Student responses: “If I Were Mayor”
Written by Brandi Barhite | Special Sections Editor | bbarhite@toledofreepress.comA lot to change
If I was the mayor of Toledo, a lot would be changed. I would fix all of these messed-up streets. We also need to put more shopping stores Downtown and parking spaces for the shopping centers. I think we need more places for kids to go so they would stay out of trouble.
We also need to have more jobs for the young kids that would also keep them out of trouble. I also would make people with abandoned houses fix them up or sell them. We have too many abandoned buildings that make Toledo look dirty. I think we should have a casino Downtown, too, that way more people would want to come to Toledo. The shopping stores and bars should stay open late to so they can make more money. We would have to have some more restaurants Downtown, too.
Dannitra Mcgary
Scott High School
Toledo needs jobs
Toledo needs jobs and new business like people need food and water; if it goes much longer without them, it will surely die. This city craves cheap entertainment, like chocolate cake after the breakup — something sure to make it smile, even if it’s not holding a full house.
If I were mayor, I would focus on satisfying both desires with a single solution: an inner-city drive-in. With all the deserted parking lots littering our area, it wouldn’t be hard to find a central Toledo location. Construction would be cheap and minimal, as simple as throwing up a projection screen and opening one of those empty buildings for an arcade/snack bar. And because drive-in tickets are ordinarily cheap in comparison to mainstream theatres, the establishment would attract a lot of business.
Also, any business in the surrounding area would be bound to flourish, as people make a night out of going to a show, having dinner, shopping and, of course, buying snacks for the flick.
Hannah Zahn
Bowsher High School
More parks
If I were the mayor of Toledo I would do many things. The first thing I would do would be to make more parks. In the parks there would be many things. There would be many slides and swings for the children. There would be picnic benches for people to eat and rest on. There would be big lakes with many types of boats, like paddle boats and rowboats people could ride on. In the lakes, there would be geese, swans, ducks, etc. Also there would be large meadows with trees, plants and beautiful flowers. In between the trees would be a long, wide path where people could walk, run, hike, go biking, rollerblading, etc. The parks would be a place for family and friends to meet and have fun together, whether it would be playing on the swings, chatting on the benches, hiking on the trail or just feeding the ducks on the lake. They would be a place for fun and peace.
Maahum Ahmed
Toledo Islamic Academy
Keep Toledo clean
“What is the city but the people?” William Shakespeare asked. Some people in Toledo are suffering from unemployment, foreclosures and the disappointment of a city that was once thriving. As mayor, I would renovate the countless vacant structures in Toledo, such as the former Southwyck Shopping Mall. There is enormous space in that building for new businesses, corporations and recreational facilities. By establishing these businesses, more jobs and money would become available for the Toledo economy. More money would help make life feasible. As mayor, I would also provide more inexpensive places for young people to go to have fun. This would decrease gang violence, curfew violations and illegal activities. Additionally, I would encourage more youth organizations throughout Toledo. With more youth organizations available, the younger generation’s point of view concerning issues in the Toledo community would be heard.
As mayor, I would encourage citizens to keep the environment clean and utilize the parks and open areas for exercising. Finally, as mayor, I would take a more active role in the public school system. I would be interested in issues such as block scheduling, Ohio Graduation Test, academics, discipline/suspensions and technology.
Isis Darks
Start High School
Don’t waste tax dollars
If I were the mayor of Toledo, I would want to improve many things. Some of the things I would try to improve upon are the environmental issues, taxes and bringing Toledo back from the grave, bringing the community together again. If I were elected mayor, I would make neighborhoods safe. I would hire more police officers to increase job openings in Toledo. Another thing I would do is pass environmental bills. I would push for more recycling centers, the planting of more trees and much more.
However, I would do it in a way that wouldn’t waste tax dollars. I would have the people of Toledo vote on how they wanted things. I would put an end to laws that aren’t necessary; this inconveniences citizens in many ways and my goal isn’t to do that. Another thing I would do as mayor is help lower taxes in areas they should be lowered in, and keep taxes where they are in other areas. If I were mayor, I wouldn’t promise change. I would promise consistency. I would reiterate the laws already set, which Toledoans voted on putting into action. If I were mayor, I would bring Toledo back.
Megan Maxcy
Toledo Early College High School
Long-term vision
Toledo is a place, as history has shown, where the people — families, students, blue-collar workers, unions, businessmen, civic organizers, community organizers, leaders of faith, leaders of academia, founders of institutions and visionaries — can rise above our collective problems and roadblocks and build new inroads for the future of Toledo.
As a result, I, as mayor, would create a long-term vision for Toledo. No simple answers. No quick fixes. No shortcuts. The plan would need to bring all our leaders together, to get aboard this long, and maybe, uphill journey. As mayor, I would help to establish the lines of communication needed to keep all heads of leadership looking forward and on the same course. Likewise, as Toledo’s mayor, I would act as the go-between when established ways of politics and business must give into change for a common good. Hard times will mean hard answers. Change and regress may be Toledo’s catalyst for our city’s future. Thus, I will bring to the table a strong voice, but a more attentive and passionate ear for all parties representing Toledo. Drastic changes will definitely call for drastic measures.
Byron Harris
Libbey High School
Build Downtown
One way to get people into the city is to have things/events Downtown for them to do and from that be able to have money to help get the city out of debt. There are many things that we can put Downtown as in jobs or a movie theater Downtown so people wouldn’t have to go so far to see a movie and a shopping mall or outlet. There’s also a possible chance we can build a basketball/football stadium, which would be big because lots of people would want to see those events. And in doing that, we can turn 85 percent of our bars into places where people could go out and eat after those big events and not just leave. These are just things to consider helping the city get out of debt.
