills add $96,000 to city of Toledo budget deficit

Mike voted against the settlements totalling $450,000 in the lawsuits alleging racial discrimination and unlawful termination brought by Dwayne Morehead and Perlean Griffin in U.S. District Court in 2008. He voted against the settlements because he believs the award to Mr. Morehead was excessive and that the City should have defended its position with respect to Ms. Griffin. He was also troubled by the lack of transparency in how the legal bills for collective bargaining and the law suits were bundled.

Read the article published in Toledo Blade on February 23, 2010: Legal bills add $96,000 to city of Toledo budget deficit

Reinventing Toledo

By D. Michael Collins

Toledo's future will be determined within the next 24 months. The opportunity to save our city is before us, and if we Toledo residents fail to take the necessary steps to save our city, we will lose it. The long-term consequences of fiscal emergency would be an embarrassing legacy. There exists no simple or painless solution. We did not get into this fiscal nightmare overnight and we will not get out of it instantaneously. Our course must be long-term with measured steps and discipline. If we have the will to see it through, I honestly believe Toledo can rise to even greater heights than we have ever experienced. (To read the whole article - click here).

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