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DISTRICT 2 Meeting
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Councilman D. Michael Collins will host the District 2 meeting at 6 p.m. March 18 at Bowsher High School, 2200 Arlington Ave. Council must approve a balanced budget by March 31.
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Call Us!
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If you would like D. Michael Collins to speak at your company or organization event, please call
419-381-2404
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| YMCA Closing |
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August 4th, 2009
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D. Michael Collins on The Closing of the South Toledo YMCA
In April 2009, YMCA & JCC Executive Director Robert Alexander requested a meeting with me, as District 2 Toledo City Councilman, to discuss issues concerning the South Toledo Y. At the meeting which included YMCA/JCC executives and members of the City Department of Utilities, Mr. Alexander requested that the City give his organization $40,000 to $50, 000 to offset the cost they would incur to bring their sewer systems into compliance with City Code.
I asked Mr. Alexander if they were committed to stay at the present site in South Toledo. Not getting an answer, I asked him to commit to staying 10 years. He declined to agree to any commitment to stay at the current site.
Shortly thereafter, I heard from the University of Toledo that the University and the YMCA/JCC were in negotiations to have the Y's South Toledo operation move to the Health Science Campus of the University of Toledo. As the Y had not disclosed this information to me, I terminated discussions with the Y about the financial request.
On July 23rd, I was contacted by Pastor Lee Powell of Cedar Creek Church. He indicated to me that Cedar Creek Church was in negotiations to acquire the Y's South Toledo property and facility.
On July 26th, the Y hand-delivered to my home a letter dated July 25th announcing closure of the current facility and the move to the Morse Center of the University of Toledo Health Science Campus.
On July 29th, along with representatives of various departments of the City, I met with Pastor Powell and other representatives of Cedar Creek Church. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss how 320 parking spaces could be created at Woodsdale Park. Cedar Creek Church was interested in possible acquisition of a mere .3 acres of the park which was acquired by the City in 1927 by eminent domain and consists of 23.6 acres. No decision was made, and no offer occurred. Later in the afternoon on July 29th, Pastor Powell contacted me and indicated that they had changed their minds about acquiring park property, and would present a proposal to the City as to what was needed in order to acquire property. As of today, I haven't received any proposal from Cedar Creek Church.
In closing, I would like to state that I did not choose or facilitate the Y's decision to move. Rather, I tried to extract a commitment from Mr. Alexander to remain at the current facility. But the business decisions of the YMCA & JCC are not within the control of the City of Toledo. At this time my major concern as District 2 Councilman is to help the neighborhood avoid the negative experiences that could be associated with the property when it closes its doors if it should become vacant. Given the fact they have told us they are moving, I intend to facilitate as best as I can a new neighbor coming in and preventing the "blight" that would come for a vacant building. I will communicate to my constituents when further information is available.
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August 11th, 2009
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Update of the Status of YMCA/JCC Closing and Cedar Creek Church Last week on August 6 th, I received a hand-delivered copy of a proposal from Cedar Creek Church to the Mayor of Toledo. The proposal expressed the Church's commitment to create a vibrant and neighborhood-friendly campus using the YMCA/JCC South Toledo property.
Conditions the Church requested from the City were first, ability to access the property on Woodsdale, and second, that the surface road be maintained and striped for safety purposes. The Church asked also that the Wildwood entrance be available for use by emergency vehicles.
As a follow up to the above proposal, on August 10th I sent a memorandum to Mayor Carleton Finkbeiner, District 3 Councilman Mike Craig, YMCA/JCC Chairman Paul Schlatter, YMCA/JCC President Robert Alexander, and Cedar Creek Church Pastor Lee Powell. In the memo, I offered to facilitate a neighborhood/community interest meeting concerning the South Toledo YMCA. I suggested that such a meeting would give the parties, that is, the YMCA/JCC and Cedar Creek Church, a chance to share the vision of their respective organizations with the neighbors and South Toledo YMCA branch members. I expressed hope that the Mayor would participate and I suggested August 17 for the meeting.
I didn't receive a response from the Mayor, but rather learned today on August 11th that he had set up a public meeting of the City and Cedar Creek Church for Cedar Creek to outline its plan for the utilization of the YMCA/JCC South Toledo property. I was not copied on the letter nor invited to this meeting, so at this time I do not plan to attend. Please know, however, that I wish the parties well and I will continue to communicate with my District 2 current and future constituents on the subject. I remain open to facilitate any public meeting that they wish to have on the subject of the YMCA/JCC closing and Cedar Creek Church moving into our District.
D. Michael Collins
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August 13th, 2009
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" I heard from both the YMCA/JCC and Cedar Creek Church today. Each thanked me for my efforts and stated that they were very appreciative. Each informed me that due to conflicts in schedules they would not be able to attend a meeting on Monday as I had offered. Although I will be late due to a prior commitment, I will plan to attend the Mayor's meeting at the Teamsters Hall on Wednesday August 19th. "
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posted: Aug. 5, 2009; 12:50 pm
Name Kamaron Kyser
Comments: My name is Kamaron Kyser and I have a group called Thosefellas. I want to keep this brief. I'm writing to see if you would be willing to come and speak at our next engagment. It takes place at Murphy's on the 27th of Aug. Please contact me at Thosefellas@yahoo.com. I'll brief you with the details.
Sincerely
Kamaron Kyser
Thosefellas LLC
posted: Aug. 5, 2009; 9:46 pm
Kamaron, thank you for your message. I would be happy to meet with your group on August 27th. Please send me the details for my schedule.
Posted: Aug. 7, 2009; 10:38am
Name Beverly Vornbrock
Comments: Mr Collins,
I live about one mile from the South Toledo Y. When our children were younger we enjoyed this Y's location. However, because of the deterring conditions of its building we looked to the Wolf Creek location as our children got older. Our children are now grown and many things have changed, but from what I am reading via the media the physical conditions of the building at the South Toledo Y has not. It is a shame, but with our economy and with the loss of government money I most certainly understand why the people in charge have decided to close the South Y. To maintain the other Y locations with out the drain from the South Y and possibly going under financially as a whole is a admiral goal. The YMCA's are very positive influences in our communities. Greater Toledo can not stand to loose their influence. Given the circumstances, it makes very good sense for another positive influence to have the South location. What a wonderful idea! A church can continue a positive influence. In fact, it probably will continue to have some of the same programs. Churches definitely try to encourage youth. I am grateful for the youth programs my children were able to participate in at churches over the years. Cedar Creek seems to have a good track record in the youth department, in fact, a good track record in the Toledo area. Thank you for your support and vision with this situation. We are looking forward to the updates Cedar Creek will be making on the building and we are also looking forward to having the church and its great influence closer to home. Their presence will help this part of town and this part of town needs it!
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Beverly Vornbrock
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