Metro Edition 4/15/13

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The Wildcat hits new high See Sports

April 15, 2013

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East Toledo properties part of “spring sweeps” By Kelly J. Kaczala Press News Editor kkaczala@presspublications.com Toledo building and code enforcement inspectors have fanned out in a targeted area of East Toledo to evaluate property maintenance and code enforcements as part of the city’s annual “spring sweeps.” Chris Zervos, director of inspections for the City of Toledo, told residents at the East Toledo Family Center on April 3 that inspections of properties are taking place in a targeted area that covers most of East Toledo. “The inspectors have all been allocated in a general area of East Toledo, from Oakdale, Front, Miami, Dearborn and East Broadway. Our inspectors will make an assessment of the outside of the home, and will work from a modified assessment list of inspection items, such as the condition of the roof, windows, siding, foundation, porch, and the grounds. They will determine whether the homes meet the city’s minimum habitability and property maintenance codes.” The assessment will conclude with a yellow tag issued to property owners. If the property is in good shape, the yellow tag will state that the property was found to be in substantial compliance with the city’s property maintenance codes, said Zervos. The tag also thanks “responsible property owners for maintaining your home or business. Your efforts stabilize your neighborhood, help strengthen property values, and reduce crime.” If the property is not found to be in substantial compliance with the city’s property maintenance codes, a letter will be mailed regarding the infractions. “In each case, those door tags can be redeemed at a retailer of home improvement products for a discount,” said Zervos. Spring sweeps started on March 27 with inspectors going door to door in East Toledo. Further inspections are planned in the United North, Broadway Corridor and Overland Park neighborhoods. “The whole focus of spring sweeps is home improvement,” said Zervos. “An improved neighborhood is a strong neighborhood, and a strong neighborhood is a strong city.” Push back Code enforcement officers are also identifying vacant homes during inspec-

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uote of The Week

Law-abiding citizens of sound mind surely have the right to own guns for hunting, sport shooting and, yes, self-defense. Dave Lange See page 11

tions, said Zervos. “We know vacant homes lead to blight. Vacant homes lead to crime. They deteriorate neighborhoods, lower property values and make the quality of life miserable. You don’t want that,” said Zervos. “We all know life has changed,” he added. “We all grew up with families owning a home, taking care of the home, being part of the neighborhood. But things have changed. There are people with different mindsets out there. Drugs entered our culture. Don’t give up. Push back. If you have a complaint, if there’s a nuisance property on your block, you can always call Toledo’s `Call City Hall’ at 936-2020, and that will

get the problem directed to us or the appropriate person.” The establishment of block watches, he said, strengthens neighborhoods. “If you don’t have a block watch in your neighborhood, please form one. It’s through unity you have strength. If you don’t have that group organization, you’re out of luck. You’re not going to be heard as strongly as you’re going to be heard as a group,” he said. Property owners may be eligible for financial assistance in making improvements, according to Zervos. Assistance programs are available at the city’s department of neighborhoods at 419-245-1400; Maumee

Valley Habitat for Humanity at 419-3821964; and the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority at 419-720-1102. The Department of Neighborhoods, available by calling 419-245-1400, also has an Owner Occupied Rehab loan/grant program designed to fix code violations only, such as leaky roofs, faulty furnaces, crumbling foundations, and possible lead issues. It is not a home remodeling program. The amount of the loan/grant varies per project based on equity in a property and the extent of repairs. City residents at or below 80 percent of the area median income are eli-

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Are we there yet? Oregon Community Theatre will present the musical comedy "Are We There Yet?" Performances will be at the Fassett Middle School auditorium on April 19, 20, 26, and 27 at 8 pm. and April 21 at 3 pm. From left to right are cast members Jeff Smith, Bethany Williams, Nancy Ice, Tammy Halay, and Mike Gordon. Not pictured: Kevin Harrington. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for students/seniors. For more information call 419-691-1398. (Press photo by Ken Grosjean)

Sandusky County

Officials discuss expiring sales tax By Larry Limpf News Editor news@presspublications.com The Sandusky County commissioners used a portion of a recent meeting to discuss possibly seeking renewal of a 0.25 percent sales tax that is scheduled to expire in October. The commissioners met with Bill Farrell, county auditor, and, according to minutes of their meeting, are contemplating making a decision in the next couple of months. The 0.25 percent is part of a total 1.5 percent sales tax the county levies and is

collected along with a 5.5 percent state tax. According to the Ohio Department of Taxation, the 1.5 percent tax generated about $9.8 million county-wide in 2012, including $777,949 in December. In 2011, the tax generated about $9.63 million. What’s happening in Columbus may have an impact on the commissioners’ decision as the state legislature considers the biennium budget submitted by Gov. John Kasich. It includes a provision to reduce sales tax rates but to also broaden the tax base primarily by levying the tax on hitherto untaxed professional services. The County Commissioners Associa-

tion of Ohio supports the governor’s initiative to broaden the tax base, noting in a policy statement Joe Testa, state tax commissioner, testified before the House Finance and Appropriations Committee how the state economy has changed since 1935 – when the state first adopted a sales tax. He told the committee Ohioans now purchase more services than they do goods and taxing a broader range of services acknowledges how the economy has changed. While the CCAO statement supports

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