I would also make more of the new improved garbage trucks to help the city save money. I would, if necessary, cut people’s pay down by about 5 percent from what they were making. Increase the cities taxes on most things like plastic and paper bags in stores. We can also charge for the use of our water Downtown, for the sea that comes through with different boats and cargo.
Aaron .J.H.Jeffery
Scott High School
Youth center
Toledo has long been lacking a youth center. Since the closing of “The Mill,” there exists no one place where kids and teenagers can just, well …hang out. With movie ticket prices approaching $10 and limited funds for excursions to the mall, places for youth to gather are scarce. As mayor, I would use my influence to establish a youth center to provide a stable and supervised environment, especially for those who perhaps lack such stability at home.
The conversion of any empty building, a few couches, televisions and computers … it would not take much to draw people looking for a laid-back place to hang out with friends. Churches in the community could use this as an outreach program for Toledo’s next generation. The involvement of our area churches would provide adult volunteers, an ample supply of service opportunities and the guarantee that youth centers could be present in all sections of Toledo.
Of course, not only the teenagers stand to benefit. The City of Toledo is likely to be repaid, as most teens are willing to volunteer their time if it’s promised to become a social event. An army of teens gathered to perform even just one service project a month is bound to have an impact on the community.
Alex Guyton
Bowsher High School
Town halls
If I were mayor, I would hold a town hall meeting, inviting citizens (especially teenagers) to voice their concerns. I imagine these would include jobs, safety and economic development like the Southwyck Mall redevelopment.
I’d focus on preventing brain drain. If a student graduates locally with an education degree and goes out of the country to teach, this is not helping our city. How can we prevent brain drain? The city, the university and businesses should get together and devise a program in order to have jobs already lined up for graduates.
Safety is also a major issue in the city. I believe that more neighborhood watches should be held in order to stop crime upon our homes. I also think more police officers should be hired in order to keep the city safer. Additional street lights should be made available to keep our neighborhoods safe. One significant concern in relation to economic development is the Southwyck Mall redevelopment. Many citizens are concerned about the mall. Its redevelopment would create jobs, new businesses, higher property values and more money going to the city coffers. In conclusion, jobs, safety and economic development are crucial in preventing brain drain and maintaining a vibrant, flourishing city.
Breann Fisher
Rogers High School
True leader
The mayor of a city to me should be a very responsible person who cares for the people of the community. This person should be an upright citizen and display a sense of pride toward the community. He must be a true leader. If I was the mayor for a year of our fine town, Toledo, I envision several areas for change. First, I would invest in alternative energy and solar power. This investment would bring thousands of jobs to the city. The citizens of Toledo would in the end be investing in our city and reaping the benefits of alternative energy. With more jobs and money circulating, the city’s economy would be strengthened, also. Moreover, endowing in alternative energy would bring Toledo to the forefront in our country’s progression as we venture toward energy independence. Secondly, I would put more city workers on the streets. Repaving all the streets in the city that require it would be one of my main priorities. Not only would this task put more workers on the streets, but it would help beautify Toledo. In accordance, creating more “green” space Downtown would help complement our wonderful existing Metroparks.
Lastly, I would redesign and establish programs to help the citizens of Toledo when they are in need. With our declining stock market, many families are in need of food assistance. Likewise, keeping the young people of our city safe and off the streets is very important. Therefore, I would create more parks and community centers where the children of Toledo could spend their time doing something educational and recreational.
Johnathan Nichols
Libbey High School
Bring jobs
If I was the mayor of Toledo, one thing I would try to improve would be the growing issue of job losses. One way I would do this is in the auto industry. I would get rid of the machines that do work and give those jobs to people who need them. This might create a slower industry, but it would help those in need and wouldn’t make Toledo a city that is high up on the unemployment list. The next thing I would do is bring back life into certain parts of the city. Southwyck Mall has been shut down for about a year now, and by leaving that area rundown, people are going elsewhere to shop, which is taking away from South Toledo.
They have the Westfield Shopping Center in West Toledo. We need a mall in South Toledo to bring people to that area, which will bring more business and more money into the area. Toledo is close to becoming a city of disrepair if we don’t do something about it soon. By bringing more jobs and more business, I believe we can start to fix the problem that has been for so long injuring our city.
Andrea Rulason
Maumee Valley Country Day School
Finance stores
If I were the mayor of Toledo, I would have teachers from Harvard transferred to the University of Toledo. I would also finance stores and schools in need to bring up the level of academic excellence in elementary and high school. I would make sure that there are no places in poverty. I would make Toledo a Beverly Hills, or even better. I would also include more entertaining places because Toledo is too dull. So I would double the size of the malls, bring in more higher-class stores, such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Barneys and many more stores Toledo has never even heard of.
I would also support drug-free programs to keep kids clean and safe. I would give people of all ages a chance to achieve something bigger, such as become a movie star or singer or any type of celebrity because the only places people ever really get discovered is in a prestige places such as California, L.A and New York, but that would change if I were mayor. I would also sponsor the Make-A-Wish program so kids who are not that privileged would get a chance to do something or see someone they admire. I would give every person a chance; doesn’t matter where you’re from, what color you are or what size you are, you would get a chance if I were mayor.
Salma Abu-yasein
Toledo Islamic Academy
Have respect
If I was mayor, I will make the world a better place and make people do things right in the world. I will protect the world from harm that people do and I will put the bad people in jail that do things wrong and make people treat people right and treat them nice and also have them try to share their things and not have people smoke weed and all and just do what they do best. I would give every city a pet for their house. I would tell them to get their area cleaned up and have people share and have respect for everyone and be nice to one another and I will keep the world a better, clean place.
