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Do IT this week: Layering
Plusquellic supporters say city could spend up to $525,000 if move by Mendenhall succeeds
By Stephanie Warsmith
and Rick Armon
Beacon Journal staff writers
Published on Wednesday, Nov 19, 2008
Supporters rallied around Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic Tuesday, saying a recall effort by a local attorney is unwarranted.
They also pointed to the extra expense that the recall could entail for the city — a possible $525,000 price tag if the effort is successful.
''This is a waste of taxpayers' money,'' said Wayne Jones, chairman of the Summit County Democratic Party. ''We don't need this going on right now. This doesn't solve a problem. It just creates problems.''
In the meantime, Warner Mendenhall, the Akron attorney who officially launched the oust-Plusquellic campaign just after midnight Tuesday, reported a positive response.
In the first day, he said, his recall Web site — http://www.changeakronnow.com — received more than 950 hits, 11 people signed up to volunteer and a number of others called, expressing interest.
''I think the response has been tremendous. I'm shocked,'' said Mendenhall, who has gone head to head with Plusquellic on multiple issues, including the mayor's recently defeated proposal to lease the city's sewers to pay for scholarships.
Mendenhall announced his plan to try to get Plusquellic booted from office on Monday, saying the mayor has misdirected the city and indebted Akron too much, and that his personal behavior has been appalling. He said he plans to try to recruit 200 people to help with the recall between now and January.
Mendenhall's sudden challenge sent many scrambling to determine how the seldom-used recall process — laid out in the city's charter — would work.
Ernie Tarle, a Ward 7 councilman, is believed to be the only Akron official ever successfully recalled. Voters overwhelmingly removed Tarle, who was accused of trying to bribe another councilman before a controversial vote, in November 1998.
Efforts uncommon
Herb Asher, professor emeritus of political science at Ohio State University, said recall efforts for big-city mayors in Ohio are uncommon.
The most famous case, Asher said, occurred in 1978 in Cleveland, where then-Mayor Dennis Kucinich faced a recall after sacking his police chief. He survived by a few hundred votes.
If Mendenhall moves forward with the recall — a step he has said he will take only if he gets enough backers — he will need to gather 3,179 valid signatures. This is 20 percent of the number of voters in the last mayoral election.
Depending on when the petitions would be filed, the city might have to pay for a special election for the recall, which probably would cost about $175,000, said Marijean Donofrio, director of the Summit County elections board.
If the recall were to succeed, Akron also would have to bankroll a primary and election to pick a new mayor — at least tripling the $175,000 expense.
Akron Council President Marco Sommerville said he was shocked and disappointed in Mendenhall's effort. He said the city has elections to decide whether someone should remain in office. Plusquellic was elected to his sixth term last year.
''The bottom line is, I think he's done a good job for this city,'' said Sommerville, adding that several other council members share his views. ''If you look around the state, it's obvious.''
National respect
County Executive Russ Pry, who chaired the county Democratic Party for 10 years and has been the mayor's personal attorney, said Plusquellic, the one-time head of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, is well-respected around the country.
Residents often forget his contributions, because he has been mayor for more than 20 years, Pry said. He cited the mayor's creation of joint economic development districts, which helped end threats of annexation, as an example.
''Don has been there long enough that people don't remember all the things he has been involved with,'' Pry said.
Plusquellic has questioned the basis for the recall and accused Mendenhall and his supporters of misleading voters in their anti-sewer-issue efforts. He pointed to the awards and recognitions the city has received during his tenure.
A September report issued by the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C., cited the mayor as one reason for the city's ability to improve its economic status between 1990 and 2000 while other communities languished.
''Almost without exception, the stakeholders interviewed identified the leadership, determination and tenure of Mayor Don Plusquellic as the essential catalyst and driving force in the economic development of the city and region,'' the report said.
Disconnect alleged
Not everyone, however, is singing the mayor's praises.
