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Police accuse bank robbery suspect of gobbling up note (with dashcam video)
Man found dead in North Akron home is identified
Dad accused of forcing son into field, killing him
Coventry man killed in crash at I-77 ramp
NFL star Chris Spielman's wife loses cancer battle
Browns' roster nearly devoid of consistent players
College student mistaken for deer, shot to death
Blogs:
Pets:
Cat-loving chihuahua suckles seven abandoned kittens
The Heldenfiles:
Friday Night Notebook
Patrick McManamon:
For your Saturday entertainment …
Akron Zips:
Hitchens leads Zips in second-half comeback
Tribe Matters:
Seven players added to Tribe’s 40-man roster
Cleveland Browns:
Holmgren expresses interest in Browns position
Kent State Sports:
Kent State blown out in second half, loses to Temple 47-13
Cleveland Cavaliers:
Gameblog: Cavs vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Buckeye Blogging:
OSU – Michigan college football rivals meet in Baghdad
Varsity Letters:
Four area football teams play tonight
All Da King's Men:
Headed For Disaster
Blog of Mass Destruction:
Will Health Care Reform Pass?
Akron Law Café:
Health Care Financing Reform: (68) Democrats Secure 60 Votes for Cloture
See Jane Style:
Vintage Chic
Car Chase:
TIME TO GET YOUR COLLECTOR CARS WINTERIZED
Let's Talk Real Estate:
Silverdome Potentially SOLD!
Ohio Travels with Betty:
George is looking for a Thanksgiving buffet in Akron.
Sound Check:
Steely Dan Plays "The Royal Scam" at E.J. Thomas Hall
HRLite House:
Colloquium at University of Akron
Akron Gamer:
Nintendo's Mario endures even as games come and go
Published on Wednesday, Dec 03, 2008
Police auditor gives pause
I am a lifelong resident of Summit County and police officer for 27 years in Cuyahoga County, the past 14 years as a supervisor. I have read with interest your articles and editorials detailing the Jeffrey Stephens, officer-involved shooting incident.
I can understand the Akron Police Department's rank and file and their union representatives' concern with the city's police auditor reviewing any type of critical incident they are involved in.
I don't believe police officers in any organization have an issue with an outside independent review of how they conduct their business. All the officers ask is that the review be fair, impartial and follow the facts and that the person conducting the review is competent.
But if I am to believe the reporting by Beacon Journal staff writer Ed Meyer, then the statements made by the city's police auditor, Phillip Young, give me cause for concern. Homicide and officer-involved shooting investigations are anything but routine.
When an individual with the job of reviewing police officer-involved critical incidents states that he has never investigated a homicide, an officer-involved shooting or that a ''crime scene is just another crime scene,'' it reminds me of the old saying, ''He doesn't even know that he doesn't know.''
I liken this to a person being taken into an operating room for open heart surgery to find his child's pediatrician looking down at him and saying that he has nothing to worry about because he is a doctor and open heart surgery is just another surgery.
The men and women of the Akron Police Department deserve better, as do the citizens of Akron and Summit County.
Mike Hutson
Hudson
Holding to hope
I was counseling a young man who was depressed about his inability to find a job so that he could support his son. The great state of Ohio has made this more difficult by taking his driver's license away and convicting him of felony non-support, rather than assisting him in getting an education to become more employable.
During a break in our discussion, I read Ken Horne's letter (''Look for opportunity in the recession,'' Nov. 21). It is good to know that we have not all given up hope in these troubled times, for in adversity does, indeed, lie the seeds of character and strength. Or, to paraphrase Dean Koontz: To give up hope is to virtually murder your soul.
I am glad to say that the young man has not given up hope, or become bitter. In the recent election, he advised me to vote for Judge Elinore Marsh Stormer, his convicting judge. He believes she is a fair and honest person.
The Rev. William Cain
Akron
Mayor and newspaper do Akron a disservice
One of my children's favorite holiday movies is the classic A Christmas Story. I was struck by some similarities between the characters in the story and Mayor Don Plusquellic and the editorial board at the Beacon Journal. I was thinking, of course, of Scut Farkas, the bully in the story, and his toadie Grover Dill.
