HHNA to discuss park and more in August

On August 17, 6:30 p.m. at Toledo Heights Branch Library, the Highland Heights Neighborhood Association will discuss playground upkeep, pool removal, and mowing at Highland Park--as well as other neighborhood concerns. The approximately 1 hour meeting is open to the public . For more information, call 419-259-5207. (There is no July meeting.)

On August 4, 2-4 p.m., HHNA will help the Toledo Heights Branch Library celebrate its 75th anniversary. HHNA will host a table with information about our activities. Table volunteers are needed; please call Pauline at 419-259-5220.

Photos: A neighborhood family enjoys one of the new trees planted last year at Highland Park.

Two HHNA volunteers prepare the soil for planting at South and Airport. HHNA maintains three community flower gardens; the others are at Woodsdale and South and at the Highland Park sign.

HHNA bid farewell recently to Mary Chwialkowski, former manager of the Toledo Heights Branch Library. She is pictured here with HHNA member Don Mullen at the Highland Park Earth Day 2009.

City takes action on problem properties

Photos: Highland Heights residents listen to Bob Mossing, manager of code enforcement for the City of Toledo, report on our Dirty Dozen list of nuisance properties.

Bob Mossing, manager of code enforcement for the City of Toledo, attended our meeting February 16 and provided an update on our Dirty Dozen list of problem properties. Mr. Mossing personally inspected every property on our list, and reported on each one during our meeting. He also brought detailed information about city action on 38 nuisance properties in our area. We commend Mr. Mossing for his responsiveness to our concerns about deteriorated properties and look forward to continued progress.

In addition to Mr. Mossing's report, we also expressed to Councilman Michael Collins, who attended the meeting, our the need for increased police patrols, the need to end continued stagnation of the Highland Park pools, and the need for street resurfacing in our areas, particularly South Avenue between Detroit and Airport.

Mr. Collins indicated that he would check the condition of South Avenue and see whether it can be slated for resurfacing, as the city will be increasing street repairs in the coming year. He noted that police staffing is low, thanks to city belt-tightening, and increased patrols seem unlikely. He is unsure what the fate of the Highland Park pools is but has noted that we do not want to see them stay empty and abandoned. Options include repairing and opening the pools (privately or publicly) or turning them into green space.

One of the attendees asked Mr. Collins about getting handicapped-accessible curbs on her street, and he said he would follow up to be sure this happened.

UPDATE ON DIRTY DOZEN LIST

1425 South Ave. has been demolished. This property was at the top of our nuisance list, and we are pleased to say that it is gone.

1515 Wayne Street is in court.

723 Lodge is on the demolition list.

117 Ralph St. is in court.

501 S. Detroit; city has issued orders to repair and will add to demolition list in March if repairs are not made.

1120 South Ave. is on the demolition list.

171 Dale St.; city has issued orders to repair and will add to demolition list in March if repairs are not made.

1660 Wayne St. is on the demolition list.

535 Carlton; city has issued orders to repair and will add to demolition list in March if repairs are not made.

556 Carlton; city needs to reinspect

2424 Airport Hwy.; city has issued orders to repair and will add to demolition list in March if repairs are not made.

1642 Wayne St.; city has issued orders to repair.

1601, 1587 and 1585 Airline Ave. city has issued orders to repair.

--Reported by Carol Scheiber, Member Highland Heights Neighborhood Association.

Address concerns with city officials Feb. 16

All are welcome to attend our next meeting, Tuesday, February 16, 6:30pm at Toledo Heights Library. Bob Mossing of the city will be there to update us on our "Dirty Dozen" list of problem properties. City Councilman Michael D. Collins will be there to discuss the concerns raised during our candidate's night: Highland Park pools, street paving, police presence, and more.

