Brian Sokol

With 2020 behind us, we can only hope that 2021 will be much better! I hope your new year is off to a great start. Already in this new year, we have so much to be grateful for. Tama County Public Health has worked tirelessly throughout the COVID 19 pandemic since it began and now they are working on vaccinating citizens of Tama County. The derecho had forced businesses out of their buildings due to damages such as the S & S Car Wash; however they have hit the ground running and are open for business. The former Thys Chevrolet location was destroyed from the derecho, but the cleanup has begun which will hopefully pave the way for future development. A need was determined for additional housing in the community. The sale of the former Deer Creek Clinic is welcome news as this is creating new apartments in the community. You cannot miss the progress going on at Birkwood Village. This is the beginnings of a new assisted living center and memory care unit. As I look back and see how hard 2020 has affected each and every one of us, I can only hope that the future will bring change, positivity, and a light at the end of the dark tunnel that we traveled down last year. Let’s put our gloves and hats on and get to work. We still have much work to do within the community. How can you help? Start small such as cleaning up debris piles within your yards, fix a broken window or spruce up your landscaping. Support each other, lend a helping hand, and continue to take pride of our community! Brian Sokol Toledo Mayor