Toledo Mayor Brian Sokol swears into office new Toledo Police Officer Eric Dickinson. PHOTO BY MICHAEL AWESOMENESS DAVIS

They stood in front of the flag in the corner of the room, their hands raised, speaking the oath of office. Monday night, Mayor Sokol officially swore in the new Toledo Police Officer Eric Dickinson.

A former Vinton police officer, Eric is a certified officer with decades of experience. In 2022, Dickinson left the Vinton PD to help start the Hy-Vee retail security team. When Hy-Vee did some restructuring, they let Dickinson, among many others, go. Dickinson’s full resume includes the fact that he is an advanced EMT who does tactical medicine and that he teaches at the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy. Dickinson will ride with Lt. Wunn for a few weeks to get the hang of Toledo, then go out on his own.

The owner of the M&S Thrift Store talked to the council about the parking out front of his store. The few spots directly in front of his store he says are often taken up by the cars of the inhabitants of the apartment building next door. After some discussion, it was decided that Police Chief Dan Quigley would talk to the individuals involved and see what could be done.

The usual streets were approved to be closed off for the Stoplight Festival.

A total of eight liens for utility assessments were approved to the Tama County Treasurer.

Toledo Police Chief Dan Quigley (left), and Toledo Police Lieutenant Nathan Wunn (right), with new Toledo Police Officer Eric Dickinson at his swearing in ceremony. PHOTO BY MICHAEL AWESOMENESS DAVIS

The public works department reported that they started a storm sewer project on High Street. A culvert has been repaired, mosquito spraying has started, and a well pump will be worked on. A replacement pickup, that was budgeted, has been ordered, also some lights in the outfield at Toledo Heights Park have gone out.

Quigley reported that between May 27 and June 9, they responded to 133 calls to service and affected five arrests. School Resource Officer Vern Jefferson and Quigley will give their annual report to the school board in the next couple of weeks. Quigley also gave the council an update on certain nuisance properties around town.