Joe Finley, a former city councilman who ran unsuccessfully against Plusquellic in the 2007 Democratic primary, supports the recall effort. The fact that the mayor's pet issue to privatize the sewers lost on Nov. 4 shows there is a disconnect with voters, he said.
Finley said he thinks there would be a host of qualified people who would run if the recall succeeds.
Jones thinks Mendenhall would be first in line.
''He's always wanted to be mayor,'' Jones said.
Mendenhall said he wants to take this process ''one step at a time.''
But, when asked whether he planned to run, his response was: ''I'm not going to rule that out.''
Stephanie Warsmith can be reached at 330-996-3705 or swarsmith@thebeaconjournal.com.
Rick Armon can be reached at 330-996-3569 or rarmon@thebeaconjournal.com.
Supporters rallied around Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic Tuesday, saying a recall effort by a local attorney is unwarranted.
They also pointed to the extra expense that the recall could entail for the city — a possible $525,000 price tag if the effort is successful.
''This is a waste of taxpayers' money,'' said Wayne Jones, chairman of the Summit County Democratic Party. ''We don't need this going on right now. This doesn't solve a problem. It just creates problems.''
In the meantime, Warner Mendenhall, the Akron attorney who officially launched the oust-Plusquellic campaign just after midnight Tuesday, reported a positive response.
In the first day, he said, his recall Web site — http://www.changeakronnow.com — received more than 950 hits, 11 people signed up to volunteer and a number of others called, expressing interest.
''I think the response has been tremendous. I'm shocked,'' said Mendenhall, who has gone head to head with Plusquellic on multiple issues, including the mayor's recently defeated proposal to lease the city's sewers to pay for scholarships.
Mendenhall announced his plan to try to get Plusquellic booted from office on Monday, saying the mayor has misdirected the city and indebted Akron too much, and that his personal behavior has been appalling. He said he plans to try to recruit 200 people to help with the recall between now and January.
Mendenhall's sudden challenge sent many scrambling to determine how the seldom-used recall process — laid out in the city's charter — would work.
Ernie Tarle, a Ward 7 councilman, is believed to be the only Akron official ever successfully recalled. Voters overwhelmingly removed Tarle, who was accused of trying to bribe another councilman before a controversial vote, in November 1998.
Efforts uncommon
Herb Asher, professor emeritus of political science at Ohio State University, said recall efforts for big-city mayors in Ohio are uncommon.
The most famous case, Asher said, occurred in 1978 in Cleveland, where then-Mayor Dennis Kucinich faced a recall after sacking his police chief. He survived by a few hundred votes.
If Mendenhall moves forward with the recall — a step he has said he will take only if he gets enough backers — he will need to gather 3,179 valid signatures. This is 20 percent of the number of voters in the last mayoral election.
Depending on when the petitions would be filed, the city might have to pay for a special election for the recall, which probably would cost about $175,000, said Marijean Donofrio, director of the Summit County elections board.
If the recall were to succeed, Akron also would have to bankroll a primary and election to pick a new mayor — at least tripling the $175,000 expense.
Akron Council President Marco Sommerville said he was shocked and disappointed in Mendenhall's effort. He said the city has elections to decide whether someone should remain in office. Plusquellic was elected to his sixth term last year.
''The bottom line is, I think he's done a good job for this city,'' said Sommerville, adding that several other council members share his views. ''If you look around the state, it's obvious.''
National respect
County Executive Russ Pry, who chaired the county Democratic Party for 10 years and has been the mayor's personal attorney, said Plusquellic, the one-time head of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, is well-respected around the country.
Residents often forget his contributions, because he has been mayor for more than 20 years, Pry said. He cited the mayor's creation of joint economic development districts, which helped end threats of annexation, as an example.
''Don has been there long enough that people don't remember all the things he has been involved with,'' Pry said.
Plusquellic has questioned the basis for the recall and accused Mendenhall and his supporters of misleading voters in their anti-sewer-issue efforts. He pointed to the awards and recognitions the city has received during his tenure.