Brandon Williams
Mayfair High School
Catalyst of change
If I were given the privilege to serve this great city as mayor, I would be blessed with an opportunity to be a catalyst of change that the Toledo area desperately yearns for.
Far too long has the national economic situation, as well as other factors affecting our nation, plagued our city’s core. Politicians have come and gone, but the problems we face have not. That is why I would start my tenure by tackling the big issues first rather than push them off to the side for a rainy day.
As mayor, I would appoint a youth advisory council to consult with when making tough decisions that will have profound effects on the younger generations. Never before have the people in my age group been able to voice their opinions with power because they don’t have what our elected officials care about: a vote. I feel that the Downtown area has suffered from a bad reputation for too long and that a strip mall, combined with the Mud Hens stadium and the new indoor arena, would combat those false accusations. I also believe that the revenue from this project could be used in the future to bolster our city’s economy.
Spencer Genson, Lake High School (Toledo resident) A cleaner city
If I were mayor of Toledo, I would make the city a lot cleaner. I would go around the city and clean up everywhere because most people won’t do it themselves now, so why will they do it later when a mayor tells them to? I would have people volunteer to help and if I wouldn’t get anybody, then I would do it myself because it is for a good cause. Then, I would take down the abandoned houses. They aren’t being used, so there isn’t a reason for them to be up still. I think if the abandoned houses were to stay up, they are just there for no reason except for trouble, really.
I would make the police force be more strict and concerned about the crime rates. There is too much crime in Toledo, and the people don’t always get caught and punished. They should get more people involved. After that, I would keep jobs in the city so people could stop being on welfare and actually make their own money instead of using the cities. Then more people would get off the streets and try to make something of themselves instead of being nothing other than a “bum.” Those are only a few things I would do if I was to actually run for mayor; there is a lot more.
Morrisa Perez
Toledo Early College High School
Focus on jobs
If I were Toledo’s mayor, in order to correct the city’s current problems, I would focus on bringing more jobs into the city. This is because most of our problems stem from our Downtown being extremely desolate. Toledo’s unemployment rate has been steadily rising due to our vicinity to the auto industry. This can be fixed by lessening our dependence on automakers.
Unfortunately, we are having a tough time doing this because new companies don’t have much incentive to set up shop in an area where the majority of buildings are deserted. The new arena will relieve unemployment slightly, but we need more. We could convert some of the older buildings Downtown into a new shopping complex. The entire complex would have to be indoors so people can come no matter the weather. The creation of this center would give outside companies more incentive to open in Toledo, as well as creating an array of new jobs. It would generate a lot of revenue, as well, that could then be used to repair the Downtown area. This, in turn, would attract more businesses, who want to be seen in an area that is prospering, not falling down.
Stephen Cornell
Bowsher High School
A safe place
If I was the mayor of Toledo, Ohio, I would make sure it’s a safe place to live and visit. I would help lower the crime rate in my city because it takes a big toll on the community. It affects and hurts the community, schools, businesses and families. As the mayor, I would try to get rid of all the drug dealers and addicts from the community.
I would make sure people would care about the environment and make Toledo a clean city and make sure everyone recycles. I would put a tax on plastic bags to make sure everyone in the city would know how important it is to recycle. I would make it so if you don’t recycle, you will have to pay a fine.
I would tear down all abandoned houses because a lot of people are in them doing bad things or hiding things in them.
Jordan Holmes
Scott High School
Gang violence
As mayor of Toledo, Ohio, the first things I would try to fix are the problems with gang violence and drugs. Gangs bring harm to Toledo,therefore, putting our kids in harm. Policemen tried, but failed.
So as mayor of Toledo, it’s my duty to stop gangs. I would also try to change the drug problem. Drugs lead to drug addicts, and drug addicts kill people just to get drugs. After the drug and gang rates go down, I’m going to work on the high school dropouts.
The rate just has to go down. I would do everything to keep teens in school. Surprisingly, some teens drop out because of a stupid reason, such as they don’t like the school’s food or no extracurricular activities.
If students had mores extracurricular activities, it would focus them; you have to have a C or higher to be in any extracurricular activity.
My last thing I would fix is teenage pregnancy. Teens think raising a baby is easy; however, most teens give up and abandon babies. Some teens who have a baby do not take proper care of themselves during their pregnancy and the baby dies a day later or suffers lifelong consequences.
I will have every movement it takes to keep teens celibate and abstinent.
Toledo would be a better place.
Blossom Mitchell
Libbey High School
Attract tourists
If I was the mayor of the city of Toledo I would try to employ many people and bring tourists here. There are many people unemployed in our city and it’s hurting many citizens. Many people are moving to different cities, and even states. Toledo needs jobs badly for adults and teens.
The unemployment rate continues to rise. Abandoned buildings could be rebuilt utilizing the unemployed. Teenagers barely get a job because all the entry-level jobs are taken by the older generation because of their need to supplement their retirement. Being a teen mother is hard not only because I’m young, but because it so hard to find a job. I can relate to the teens that’s going trough the same thing. If I was mayor I would help people start their own business to earn money.
Downtown would have many more things to do and to show; such as strip malls, movies, and things set up on our waterfront to attract tourists. As mayor I want people to say, “I want to visit Toledo it’s such a beautiful city.” It would be great to have people refer to Toledo in that way.
Jera Ramsey
Scott High School
Education is crucial
If I am elected mayor of the City of Toledo, Ohio, first of all, I will be humbled to take the job and start working from day one not wasting a minute. I will also keep in contact with the city’s residents. I will also assure them that all the things that I promised during my campaign will happen.
The top three priorities that I promised during my campaign are: to alter the city’s economy, city schools and the city’s infrastructure. I believe if our city’s economy can flourish, we will have a productive safer society.