--posted by Carol Scheiber, Member

Neighborhood Stabilization Program, gardens and more

At our meeting on November 17, HHNA discussed gardens, the Earth Fair to be held in April, and the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP). Mike Badik of the City of Toledo presented information about NSP, including four properties on streets across from Highland Park that are in the process of being purchased. NSP has not yet rehabbed any homes in our area, even though it is one of the designated "tipping point" neighborhoods. Throughout the city some 85 properties are under consideration for purchase and rehab, a portion of which are in the HHNA area. The NSP is a complex public-private partnership for helping stabilize neighborhoods seen as on the edge of "tipping" into deterioration. For more information about purchasing a rehabbed home (at 20% off the purchase price), see the city website: http://toledo.oh.gov/Portals/0/DREAM2OWNFLYER2REVFINALpdf.pdf

To read about the overall NSP program, see http://toledo.oh.gov/ and scroll down the home page to the section on NSP.

Pictured above are neighborhood residents discussing neighborhood issues with Councilman Mike Craig and Mike Badik.

--Carol Scheiber, Member, HHNA

Mayoral & Council Candidates Pledge Action on Community Concerns

During the October 20 Candidates Night held at Burroughs School in South Toledo, mayoral candidates Mike Bell and Keith Wilkowski both pledged to act positively for the Highland Heights neighborhood, agreeing to almost all the requests made by neighborhood residents. The forum, also attended by 12 candidates running for six Toledo City Council at-large positions, was co-sponsored by Highland Heights Neighborhood Association (HHNA) and Burroughs Neighborhood Organization (BNO). Following are the questions the two groups posed to the mayoral and council candidates and the responses from the candidates.

HHNA Question 1 Will you pledge to demolish at least five houses/buildings a year in the areas in South Toledo that our groups represent and to vigorously enforce city code during your term in office?

YES: Wilkowski, Bell, Steve Steele, Joe McNamara, Terry Biel, Phil Copeland, William "Willis" Terry, Polly Taylor-Gerken, Adam Martinez, Rob Ludeman, Terry Shankland, Kevin Milliken, George Sarantou, Constantine Stamos.

NO: (No one.)

HHNA Question 2 Will you pledge to provide funding through capital improvement revenues to either: a) repair and upgrade Highland Park pools or b) convert them into green space beginning in 2010?

YES: Wilkowski, Bell, Steve Steele, Joe McNamara, Terry Biel, Phil Copeland, William "Willis" Terry, Polly Taylor-Gerken, Adam Martinez, Rob Ludeman, Terry Shankland, Kevin Milliken, Constantine Stamos.

NO: George Sarantou.

HHNA Question 3 Will you pledge an increase in police patrols and presence in our neighborhoods, working in cooperation with our area anti-crime groups, such as BNO and HHNA?

YES: Wilkowski, Bell, Steve Steele, Joe McNamara, Terry Biel, Phil Copeland, William "Willis" Terry, Polly Taylor-Gerken, Adam Martinez, Rob Ludeman, Terry Shankland, Kevin Milliken, George Sarantou, Constantine Stamos.

NO: (No one.)

BNO Question 4 Will you pledge to annually trim, cut, and/or remove stumps, repair or replace city sidewalks and maintain alleys?

YES: Wilkowski, Bell, Steve Steele, Joe McNamara, Terry Biel, Phil Copeland, William "Willis" Terry, Adam Martinez, Kevin Milliken, George Sarantou, Constantine Stamos.

NO: Terry Shankland, Rob Ludeman, Polly Taylor-Gerken

BNO Question 5 Will you commit to allocate a minimum of $350,000 annually in capital improvement funds in BNO and HHNA neighborhoods to resurface a minimum of 1 mile of street?

YES: Wilkowski, Bell, Steve Steele, Terry Biel, Phil Copeland, William "Willis" Terry, Polly Taylor-Gerken, Adam Martinez, Rob Ludeman, Kevin Milliken, George Sarantou.

NO: Constantine Stamos, Joe McNamara, Terry Shankland.

BNO Question 6 Will you pledge to hold the owner of the 19.5 acre parcel located at 310 and 400 South Westwood Avenue accountable to clean it up, perhaps allocate environmental funds to assist in the clean up, and work with the University of Toledo, city of Toledo, and neighborhood organizations to complete a feasibility study to prepare the site for shovel-ready development including commercial, green and/or other related uses by end of 2010?

YES: Wilkowski, Bell, Steve Steele, Joe McNamara, Terry Biel, Phil Copeland, William "Willis" Terry, Polly Taylor-Gerken, Adam Martinez, Rob Ludeman, Kevin Milliken, George Sarantou.