As the mayor of Akron, Plusquellic has demonstrated over and over again what an unlikable character he is, and with his recent comments about who is going to hell, he apparently now thinks he is God, or a god at least. I can see where he would be under that misapprehension, with the editorial board and some in the local media falling all over themselves to praise him constantly.
I hear a lot about the mayor's passion for Akron. Maybe his passion is just for business as usual. There are so many people who love this city and are passionate about the direction in which it is going, and not all of them are in sync with the mayor. It is unforgivable for the Beacon Journal to try to discredit those who do not agree with him. In the end, I think we can all agree nobody likes a bully.
Kelly Mendenhall
Akron
Editor's note: The writer is the wife of Warner Mendenhall, who is pursuing a recall effort against Mayor Plusquellic
Obama revealing his true plans
I find it ironic that Barack Obama is already backing off his plans for change. He and the worst Congress in the history of this country are showing where their bread is buttered.
First came the so-called bank bailout, when the banking industry and Wall Street came begging for $700 billion to get them through the tough times.
Originally, I believe, the plan was to help people out who were being forced into foreclosure. Instead, the banking institutions informed the government that they didn't have to divulge what they intended to do with the money.
Apparently, the money is being used to buy other banks. That doesn't sound like banks in trouble to me. But it does show that the white-collar upper echelon lives by a separate set of rules. It will always have Congress in its pocket.
Now along comes the Big Three auto companies asking for $25 billion. They are told that until they have a plan, they can go down the tubes, as far as the government is concerned.
Incidentally, the vehicles being made are the ones that most senators, members of Congress and high government officials drive — big SUVs, limos and even big pickup trucks such as the one George Bush drives. Every time I see Obama getting in or out of a vehicle, it's a big gas-guzzling SUV. So what kind of plan does he want? Get rid of the big SUVs he loves?
The Big Three are getting criticized for making the vehicles that most people wanted until the gas scare came along. As usual, the only workers who are going to get hurt are the blue-collar and low-level, white-collar workers who are expendable.
Many workers devoted their lives to corporations only to be told they may be on their way out. Not so with the golden-parachute executives who continue to get bonuses for operating in the red. Now we hear that Obama is backing off his plan to tax the super rich. I guess the stark reality is that the election is over, so it's time to shed all of the campaign promises that we had to listen to for the past year.
Obama got what he wanted, but apparently what he promised in his campaigning is exactly what it is, nothing but promises. I guess he felt sorry for his friend Warren Buffett and decided to give him a break.
Joel Beswetherick
Cuyahoga Falls
A comprehensive bill on sex education
In response to more than 12,600 supporters petitioning for a hearing on the Ohio Prevention First Act, the Ohio House Health Committee Chairman Lynn Wachtmann (R-Napoleon) has scheduled a hearing on House Bill 251.
This bipartisan bill focuses on the prevention of unintended pregnancies through comprehensive sexuality education for teens, including abstinence and affordable, accessible birth control.
The Ohio Prevention First Act ensures access to family planning services, prescriptions, health-care coverage for contraception and other preventative health services vital to Ohio's women and families.
Knowledge and responsible behavior strengthen our families and our communities. Education, access to contraception and insurance coverage are key components to this goal.
If you are among the over 80 percent of Ohio voters with kids in school who feel that the best approach to sex education is to focus equally on abstinence as well as the value of preventing unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (including HIV/AIDS) through the use of contraception, then I urge you to contact your state representative and voice your support for all of Ohio's youth.
Barbara L. Singhaus
Chairman of the board
Planned Parenthood of Northeast Ohio
Dover
Aid consumers, and save the Big Three
If I was smart, I'd have a job as a high-paying something or other. But I'm not, so maybe someone can explain to me how giving auto companies low-interest loans will do anything other than give them low-interest loans.
So they can build more cars? So they can develop a transportation system that isn't as dependent on oil? Who's going to buy these cars with the economy in its current slump?
Why not give the consumer the money to buy the cars at a very low interest rate, which would create the demand for more cars? The loans could be such that the more fuel-efficient cars get the largest percentage cut and those not meeting a set standard get nothing. These loans would be for all autos built in the United States.
Maybe even manufacturers whose plants are located in other countries would build plants here and employ American workers. This can be a long-term plan so that the money ultimately going to the auto industry will benefit the industry in the long term. Lots of details and controls need to be in place for this to happen, but like the financial bailout, those details should be in place before any money goes anywhere.