When people have a good income they will spend more, plus the city will be safer because there will be less theft, burglary and crime.
People will spend more money in city stores, which will develop the city’s economy even more. In our city, we should invest more in schools than businesses that failed our economy. I believe that education is our nation’s future in these crucial times. It also was a reason, which our country is a world power and attracts people to our country.
Our city should have better quality roads, streets and amusement parks so it can be attractive and one day it will have a great prestige around the world. I know times are tough so I will do everything for this great city.
Mohammed Abdallah
Toledo Islamic Academy
Listen to community
If I was mayor, I would cut out the uniform policies to begin with. I also would focus on education more than building new schools. I would listen more to the community than the head people in charge because the people in charge don’t have to live in the community to where the decisions they decide on affects.
I would listen to the students more because they are the ones affected most by my decisions. The people who have been voting are people who really care less about what there voting for. The kids are the future. If we make bad decisions on voting it hurts them.
So don’t forget about the youth because the youth want their voices heard. Finally if I was mayor, I would give it my all to run the city of Toledo the best way I could. I would listen to the people and make smart decisions.
Cory Gardner
Rogers High School
Start the revival
“Ahhh the good ole days!” is a phrase that everyone says in their lifetime. It always seems to me I hear everything was better “back in the day,” even the City of Toledo. My great grandmother told me people used to travel miles to shop on Dorr Street and that Downtown wasn’t always the ghost town it is today.
As mayor of Toledo, I would try to bring back the good times by reviving Downtown. What a better way to start the revival than an old time department store? Bringing a store like Macy’s or Bloomingdales would definitely draw people back to this dying area, thus creating jobs.
Some old buildings could be used by new local business owners to open boutiques and restaurants. Others could be turned in chic apartments. This dull city could also use something like a Dave & Buster’s for teenagers so we would have something to do to keep us out of trouble.
Shocking some life back into downtown would improve our economy, enrich the appearance of the city and make it so people didn’t have to reminisce on the past because the present would be too happening to miss!
Ijonte Hall
Bowsher High School
Enforce a curfew
If I was the mayor of Toledo, I would stop spending money on the chargers given to the police. I would also enforce a curfew for teens 13-17, but extend it to 12:30 a.m. I would allow people to start working at the age of 12. I would also raise minimum wage to allow people to be able to work and support their families. I would also give people that are homeless a better chance to get on their feet. I would fix up abandon buildings and use those buildings to house the homeless or use it to have activities for children to play in and get off the streets. I would place police in areas where the crime is the highest.
I would create parks for the children to play. I would also advertise Toledo’s finest places, such as the art museum and The Toledo Zoo. Our art museum has a wide time period of art work that has dated back to when paintings first existed to the present time. Our zoo is one of the top five zoos in this country. We have animals that are almost extinct. This is what I would do if I was the mayor.
Charles Green Jr.
Scott High School
Job opportunities
If I was mayor, I would make sure my city is doing everything possible to take care of the city. Keeping gangs and violence out of the streets, and making sure there are job opportunities for everyone including teens.
Shante Davis
Rogers High School
Urban core
The most visible problem in Toledo today is a lack of a strong, urban core and public transportation. We need to continue to make over the Warehouse District and promote creative businesses based around graphic design, fashion and culinary interests.
The investment by Fifth Third has already sparked development in Downtown. The best way Toledo can become a more prominent urban power would be to form a tri-city region with Ann Arbor and Detroit and become a primary research area with our major universities. Toledo needs to better capitalize on its strengths, such as alternative energy, natural resources and shipping capabilities.
We do need to globalize our economy and advance technologically with the rest of the world. Toledo has to stop competing with Maumee, Perrysburg and Sylvania, and begin competing in the global economy. The emphasis in re-urbanization must focus in the Old West End Downtown Warehouse district corridor, as development is already coming along and showing promise in the area.
Associating ourselves with Ann Arbor, another information and technology based economy will certainly move Toledo in the right direction. Simply changing our name to “Lake Erie West” will change the stigma of Northwest Ohio and give us a positive direction for coordinated economic development.
Alexander Danes
Maumee Valley Country Day School
No dumb stuff
If I was mayor, I would stop spending money on dumb stuff. I feel that Toledo spends way too much money on things that are not that important. After I do that, the people are next in line. I would conduct a survey to see what the people feel is most important. After that, I would spring into action. If that didn’t work, I would do what I felt was most important. Next comes safety. I would make it against the law to drive three trailer semi-trucks in Toledo. Money is not always most important.
Then I would go into schools and other positive organizations and stress how hard it is to be a mayor! That’s what I would do.
Jermay Hampton
Libbey High School
Reduce crime
If I was the mayor of Toledo, I would reduce the crime rates in an attempt to make the city safer. I would also do something to remove all the abandoned buildings in Toledo.
I would also focus on gangs and drugs because there are entirely too many gang-related crimes going on and too many people dying from drugs.
I would build more things for the youth to do so that less of them would be in the streets doing things that are illegal or that they have no business doing. I would try and bring more jobs to Toledo.
Dominique Carroll
Scott High School
Paying attention
The year of 2008 was the first time I paid attention to any election at all because of one factor: Barack Obama. Whenever this remarkable man gave one of his electrifying speeches, it inspired me to believe I could change the world, too.
Because of the transformational feeling Barack Obama instilled in me, if I were mayor of Toledo, I would try to do the same for the city. My goal would be to change the morale of our town. Inspiration is the key to success, and with it, people gain a positive mentality and feel like they can accomplish their dreams.
