Michael D. Ashford
District 4 (D)
michael.ashford@toledo.oh.gov
Committees Served:
Environment, Utilities & Public Service - Chair
Community & Neighborhood Development - Vice Chair
Economic Development
Health & Community Relations
Information Services - Alternate
Intergovernmental Relations - Alternate
Public Safety
Youth, Parks & Recreation
Zoning & Planning
Michael Ashford was appointed to the District 4 seat on Toledo City Council in January of 2002, was elected to the seat in the May 2002 election, and was re-elected for a full 4-year term in 2003. Ashford is a ranking senior member of Toledo City Council.
Mr. Ashford’s district includes downtown Toledo and a large portion of Toledo’s central city, North Toledo, the Old West End, the Vistula Neighborhood. He is a strong supporter of downtown business, and he authored and sponsored the downtown Entertainment District legislation. He is also focused on neighborhood improvement, public safety, with the Weed and Seed programs in the Lagrange and ONYX areas, and job creation.
As Chair of City Council’s Community and Neighborhood Development Committee, he has led the effort along with the local CDC’s and social service agencies and area citizens to improve the Community Development Block Grant Program, with a focus on efficiency and positive outcomes.
He has worked to create safe, affordable housing opportunities for Toledo’s citizens. Since he took office in 2002 the city has seen an increase in new housing units to include market rate, tax credit, housing complex and rehabilitation of Toledo’s older housing stock.
Councilman Ashford is an advocate of neighborhood park improvements and has secured hundreds of thousands of dollars in park renovations since 2002. He believes that exemplary community service should be rewarded and has sponsored the naming of streets for Bill Copeland, James Caldwell, the Reverend Dr. Harry M. Crenshaw and a park that was named for Mrs. Jean Overton.
Mr. Ashford is a graduate of the University of Nebraska at Omaha where he majored in sociology. His professional career has centered on improving the quality of life and providing essential services to youth and families. He is the Executive Director of the Wayman D. Palmer YMCA, and has 25 years of nonprofit experience with the Boys and Girls Club and the YMCA.
He is active in the Partners in Education Program and a board member of the University of Toledo EXCEL Program.
He and his wife Ruth reside in the Old West End