The Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce is putting its support behind four levies on the November ballot, but there are three others they are not backing. Levies for The Toledo-Lucas county Public Library, The Metroparks and Toledo city parks did not get the support of the chamber and of course that has a lot of people wondering why.
Chamber leaders say it all comes down to money. With 7 levies on the ballot this November totaling tens of millions of dollars, they say they had to make choices, but not everyone agrees with that decision. Mark V'Soske is the president of the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce,"The library is a great friend, we support them through various grants and we will continue to do so."
But the chamber is not putting its support behind the Library levy in November and they say the reason is simple, "Our position is not against anything.The reality is that with 7 levies on the ballot totaling 36 million in tax dollars people are still out of work and living on fixed incomes so we had to make decisions."
That decision is not sitting well with Denny Johnson. He's the board chairman for the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library. He was surprised and disappointed by it, "We feel the library is an essential service, clearly the chamber does not feel we are."
If the library levy does not pass, Johnson says there will be drastic changes, jobs will be cut and branches will be closed. The levy generates about 15 million a year for the library system which includes 18 branches throughout Lucas County, "When you lose fifty percent of your operating funds you have to rethink your whole system."
The chamber did not support The Metroparks or Toledo city park levies either on the November ballot, "We don't oppose them, we work with them, but you have to prioritize when you are talking about this much money and how do you prioritize?"
With over 1,000 volunteers out in the community working to get the levy passed Johnson believes the library levy is a priority for a lot of people, "We don't feel this is a defeat we are just encouraging everyone to come out and vote."
The chamber has endorsed Issue 20, the Toledo Public Schools levy as well as Issue 24 for Mental Health and Recovery Services. They also endorsed Issue 25 the Children Services Board and Issue 26 for Imagination Station.
The library levy would cost the owner of a $100,000 home about $88 a year.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:55 PM EDT2013-05-24 01:55:51 GMT
A Perrysburg Township packaging plant is closing this summer, affecting 126 employees at the location. We're told an agreement allowing Diamond Crystal Brands to sell Splenda sweetener will expire at
A Perrysburg Township packaging plant is closing this summer, affecting 126 employees at the location.
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:02 PM EDT2013-05-24 00:02:06 GMT
The 27-year-old woman who was on the ground staring into the barrel of a shotgun says Toledo police officers saved her life. Valarie Williams tells 13 ABC's Christine Long that it is nothing short of
The 27-year-old woman who was on the ground staring into the barrel of a shotgun says Toledo police officers saved her life. As a man stood over her pointing a shotgun to her face, Valerie Williams says, "It was like an angel came because the cops pulled up."
Thursday, May 23 2013 6:25 PM EDT2013-05-23 22:25:21 GMT
Planning is underway for the First Annual African American Male Wellness Walk in Toledo. The walk will be held August 3, 2013 at the African American Legacy Project located at 1326 Collingwood Boulevard.
Planning is underway for the First Annual African American Male Wellness Walk in Toledo. The walk will be held August 3, 2013 at the African American Legacy Project. Go to 13abc.com for details.
Thursday, May 23 2013 6:22 PM EDT2013-05-23 22:22:19 GMT
Some families in Maumee were surprised to open their utility bills and find some were ten times the normal amount. Many come from the Wrenworth subdivision and say they've been getting these very high
Some families in Maumee were surprised to open their utility bills and find some were ten times the normal amount. Many come from the Wrenworth subdivision and say they've been getting these very high bills recently and now they're asking why. At least one family did not get an actual meter reading in several months.
