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Akron mayor's voice touts scholarship plan at two city McDonald's
By Carl Chancellor
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Wednesday, Oct 29, 2008
There is no doubt that the mayor is lovin' it, but it's yet to be determined if voters are.
From now through Election Day, customers pulling up to the drive-throughs at two Akron McDonald's will be greeted by Mayor Don Plusquellic asking them to support Issue 8 — his sewer lease for scholarship plan.
It's not at all clear if patrons are warming to this new combo offer — a side of politics with their burger and fries.
''I don't like it. I think it is obtrusive,'' said Akron resident Jim Mendiola, after listening to the mayor's recorded voice coming through the squawk box at the McDonald's at 1720 W. Exchange St.
''Welcome to McDonald's. I'm Mayor Don Plusquellic, and I'm asking you to vote yes on Issue 8. Our children's future depends on it. Now, can we take your order?''
Janet Earhart of Akron scrunched her nose and leaned back from her opened car window when she heard the mayor's voice.
''I think it's kind of odd,'' Earhart responded.
''What is Issue 8 anyway?'' she asked before placing her order for a 20-piece chicken McNuggets.
Issue 8 is the charter change ballot measure that would authorize the city to lease the sewer system to a private operator. Proceeds from the lease would be used to create an endowment fund to provide scholarships for Akron students going to the University of Akron and vocational and technical schools.
John Blickle, president of Rubber City McDonald's, is such a fan of the mayor's scholarship plan that he approached the city with the offer of using his restaurant's squawk boxes to pitch Issue 8.
''I think it's a wonderful endowment for children's futures,'' Blickle said. ''It would be a lasting legacy for generations to come that would make a fundamental difference in our city's future.''
Blickle, who operates 22 McDonald's in Summit and Portage counties, including eight in Akron, only has the mayor's political spots running at two locations — West Exchange Street at Wallhaven and 221 E. Market St. in Ellet. He said those two restaurant locations are the only ones equipped with the digital technology needed to create a tailor-made message.
Blickle said his West Exchange and East Market Street stores each serve about 1,000 drive-through customers a day.
In addition, employees at all of Blickle's Akron McDonald's are passing out Issue 8 with food orders, as many as 10,000 a day.
''I was educated in Akron schools and graduated from the University of Akron. And my mother taught in the Akron schools for 30 years,'' said Blickle, explaining his commitment to the city's schools.
Plusquellic appreciates the opportunity to fill in for Mayor McCheese for a short while.
''The support from John, McDonald's and the many other corporate sponsors has been tremendous,'' the mayor said.
''Businesses big and small understand that the future of our work force depends on education. And the future of Akron's economy depends upon its work force.''
Blickle said after the election he has plans to replace Plusquellic with the voice impersonations of different celebrities, welcoming customers.
''I'll probably use Katharine Hepburn next,'' Blickle said.
Carl Chancellor can be reached at 330-996-3725 or cchancellor@thebeaconjournal.com.
There is no doubt that the mayor is lovin' it, but it's yet to be determined if voters are.
Get the full article here.
Comments
Click here to post your comments
Tallmadge, OH
Posted 06:17 AM, 10/29/2008
Boycott those McDonald's. They have no business putting their politics in with your Big Mac. Vote NO on 8 and YES on 9, and tell Mayor Donny Boy where he can go.
Posted 07:02 AM, 10/29/2008
This is BS. No business should be advertising his proposal. This proves that the owner of these McDonalds may be good businessmen, but have no clue about politics. Issue 8 is nothing but a scam to get Donny's butt out of debt so he can say "look what I did". His bad decisions put the city in debt, and now he wants this issue to bail him out.
Posted 07:09 AM, 10/29/2008
I totally agree. Politics has no place in local business. The guy who owns these McDonalds may be a good businessman, but has no idea what this proposal is about - or - he is being paid to run these on his system.
Posted 07:39 AM, 10/29/2008
Any time you trade an city asset for a dream you, are selling away your future. This is a recipe for disaster and I thank god I don't live in Akron.
Posted 08:04 AM, 10/29/2008
I think this McDonalds need needs to work on better customer better service, and not
issue 8.
Akron, OH
Posted 08:14 AM, 10/29/2008
I'm sure Mr. Blickle is a fine liberal demoncritter, but I have to agree. His business isn't politics, it's sellin' soy-burgers and other fat food. He should stick to what he knows best.
Posted 08:18 AM, 10/29/2008
Ughgh. I don't even now where to begin with this one. I will be glad for November 5th.
Posted 08:19 AM, 10/29/2008
Great way to lose business. We heard the message last night at the Wallhaven location and went to Burger King instead. Sorry you cant mix politics and business. I will be voting no on Issue 8 and proably not eating at those McDonalds for a long time.
Canal Fulton, OH
Posted 08:43 AM, 10/29/2008
The Mayor needs to understand holding his citizens hostage for 30 years is not the incentive he believes it to be. I can understand a reasonable period of time, but 30 years? Using local business owners to sell his idea is compounding the concerns of the citizens in akron and its vicinities. I will boycott any McDonalds who lets the Mayors politics be sold at their location. I am a Local leader with a large number of members who are also participating in the boycott. Yo Ronald, please come back and fix this foolish move by your owners.
Posted 08:47 AM, 10/29/2008
What a McScam
akron, oh
Posted 08:55 AM, 10/29/2008
Ronald McDonald is now a political lobbyist for the "Don". Perfect ... a clown working to push the agenda of a jester.
I hope the citizens of Akron have enough sense to vote down Issue 8.
