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Lakemore police say man killed his wife in standoff
Suspect in Lakemore standoff expected to recover
Police raid Akron gaming parlor
Storm could bring heavy snow tonight, Saturday; Parking bans in effect
Palin says she's been exploited by Couric and Fey
Suspected meth lab busted in Cuyahoga Falls
Akron bridge closed for emergency
Browns' Mangini brings experience
Blogs:
Akron Law Café:
College Football is Un-American
The Heldenfiles:
Cheryl Holdridge, R.I.P.
Tribe Matters:
Shapiro puts Indians in position to win
Patrick McManamon:
Cavs vs. Celtics — live as it happens
Browns Bulletin:
Browns may interview ex-Broncos GM
Cleveland Browns:
Mangini takes command
Cleveland Cavaliers:
Gameblog: Cavs vs. Celtics
CavsHQ: A Fan's View:
The Countdown Begins - Cavs v. Celtics
Akron Zips:
Five things you should know about Miami
Varsity Letters:
Ignatius’ Kyle has busy offseason
Kent State Sports:
Volleyball players earn All-Academic honors
Car Chase:
January is auction time
See Jane Style:
Chicago Chic?
All Da King's Men:
Obama's Economic News Conference
Blog of Mass Destruction:
Why Israeli Leaders Terrorize Palestinians
HRLite House:
The Psychology Channel, Interesting Videos, Jobs in I-O, and Happy Birthday Elvis
Akron Gamer:
Games in '09: Resident Evil 5
Ohio Travels with Betty:
Does Ohio have an Andy Warhol Museum?
Sound Check:
Axl Rose speaks on Guns & Rose(s)
Let's Talk Real Estate:
Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007 Extended
Published on Tuesday, Apr 29, 2008
In 1913, the trustees of Buchtel College transferred the institution and its assets to the city of Akron. The immediate impact of this decision to create the Municipal University of Akron was to make a college education, funded in part by city tax dollars, a reality for thousands of Akron families, including my own.
In this tradition, Mayor Don Plusquellic's ''Akron Plan for the 21st Century'' renews the social compact between the city of Akron and its residents ensuring that those who work hard during their time at the Akron Public Schools will have the benefit of a college education, without the financial burden that so many students and families now face.
The days of the Municipal University of Akron are long gone, but the vision of providing a college education for all Akron students remains as strong as ever.
It's time to consider the enormous benefits that the Akron Plan will provide: free college tuition for all qualified graduates of the Akron Public Schools, and a bright future for the children of Akron and for our community. It can be an insurance policy which will pay dividends in the future beyond imagination.
On a personal note, a University of Akron education furnished opportunities for a poor boy graduating from Kenmore High School in 1931, in the midst of the Great Depression, whose father had lost his job and was forced to work for a dollar a day to survive. A college education at a few hundred dollars a year ($6 per credit hour) was made possible by the City of Akron's Municipal University. After graduation in 1935, I became a lieutenant colonel in the United States Regular Army, received a Bronze Star medal with a Superior efficiency rating, worked hard and became president or owner of various corporations.
I have supported the University of Akron by being president of its foundation, made gifts to the university over the years for some $8 million, had numerous buildings named after me at the University of Akron, Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and Hiram College, and have been a member of the board of trustees of Hiram College for more than 40 years.
This opportunity for a college education, made possible by the Municipal University of Akron, opened a door to a life that otherwise might have been impossible.
Shakespeare wrote: ''There is a tide in the affairs of men. Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune; Omitted, all the voyage of their life is bound in shallows and in miseries.''
A tide is flowing in Akron under the leadership of Mayor Don Plusquellic and others. I want to endorse this effort and encourage others to the same, thus leaving the city better than we found it.
Paul E. Martin
Bath Township
Paper or plastic?
Try fabric, instead
The commentary ''Plastic bags? Surprise! They are more green,'' which appeared on April 22, elicits a different response to the issue of plastic vs. paper containers. The article dedicates considerable space to arguing which is better plastic or paper?
Environmentally responsible consumers will simply purchase one of those new fabric bags for their groceries or other purchases, and in this way, reduce and avoid using plastic or paper bags.
Cutting down the use of plastic and paper has many advantages: It saves businesses from purchasing the necessary raw materials to make the bags, it eliminates manufacturing costs and it avoids the environmental problem of disposal of plastic and paper bags in landfills.
The new fabric bags are selling in many stores for under $2. I carry a material ''recycle'' bag in my car and use it for my purchases at grocery and other stores. When asked at the checkout, ''paper or plastic?'' I simply respond that I don't need either one. Some of the fabric bags are even lined for use with cold or hot food.
We can all contribute in small ways to conserve energy and resources.
Sandy Muirhead-Gould
Jackson Township
Voter preference
Vote for the candidate who best represents what you think, feel and believe. Don't let the politicians do the thinking so they can feel better believing they know what is best for you.
Dale W. Clarke
Newton Falls
Get the full article here.