Sidney Landskroner
Akron
Who took Christ out of Akron's Chriskindl?
Included in my Nov. 22 Beacon Journal was a very nice color brochure concerning the holiday events in downtown Akron this year. I was disappointed to see that once again the city has chosen to misspell Christkindl Market.
I wonder if they were advised by some ACLU lawyer that if they took Christ out of this event they could trick the people into thinking it was a secular event and avoid the appearance of a government-sponsored religious event.
I seem to recall a certain city official telling us that there is a special place reserved for those who mislead the public.
Dave Webb
Akron
Police auditor gives pause
Get the full article here.
Comments
Click here to post your comments
Dade City, Fl
Posted 02:14 AM, 12/03/2008
Joel Beswetherick is another sore loser. Doesn't even let the man step into office and he is criticizing. Truly not a patriotic person at all. Just a big Whiner Loser.
After 8 years od Bush you got a lot of nerve and thats about all.
We can see your type coming a mile away.
akron, oh
Posted 04:47 AM, 12/03/2008
Wow - now Mendenhall has his wife doing the dirty work for him. How sleazy is that?
Posted 05:48 AM, 12/03/2008
No Ron, I believe Mrs. Mendenhall was simply commenting about the ABJ Editorial Board and its historical role in performing "dirty work" for the Mayor. I'm fairly sure that she has a mind of her own.
woof
Dalton Ave, Henderson, NV
Posted 06:24 AM, 12/03/2008
@The Rev. William Cain - Did you cousel the young man that committing crimes is not a good way to go through life? Let me ask you this... did the "great state of Ohio" do this to the young man? Or did this young man do this to himself?
- Uncle Ed
Dalton Ave, Henderson, NV
Posted 06:28 AM, 12/03/2008
@Joel Beswetherick - Obama has not even taken office yet. The financial bailout is a plan that was put together by Bush and his team. Get your facts straight.
- Uncle Ed
Dalton Ave, Henderson, NV
Posted 06:33 AM, 12/03/2008
@Sidney Landskroner - Since you are suggesting that these loans are only good for US built cars... you are obviously intending on bailing out Toyota, Honda, etc... right? You realize that these "foreign" car brands are more US than Ford and GM.
In addition... I do not know what kind of interest rates you are looking for, but at this time of year almost every dealer is offering 0% to 1% financing. How does it get much better?
- Uncle Ed
Akron, OH
Posted 07:21 AM, 12/03/2008
To Mike Hutson,
Thanks for chiming in about the auditor situation. Our local police officers have their hands tied way too often by those above them with political agendas.
To Mrs. Mendenhall,
Great comparison!
Akron, Oh
Posted 08:26 AM, 12/03/2008
RIght on Mike Hutson. Good response. Selecting someone for a responsible job is hard for a mayor who picks on parking lot boys and a councilman who tried to carry a gun on an airplane George
U, OH
Posted 08:53 AM, 12/03/2008
Excellent letter from PP about the Comprehensive Sex Ed bill and everyone should support it.
Akron, Oh
Posted 09:17 AM, 12/03/2008
Rev. Cain, What are your credentials that allow you to councel individuals? In the great state of Ohio, being a mere minister is not sufficient for one to engage in the profession of counseling. Are you a licensed social worker, psychologist or mariage and family counselor? If not, what you are doing is illegal and you should be fined.
akron , oh
Posted 09:41 AM, 12/03/2008
Jan you have to be kidding. are you that out of touch that don't understand that role of religon in some peoples lives? clearly not yours. Reverends and Preachers and Priests alike "counsel" their flock which means provide advice, be a role model and provide direction to those in their congregation that seek it out. You don't need a license for that. In addition, this relationship is protected by law which means when you seek advice from your preacher or man of the cloth, as with a marriage privilege, it cannot be revealed. Clearly the law understands this relationship, perhaps you need to avail yourself to further education before you start attacking those who work hard such as the Rev. who was simply exercising his right to free speech. And Jan you don't need a license for that either.
akron, oh
Posted 10:50 AM, 12/03/2008
Well said Mr Hutson well said!!!!
