Now the 490.

With Gretchen de Bakker might kill them.

And Kevin Mullin up.

Hey, welcome to the 419 powered by GT, presented by We Row Wealth Management.

On the right foot Is that a cold open?

Nailed it.

Yeah!

Nailed it, I got it, I got it.

We got it.

We got a timer here in the studio.

And so.

Right right before a segment starts, I'll hit play to kind of help us just keep track of how much time is left.

And for the first time since we had it, I think the power got turned off or something.

And so the, I turned the sound off so it doesn't do a countdown, but it's like a now.

It's a weird voice.

It's like a workout, like gym timer.

Yeah.

We're familiar.

Kevin.

It sounds like a. We've heard it from the gym.

Guts and I were terrified.

Never heard a gym timer for me.

What is that?

There's no way.

Mats.

Ever heard of.

Gym?

No.

No, no.

Okay.

Yeah.

We have the wonderful Caleb here in the studio with us t who's who's our floor manager.

But I also thought, is h throwing his voice over there?

Yeah.

Yes, yes.

They're like a weird a. Weird 10s down the, Yeah.

And then of course, had to scramble to turn it off, but hey, I' Kevin Malone alongside Gretchen.

Debacker not kill him.

We've got, another exciting show.

What are we.

What are we doing today, Gretchen?

We have, two exciting guests.

The first is, Judge Myron Hart, who is, serves on the sixth District Court of Appeal bench, excited to, talk to him.

Very well-respected jurist in our community.

Absolutely.

So don't feel intimidated, you guys.

I'm a here.

I'm being.

Honest.

I mean, I'm as intimidated as I am sitting next to yo every day.

Gretchen.

Yeah, well.

Then you need to show him more respect, okay?

Okay.

That's fair.

Yeah.

And then a high bar, and then.

We have, Jenny.

Jacob, who is, responsible, for engaged Toledo.

Really?

I believe the the true inception of Engage Toledo at the city of Toledo.

She's a real force.

There.

And I loved working with her when I was there.

And so she's going to talk to us all about Engage Toledo, how you can, Communicate with the cit of Toledo through that program.

All part of, the support we get from the community foundation, talking to people that are making a big difference in our community, and having lasting impact.

And so excited to to have that conversation with them.

I want to talk a little bit.

We don't we don't tal a whole lot about our day jobs, on this program.

But, last week was, you know, for me, one of the most personally and professionally challenging weeks of my, my career.

You know, folks on this program that watch, you know, watch the video side of it, will occasionally see me wear Lord's gear.

And, you know, close friends o I know not, you know, folks know and sort of identify m with the University of Toledo.

What they may not know is that, you know, for the last six, seven months, I've been working with Lord University, to help in marketing and communications and, help them do a better, you know, do a better job of telling their story.

And so what that means is, over the last six months, I've gotten to know Lord's really intimately and get to get to know the staff and the students.

And there are so many incredible stories to tell.

Yeah, out of that institution and, the news of the closure, you know, at the end of this semester, has rocked that community as, as you would expect.

It's it's been hard, right?

I mean, it's it's, you know, as a, you know, leader on that campus trying to, you know, stay strong at work, right?

Like it's it's, you know, you think about, you know, the folks that, you know, I say this somewhat tongue in cheek, like there's peopl that haven't updated a resume, a like the last time they wrote a resume was on a typewriter.

I don't have one.

Right.

And so, you know, what can we do to help those folks land in the next spot?

And find something?

And then, of course, the students that are now all scrambling as well to figure out what's next, you know, I will say to a person, you will not find better, more caring people than you've got in the leadership team right now at Lords that are all in, you know, sunrise to sunset to help find the right next thing for every single one of these students.

And it's going to be a challenge, but, A lot more work to do.

A lot more work to do.

You know, but this is sort of what, what we sign up for when we do these things.

And, you know, I just, certainly I appreciate you guys, as we're going through all of this, I think I share with you, Matt, that, you know, starting my da with you guys and with meeting new people and talkin about positivity and laughter.

That's right there.

Really?

Real like the frog.

Right?

Yeah.

Yeah, yeah.

We appreciate you coming in as well.

Absolutely.

Yeah.

We wouldn't have it an other way, so I appreciate it.

All right.

We're going to ge some more positive conversations here as the program continues.

When we come back, we're joined by the sixth District Court judge, Judge Myron Duart.

Stick with us.

It's the 419.

Support for the 419 comes from Witch Row Wealth Management, where we understand that your financial path is personal.

Advisory services are offered through Capital Investment Advisory Services LLC, securities offered through Capital Investment Group member Finra, SIPC.

More information at Retro advisors.com.

The 419, powered by GT is made possible in part.

By supporters like you.

Thank you.

Introducing the Local Thread, a community news series uniting voices and storytellers from across the region in partnership with La Prensa, the Toledo Free Press, the Sojourner Truth, Toledo Public Schools and veteran journalist Jerry Anderson.

The Local Thread brings you stories and conversations that connect our community here at weeknights at seven on FM 91, with early access on podcast platforms each morning.

The local thread only on GTV.

Welcome back into the 419.

Why is it.

Our friends over the Community Foundation are always asking us to talk to people that are making a big impact here in the community.

I shouldn't sa always like it's a chore, right?

They like it when we do this and we like it too.

That's right.

They force us to do this.

That is not the case.

This, with with this guest, we are pleased to be joined by Judge Myron.

Do her judge.

Thanks for thanks for being here.

Well, thank you.

Thank you for inviting me.

Let's start with the basics.

Yes.

You explain stable.

Yeah.

Big question.

Hey, can you explain.

Why my parents divorced?

He wants to go back and tell you about the law.

Yeah, yeah.

Is this document legit?

What is the sixth District Court of Appeals?

Yeah.

Thank you.

Gretchen.

Well, the sixth district.

She's genuinely asked me.

She doesn't.

Well.

And many don't.

That's right.

