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An avalanche of levy requests on the November 8 ballot is
hitting Lucas County voters hard. The dilemma, for most
residents (who, like me, do not have unlimited personal
resources), lies in deciding which of several competing
worthwhile causes to support.
If we are to get the maximum benefit from our precious, but
finite resources, then without a doubt, the Lucas County
Children’s Services Board’s Issue 20 and the city of
Toledo’s request to renew its 0.75 percent temporary income
tax should be at the top of our list.
As I noted last week in
We Cannot Desert the Deserted, Issue 20 is the most
impactful levy on the ballot and carries with it enormous
moral significance. We must protect the thousands of local
children who have been abused, neglected or traumatized
primarily as a result of heroin/opiate, crack cocaine or
alcohol addictions.
Equally impactful is the city of Toledo’s 0.75 percent
temporary income tax as it directly affects our police and
fire forces, those working on the front lines of safety in
the community. A defeat of the levy would likely halt the
momentum of downtown and neighborhood development and
trigger extreme fiscal distress for the city. The depth of
the resulting financial downward spiral would, in turn, open
the door for out of town bureaucratic control of Toledo, a
fate we can avoid by a positive vote.
Which of the other levies should we support?
While our top two priorities include preserving a city of
Toledo that is not controlled by Columbus-based bureaucratic
interests and a Toledo that takes care of the children
abandoned by abuse and trauma, additional levies carry less
impact but certainly provide help for essential parts of
Toledo’s quality of life.
The following represents my recommended actions for the next
tier of levies:
1.
Toledo Zoo, Issue 23. Vote YES.
The Toledo Zoo’s Teen Program is one of the most highly
regarded youth programs in the country. It is a career
development program that begins at age 13 and goes into high
school and where college students can become mentors. The
zoo also brings in approximately 400 diverse youth each
summer for employment. Many continue to also work there
during the school year on weekends and evenings. The
organization also has the Natural Sciences and Technology
Academy, a program that teaches kids about animal care.
In addition, there is a huge culinary preparation department
on site. Last year, approximately 60 weddings took place at
the zoo, which provided complete services including the
food. Many wedding and social receptions are held on site
where there is a bakery and a master chef. The zoo continues
to work with Toledo Public schools to involve its students
in zoo programs.
I am most impressed that the zoo holds an annual vendor
meeting for minorities and includes minimum requirements for
minority participation in all of its contracts.
Issue 23 is a 0.75 mill (under $2 per month) renewal and
decrease to be used for animals, animal care, staff,
medication, food, programming for education and youth as
well as a portion of utilities.
2. Toledo Public Libraries, Issue 22. Vote YES
The Library (TLCPL) provides a high-quality, accessible safe
space that is conducive to learning, community, culture,
conversation and growth, particularly for vulnerable or
underserved populations.
The TLCPL is over 175 years old and one of the first
libraries in Ohio to operate with tax money. While the
system needs more diversity in top leadership, a new
projected $6-7 million Mott Branch Library is scheduled to
begin construction in the Spring of 2017 on 2.9 acres of
land inside Smith Park next to King Academy. Currently there
are several programs to address disproportionality in
digital access for minority groups that include:
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Old fashioned book mobile, the oldest in the country
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Cyber mobile with 12 monitors on board
·
Ready-to-Read van that goes wherever people are
·
Book mobiles that visit nursing homes
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Homebound services that delivers books to homes
·
19 branch locations, including 14 homework helper “school
outside of school” sites
Issue 22 is for a 2.9 mills ($7.29/month) renewal and a 0.8
mill addition ($2.44) to be used for continuation of general
operations, including current staffing levels and to improve
library hours.
3. Imagination Station, Issue 21; Vote YES
More than ever, we need to “Make Science Great Again.”
Imagination Station continues to do its part, averaging
200,000 visitors to its downtown Toledo site over the past
seven years. Local and out-of-town residents have been able
to take advantage of inspiring hands-on science
opportunities generated by the organization’s zeal in
providing informal science education that is not only
impactful, but also fun.
Imagination Station attempts to provide “community growth
opportunities and educational partnerships” along with
activities to foster STEM education by supplementing
students’ classroom or home learning activities.
The .17 mill renewal is the smallest of the Lucas County
levy requests ($0.43/month), providing approximately 27
percent of Imagination Station’s annual operating budget.
Each of the above organizations is a valuable community
asset and vital resource that is critically important to the
long-term success of northwest Ohio.
Contact Rev. Donald Perryman, D.Min, at
drdlperryman@centerofhopebaptist.org
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