This “inspiration” idea may seem impossible to some, but with proper execution, this plan can be successful because of the challenged situation Toledo is currently under. My proposal consists of free public rallies and acknowledgement for accomplishments made by people within the community, more recognition for the Toledo Pride program, speeches to enthuse citizens and the town uniting as one.
People encouraging another is priceless and helps make our living environment better. I have not and never will give up on Toledo, and I think a more positive outlook is the change we can believe in.
Drew LeGendre
Bowsher High School
Better organized
If I were the mayor of Toledo, the first thing I would do is make Toledo better and the streets more organized. Also open schools that are for free for people who can’t afford it, so they can have good education just like the other people who are learning.
Another thing that I would do is fix the Downtown because it could look nice just like the other downtowns in different cities; also, because it looks old and ugly and the streets are miserable. As a mayor, I need to fix all these problems and make it better.
Next as mayor, I would open places for education just like COSI, but it is going to be bigger, and better, plus I will add more things to it like babysitting for the little children, so the parents do not get tired and exhausted from their children. I would add games for parents and teenagers.
Another thing is making people clean the trash that is everywhere to make the city look clean, nice and because we can keep our environment clean. Next, I would add more lights to the streets that don’t have light to make the city glow.
Plus when I become a mayor, I would open more museums into different languages because not everyone understands English.
Marawa Abdallah
Toledo Islamic Academy
Give teachers a raise
If I was mayor, the first thing I would do is thank the people who elected me. Then I would get right to business starting with trying to get all the less fortunate out of the cold and into houses or apartments. Then I would make sure that all the streets are properly paved so my city would not have as many car accidents. I would start an organization of police just to stop gang violence because I believe that gang violence is the root of mostly all crime.
Then I would try to do something to give the TPS teachers a raise because I know they have one of the toughest jobs in the world.
James Hampton
Libbey High School
A better world
If I was mayor, I would want to change the world into a better one. I would try my best to almost do what the president does. Helping individuals spiritually, physically and emotionally would express what I could do from being a mayor. I will help the economy so there could be fewer layoffs.
I will assist with the health issues, including the financials, and the occupations involved. I would make all the schools alike, but as private schools. All classes would be honors or college-prep. I will try my hardest to provide love, shelter and clothing for the unfortunate. The drug dealing will stop on the streets because new night watchers would be in effect.
Tobria Layson
Start High School
New employment
As mayor of Toledo, I would immediately address my attention to the rapid increase of job cuts. To help the families survive through the season’s expenses, jobs can be created in different fields of work.
Buildings in our local area that are safe for occupation can be remodeled and made into art galleries and youth centers. The galleries will be a nice place for starting artists to display their creations. There can be select nights where the public can admire the artwork at a minimal fee.
The youth center is a good environment for children to gather and get involved in different activities. At the youth center, teenagers and adults could provide services in their field of talents to shape the younger generations. Older buildings that are unsafe can be demolished and the bricks recycled and made into new materials by the green project.
Thanhxuyen Dao
Bowsher High School
Good environment
If I was mayor of Toledo, I will make sure that my city has a good environment for people who come to the city. The crime rates will be low, so if they live in a bad state or city, they can move here to Toledo. They can relax and have a great time for you and the kids. I’m going to have greater skating rinks, bigger and better movie theaters, and an amusement park Downtown. All those abandoned houses and buildings: fix them up or tear them down and make something new like strip clubs and casinos … and have more shopping stores Downtown.
Dominic Williams
Scott High School
Myriad problems
Like many other mid-size cities around the country, Toledo has been plagued by a common problem that has caused it to suffer. A steady decline in population has created myriad problems for Toledo and its citizens, the biggest of such being tax-base erosion. As mayor of Toledo, I would make it my top priority for finding a solution to such a debilitating condition. Unfortunately, this cycle will keep repeating itself, which Toledo can no longer survive.
As people move out of the city and into the suburbs, property value, as well as the total amount of property tax and income tax being paid to Toledo, is dramatically decreased. A mid-sized, blue-collar city depends on these funds to provide the necessary functions such as public services, schools and infrastructure. When a city cannot provide these, more people leave. This enormous gap between city and the suburbs will endlessly keep taking away from the city, its people, its services and its lifeline.
The first thing I would do is incorporate all the suburbs of Lucas County as part of the City of Toledo. By doing this we would be one city, under one leadership; we would be a community that works, pays, and enjoys together. Only by doing this can we start to dissolve the population decline and eventually work to see a greater Toledo.
Alexander Danes
Maumee Valley Country Day School
Many changes
If I was mayor of Toledo, I would make many changes that would benefit Toledo. I would spend a good portion of the city budget on education. I would also make sure that the right people are “chosen” as the chief of police and chief of the fire department.
Not only that, but I would do my best to approve laws that would help Toledo and contribute to make our city look nicer. To help with education, I would use the “restricted” funds to support educational programs that will help the younger generation prepare for the future. I would also fund programs that would keep youth off the streets and give them the opportunities to succeed in life.
I would also help with libraries by funding them with “unrestricted” funds so that children, teenagers and adults can have a place where they can learn and educate themselves.
If I were mayor, I would choose the right person as the chief of police and chief of the fire department. I would choose someone who could relate to the “working man” and help keep crime off the streets.
To help make the city look nicer, I would put the tax money to good use to clean up Toledo and fix broken-down buildings around Toledo. I would also approve laws to contribute to Toledo’s economy, such as not allowing casinos to be built in the Toledo area.
I feel that it would cause the people to waste their money and contribute more to the casino owner than Toledo itself. If I was mayor of Toledo, I would do things to encourage education and help make the city a nicer place.
Ivan Palacios
Toledo Early College High School
Create jobs
If I was mayor, I would create new jobs for the younger people. Some other things I would change would be to listen to what the people around me have to say, and not overlook them.
