The candidates in Akron’s Ward 7 Democratic primary substantially agree about the problems facing their area of the city, including Firestone Park and neighborhoods to the south. They see the need for close attention to the tasks of making streets safer, providing jobs and improving housing. They accurately sense the urgency of staying on top of problems, responding before neighborhoods reach a tipping point.
The incumbent, Tina Merlitti, is running for her fourth, two-year term. She faces two first-time candidates, both of whom have invested much effort mobilizing citizen groups to tackle the ward’s issues. They are Donnie Kammer, a real estate agent, and Mayceo Smith II, a business consultant at AT&T and a pastor.
We recommend the re-election of Tina Merlitti in the Sept. 13 primary.
An executive assistant to Russ Pry, the Summit County executive, Merlitti has become a leader on the Akron City Council, where she is vice president and serves as chair of the Budget and Finance Committee. Not only does she understand how the city works, and how it can be a partner with the county, she has maintained close contact with the ward, responding swiftly to concerns.
Merlitti has been involved in many successful city endeavors, from the new tech center for Bridgestone to community policing programs to making available federal neighborhood stabilization funding.
Losing her experience and drive would be a blow both to Ward 7 and the city as a whole.
Kammer and Smith argue that they would work harder, reach out more vigorously, get more citizens involved. Both challengers are indeed energetic and enthusiastic: Kammer started and heads the Firestone Park Neighborhood Watch Program, a community group focused on public safety, and Smith founded a “Community Peace Day” group to distribute information to ward residents about available programs.
What Smith and Kammer lack is a persuasive reason to oust an experienced and effective incumbent who has delivered for the ward. As Merlitti has advanced her career and broadened her perspective, she hasn’t lost touch, reaching out consistently to address concerns in the ward.