And so the Sixth District Court of Appeals is the, court of limited jurisdiction.

The counties that are, included in the sixth district are Luca Wood, Ottawa, Sandusky County, Huron County and Williams County.

I may have missed one.

Just keep looking at camera and say what the most lawless county that you just mentioned is.

Lucas.

Of course you heard here first.

There is no hesitation.

Of course, right after President's Day.

It's only now that.

I'm.

Coming out.

But all all appeals.

That are coming from those different counties, from the general division, the county courts, they all come to the Court of Appeals.

And so what a lot of folks don't understand is, for the vast majority of folks, we are the last court of resort.

You know the Supreme Court of Ohio only takes a limited number of cases.

And so the vast majority of appeals, they come to us.

And so, you know, we cover a large demographic.

We we cover a large, geography.

And so that's what we do.

How many people serve on the bench with you there?

There's five of us, On the Court of Appeals and usually when we hear cases, there is a panel of three.

And so, lawyers will come in front of us, argue, they have submitted briefs prior to.

We've reviewed those briefs, after, arguments are given, we go back and we start to, you know, make the donuts.

There's not going to be an endless supply of me.

Just plain my ignorance in these questions with me.

But the transition from 5 to 3, how is that?

How does that function?

Well, it's a random, okay.

And so, our cases are assigned, oh, maybe about a month or two prior to arguments.

And we are randomly assigned.

And once that happens, you know, the three that are up, we're up.

Let's go back to young, young judge, my.

Boy, I swear.

Honest, I do.

I want to ask one quick question.

Sure.

Again Matt and I are going to battle for ignorance here, and Gretchen is going to be the smartest one.

Oh, no.

No worries for you.

Come on.

Oh, boy.

What what are the types of cases that that would come in front of you?

Like what?

What would Gretchen have to do to, to get her case brought to you?

Well, it ranges it ranges fro civil cases to criminal cases.

You know, oftentimes their business disputes, contract issues, administrative, type cases that are coming before us as well as criminal cases.

One thing we don't handle or homicide or at least death penalty cases, we handle homicide cases.

Those who are appealing.

But it's a wide variety of cases that, come before us.

And certainly that, is always a challenge.

But, I welcome the.

Challenge in criminal cases.

It's especially in trials.

It's the decisions of the trial court, what was led in what was not allowed to be let in, that for some reason, counsel or the defendant believe or the state believe was improper, was an improper decision, injustice unconstitutional, whatever.

And so then appeals are made to the Court of Appeals to, to look at the record and say yes or no.

So it's very it's a very difficult area of law.

It it's I don't do it becaus I'm not smart enough to do it.

And I don't.

Have the, you know, don't argue.

She's right.

I'll let her tell you that.

Yes, I prefer.

To be the sharpest.

Attack person.

Okay.

So let's go.

Let's go to young, judge Marion DeHart.

I'm assuming you didn't have a gavel when you were, when you were first, of Toledo.

And.

But you are a lifelong Toledo.

What is that?

Right?

I am, born and raised here in Toledo.

Went to Saint Francis, right after high school.

I needed a way to pay for college.

And so I joined the Army.

I did two years of active duty, and, they had a program called green to go.

The idea being you go fro green camouflage to a gold bar.

And so I took advantage of that.

Matriculated to Wright State.

While there I was in studen government, etcetera, etcetera.

And then after that, I, came to law school here.

Some of you folks were, push this were interested in the law.

Your mom was particularly civic oriented.

But tell me a little bit about what your DNA.

Well, sure.

I'm glad they asked the.

You asked the question there, man.

I, I've got a really funny story.

Partly funny and maybe not.

So, my mother was a teacher, and so she passed away when I was very young.

Her.

And so one of the earliest conversation I had with her that I remember, she says to me, and I don't know what prompted this, choose.

You're going to be a lawyer or a doctor.

Which one do you want to be?

Yeah, yeah.

I don't know where that came from.

And I don't know what possessed me to say.

Lawyer.

Yeah.

And so, thankfully, my personality, the, the, course of study that I pursued all of that seemed to line up.

And so, you know, that entire tim and throughout my entire life, I've tried to satisfy that promise I made to her.

And so, yeah, you know, that's the unique story about it.

My story is, pretty soon my mother, said to me, you need to leave my house to.

Get a job.

So it's really I kind of had that same choice, at least, and she teacher.

She she taught at Beverly.

Oh, sure.

Yeah.

And which is not far from from here.

And so, I have lawyers that come up to me today.

Still say your mothe made such an impact on my life.

Yeah.

And so that's always so heartening to me.

Because I'm living.

Vicariously through them.

You know, because I recall most of my memories when I was young.

I get to live through them.

Yeah.

So it's.

All good.

You in your.

Past, I was ten.

Good Lord.

I'm sorry.

Siblings?

No.

Siblings.

Child, I did.

Not know that.

Yeah, my wife and I. Yeah, yeah, we're going to get it right.

That's right.

You're not going to embarrass me, boy.

That's right.

And I know that you served also in the JAG Corps.

Yeah.

In the Army, in the movie A Few Good Men, I've never understood.

And since I'm now talking to you here, I never understood why the different military branches are serving as lawyers on the same case.

You were in the army?

Yes.

So is the army.

Is the jaguar just for the army, or is it for all branches?

Tell me exactly how that works.

No, it's it's, essentially, the JAG Corps is is dictate by the military code of justice.

Okay.

So, sometimes there may be a Jag lawyer who's a marine who's representing an Army person, for example.

And so, there's a lot of, cross-pollination amongst the branches and, that's very usual.

And so I think in the Few Good Men, there was Navy.

Marine.

Yes, but they were the Navy gu was representing the Army guy.

Right.

So that makes sense now that you say it's the it's the code of justice, and then it's whatever.

Judge, we beg you, get out of bed this morning at this time to do you take one of these three.

But a few good men.

Sure.

But yeah, yeah, yeah.