All people should have a say in what’s going on in their area.
The things that are important like school is a main concern, when money is needed for anything in the school area, I think there should be money there for them to use.
Britini Mickles
Rogers High School
Time for change
I have seen a grave need for correction in the policy other mayors have followed.
This city can be perceived as a wasteland with vehicles which pollute the air day by day. Our rivers and streams are highly turbid and CSO units line our bodies of water which we drink from.
As your new mayor, I see that it’s a time for change. I will invest your tax dollars into making solar-powered buses which at night run off an electric battery. This would greatly lower the amounts of pollutants around Toledo.
I will require that all businesses and corporations that are along the Ohio River or a body of water use hydroelectricity to lower energy cost. These hydroelectric systems would also act as a riffle in our water, raising the dissolved oxygen count, as well as better turbidity and other chemical factors which affect the overall quality of our drinking water.
Lastly, I will make better programs to handle issues of gang violence in this city and teach our upcoming generation the importance of knowledge. Toledo, it’s time for a change!
Matthew Hughes
Scott High School
More restaurants
If I was mayor of Toledo, Ohio, I would rebuild the Downtown. I would make Downtown bigger and build more restaurants around the river so people could come Downtown and eat and enjoy themselves and spend more money. I would build more houses so we can have more travelers and visitors. People who come down here, they see our city isn’t big enough or we don’t have any money.
I would build a casino so more money would come through the city and I would also start an NBA Basketball team. Toledo is one of the poorest towns in the United States because we really don’t have anything in our city or we don’t have anything other cities want. By me being mayor I’ll build more buildings for the poor and help out the needy. I’ll keep the streets clean and make more job opportunities and crack down on crime.
D’Angelo Williams
Scott High School
Appeal to business
Dust blows across a desolate street. The dingy buildings appear to be empty, abandoned years before. The only sign of life is a squirrel scurrying up a tree on the boulevard. Saturday night in Toledo, Ohio, has never quite looked so pathetic.
Toledo is filled with people, and yet the Downtown area sits in silent solidarity night after hopeless night. It could be a sprawling metropolis, the envy of the state. But we sit at home every night watching reality TV and eating leftover Ramen. Why? There’s nothing better to do. The city is dead, and no businesses are willing to open up and electroshock it back to life.
Startup costs are ridiculous, and high taxes keep new shops from flourishing. To get the classic bustling downtown atmosphere, Toledo should appeal to companies. Lower the costs of rent and utilities; anything is better than an empty building.
Slowly stores will come; people will venture out, and the city will thrive. People rush across a busy street. Store windows showcase the latest trends. A squirrel looks down from a tree on the boulevard, confused by the excitement below. These city streets hadn’t seen so much life until I was mayor.
Cherie Locker
Bowsher High School
Take care of homeless
If I was mayor, I would improve human living conditions for the people of Toledo. As the mayor, I would make better conditions for the homeless. They will never have to be out in the cold asking for food.
I would fix damaged streets so that people won’t have car accidents from the potholes in the roads. I think some roads are too damaged to drive on. I would have more streetlights for dark streets that people have to walk and drive on so they can see and feel safe. I would have the police scout at night so they can protect the people walking down the street.
I would even have police walk people home so they get home safely. I would make small stores require a camera so we can find out who stole from the store and give us signs. Signs like a tattoo scar, any type of sign that will help us catch the suspect.
If I was mayor, these are some of the changes I would make in the city.
Dashawn Williams
Scott High School
Balance the budget
In recent years, the City of Toledo has seen a reversal in the prosperous trend due to mismanagement of the budget. Because of the carelessness of the city’s leadership, Toledo will be facing a $21 million deficit in 2009.
When cities are put in a situation such as this, the budget can only be balanced through extreme actions such as layoffs and cuts to the police and fire department. If I were the mayor of Toledo, I would not allow my city to come under this type of stress.
I would balance the budget by restructuring the city’s spending altogether. Any unneeded programs would be taken out of the budget, along with spending that is funding unnecessary projects. There is no need for two of our most important city departments to be penalized for the mismanagement of the budget.
Instead, if any layoffs could not be avoided, they would come at the positions of leadership where individuals have mishandled Toledo’s finances.
Coleman High
Maumee Valley Country Day School
Attract more people
Today, Toledo has many economical problems that are progressively getting worse. Jobs are becoming more and more scarce. With fewer jobs, people are leaving the city. With less people in the city, the government will fund Toledo with less money.
If I was mayor of Toledo, I would try to improve these conditions. My main goal that I am going to focus on is bringing in people to live in the city. To do this, I will use the money that the city still has to build shopping centers Downtown.
I would ask for donations from celebrities to work on the shopping centers. I would also use the money to advertise how great Toledo is going to look after the remodeling of Downtown is complete.
My secondary goal is to get more jobs in Toledo. I would get volunteers to help build a spa, a waterpark and a casino.
This will open up more jobs for the people who live in Toledo. This would make people come to the city.
The people would tell their friends and families about how great Toledo is. This would cause even more people to come.
Trenton Jackson
Scott High School
More entertainment
If I were mayor of Toledo, I would change many things. There would be one major improvement that I would really work on, which would be: more entertaining places.
Toledo is a very dull area and is in need of more fun activities. Toledo should be a place where people would actually come for a vacation. One idea is more malls.
Most teenagers and adults love shopping and would appreciate more places to shop. Toledo should also have an amusement park. An amusement park would be entertaining for all ages. Instead of driving to Cedar Point or Six Flags, residents of Toledo could have an amusement park in their city.
Another idea I would do is add more sports arenas. Children and youth love sports; sport arenas would be a great opportunity for them to enjoy their time. Well, that’s what I would do if I were mayor.