Akron, Oh
Posted 10:52 AM, 12/03/2008
You are out of touch Nadine. I am in touch. You cannot claim to counsel people without a license in Ohio. You can talk to them and you can minister to them, but that doesn't make you a counselor. And you are confusing the seal of the confessional with counseling. They are apples and oranges. Now go back to school and educate yourself, you stooge.
Akron, Oh
Posted 11:09 AM, 12/03/2008
And by the way nadine, that seal is not impermeable in cases of child abuse and other crimes. confidential priveledge only goes so far, whether one is a counselor or so-called man of the cloth. If a minister learns of a possible crime of child abuse, he is not permitted to keep that from law enforcement.
hudson, oh
Posted 11:40 AM, 12/03/2008
Nadine, I'm with Jan on this. I am not saying that religious advisors provide no benefit. But, ministering is not quite the same as counseling and lopping them together is disingenuous to those that have the education and training to provide licensed counseling.
And, with the good examples (sound advise, role models) come the bad. How many abused women and children suffered thru bad marriages due to advise from a religious authority delivered along the narrow dictates of whatever dogma they adhere to. How may were deprived of sound medical advise or treatment due to some man made rule delivered in the ruse of God's dictates. Well, you get my point.
akron , oh
Posted 12:39 PM, 12/03/2008
you guys are truly all nuts. Who the heck do you get from this reverends letter regarding him working with a member of his congregation to the obvious fact that they are mandatory child abuse reporters etc. what the heck does one have to do with the other. no where is abuse mentioned or battered wife or whatever crazy stuff you all refer to? I swear the holidays have gotten to all of your brains. You cannot have a civilized conversation without the kooks coming out of the woodwork around here.
akron, oh
Posted 12:44 PM, 12/03/2008
The Reverend ought to spend his time 'counseling' his friend about the inevitable consequences that come from certain actions. Like having a child he could not support and then, well... NOT supporting him/her.
Akron, Oh
Posted 01:01 PM, 12/03/2008
Nadine, You are the one who brought up priviledge and confidentiality principas regarding the ministry. look in a mirror if you want to see a nut.
here is your quote: "In addition, this relationship is protected by law which means when you seek advice from your preacher or man of the cloth, as with a marriage privilege, it cannot be revealed."
Now calm down and take a pill.
Family Values matter, John Ensign and I are , ..
Posted 01:10 PM, 12/03/2008
A Mr.EdHead posting from yesterday:
"My grandmother believed in anecdotal evidence and she lived to be 140."
- Uncle Ed
Show us statistics that breakdown by Degree how many people are out of work. You consistently shoot from the hip but never provide any links to hard core facts to support your phony contentions. And stop already with the egocentric Uncle Ed signings, like your some elderly sage whom we should all gravitate to every time you stroke your keyboard. And speaking of stroking things, your ego driven Mr.EdHead is probably so big you can't get both hands around it anymore. You're not an authority on anything. Just to show you what a good sport I am and not a hate monger, let me quote one of your icons, Ronald Reagan which sums you up rather succintly: "There he goes again..."
Family Values matter, John Ensign and I are , ..
Posted 01:15 PM, 12/03/2008
Neeeeeeeeeighdiiiiiiine.......I'm afraid to crawl under a rock because I might find you there......
hudson, oh
Posted 01:18 PM, 12/03/2008
Nadine. When you say were all truly nuts, do mean in a clinical sense? I don't believed your qualified to make a clinical judgement. And in all fairness, some of our comments were directed specifically to your post and not to Rev. Cain's
letter.
Family Values matter, John Ensign and I are , ..
Posted 02:16 PM, 12/03/2008
@KenRightAgain.....We're dealing with an extreme "Kook" factor here, Ken. Remember, these Kool-Aid drinkers are still licking their wounds from a recent mandate by the electorate. Rats running from a sinking ship tend to be smarmy, volatile, and tempermental. That is not intended to be a "Clinical" evaluation, just a layman one at that. The pseudo-clinicians you speak of must be hearing voices in there heads.
Posted 02:53 PM, 12/03/2008
I had no idea how correct Dave Webb is. Just googled Chriskindl, and only Akron links appear. There are, however, Christkindl markets all over the world. What brilliant mind decided Akron couldn't spell it the same as Chicago or New York or Munich?