Thank you.

That that really saves it.

Keeps it light.

I like more about.

Aaron Sorkin stuff that you.

Yeah.

Bill Miller's out here.

Gretchen, please.

Yes.

So after you graduated from law.

School and.

Then sort of put out your shingle, you starte the Myron do Howard, law office.

Had to come up with the name.

Kind of, you know, I had no.

Choice but to use the one that was given to me.

No, I. I, during law school, I had the opportunity to, clerked for a judge here in town.

Judge Pan.

And so while I was clerking for him, I got the opportunity to mee a whole lot of lawyers and see, you know, again, how the how the donuts were made.

And so I always appreciated the lawyers that came in and respected, their professionalism and their intellect.

And so I thought, you know, what?

Better time than to put my own shingle?

I'll start my own practice.

I'm never going to be as poor as I am right now.

Right now.

So you are.

How many African America lawyers had their own shingle, so to speak, at that time?

Well, the there are a lot.

But what I thought you were going to ask, Matt, is how many know?

Well.

I ask that.

How many, how many.

African American judges.

Had.

But we were going to get.

In town in histor and so, by my count, it's seven.

And I was the fifth one.

The first judge was, Judge Robert Franklin.

Judge Charles.

Donna.

Hi, judge Robert Penn, judge al McConnell, Duart, English and land singer.

And so of all this time, you know, there's only been seven and, I'm the first African American elected to the sixth District Court of Appeals.

Again, with the jurisdiction of eight different counties.

And so I, you know.

Me.

You know, the point being is, is that, you work very hard.

Yes, sir.

You try to, act with integrity and dignity, treat people with respect and, do the best you can with what you have.

And so, you know, I've taken that seriously.

And, you know, I stand on the shoulders of a lot of people.

At the risk of oversimplifying a complex question, I mean, why do you think that is?

Why do you think I have all of this time?

It's only been seven.

Sure.

Judges.

Well, obviously, you're a lawyer prior to.

And so, you know, the lack of, lawyers of color, would also obviously impact, the number of judges that are that are been on the bench.

You know, things are certainly getting better.

I think there is, a need for, young folks who are coming along, to consider a career in law a teach out at the law school.

And I've been out there teaching trial practice for the last 11 years.

Now, and there's been an effort to, not only identify, recruit, and retain, young students of color.

And I've seen an uptick in that.

And so it's all connected.

Right.

And so the more, students of color that you have in law school, the more have become lawyers and by extension, judges.

I, we really only know each other in passing, which is, certainly an honor to me, but I, I have a question.

Have you always been naturally confident or wherever during the the stage where you're like, what the hell am I doing?

You know, would you ever have just a panic moment?

I don't know if that.

Well, like this, but, you know, like this.

My path law is in my.

High stress.

Environment.

It is.

You know, and in any rate.

But, you know what I tell young folks, and I tell people I talk to the biggest decision and best decision I ever made was joining the Army.

And the reason being, is it exposed you to a vast number of individuals.

Yeah.

You you are, required to.

They give you a goal, they give you the resources or the mission, they give you the resources.

Go get it done.

Yeah.

And don't come back to me right.

And so, those experiences, I think, gave me the, confidence or, or, feeling of, empowerment, guess, to, to move through life and do the best you can with very little resources, etc.. And so, you know that that's what I would credi and obviously good upbringing.

Yeah.

And obviously you're a wonderful wife.

Yeah.

Tell us a little bit about your wife.

And yes.

Yes, I kno she said I had two.

Wonderful.

Oh my gosh.

Oh my gosh I will miss the dishes.

Oh yeah.

Well, you know, my wife and I, we've been married 30 years.

My, I've got three children, one my oldest, he's in Dallas.

My middle child is a lawyer in, Columbus.

She's, in-house counsel at, Abercrombie, and she's your favorite now.

She's more like me, though.

Yeah maybe that answers the question.

All right.

And then my.

Judicious that way.

And and so my youngest, she went to law school as well as she was studying for the bar.

And so, you know, I always tell the story that neither of the two children, they decided to follow in my footsteps.

I didn't know anything about this until they made the decision to go to law school.

Of course, their mother knew about this.

This wonderful wife of mine.

She knew about these things.

That is always the last.

Yeah.

By design.

Yes, yes.

But I, you know, I, I credit a lot of my success to, you know, my partner in life.

Certainly, she's always been there.

She's really, my rock and and, I lean on her a lot, and so otherwise, I'd be going crazy.

Now, do you all get Abercrombie clothes at.

At a discount?

Yeah.

Yeah, I know a little bit.

Me a little bit.

The relationships in A Few Good Men.

What I heard, you know.

I don't even know where to.

Go now.

Yeah.

I had a path.

It's gone.

Gone?

Where do you and your wife meet?

Oh.

Good question.

She, She she went to undergrad at the University of Toledo, and I was in law school, and so, we were at a she's part of a sorority, and I'm part of a fraternity that, interacts a lot.

And so I saw her one night, and, you know, I said some things to her, and didn't say anything else.

You know, it's a socially while.

I walked up to her and said, you're beautiful.

And I just walked away and I didn't give her my name.

You anything with Alpha?

Yeah I'm giving you a little raise.

That's an alpha.

I'm going to write this down.

And so I saw her.

Later, and, She remembered you for she.

Remembered for.

Some unknown reason.

Who were you?

What was your name?

Why do you say that?

And so, we.

Struck up a conversation, and, the rest is.

History.

There you go.

All right.

Awesome.

All right, we're talking to Judge Myron.

Do hard.

When we come back we'll continue the conversation and we'll talk a little bit about, kind of where where things are going.

I had this thought, of a question I want to ask about the difference between, like, justice and fair.

Love that.

We'll talk about that in more.

We come back on the 418.

To me, community means connecting to others.

I'm Danny Miller, welcome to the point.

I mean, yes, yes, we are a community committed to education.

Discover new ideas, dive into exciting subjects, and engage with the world around you.