Alaa Kanan
Toledo Islamic Academy
Get roads in order
I would enjoy being mayor of Toledo. I would first get the roads in order because some streets are just unbearable to drive down. Second, I would hold monthly meetings open to the public so they can list their concerns and problems. I would then deal with the problems and correct them as soon as possible.
I would also take monthly visits to schools to see what is important to the children and see how we can work on a better future for them. I would make sure all approved laws are enforced. Repeat violators of any crime will be dealt with by serving the maximum punishment available.
Any citizen with multiple DUIs will be facing six to 12 months in jail and probation for a year. I would also try to help the city build a big casino. Casinos would attract jobs and help people stay in Toledo. With the sports arena, Fifth Third Field and the new casino Toledo will be thriving and the most beautiful place to live in Ohio.
Korey Cook
Scott High School
Fundraisers for children
If I were mayor, I would change a lot of things in this city. First of all, I would have a lot of fundraisers for children. I would have these fundraisers to help raise money for children’s hospitals, and children’s museums. I would get new equipment for the hospitals and new activities for the museums.
The second thing I would change is for citizens to have more fun. Why? Because if they are not happy; I’m not happy. Right now, people are just flipping through channels instead of going to the football game. I think people can have a fun time going to the game. Some of these ideas are the Mud Hens game, the new hockey team (Toledo Walleye) and the Toledo Rockets. This idea might make Toledo a more enjoyable place to be.
The third thing I would change is better education for the kids. Some ways to help kids’ education is to get better text books, maybe better teachers, and to make school more affordable for the parents.
These are some ideas to improve Toledo.
Salahadin Mustapha
Toledo Islamic Academy
Listen to the public
If I was mayor, the first thing I would do is hold meetings open to the public. I want to hear what they have to say and identify their issues. I would hold monthly fact-finding meetings. As mayor, I would like to be involved in the community as much as I possibly can.
Another thing I would like to do as mayor is to open up more recreational centers and improve existing ones. This could keep a lot of the young people off of the streets. This will help reduce the crime rate among the young people. This project will bring needed jobs to the area.
One thing I would do as mayor is to have more Downtown events. What this would do is bring more money to the city. What I would do is have the vendors pay to have their little booth in the events.
This would bring the vendors and their business more publicity.
Also some of their profits would have to come to the city general funds. All the profits would go toward city repairs and improvements. With these ideas I could make a better Toledo.
Jasmine Allen
Scott High School
Help environment
If I was the mayor, I would try to help the environment … I would try create more parks, not shut them down. Kids want to have fun, too. I would like to open up new zoos, amusement parks like Cedar Point.
If I was the mayor, I would try to help the environment. People and schools want to go on field trips; they can go to new museums I would want to build, so they could learn about art and history.
It is educational and fun, so I would try. It is good to be a mayor; it is like being a president. you just don’t control the country.
Well if one day I was a mayor of Toledo, I would just be proud of it.
Sameer Abdelkarim
Toledo Islamic Academy
Improve Downtown
If I was mayor of Toledo, I would touch on the key points in Toledo. The key points that I would touch on is the whole Downtown area. That area is nothing that would attract people all around the world. We need mini-malls and restaurants. We need to raise money for that to happen to Toledo. Our crime rate went up, but we are steadily losing money and people are leaving.
Some of the buildings Downtown can be a place for kids and the homeless. I will have more available jobs for everybody. I want people to be proud of Toledo and more to come in and stay. I want to fix the roadways so people can have a smoother ride to work or where every. I also want to get rid of the abandon houses in Toledo; and stop the rape and deaths in abandon. That is what I would do if I was the mayor of Toledo.
Terrica McKinney
Scott High School
More jobs
If I was the Mayor of Toledo, Ohio, I would….First, have more jobs in the community because our unemployment rate is very low and it is a shame that people don’t have money to get gas and the items that they need for their household. I will also provide schools with money to get their schools renewed and provide more educational programs for students to keep them out of trouble and out of gangs. But honestly, my main point is that Toledo doesn’t have anything types of main attractions for people that come and visit Toledo besides our zoo and museum. No disrespect to Toledo but Toledo is DEAD and don’t have nothing going for its self, meaning that we need more activities to do and attraction for people to look at. So, with that being said I will open up more attractions, such as a casino for the adults, a club for teens and clubs for underage children. While being a mayor, I will change the whole Downtown because nothing is going on down there and that is the place where all the action should be at. I will have a budget to where all these things I said we will have and also have money in case of emergencies. So that is what I would do if I was mayor, and I really just want Toledo to be more attractive to the eye and be a nice place to live in and to visit.
Ta’Sheila Denise Rowser
Scott High School
Equal treatment
If I was the mayor of Toledo, Ohio, all citizens would be treated equally. I will enforce the curfew for children ages 5-18. I will ensure the enforcement of the smoking laws. I would encourage donations to charity and the homeless. The citizens would vote for a top-notch nursing program for the sick and the elderly who can’t afford it. The Toledo community has a lot to offer. I will open a lot of internship jobs for the teens. For example, when I was just 15 years old, I want to intern for the mayor of Toledo and you see where I am five years later, the mayor of Toledo. If I was mayor, I will raise the pay of the hard workers of the Toledo Public Schools. I will raise the pay for the soldiers over in Iraq when they return home to the families. I would have entertainment for the little children at the reopened COSI. Also, I will open a disposable corporation to clean up Toledo so citizens won’t be getting diseases. I will help clean the water facility so we can drink clean and sanitary water.