Dalton Ave, Henderson, NV
Posted 03:41 PM, 12/03/2008
@Robert - I see how you feel about anecdotal evidence... and obviously I have learned something about your intelligence since you like my quote so much.
I do not have any statictics to quote, but if you open up a newspaper (a real one and not the ABJ) you will find many articles that talk about the lack of US citizens with math and science training. Now I am not a rocket scientist... but to me that says if you want a better job (i.e. you as an employee are in higher demand) then you should study what is needed by the employers. Thus, I can conclude that studying an degree focused in science or math will lead to more prosperity.
They call that logical thinking.
I am still sad that you stood me up for our date Robert. I wanted to gaze longingly into your eyes... ha!
- Uncle "King Kommentator" Ed
Family Values matter, John Ensign and I are , ..
Posted 05:23 PM, 12/03/2008
Oh, Mr.EdHead, there you go flattering yourself again. I don't live in Akron, therefore I don't read the Beacon. You know what they say about "assuming", Mr.EdHead. And I knew your quote was sad attempt at sarcasim. And, once again, you "assumed." Now, first and formost, Mr.EdHead, since you claim to read "real" newspapers, why are you so fixated on the comment section in the Beacon? So, what you're telling us is you spend time commenting daily on the Beacon on-line but you don't actually read the paper itself? LOL.....And, of course, the Mr.EdHead Ego had to rear its ugly head by proclaiming you only read "real" newspapers. And what does that have to do with supplying facts to support an argument? Everyone knows, EdHead, that degrees in Math and Science would increase ones chances at a job. But we are currently in a recession. Most corporations have streamlined their payrolls and are in the midst of hiring freezes. So, once again, produce facts that support your contention in todays econimic world. Show me a breakdown of job categories that give me numbers of who are currently unemployed. Your "real" newspapers should be able to provide you with those stats. And, finally, I WAS there Mr.EdHead. You continue to cowardly hide behind Uncle Ed, the commenter, knowing full well no one can prove anything. Keep telling your lie often and still no one will no for sure who's telling the truth or not, that's your game.
Family Values matter, John Ensign and I are , ..
Posted 05:28 PM, 12/03/2008
Advice to Mr.EdHead, go back to your lazy-boy chair and your National Inquirer with Rush babbling in the background on the Radio and Faux Noise on T.V. And I'm not forgetting the Budlites sitting there on the end table with the Triple Decker and greasy fries....Can you really make it to the bathroom?
Dalton Ave, Henderson, NV
Posted 08:08 PM, 12/03/2008
@Robert - For your information I read three papers a day. The ABJ, a little hometown love, the WSJ, and the NYT.
If statistics hold true, which if you have ever studied them then you know they are pretty accurate, then the corporate trimming across the board, leaving more math and science related openings than non.
For your information, I do not drink bud light. This time of year it is GLBC Christmas Ale or nothing. I have a sliver of class.
- Uncle "I was there and you were not" Ed
Akron, OH
Posted 08:46 PM, 12/03/2008
Once again the BJ is trying to stifle dissent. Mrs Mendenhall writes a truthful letter, and the editor (with his 'editor's note') wants to let everyone know that the letter writer is biased.
Disgusting
R M Kraus
Akron, OH
Posted 08:56 PM, 12/03/2008
Another thought . . . . we should all understand that what Barabara Singhaus means by 'Prevention First' is use a condom first; if that doesn't work, abstain.
R M Kraus
Akron
My Heart Is In K-Town, .
Posted 09:09 PM, 12/03/2008
I'm new here but does this name calling-bickering go on everyday or are there intelligent comments now and then?
My Heart Is In K-Town, .
Posted 09:21 PM, 12/03/2008
@ Roberta - yeah, this goes on most days. There are those on the left and those right/center. It won't take you long to figure out who are the real kooks here. Just hang around for a couple days, unless you are more astute than most and have figured it out already.
Akron, OH
Posted 10:38 PM, 12/03/2008
I would say that most of the commentaryy amounts to taking issue with what the letter writer has said or what the commentators say
Family Values matter, John Ensign and I are , ..
Posted 01:56 PM, 12/04/2008
@Roberta....And it won't take you long to figure out that PacMan is one of the "kooks"...