I would send them personally a t shirt.

Crime doesn't Pa in the Old West and pass it on.

That's how we.

Cleaned up the neighborhood.

Vision loss for people is not the end.

It's a story.

It's the next chapter.

Seven DC Public Media invites you to get out and play day.

Monday through Friday.

It's the 419 powered by W GTD with Matt Killam, Gretchen De Backer, I'm Kevin Mullen.

What can people expect on the show?

Give me an hour reminder of why this is a great place to live, work, and play.

Where you come to watch, listen and learn.

Welcome back into the 419.

We're talking with Joseph Meyer and Duart from the Sixth District Court of Appeals.

Before we went to the break, I said, I'm I had this.

But as we prepare for this interview, the thought popped into my head like, the difference between justice and fair and I and I, I'm curious your perspective on that.

Sure was brought to you by ChatGPT.

Yeah.

It is not in question.

To be fair that is not a ChatGPT question.

I can get them.

That is a fantastic question.

And so here's here's what I will say to that, Is the idea.

Of perception.

And so the perception of justice sometimes is actual justice or fairness.

And so, although, justice is presumably taking place in courtrooms every single day, what is the perception.

Right.

And so I think, me as a judge and lawyers in particular, there needs to be a concerted effort to make sure that the perception of the litigants that are in the courtroom, they are perceiving that justice is being done.

And a lot of things go into that.

I, the way you treat folks, right, with respect and dignity, giving them an opportunity to be heard.

These are the things that, I think go a long way in, in, conveying or defining what is fairness as opposed to what is what is justice.

I permeate that we ask this, of almost every profession.

Well, that comes in abou being able to put things down.

You know, when you're thinking about the components of an argument you've heard or a case, I mean, it's just something you carry with you in the shower or when you drive or while you're working out.

How do you walk through life?

You're handling things that I mean, not to diminish, carpentry or, you know, plumber and pipefitters or anything that has a punch in it, punch out.

But the theory is that there are positions or rules that you can leave behind.

Sure.

Right.

I don't I know two lawyers.

I was birthed, by them.

Oh, shocking.

Oh, shocking.

I'm telling you if you kill them, you know them.

Yeah, they prefer me.

Not to mention that.

But I say that I am serious about.

I mean, you're you're a man you're a human being, and you're dealing with very comple things that are about fairness.

Sure.

So how do you walk through life?

When do you think about this?

When the cases that have gone by do you relitigate in your head?

Sure.

How does the man work amongst this career?

Great, great great question.

And what I will say is, at least when the case is going on, I'm always thinking about it.

Yes.

Right.

And so sometimes it takes, you looking at the case, what's in front of you and then putting it dow to at least think about again, sort of that concept, that we were talking about before, what is this case look like, what's really going on behind the scenes?

And so, in thinking about, am I required to act?

Should I act?

Right.

And so it' usually the second part, right.

Should I act?

And so, you know, it' something that doesn't go away until after the case is over.

Now, when the case is over, I do try to put it out of my mind.

And I think all in fairness to the other cases that are, yes, are along.

You want to put that behind you?

Folks come up to.

Me, lawyers in particular, even to this day.

And they're talking about a case.

It was 4 or 5 years.

I don't remember the case.

And I think the litigants would appreciate that.

Yes, sir.

Right.

Because they're they're going through.

Personal things in their life and the embarrassment, potentially, of having to go to court and litigate.

Yeah.

I think they appreciate, decision was made.

It's over, you know, and so whe I see you at the grocery store.

But you also went afte you had your private practice, you were appointed by who I thin was the last Democratic governor in the state of Ohio.

Ted Strickland.

Is correct.

To the state court bench.

That's correct.

And so you served there for about ten years.

And the, the Common Pleas Court, the state court, general jurisdiction court in Lucas County, 400 criminal cases at one time, 2000 civil cases.

And so the idea that you would remember, you know, one particular case is also.

Some some I remember just.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

And then you were also did the commercial docket for a period of time.

I talked about that.

I did.

And so, you know, I've got a background, my wife and I have been entrepreneurs for several years.

And so, you know, I've got a wide breadth of experience when it comes to business, issues and in particular business litigation.

And so, 2016, I believe there was an effort, by the Supreme Court to create specialized courts.

And one of those court was a commercial docket, court, that was designed to expedite, business, disputes.

The argument being and by a lot of business owners is that, you know it would take an extremely long time to get their case resolved.

And presumably most needs are cash flow businesses or start ups.

Or.

Start ups or whatever, or even large corporations.

The point bein is they're losing money, right?

As a result of of this case pending.

And so, I did that for 4 or 5 years.

At the time, there were only six judges in the state, who were doing, a commercial docket.

And I really got a lot of, benefits.

And, you know, I love doing it.

When when I was a kid, anytime there was a dispute in the family, we would go t what we called family court one.

And we did not.

Yeah, yeah, well, into one court.

Kathy.

Kill him.

We did whatever the hell she said, but.

But I was the only one in my family that when it came time to go to family cour that I would bring an attorney.

Yeah.

And I would bring a. Friend of mine, my friend Jason.

Smart.

Yeah.

Come on over.

You should.

All right, let's.

Talk about this.

So we come.

In.

I just want to plug you.

Yeah?

Yeah, yeah, because yo need someone in a family court.

Yeah, but, judge, I'm.

Curious, like at home.

Right?

I do, are you judge?

Do art at home and, like, sla the gavel and say, no, I have.

I have ruled I am.

Just the opposite.

I'm a big teddy bear.

When I'm at home, it is Mrs.

Dugard who's the person?

She's the disciplinarian in the house.

And, you know I just kind of patch the kids up after there's some sort of issue that's gone on, and it'll be okay.

Yeah.

So I and I love that role.

Yeah.

Because of my day job, you know, I'm always.

Ready to have you somewhere.

Yeah, I forgot about the when you were in private practice, the, the entrepreneurial things that you and your wife did.

