January 17, 2025
By the Toledo Tribune
The heart of any small town is its people, and the health of its government depends on how well it communicates with them. When it comes to Toledo, our city council and city manager face the unique challenge of balancing legal boundaries, operational duties, and community engagement. Yet, for all the rules and regulations, the question remains: Do we, as citizens, feel connected to the people who make decisions on our behalf?
If you don’t know the name of our current city manager, you’re not alone. And therein lies a significant part of the issue. The city manager is the one tasked with ensuring your pothole gets filled, that the lights stay on, and that public works runs smoothly. They aren’t just behind the scenes; they are the scene. Yet their presence in the community often feels like a whisper rather than a voice.
Now, to be fair, city managers don’t typically hold parades or set up lemonade stands on Main Street. Their job is to manage, and in many cases, they’re bound by rules that limit what they can share with the public or even with the city council. Some of this opacity is unavoidable—state laws and city charters can draw strict lines about what can and cannot be discussed. Other times, the lack of transparency might stem from gaps in communication, or simply the assumption that people aren’t interested.
But we are interested. And what’s more, we’re invested. We live here, work here, and want to see our town thrive. If the city manager is the one directing resources and making operational decisions, it stands to reason that they should also be a visible, approachable part of the community. After all, trust is built not just in council meetings or quarterly reports, but in handshakes and casual conversations.
In my 15 years running a business on Main Street, I’ve met several city managers. They’ve all been professional, personable, and willing to listen—if I went out of my way to find them. But in all that time, not one has ever stopped by to introduce themselves or ask how things are going. And while I’ve had the occasional visit from a city council member, those are few and far between.
Have you heard about the mayor’s “Coffee with the Mayor” days? It’s a wonderful idea—a chance to sit down, share a cup of coffee, and talk about the things that matter to you. But it’s not enough on its own. Town halls, while valuable, often feel stiff and formal, held in echoing chambers with city officials sitting on a dais or lined up like a panel of judges. That’s not a conversation—it’s a performance.
What if we did things differently? Imagine town halls held in warm, cozy settings—a coffee shop, a library nook, or even someone’s backyard. A place where you feel comfortable pulling up a chair and speaking your mind. And what if city officials weren’t perched above or seated in neat rows but were mingled among the public, side by side with the people they serve?
Here’s another suggestion: let’s meet people where they are. What if the city manager took time to visit local businesses, attend community events, or just take a stroll through our neighborhoods? Not as part of a formal agenda, but as a way to connect and listen. What if the water bill—already a regular visitor to every household—included a note from the city manager, sharing updates in plain, friendly language?
Communication and transparency aren’t just about providing information; they’re about building relationships. It’s hard to trust someone you never see or hear from. And while it’s true that city managers have demanding jobs and councilors can’t be everywhere at once, small gestures of connection go a long way in a town like ours.
We all want Toledo to succeed. We all care about our roads, our parks, our schools, and our future. But caring starts with knowing—knowing the names, faces, and roles of the people in charge. So the next time you wonder who’s responsible for that pothole or why your water bill went up, ask yourself: Do I know the city manager? And more importantly, does the city manager know me?
Leave a Reply