I wonder if my tax dollars went to pay for the cost of all those "Vote yes on Issue 8" signs the our mayor has planted in front of libraries and schools.
Posted 09:20 AM, 10/29/2008
I was against Issue 8 and I am not a big fan of the Mayor. But, I took the time to listen to the mayor, read the 21 plus pages on the proposal and get my questions answered.
Think of the positives people...
a cap on sewer rate increases,
potential for increased enrollment in Akron schools (may mean less tax levies if we have enough students),
people wanting to move into Akron so their children get receive this benefit (wouldn't it be nice to get people in those empty houses in your neighborhoods),
better schools and educated children because you won't have brain drain to the suburbs,
finally something for the middle class kids who don't qualify for financial aid,etc.
And for the 30 year thing...it is 30 years or pay back the scholarship for the remainder of the years at 2.25%- where else can you get a loan like that!
Good for McDonald's for supporting this. Obviously he sees the need for a more educated work force.
akron, oh
Posted 09:36 AM, 10/29/2008
i will not be going to mcds and i will let all my customers know about this, i would like to know when the don is going to take care of our goodyear hts ,but of course the big mouth don wont do any thing in this area,as far as crime ,think ill put a sign in my front yard with the dons address on it ,that way the crooks can rob his place,i have been hit 6 times ,albert ,owner of suretan
Akron, OH
Posted 09:38 AM, 10/29/2008
Did that come with a fee, how much and who's paying?
Akron, Oh
Posted 09:50 AM, 10/29/2008
I forwarded the article and a complaint to McD's corporate headquarters.
I can't believe that a national chain like McD's is allowing themselves to be USED as a pawn for political gain like this.
Posted 10:18 AM, 10/29/2008
College educated people held hostage in a town without too many jobs, sounds like McDonald's wants to improve its staffing options. Everytime I ask for a grilled snack wrap at the E. Market St. location, they hand me a fried one. Looking at the staff, I wonder if they know what "grilled" means...
Posted 10:24 AM, 10/29/2008
Ed, I too, forwarded a complaint to McDonald's Corporate last night after seeing the endorsements for Issue 8 on the McDonald's sign in the valley.
I'm glad to see others are taking the time to notify corporate. It will be interesting to see what, if anything, they do in response to Blickle's blunder.
Posted 12:04 PM, 10/29/2008
The mayor will stop at nothing to get what he wants. If this doesn't work out he will single out the neighborhoods that voted no and get into his name calling just like he did when the school levy failed the first time. More then anything he needs the money because he has the city in financial trouble, leasing the sewer system has nothing to do with education.
My Heart Is In K-Town, .
Posted 12:41 PM, 10/29/2008
Whether you are for or against issue #8 you will all have to agree this was (is) pretty creative. What’s next? A greeting from Barry? "Hi! I’m Barry Obama, we will be keeping 1/3 of your order today and will give it to the next person who orders less than you did. That way they will be enjoying the same American McDream as you".
Posted 02:57 PM, 10/29/2008
Well the Donfather is at it again another year another scam and why not? he rules the city with an iron hand and how dare anyone expose his lies and deception.the people of the city are just pawns in the game for him and if it drives rates up or bankrups people who cares he's lined his and his cronies pockets and that's all that matters to him.!!! Save yourselves NO on 8 YES on 9
Green, OH
Posted 02:59 PM, 10/29/2008
John, you really laid a McEgg with this idea.
Back when you and I were classmates, APS had a graduation rate much higher than the 78.1% reported for 2007 on the APS website.
My personal opinion - leasing public services is a risky business. But if you go that route, the sewer money would be better spent on making sure that more APS students GRADUATE from high school and are academically ready for college or trade school.
Posted 03:00 PM, 10/29/2008
McDonalds this is a DISGRACE and I will NEVER eat at ANY of your places EVER again. Maybe you should concentrate on your crappy service'bad attitudes and Dirty stores and stop selling out to a TYRANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted 03:06 PM, 10/29/2008
Mcdonalds this is a disgrace instead of propogating the mayor's agenda you should concentrate on your crappy food'crappy service and dirty stores!.
Posted 03:06 PM, 10/29/2008
No on 8 YES on 9
Posted 07:01 PM, 10/29/2008
Corporate won't do anything it's an individually owned store. You'll get an email back saying sorry we'll look into this. Thats it.
Posted 07:34 PM, 10/29/2008
John, have you ever heard of this concept: punctuation? I know that you and the rest of the mayor's staff generally lack intelligence and good educations, but can't you even properly compose a sentence?
akron, oh
Posted 09:01 PM, 10/29/2008
I thought that scholarship money was given to a student to help pay for his or her education with no need to repay, so why is Donnie Boy asking us to pass issure 8 and then telling future students that now that we paid for your education you have to "PAY" the city back by staying here for 30 years. Can someone answer the question--can Akron U and the tech schools handle all these incoming freshman each year and the will there be jobs here in Akron for the next XXX number of years that it will take to "pay" back the scholarship?
akron, oh
Posted 09:06 PM, 10/29/2008
To add to my above blog--I will not be going to Mc"Donald"s or should it be "McPlusquellic" any time soon to support a business that would allow politics to used in this manner.
akron, oh
Posted 09:15 PM, 10/29/2008
nice going Ohio.com--i asked simple questions and stat that i would not be going to McDonalds and again and you pull by blogs.
akron, oh
Posted 09:18 PM, 10/29/2008
nice going McDonalds--not going to lovin' it any more--you just lost me as a customer.