Shaun Atkins
Scott High School
Keep Jeep
If I was mayor of Toledo, Ohio, I would keep all the Jeep jobs. I will open a center for all the school children all over Toledo. And fix up Downtown Toledo by putting a mall and fine dining restaurants, and give a job to every young person between the ages 16 and 18. I would take away welfare and have all the single mothers get a job and go to school for free and have free day care. I would higher mimum wages to $9. Open up more food stores, and that way I can make more jobs. Also, I can open a homes for abandon pregnant teen girls.
Maya Jaynes
Scott High School
Safe environment
As the mayor of Toledo, I would personally make sure that my city is a safe environment to live in. The crime rates would drastically be lowered. I would ensure that the roads are safe to drive on and free of potholes. I would bring rallies and entertainment to the arena so that it would stay active all year-round. Pools would be open in the summer so that people can go swimming whenever they want in a well-maintained public pool. I would want people to live happy in my city. I would not want to have any rumors going around that my city is a bad city to live in. I would try to have more jobs available so that the young and the old citizens of Toledo would be able to work where ever they want to work. I would have an environmental cleanup for the city monthly so that we can keep a clean and safe environment. I would work with the superintendent to improve the education for all of the students of Toledo Public Schools. The homeless would also be included in my plan for a greater Toledo
London Thomas
Scott High School
Strengthen economy
If I was mayor of Toledo, Ohio, I’d try to build the Downtown area into a tourist attraction. The only way to get our city and economy back together is money. Everything is around money and without money you can’t build on anything. I think the tourism would bring more money and the money could go toward helping our city. This thought is good, but it all still falls on money. Where would the money come from to build a better Downtown? If you try to tax the citizens they’re going to decide the living cost here is too high. This is going to cause the people to leave the city. We also need more jobs here to keep people to stay. Without jobs our economy is going to fail; people aren’t going to have money to buy things instead they’re going to steal. The stealing is going to make living here unsafe. Things would start to go up in prices and people today would not be able to buy these things because our economy is broke. I think as mayor I’d ask for our city’s budget to be enough for us to start to rebuild the worn-down buildings in the city.
Kiarra Miller
Scott High School
Lower costs
If I were mayor I would lower the cost of living. Have better jobs. Increase salary wages. Have more schools. Lower the cost of private schools and make it so that all children are treated equally. Have more jobs for the underage people with some type of life insurance or medical insurance, and I would lower gas prices. Take 5 to 10 percent off of house mortgages. Clean the sewers for better water supply. Open all abandon buildings and make them into stores, factories, day cares, schools and shelters. I would try to make it so there would be no homeless people. These are some of the things I would do.
Keyanna White
Scott High School
Focus on crime
If I was the mayor of Toledo, Ohio, I would focus on crime and drugs. Although I’m young and most kids around my age like fighting and crime, I don’t. The gang-related kids are possible to be killed before they reach 18. I don’t like the fact that my friends and other teens do drugs either. It isn’t good for your body or anything else. So if I was the mayor, I would improve safety for the kids. How will I do it? I will do anything I can do to stop the crime and drugs. Also if I was mayor, I would make Toledo a better place for living. Besides drugs and crime being my main focus, I would also focus on what needs to be done. I will help poor people get in places and not on the streets. I will do that by building more places for poor people. Lastly, I will be the best mayor I could be. I will do that by helping the city on what needs to be helped, like new buildings, new streets, redoing sidewalks, etc.
Ja’Shala Coleman
Scott High School
Clean it up
If I were to become the mayor of Toledo, Ohio, I would start by cleaning up the city. How would I do that? First, I would start by raising money for the city to do that. Then I would finish demolishing the abandon houses or redo them so people can move in. Then I would find more jobs or bring more jobs to the city. Then the people who were laid off would be the first to have a job. Then the people who are looking for them would have an opportunity to be able to work.
The second thing I would do is provide a better city by having more things for the kids to do, such as a better Downtown; it would be much better and bigger. The schools would be safer for the students that attend the schools. We would only have to know what the teacher knows because some of the teachers don’t no how to pass the OGT. I would have all of the teachers take it and if half of them couldn’t pass them, we wouldn’t have to take them.
Devon Woodward
Scott High School
Money spending
If I were mayor of Toledo, these are some of the changes I would make. First, I need to know the current budget and work from that. Money spending will be reviewed by numerous people to determine the best way to keep our city on top. The government stills owe money; we will clean up the debt. A committee will use our system and track down those who owe the government fees. Persuade new businessmen to open in our city which will open more opportunities for our community jobless. Once on track, make our police officers take the training course over to ensure that they are still focused on their job. Make sure police are visible in all neighborhoods. Sponsor programs to keep our children and our community involved and focused on community improvement. Funds will be available to ensure hospitals are secure and running properly. More homeless shelters made available with meals and job training. I would also sponsor Toledo Public Schools and all our private schools to make sure the kids are being taught in a safe and fascinating environment. Another concern would be cleaning up the environment throughout the city.
Jamarr M. Miles
Scott High School
Great shape
If I were the mayor of Toledo, we would be in great shape because I see what others don’t. Toledo has a lot of potential and if citizens would take the time to look and act positively, our city would be stable. The first thing I would do to help Toledo is fix the streets. People spend a lot of money to get their cars fixed after riding down pothole- ridden streets. The traffic is horrible, accidents every day, so I’ll make sure there are cameras on every busy corner. Second, I would have abandoned buildings tore down to stop crime and get homes and businesses built in those areas. Since our crime rate is high among teens, I will initiate programs so the children will have something to be apart of and have somewhere to go. Another issue this city can work on is keeping the facilities open that are benefiting both adults and children educationally wise. The STDs and drugs run high in Toledo so I’ll start programs to help people in get their life back on track. These are some of the things I would do if I were mayor.
Jameshia Taylor
Scott High School
