January 15, 2025
Good evening. Tonight, as the clock struck six, Mayor Rod Cross gaveled the Toledo City Council to order. The meeting began, as always, with the Pledge of Allegiance, but it quickly became clear this was not an ordinary gathering.
The council chambers were filled to capacity, with citizens standing shoulder to shoulder—a reflection of the concerns weighing on this small but steadfast community. Among those seated at the dais was newly sworn-in Councilor Andrew Keating, who has stepped in to fill the seat vacated by Stu Strom. Strom’s temporary service was acknowledged with gratitude, a reminder of the quiet dedication that keeps Toledo moving forward.
The evening turned solemn as Chief Michael Pace took the floor to honor Patrolman Gary Sumpter. On March 15, 1965, Officer Sumpter was shot and killed in the line of duty during a vehicle pursuit on Highway 229. Nearly 60 years later, his sacrifice was recognized with the presentation of a posthumous Purple Heart to his family. It was a moment of reflection for all in attendance—a reminder that the service of law enforcement comes with profound risks and enduring sacrifices.
When the floor was opened for public comment, the mood shifted. Citizen after citizen rose to speak about the Toledo Volunteer Fire Department. Many expressed frustration over the breakdown in communication and camaraderie within the department. Others spoke in defense of Fire Chief Larry Robeson, who remains on administrative leave due to a confidential complaint. The voices were passionate, the concerns deeply personal. This is the heartbeat of local government—neighbors speaking not just for themselves, but for the future of their town.
On matters less emotional but no less important, the council fielded a question about a missing 20 MPH sign on Lincoln Way—a seemingly small issue, but one emblematic of the challenges of governance.
Amidst these concerns, there was also cause for optimism. Donations to the Toledo Library were accepted, with plans to use the funds for an exhibit area and a collection of manga books. In this gesture lies hope for a generation of young readers who find inspiration in stories from across the world.
However, the council also faced a pressing crisis: critical staffing shortages at the Toledo Dispatch Center. A TERT request has been submitted to bring temporary dispatchers to the city, but immediate action was necessary. Interim pro tem City Manager Amanda Carey was authorized to hire temporary on-call dispatchers and to continue negotiations with the Willamette Valley Communications Center for a more permanent solution.
In a final act of recognition, the council approved a 10% bonus for police officers, dispatchers, and firefighters, drawn from unused staffing funds. In doing so, they acknowledged the extraordinary efforts of those who have shouldered the burden during an exceptionally challenging year.
This evening’s council meeting was a microcosm of life in Toledo: a community grappling with its past, present, and future. There were moments of sorrow, frustration, and hope, all bound together by the enduring will of its people.
This is Toledo, January 15, 2025.
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