Thursday, May 23 2013 6:16 PM EDT2013-05-23 22:16:18 GMT
The Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority will put a levy request before voters this fall. The board of directors officially decided today to put a five year tax levy on the November 5th ballot. Port Authority
The Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority will put a levy request before voters this fall. Port Authority leaders say the levy will help to continue its community development efforts.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:55 PM EDT2013-05-24 01:55:51 GMT
A Perrysburg Township packaging plant is closing this summer, affecting 126 employees at the location. We're told an agreement allowing Diamond Crystal Brands to sell Splenda sweetener will expire at
A Perrysburg Township packaging plant is closing this summer, affecting 126 employees at the location.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:57 PM EDT2013-05-24 01:57:54 GMT
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - A proposed constitutional amendment legalizing medical marijuana and certain uses of hemp has cleared Ohio's ballot board. The panel's approval Thursday sends the issue into its
A proposed constitutional amendment legalizing medical marijuana and certain uses of hemp has cleared Ohio's ballot board.
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:40 PM EDT2013-05-24 00:40:05 GMT
PHOENIX (AP) - The jury in Jodi Arias' trial was dismissed Thursday after failing to reach a unanimous decision on whether the woman they convicted of murdering her one-time boyfriend should be sentenced
The jury in Jodi Arias' trial was dismissed Thursday after failing to reach a unanimous decision on whether the woman they convicted of murdering her one-time boyfriend should be sentenced to life or death in a case that has captured headlines worldwide with its sex, lies, violence.
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:38 PM EDT2013-05-24 00:38:38 GMT
(ABC News) -- The Boy Scouts of America today voted to lift its longtime national ban on admitting openly gay Scouts but will continue to exclude openly gay adults from leadership roles. The vote
The Boy Scouts of America today voted to lift its longtime national ban on admitting openly gay Scouts but will continue to exclude openly gay adults from leadership roles.
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:02 PM EDT2013-05-24 00:02:06 GMT
The 27-year-old woman who was on the ground staring into the barrel of a shotgun says Toledo police officers saved her life. Valarie Williams tells 13 ABC's Christine Long that it is nothing short of
The 27-year-old woman who was on the ground staring into the barrel of a shotgun says Toledo police officers saved her life. As a man stood over her pointing a shotgun to her face, Valerie Williams says, "It was like an angel came because the cops pulled up."
Thursday, May 23 2013 6:22 PM EDT2013-05-23 22:22:19 GMT
Some families in Maumee were surprised to open their utility bills and find some were ten times the normal amount. Many come from the Wrenworth subdivision and say they've been getting these very high
Some families in Maumee were surprised to open their utility bills and find some were ten times the normal amount. Many come from the Wrenworth subdivision and say they've been getting these very high bills recently and now they're asking why. At least one family did not get an actual meter reading in several months.
Thursday, May 23 2013 5:09 PM EDT2013-05-23 21:09:15 GMT
A new charter school in downtown Toledo is offering students a blended school environment. Students spend four hours in a classroom, and the rest of the curriculum is offered online. We spend the day
A new charter school in downtown Toledo is offering students a blended school environment. Students spend four hours in a classroom, and the rest of the curriculum is offered online. We spend the day at Nexus Academy of Toledo to see how the program works.
Thursday, May 23 2013 4:02 PM EDT2013-05-23 20:02:17 GMT
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Ohio's elections chief said Thursday a first-of-its-kind statewide review found instances of voter fraud in the battleground state during last year's presidential election but not
Ohio's elections chief said Thursday a first-of-its-kind statewide review found instances of voter fraud in the battleground state during last year's presidential election but not rampant abuses.
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:47 PM EDT2013-05-23 16:47:37 GMT
Source: TPS website
Police have arrested five teens, including four Bowsher High School Students, for a senior prank that went awry. Court documents say the five were caught on surveillance camera throwing paint, birdseed,
Police have arrested five teens, including four Bowsher High School Students, for a senior prank that went awry.
Thursday, May 23 2013 6:25 PM EDT2013-05-23 22:25:21 GMT
Planning is underway for the First Annual African American Male Wellness Walk in Toledo. The walk will be held August 3, 2013 at the African American Legacy Project located at 1326 Collingwood Boulevard.
Planning is underway for the First Annual African American Male Wellness Walk in Toledo. The walk will be held August 3, 2013 at the African American Legacy Project. Go to 13abc.com for details.
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