You brought the melting pot to Toledo from here.

I forgot about that restaurant.

That's right.

We forgot about that.

What?

While practicing law, by the way.

Oh, yeah?

What other things?

What other?

You just had jars of chocolat laying around you, like, what.

Are we going to do?

Let's just hit him up and see people.

What a good thing to do with all this cheese and chocolate.

I loved that place.

Yeah, well, When you asked me about, you know, hanging your shingle as soon as, you got out of law school.

The other thing I did, is, you know, my wife and I really sat down and thought about.

What is it, that everyone needs, right?

Not everyone needs legal services, but what?

And so the, biggest thing was death and taxes and so, you know, we didn't really want to ge into the funeral home business.

And so, we started, Jackso Hewitt Tax Service here in town.

And so that business grew to 16 locations throughout West Ohio and and when I became a judge, she runs them and she runs them solely.

And so that takes a great deal of time.

And obviously, I'm proud of her and her accomplishments.

And then the restaurant.

And so that was in 2008, I think.

Okay.

Which is a franchise.

And so, my wife and I were coming back from a trip that we had and, and, we were going through Novi, Michigan, and we saw a restaurant called The Melting Pot.

And so I, you know, love the name.

Yeah, sure.

And, we were curious.

Went to the restaurant two hours later.

Yeah.

And we were blown away and.

Like, this is so different.

So cool.

And so then we went abou building one here in Toledo.

I naturally curious person, what are your hobbies other than.

Sure.

It says travel.

Tell me a little bit about ho you just connect and what you.

Best player show.

So.

Well, you know, week my wife and I, we travel a lot.

Okay.

And so, that's one of the things that really I'm able to decompress and pull away and, you know, at this point, we've gone to 45 countries and I'm looking to go to more.

And so.

You know, the United States is acquiring countries all the time.

So we're in a real growth state, I. Don't know, I will.

Shut up.

Yes, sir.

Okay.

Shut up.

Yes, yes, yes, I will shoot.

I love that.

Oh come on.

Yeah, yeah.

And so, you know, we trave a lot or any chance that we get.

And so I just honestly believe that, you know life is a life learning process.

And one of the best ways to learn and be culturally sensitive to other folks.

Yes, sir, is to.

Are you are you a beach guy?

Some guy, restaurant guy?

Hiking guy?

I can only do the beach for a couple of days.

I'll go stir crazy.

Yeah.

So, we certainly, wherever we go, we we try to hit the tourist sites, but once we've hit the, you know, quintessential tourist sites, I like to get off the beaten path and and sort of, you know, get in there with the culture or kind of understand how things really work for every day.

Yeah, working people.

And so my wife and I really enjoy that.

We like the restaurants, no doubt.

Yep.

Yeah.

You know, we're foodies and trying cuisine from, different places.

You know, but.

A lot of times, we just like things to happen organically.

And I just think that's the best.

Have you ever.

Have you ever.

Retraced, sets of A Few Good Men?

Yeah.

That's a tour.

I've got to go back and watch it.

Yeah, yeah, it's going to.

Change your life.

Tom Cruise.

Yeah.

And Jack Nicholson, there's only two.

I really remember.

One of the rare movies that doesn't have a running scene.

He's the best movie runne in the history of movie runners.

Do you watch any law related or judge related?

Yeah, I. Try not.

To.

Yeah.

That I can totally get.

Now, the one thing I do, have, the practice used to come on.

In the 90s.

And, you know, in my 30 years in this business, if there was a television sho that most accurately reflected what happens, it would be the practice.

And so I do watch that.

I heard you say I heard you say, Alf.

This just.

Shows where people they they I always find it hilarious when they, you know, they pull the motio of their suit and throw it down.

I'll see you in court like that.

Literally.

Never.

Have you ever heard in your entire career, anyone act that way or throw somethin down on your desk or say, it's just funny that people think that's what happens.

And unfortunately, when they, come to court in real life, the expectations are such.

And you know that oftentimes in our actions, they are sometimes that causes a problem.

I want to I kno we're going to get to the quiz, but I wanted to ask you briefly about I know you served as president of the bar association and have been a long time, stellar member of the bar community.

You talk a little bit about what we describ as the Toledo way of practice.

Sure.

Well.

You know, we have a very unique thin that's going on here in Toledo.

And, most of the laws, if not all the lawyers here in town and, the judges hav a very collegial relationship.

And so the idea being that, you can be, fierce and, zealous advocate, for your client.

But at the end of the day, this is a small community.

And so, what matters to us is your word discern, right?

Treating others with respect, and knowing that, you know you're going to have to interact with these people for the rest of your career.

And so, I think we work very hard to maintain what we call the Toledo way.

And, you know, I'm extremely proud of that job.

All right.

One of our favorite parts of the show.

It's now time for Gretchen.

What?

I'm scared is scared.

I'm gonna throw four rapid fire questions at you.

Gretchen's going to ask you for your favorite thing in the region.

And then Matt is going to make you describe Toledo.

Oh, my gosh.

And you know.

Where.

Oh my gosh.

Oh my gosh.

All right, here we go.

What are your plans for this weekend?

Oh it's Valentine's weekend.

Oh wow.

I wasn't planning on that.

I'm going to dinner.

Okay.

We'll take.

This week.

Okay.

Sorry.

It's going to the other.

Valentine's day is every day for Gretchen.

You know what I mean?

When you got ther is, like, just do it.

Oh, right.

When you're following the puppet.

I'm so excited for my daughter to hear me use the word I love you.

All right, what if you got to dress up?

What's your go to fancy outfit?

Whoa.

I like the question as a man.

Suit.

Suit.

So suit, suit and tie.

Michael, how about shine shoes?

How about that?

I take i shine your shoes series, I do.

My dad shines his own.

Army of course.

Yeah.

He was.

Well, of course.

What was the last thing you watched on TV?

The practice.

