Label
Councilwoman Williams
Title
Designating a portion of Hamilton Ave., from Collingwood Blvd. to Bismark St. as “Weldon Douthitt Way”.
Summary
WHEREAS, Weldon Douthitt, was born in March of 1932, began learning his craft in the building and construction trades at the age of fourteen and eventually in 1954 relocated to Toledo, Ohio to renovate the original C. Brown Funeral Home at 919 Grand Blvd. that was owned by his brother; and
WHEREAS, even with his many years as an experienced journeyman in several areas of construction, Weldon was initially denied membership to the union, but through local advocacy from the minority community he was able to receive his union card in the Bricklayers Local Three Union; and
WHEREAS, since then and over the decades Weldon created a legacy for fighting for the rights of minorities and the disadvantaged with several major initiatives to his credit including his role in helping to establish the first black-owned McDonald’s franchise in the City of Toledo, his accomplishments as an Administrator in training young minority men and women with the basic skills of the construction trades with the Economic Opportunities Planning Association (EOPA, now Pathways Inc.), many of which were deemed to be high school dropouts and ex-offenders. He is also credited with creating the Senior Emergency Home Repair program in partnership with the City of Toledo; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Douthitt developed a reputation as a noble and honorable citizen, who was visibly active and vocally involved who most times operated behind the scenes. His consistent role of lending his support and offering direction was instrumental in driving many successful election campaigns, and his abilities as a strong and powerful individual helped to create hundreds if not thousands of jobs for young people affording them the opportunity for advancement in the construction trades; NOW, THEREFORE,
Be it resolved by the Council of the City of Toledo:
SECTION 1. That we commend and salute the accomplishments of Mr. Douthitt and honor his legacy of community service by designating a portion of Hamilton Ave., from Collingwood Blvd. to Bismark St., as “Weldon Douthitt Way”.
SECTION 2. That this Resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after the earliest time allowed by law.
Adopted: September 12, 2023: yeas 11, nays 0.
Attest:
Gerald E. Dendinger Matt Cherry
Clerk of Council President of Council
Approved: September 12, 2023
Wade Kapszukiewicz
Mayor