NO: Terry Shankland, Constantine Stamos.

Candidates Night in South Toledo, Oct. 20

Highland Heights Neighborhood Association and the Burroughs Neighborhood Organization are co-sponsoring a Candidates Night on October 20, 7 p.m., at Burroughs School, 2404 South Ave. The evening will feature both Toledo mayoral candidates, as well as candidates running for city council. Refreshments will be served.
This event is free and open to the public. Neighborhood residents who would like to help out can contact the organizers by email at highland43609@gmail.com or by calling Don at: 419-382-6500.

City gives update on our Dirty Dozen List

Following is Bob Mossing’s update as of September 11, 2009 on the list of 13 problem properties that we're calling our "Dirty Dozen." Mr. Mossing is the code enforcement officer for the city of Toledo.

--Carol Scheiber, Highland Heights Neighborhood Assn.


See updated report on properties. Please let me know if you have additional concerns. 1425 South will be down this year.



1425 South Demo list and board up requested on 7/27/09-still not boarded will make another request.

9/10/09-----REINSPECTED AND NO CHANGE---WILL SEND JODY AND E-MAIL TO BOARD UP THE PROPERTY.
1515 Wayne Property is secure and clean. I am working will the owner to make the repairs. Gave the owner more time to make some type of progress.

9/10/09-----REINSPECTED AND FILING CHARGES ON THE OWNER--NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE
723 Lodge The property is going thru foreclosure and I left a message for Ruth Seth (Lucas Co Auditor) to see if the house would be up for Sheriff sale soon. Waiting for response.

9/10/09------REINSPECTED AND NO CHANGE---RUTH SETH LEFT A MESSAGE STATING THE PROPERTY IS NOW FORFEITED LAND AND WILL BEING GOING THRU ANOTHER SALE----PER LORI THE HOUSE IS ON THE DEMO LIST, HOWEVER IT DOES NOT QUALIFY AS DEMO MATERIAL.

117 Ralph The property was part of a bankruptcy, however the owner quick claimed the property back to the lender and the lender did not want it back so the lender is trying to resolve this situation (legally) and they will be maintaining the property until the process is complete.

9/10/09 --------THE PROPERTY WAS TRANSFERRED BACK TO THE PRIOR OWNER AND I WILL BE ISSUING NEW ORDERS TO HIM----THE BANK DID COMPLY WITH MY REQUEST TO CLEAN AND SECURE THE PROPERTY.
501 S. Detroit The grass was cut. No other violations
9/10/09---------NO VIOLATIONS AT TIME OF INSPECTION.


1120 South The owners are in court and the property is currently on the demo list
9/10/09--------NO CHANGE---PROPERTY STILL ON THE DEMO LIST----
171 Dale 8/10/09 issued a nol.
9/10/09--------OWNERS COMPLIED WITH THE NOL.
1660 Wayne Filing an affidavit.
9/10/09---------HAVE NOT RECEIVED COURT DATE YET.
535 Carlton 8/10/09 nol and requested a board up
9/10/09 ---------THE PROPERTY IS SECURED.

556 Carlton 8/10/09 grass was cut, but issued 30 day na order on the property
9/10/09---------THE 30 DAY ORDER HAS NOT EXPIRED
2424 Airport 8/1/09 the grass was cut and the property is boarded to keep people out
9/10/09---------THE 30 DAY ORDER HAS NOT EXPIRED
1642 Wayne 8/10/09 nol issued
9/10/09 ISSUING ANOTHER NOL AND REQUESTING BOARD UP
1601 Airline 8/10/09 30 day order was issued on the house
9/10/09-----THE 30 DAY ORDER HAS NOT EXPIRED
1587 Airline 8/10/09 vacant lot-the grass was cut-no violations at time of inspection
9/10/09 NO VIOLATIONS AT TIME OF INSPECTION
1585 Airline 8/10/09 30 day order was issued on the garage
9/10/09-----THE 30 DAY ORDER HAS NOT EXPIRED, HOWEVER THE OWNER REQUESTED MORE TIME TO COMPLY WITH THE ORDERS
Commitments / reports from Bob Mossing,
City of Toledo, Manager of Code Enforcement