That's what you know.

I don't watch a lot.

Of broadcast television.

I watch a lot of YouTube.

And so the majority of stuff, I watch our travel videos.

Okay, I heard the 419.

Yeah.

Yes.

Oh, right.

And the monster.

What was that trick?

Tricky.

But I did see that.

Yeah.

Gretchen's the monster.

Yeah.

All right, final question.

And this is like the rare, like, dark question that comes up.

Oh, what's something that makes you feel sad?

The.

Program, the 480, the lack of civility.

Yes, sir.

It's happening right now.

No matter where you are on the political spectrum or otherwise, you know, there is a thing calle civility, dignity and respect.

And I just hate to see that.

That makes me.

Sad.

What is your number one most favorite thing about Toledo or the region?

The people, for sure.

You know, I really think we have a fantastic community who, you know, they are, intent on helping, in whatever capacity they can.

And there's organizations out there.

But, you know, to me, it' palpable when you go to other, communities, not so much.

And in Toledo, you know, I feel it.

And so that's what I. Wonde if I'm going to close with that.

That's the way to do it.

Okay.

Okay.

Yep.

You're right.

You're off the hook.

That useful answer?

Oh, sure.

Yeah.

Joe, thank you so much.

Thank you.

I was.

Teasing Gretchen.

I get to hang out with the cool kids because.

Oh, are they here?

I' just now getting an invitation, like, oh, come on, come on.

I think I'm on this show.

Yeah.

What is that?

Yeah, we're we're at the bottom of the barrel of gas.

I hear it.

After the monster.

Right down in the turkey monster.

That's what a writer is.

God, cookie monster.

The turkey monster, I like that.

All right, all right.

When we come back here on the 419, we are joined by Jenny.

Jake, weigh with Engage Toledo.

It's the 498.

We'll be right back.

Support for the 419 comes from we troll wealth management, where we understand tha your financial path is personal.

Advisory services are offered through Capital Investment Advisory Services LLC, securities offered through Capital Investment Group member Finra and SIPC.

More information at Retr advisors.com Destination Toledo.

Whether you're a local or visitor, destination, Toledo invites you to explore the region and be a tourist in Toledo.

Find events, dining and things to do and visit Toledo.

Talk, work, spring HR issues and employee well-being.

Go hand in hand.

Work spring supports employers through compliance, training and wellness because healthy workplaces don't happen by accidents.

Learn more at work.

Springborg Toledo Refining Company, a subsidiary of PDF Energy Toledo Refining Company, is a supplier of fuels that keep our region moving.

Located in Oregon, Ohio the refinery processes crude oil into gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and other petroleum products.

And today, celebrating its 55th year of connecting Northwest Ohioans to their community.

More information@tada.com.

Welcome back into the 419.

We're talking to some folks that make a real impact in our community, courtesy of our friends at the community Foundation.

And we're joined now by Jenny Jacob with Engage Toledo.

I think there's no question that's an entity that makes a difference in 100%.

Absolutely.

What if people aren't familiar with Engage Toledo?

What's wrong with them?

Yeah.

What what.

How do you describe Engage Toledo to other.

People?

That's a great question.

And I lead with that when I do outreach all the time, because what?

You do a great job.

Thank you.

After ten years, peopl still don't know that we exist.

So we're in.

Years.

Ten years where the city of Toledo is 24 hour, seven day a week, 365 days a year customer service arm for the city.

So think of it as a one stop shop.

If you're a resident and you're driving down a street and you run over a pothole, you don't necessarily know what number to call to the division of road and bridge maintenance, nor should you have to.

You only need to kno one number, and that's engaged.

Toledo 936 2020.

And so that's that's what we do.

That's who we are.

We're, small but mighty team.

Yes, you are.

And we do a lot of stuff.

Jerry, how many calls have you received?

About Gretchen's home?

Not just the yard which is in itself is nightmare.

You can look it up.

She's had the same Chris.

She had the same Christmas decorations out since the first bush.

In my defense I never put him out this year.

Yeah.

Now I see.

What.

I. See left for.

My mother.

My mother live across the street from Gretchen, because she's housebound and she can't leave.

And she leaves her, let her porch light on, but leaves during Halloween trick or treating.

So these poor kids, you do not turn it.

Off on occasion.

These kids are like bugs out.

It's off.

Yeah.

That's right.

At the top of.

Despite Matts abuse of me, I described you as, a real force in the city of Hope.

You're one where I work.

You and I work together for 5 or 6 years.

You're one of my most favorite city of Toledo employees.

What a lot of people may not know is that.

Is.

You're the only person on the.

List right now, but.

You're you're real fierce advocacy in all of the department and through all of the aspects of the city of Toledo for for them engaging internally.

Yes.

In this internal system of City of Toledo system of 3000 employees to drive things, to engage Toledo, to make engage Toledo better, to get responsiveness from these departments and say to the that's your that's what you've done.

You've really truly made it what it is today.

So I congratulate you on that.

What how many people ar working for Engaged Toledo now?

Where are you guys physically located?

Can you tell us a little bit of sure.

Yes.

And, so we are physically located at the Ohio Building, downtown, across from the Huntington Center.

But the beauty since Covid is we have the ability to work remotely as well.

So we learned during that pandemi that we have to be able to lift and be mobile.

And so with the investment in technology, we have phones and our computers, you won't necessarily know, but you could be talking to somebody who's working from home or downtown in the office.

Last year we merged our public utility customer service call center team with Engage Toledo.

And it's to be more efficient and improve our customer experience.

So our agents are still cross-training.

So if you can envision in a year, you won't necessarily have to say, oh, could you transfer me to public utilities because I want to talk about my water bill.

Everybody will be trained to answer any and everybody take a call.

Let's take one example.

Here in northwest Ohio.

Or do you guys have, you know, like Bangladesh is answering some calls.

So everybody is here.

We're local.

The residents, I mean, the agents that work for us, definitely are our local.

