News from BG: December 23, 2020
End of Year Message from Mayor Aspacher
As we approach the end of 2020, I think it is important to reflect on the challenges our community has endured this year. Each of us in this community have been impacted by the pandemic. We have sacrificed in numerous ways—forgoing activities and gatherings with people we care about, working in adverse conditions, changing our routines, accommodating and adapting to challenges, and many other ways each of us has been impacted. While there have been so many hard, sometimes painful, things that have occurred, there are some bright spots that have emerged from these difficult times. As I’ve watched our citizens, students, and businesses forge through these uncharted times, I am in awe of what you’ve been able to do (and what you’ve refrained from doing, when appropriate) and am humbled and proud to serve as the Mayor of this community. 

Bowling Green is a resilient community and in times of peril, we have found ways to lift one another, to help those in need, and continue to move forward. Our local businesses, that I urge you to continue to support if you are able, have found new and creative ways to operate and stay open in safe ways. In a period of time when we had to physically isolate for safety we, as a community, were certainly not alone. As I reflect on this year, I am especially grateful for the community partnerships which have proven to be a significant reason we were able to meet the many challenges this year presented.

The students in our community—from pre-school to college—experienced significant changes this year. I am thankful for the extraordinary efforts of the educators in our town, including those involved with the public schools, private schools and BGSU.   

The list of people to praise and thank is exceptionally long as we are thankful for so many essential workers. I want to call attention to the work of those involved with Public Health and health care, particularly Wood County Health Department and Wood County Hospital employees. You are to be commended for your hard work and dedication.

On a personal note, I want to recognize the dedicated City staff who have remained committed to serving our community and providing essential services in Bowling Green.

The new year will certainly have its challenges but it is also a time for hope. I encourage you to be strong and safe as we close out this difficult year and join me in looking forward to, and hoping for, better days ahead.
Holiday Schedule
Christmas and New Year

City offices will be closed on Friday, December 25th and Friday, January 1st in observation of the Christmas and New Year holidays.

In addition, the City Administration Building will close at 1PM on Thursday, December 24th and at 1PM on Thursday, December 31st.

Refuse/recycling routes will run as scheduled both the week of December 21st and the week of December 28th and there will NOT be a delay.

Questions about the refuse/recycling schedule may be directed to Public Works at 419-354-6227.

Never miss a "trash day" again! Download the Recycle Coach App to receive a custom calendar and reminder notifications for special collections.
Christmas Tree Recycling
Begins January 4th

For locations served by city refuse & recycling collection, CHRISTMAS TREES will be collected through a special one week collection.

This year's collection will begin on Monday, January 4th. Collection is not connected to your regular refuse/recycling schedule.

Please follow the guidelines below:

  • Trees should be placed curbside by 7:00 AM on Monday, January 4th.
  • Please remove all decorations, lights & tree stands.
  • Trees should not be left in bags.

Once crews complete a street, they will not return.

Christmas trees are taken to the Yard Waste Recycling Facility operated by the County and ground into mulch in the spring.
Holiday
Recycling Reminders

New this year!! Wrapping paper may be recycled in the City's curbside recycling program.

Wrapping paper (no foil), cards, and paper gift bags (take handles off) may be recycled in your blue curbside recycling container. Ribbons, rope handles, foil-type wrapping, and cards with glitter are all detrimental to the recycling process, so please put these in the garbage. Consider using gift wrapping alternatives like blankets, baskets, reusable containers, etc.

Making room for all that new stuff? Check out the "What Goes Where" tool on Recycle Coach for locations accepting electronics, televisions, batteries, and more!
SNOW STREETS & SNOW EMERGENCIES
Snow streets are designated throughout Bowling Green and are marked with blue and white signs. Vehicles parked on a snow street must be removed within 2 hours after a Snow Emergency is declared. If a Snow Emergency is declared overnight, vehicles must be moved by 9AM. Snow Emergencies are typically called for when the City receives 2"+ of snow. Vehicles parked in violation violation of snow regulations are subject to towing at the owner's expense and/or a citation.....MORE

SNOW EMERGENCY NOTIFICATIONS

EMAIL: Sign up for eNews on City's Website
TEXT: Sign up for CodeRED
FACEBOOK: @cityofbg
TWITTER: @cityofbg
LOCAL NEWS SOURCES
COVID-19 cases continue to increase across Ohio, and the upcoming holidays create a risk that this will continue:

  • Most people are doing a good job at school and work, but the things we do at home around our friends and family are just as important to prevent COVID-19.
  • If we’re smart, we can enjoy the holidays and drive cases down, because we know how to effectively reduce the spread of the virus.
  • Find tips from the CDC about how families can safely enjoy the holidays HERE.

COVID-19 Vaccines:
  • Accurate information about vaccines is critical.
  • CDC has lots of easy-to-understand information available HERE.
  • The first doses of vaccine will go to health care workers and the most vulnerable people, like residents of long-term care facilities.
  • The goal is for everyone to be able to easily get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as large quantities are available.
  • Vaccines will likely be distributed during public vaccination events, employer-hosted vaccination events, by health care providers and at pharmacies.
  • Because vaccine demand is high, developers have directed lots of resources to create, test and manufacture them.
  • Vaccine development has focused on safety and effectiveness.
  • COVID-19 vaccines were widely tested to make sure they meet safety standards.
  • They will only be approved if the research shows they can be given safely within the community to prevent the spread of COVID-19.