Events Calendar
In This Section
Most Read Stories
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 Monday, Jun 02, 2008
Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic's proposal to lease the city's sewer system is a dangerous precedent that will cover up many mistakes. His proposal will certainly raise the cost of sewer service, obscure his failure to effectively manage the system and ignore his fiduciary responsibility to safeguard public assets from private exploitation. His proposal would plunder one of the city's most valuable assets for questionable educational benefits.
Common sense would tell you that introducing a middleman, in this case a lessee/operator, would increase the cost of sewer service. Any such increases would be on top of already high rates in Akron. If the mayor is suggesting that a middleman would not raise rates to make a profit, he is being blatantly deceitful.
With water/sewer rates among the highest in Ohio, Akron's response to rising costs should be to look for cost savings. Such cost savings might be realized through various reductions in staff levels, salaries and wages, fringe benefits and pensions.
By not cutting costs, the mayor's administration is failing to make difficult decisions. They are not effectively managing the system.
The sewer system is a public franchise because the health and safety of the residents need to be protected. It would not be good policy to trust a private profit-driven enterprise with this critical public service. Mayor Plusquellic was elected to protect the public assets, not to squander them.
The mayor's advisory group is comprised of numerous political hacks and executives with close ties to the city. The group does not included any independent industrial firms; therefore, it is out of touch with the needs of Akron residents. Most citizens are concerned about careers and employment opportunities.
Mayor Plusquellic does not seem to understand that smaller industries do not need more college graduates. And college scholarships would not help the majority of the students in the Akron Public Schools. The majority of students need basic career skills, including a vocation or trade. The industries trying to grow in the community need good, entry-level workers.
For the better students who would benefit from a higher education, there already exist numerous scholarship programs for qualified students. The mayor's scholarship proposal would waste the city's sewer system and not help the majority of students or local industries trying to expand.
Frederick Iles
Akron
APS performers
hit high note
I was watching television recently, switching channels, and came across the May Festival music program for the Akron Public Schools.
I watched the entire show and was so impressed by the performers' professionalism and diversity — in the school choirs, orchestras and bands.
We hear so many negative comments about the Akron Public Schools. I would like to say that even though I'm very busy and serve as caregiver for my dear mother, I wanted to take time to write about this show.
The 2008 May Festival was shown on Time Warner Channels 15 and 8. Tune in next time.
Ann Arfaras
Akron
Moved by
earthquake in China
There are many news stories pertaining to the earthquake in China. Our story is more personal, as we had taken a two-day side trip from our original volunteer work in Beijing orphanages to tour the terra cotta warriors.
We were on the ninth floor of our hotel in Xi'an on May 12 when the earthquake struck. We felt the shaking of the building, saw the panic of the other guests as they ran for the stairs and breathed in the dust when pieces of the concrete walls began to crumble in front of us.
Once outside, confusion but relief set in among the crowds. At that time, we were not aware of the extreme devastation that took place in the Sichuan province, which we estimated was about 500 miles south of us.
The Chinese people with whom we came in contact were marvelous. They sensed our concern at being foreigners who were unable to communicate very effectively. Several stayed with us while we attempted to gain transportation back to the Xi'an airport and displayed an underlying calmness in their voices and actions.
We recognize that we were able to leave, with an eventual early return to Cleveland, but those endearing people were left to live their lives amid disaster and loss of life, homes and jobs. The kindness and giving nature of the Chinese people was evident during our entire trip, but never more so than on May 12.
We encourage all who feel the need to reach out to our neighbors in this world to do so through any one of the various avenues set up to assist those in need.
Vicki Phillips
Sagamore Hills Township
Sandi Kuritzky
Strongsville
Draft the
pundits?
I am tired of listening to the political pundits telling me who the white, middle-class, blue-collar workers prefer in this election. The friends and relatives with whom I am comfortable talking politics all wanted to vote for John Edwards. Too bad he didn't have enough millions to compete. One friend voted for him in the primary, anyway, as a protest vote.
If the trivia spouted in this campaign isn't ridiculous enough to change our election process, there is no hope for the future.
Republicans don't like John McCain because he had the temerity to actually work with the opposition to pass legislation. Some Democrats don't like Hillary Clinton because she brings baggage from her husband's terms. Others don't like Barack Obama because he is untried in foreign relations, and we have seen what happens when a novice relies on advice from seasoned politicians.
I have this advice for all the candidates on how to end the debacle in Iraq: Bring back the draft. One tour should be enough for anyone to endure, but four tours is beyond endurance. Why should the same families face all this agony? Spread it around. I guarantee just mentioning the word will cause immediate and loud outrage and bring pressure to bear to end this farce.
Janet L. Frasher
Mogadore
Fiscal follies
need to end
It is bad enough to be living in an area that is undergoing the uncertainty of a depressing downward spiral. As a lifelong resident, I have watched with dismay and disgust as our state leaders — mostly of one party for the past 20 years or so — have taken us down the garden path of the mindless fiscal folly that is unregulated capitalism.
Our public schools have been ravaged in favor of chronically nonperforming charter schools, the success of which seems to be measured in profits to the owners rather than the education of our children. Can't wait until this undereducated group of kids enters the work force and finds they cannot compete. But, no fear, the very conservative business folks who gutted our education system will just get the skilled personnel from overseas.
Opportunities for the future undeniably involve dependable electricity. But due to deregulation, the requisite capital investment in transmission assets has not been made, hurting prospects for business expansions that needed reliable energy. Good thing we banned gay marriage. Saved the state.
Anyone who has had the misfortune of becoming involved in the health care system has to be aware of the absurdity of the entire industry. Once into the system, bills come from everywhere for services unseen or unknown. Insurance drives the services provided (or lack thereof) and patient treatment seems to be a secondary consideration. It is a bloated, overly expensive and inefficient allocation of our resources that leaves over 100 million of us without coverage or seriously undercovered. This, according to our president, is the best health care system in the world. Which world is anybody's guess, because it certainly is not this one.
I am sure that many shared my pride as an American to watch the disgrace of this president crawling to our ''allies'' in the Middle East to beg for more oil while our oil companies rake in unprecedented profits. All that hand-holding with the sheiks has really paid off for all of us.
Over Memorial Day, as many of us reflected on those who had sacrificed so much in the name of freedom, I found myself asking: ''For what?'' Freedom to defraud, loot and corrupt, without any consequences for those responsible?
Dennis R. Thompson
Akron
Keep it local
Please consider using your economic stimulus check from the government to help local people.
Keep the money circulating here. Search the local classified ads, farmer's markets, nonprofit outlets, estate and yard sales.
Marna Becker
Akron
Get the full article here.
Comments
Click here to post your comments