That's an example of, like, something that happens.

And then what?

Engage Toledo operators, do what you do.

Or something that's happening.

So no, Gretchen.

Doesn't.

Take let's take the example of the last week, the big water main break happened.

Okay.

So so a call comes in.

Maybe it's from a resident.

Maybe it's from another what what actions take place in Engage Toledo in response to something like that.

Thank you.

That's a great cue up.

So that's actually what I was going to give as an example.

The Chase and Galena main break from a couple years ago.

And just the other one.

And the other day we actually were notified in the call center from Toledo Fire and Rescue.

So Toledo Fire Rescue notifies 901 to the regional council.

Very governments.

They call us at the call center on, separate internal line.

And then because it's after hours, we will call out to that division that the reason for the cal is about, in this case, water, you know, shooting up in the sky.

So we'll dispatch out to a crew and then they'll go out and assess the situation and they'll determine if they need more staff and resources, and then they'll do that call out from there.

But from the most part the reason that it works so well is because, as Gretchen talked about, not only do we support our external customers, our residents, we suppor every single internal customer.

So that's your city division sewer, water, code, compliance, streets you name it, and we support it and take calls for them.

So not only do we take the resident calls, we take employee call us for like sick.

We'll do call outs after hours.

We'll do internal dispatch.

So we're the eyes and ears will look up something in the system and tell them where the coordinates are or where, you know, we'll cal and do an oops ticket for them.

So it's something like no other city does.

And that's what I think makes Toledo so special.

And that's what makes Engaged Toledo so special.

How did you get to this role?

I mean, this is I mean, you're a generalist, but you're a systems person clearly as well.

So what makes you uniquely talented, order or gifted to be able to do this?

I know my purpose and my purpose is to help people.

Yeah.

And so, asking how I got to this role, it started back in 2005 when I began my career at the city, serving as a legislative aide on Toledo City Council.

Okay.

And so for six years, I served in that capacity and was offered an amazing opportunity by former mayor Mike Bell.

Yeah.

To come over and help turn around the public utilities customer service call center.

Gotcha.

They were having over our whole times, they they had a lot of broken processes in place.

They didn't have a lot of good things that were happening.

People were really frustrated.

So I came over and I did that.

And in one yea we went from over our whole time to two minutes.

So, for your average speed of answer for the year, and that still is a lot, but there's a lot of change that has to happen internally.

And now flash forward to 2015.

And I can tell you the day June 26th and June 27th, we had severe torrential rainfall.

Okay.

And if you can remember Bennett Crawford area, a lot of homes had water in their basement.

A lot of foundational issues, a lot, a lot of concerns.

Call City Hall used to b the number that you would call.

And that was down at a different division under different management.

After that happened, forme commissioner at the time, Abby Arnold, now deputy mayor, and served in the manager capacity.

We received a request to go to the mayor's office, and they told us, congratulations, you just inherited a 24 hour call center.

Yeah.

And so, yeah, they're going to make.

Their access to the roof of this.

Building.

Yeah.

So they're going to move that small team called call City Hall at the time down to join us in the public utilities call center.

And we rebranded okay.

To really regain that faith and trust and confidence in our residents.

And so right away, it was new for me because didn't know all the other calls.

I only knew utility billing.

Sure.

And, so I invested a lot of time in our people.

What does what does training look like for your people?

Because they I mean, they have to be I feel like an expert in so many different things.

And it also, I got to believe that rarely someone's calling you because they're happy.

You would be surprised.

Every now and again we'll get the call saying thank you for because they when people call us, they just need help and they don't know how to get it.

And so they're appreciative after they see the division responding.

And so we do get those calls.

And those residents just say thank you.

But what training looks like is, we'll do a classroom environment and then we'll come out on the floor.

And the supervisor the trainer will do side by side with the agent, and then she coordinates with every divisio that we support field training.

So we shadow that.

The new hire will shadow a foreman or a supervisor for that particular division in the field.

And then we come back and then we'll go into the software, which is called City Works, where we take all our calls and everything.

Yeah, yeah.

And then, really just practice on the phones.

And so it's a lot.

But what we do in between all of that is we meet with every divisio that we support to check in on any communication updates, any process updates.

And we make sur that we are asking the questions the division needs and wants us to ask so that they can respond you know, appropriately to that.

Oh yes.

That is a good segue into, I guess, my question, and we ask that of most people that come on.

But how do you separate yourself from your phone and this is a literally a 24 seven, 365 tired.

Yeah, tired.

Were you a taller before?

I used to be in customer service, yeah I did, I was, my former life.

I worked for United Airlines and so I was at the Dearborn Regional reservations.

Okay.

So I spoke to people there, but it's hard to separate.

Sure.

Ask my children and ask my family.

Yeah.

Have you seen them for ten years?

Yeah, yeah.

Yeah, no, I do, but you have to, right?

You have to work life balance.

But it's difficult.

So you just, also said something out loud.

That's a real red flag you're calling is a serve, people.

So it isn't just the job.

It's also in your DNA to do this.

So what do you have some hacks that you.

Oh, I leave my phone behind when I do this.

Or how do you disconnect?

Be honest.

And I'm not saying this just because you're here, but I walk at Wildwood.

Sure I walk, I walk the trails.

I put my headphones on, I listen to my music.

I'm a big person of faith.

And so certainly I listen to, you know, things that resonate with me to hel bring me down because it can be.

And really, to be honest the agents that do leave when we talk about turnover, they can be worn out because it is a lot.

Yes.

It's not 911, I understand that, but you try talking to somebody who is screaming at you because the particular issue that they called about still isn't resolved.

It's not as easy as what people might think.

One of the other programs that you starte I want to touch on briefly is, you and your team started as the city of Toledo.

I'm sorry, the Engage Toledo Ambassador Academy which I am a proud graduate of.

So anyone.

Can do it.

Anyway.

But it's, six weeks, so.

No, actually.

And so we started that academy because after taking over City Hall in Toledo, what I was learning b listening to the calls is people don't know, don't know anything about the city, whether it be the resources, what to expect next afte they call, how things get done.

And so the Toledo polic does a citizen police academy.

So we modeled that framework back in 2017.

Our initial pilot was just that.

We had no idea if there'd be interest.

It was six weeks.

We had a space for a class, 24 students adults, six council districts.

So we want to be representative and inclusive of all six districts.

We had close to 200 people applied.

Oh, wow.

So that clearly shows you that people are interested in learning about city government.

So I'm proud that after graduating this last most recent class, we are close to 250 graduate ambassadors, and we've been doing it since 2017.

And we do it every year.

So if you go around to all the city departments you go into the fire department, you go to the water department, you'd go to the waste the water treatment plant, and you hear from those directors and administrator about what it is they're doing and see the actual physical plants for the kinds of things that the city is engaged in.

Every week we go to a different location that Gretchen just mentioned.

And not only do the resident ambassadors love it, but the the officials that lead these various departments love it just as muc just to brag, because they do.

They get to tell their story.

And not only do they get to brag, but they get to share with residents what challenges we're facing.

And it's real, right?

When you talk about road money and improvemen resurfacing versus reconstruct.

Or the.

Exact.

Infrastructure that I'm working with, right.

Right.

The what you just mentioned, what happened last week, or maybe you mentioned it.

Gretchen, I don't know.

I don't listen to a lot of things.

You say, that's just the result of that being 100 years old.

Right.

So that I can't imagine.

Like, are you guys talking about or leveraging AI in any way?

So engage Toledo, we we are.

And our IT director, our CIO for the city.

And Bennet is, championing that for sure.

And I think she's working with Councilman Meldon.

I know she's working with Councilman Meldon to if not soon.

If they haven't already, they will be soon launching an official strategy for the city of Toledo.

And so we know it's coming.

I'm a big proponent of it to an extent, because I'm sure the data will tell you that people still like to talk to.

Yes.

And so I don't ever want to get to a place where it's all AI driven.

But certainly if you can get your question answered and you don't have to call, that should be the first stop, right?

Would you prefer to talk to a robot than Sam Melton?

They look right in that.

Cameron's distinguishing.

That's right.

One of one of our we've had several like reviews and they said, don't read the comments.

And one of my favorite.

Oh, this is this is a great of.

All time.

I think it was a blade article about this show that said, the only redeeming quality of Kevin Mullen is he's not Sam Melvin.

Yeah.

And I don't.

Regret writing about.

I won't tell you.

I have a I'm a positive caller.

I had.

I live in the old West End, and, I was called in by a neighbor about something, and an engaged, Toledo, staff member came.

Her name is Amber.

She was very pleasant, and talked about the issue.

Helped me, with what I need to do to fix it.

And it couldn't have been a more delightful experience, although I was.

Yeah.

No, she was wonderful.

And, she was right.

Which is also, Yes.

So, just a great experience.

And again it was something I'd done wrong.

And a lot of people have had an unpleasant.

But that was not my experience.

She was fantastic.

So thank you, your friend into hers.

I'm sorry.

Gretchen, let me finish talking and go right ahead.

People can, reach out to engage you at any time at nine, three, six, 20, 20.

There's also an app they can download.

Correct?

To be able to access, engage, look at that way.

And there's a customer portal on our website as well.

And we have an email engage toledo@toledo.gov.

I want to say one thing.

If I can show you the misnomer, the biggest myth is that people think often that the agent they speak to on the phone when they hang up is going to put on their safety vest, their hard hat, get in a vehicl and fix their issue immediately.

And so it's important for everybody listening or watching to know where the intake, where this first step, we are the call center for the city.

But we do not fix the issue.

We work with the divisions through our city works and our mobile app, and the divisions go out and respond.

And depending what your issue is, it ma take longer to fix than others.

So, when you are calling in, when you're contacting to remember that and to be patient and just understand the process, that's the first.

Step you go.

So thanks.

To with engage Toledo 419936 2020, we'll be right back on the 418.

Every day.

When you left with us, you learned.

With.

Us a neighbor.

We made sure your.

Child had with special.

Memories that could only be provided.

By PBS.

And for generations, we've given you.

Programs that made a. Difference.

Programs that entertain.

Inform and inspire.

And today is no different.

This is public media in Toledo.

It's where you belong.

Introducing the Local Thread, a community news series uniting voices and storytellers from across the region in partnership with La Prensa, the Toledo Free Press, the Sojourner Truth, Toledo Public Schools, and veteran journalist Gerry Anderson.

The local thread brings you stories and conversations that connect our community here at weeknights at seven on FM 91, with early access on podcast platforms each morning.

The local thread only on HGTV.

Welcome back into the 419 as we wrap up a Tuesday edition and another exciting conversation with some great folks making a real difference in our community.

I, I've had interactions with Judge Stewart, in the past, more than one, well, and he was looking down on me from behind a bench.

I felt good about that.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, that's all right.

No, he's a he's a wonderful man.

And, very well respected in our community.

It was nice to be able to get to know.

And to get to meet the, the, you know, the woman behind against Toledo?

Yes.

Johnny's great.

Is fantastic.

So, tomorrow's program is, it's wellness Wednesday, presented by Work Spring.

We're talking with, a friend of mine and somebody and certainly, an organization has been helpful to my entrepreneurship journey.

Jen Compton was on Federal Credit Union, and then also Thaddeus Washington.

Yes.

He' going to join a buddy of mine.

Well, really tell him Three ways to enjoy the program.

7 a.m., a YouTube channel.

3 p.m.

on FM 91 and 6 p.m.

on connects channel 30.4.

We'll see you back tomorrow for Wellness Wednesday presented by Works Bring.

It's the 419 powered by CTE and presented by Retro Wealth Management.

The 419 powered by GT is made possible in part by supporters like you.

Thank you.