A September report issued by the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C., cited the mayor as one reason for the city's ability to improve its economic status between 1990 and 2000 while other communities languished.
''Almost without exception, the stakeholders interviewed identified the leadership, determination and tenure of Mayor Don Plusquellic as the essential catalyst and driving force in the economic development of the city and region,'' the report said.
Disconnect alleged
Not everyone, however, is singing the mayor's praises.
Joe Finley, a former city councilman who ran unsuccessfully against Plusquellic in the 2007 Democratic primary, supports the recall effort. The fact that the mayor's pet issue to privatize the sewers lost on Nov. 4 shows there is a disconnect with voters, he said.
Finley said he thinks there would be a host of qualified people who would run if the recall succeeds.
Jones thinks Mendenhall would be first in line.
''He's always wanted to be mayor,'' Jones said.
Mendenhall said he wants to take this process ''one step at a time.''
But, when asked whether he planned to run, his response was: ''I'm not going to rule that out.''
Stephanie Warsmith can be reached at 330-996-3705 or swarsmith@thebeaconjournal.com.
Rick Armon can be reached at 330-996-3569 or rarmon@thebeaconjournal.com.
Comments
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akron, oh
Posted 04:12 AM, 11/19/2008
mendenhall is just using this as a gimmick to get attention. He is planning on running for mayor himself in 2011 and is just using this to get his name in the papers.
Posted 05:55 AM, 11/19/2008
Mendenhall could get loads of "volunteers" from the ranks of the city employees who are forced to
live within the city as a condition of employment.
Rio Linda, CA
Posted 06:20 AM, 11/19/2008
Another Stephanie Lawrence horrible story. She interviews Plusquellics two drinking buddies Jones and Pry. Then she interviews the guy that Jones and Pry want to be the next Mayor.
That sure doesn't sound like a groundswell of support for plusquellic.
Of course this is the same paper that ran countless editorials on why the sewer scholarship plan should pass.
Look how effective that was!!!!
Tallmadge, OH
Posted 06:36 AM, 11/19/2008
Akron citizens support the recall of THE DON or you will go to hell.
Akron, OH
Posted 07:30 AM, 11/19/2008
Russ Pry is the passive-aggressive twin of Plusquellic.
Akron, OH
Posted 07:41 AM, 11/19/2008
Yes indeed, The mayor is responsible for the economic developement of Akron over the last 20 years. Lets recap that shall we.
Akron is nearly $1 billion in debt and has had a reduced bond ratin' for the last 10 years by Standard and Poor.
For our money we got a baseball stadium, of which rarely sells out and the taxpayers continue to pour money into it. The Civic Theater, which is rarely open. A museum, no-buddy goes to. Oh yes, and the city hall heros favorites, a downtown full of bars, of which have no family value to the taxpayers.
Let's not forget, the city hall hero has promised $100 million to Goodyear, and &70 million to Firestone, both of which have no requirements to add jobs.
Let's also not forget the city hall heros multiple trips to Europe and the Orient, of which have not produced a penny in returns for the taxpayers of Akron.
Mr. "I came from a Blue collar Backround", routinely denies his blue collar employees benefits when injured on the job.
He runs his departments understaffed. Untested workers are routinely put into supervisory positions.
The list goes on and on, and I promise y'all, that it makes his petty accolades look like childrens crayon drawin's.
Posted 07:43 AM, 11/19/2008
This would not be a public loss of money if you figurse out expenses like
Get rid of a few deputy Mayors who's only job is to be a political pudding.
Get rid of the police auditor who's job is worthless and was only made on a Sommerville R card.
Stop these junkets on the tax payer dime like going to loser cities like New Orleans.
The list goes on and on. Mayor Don seems to hire his friends into public office and forgets there are qualified people out there who can do the job and do the job better.
Akron needs a change badly. I'd give more examples but my newly charged computer battery would not last that long.
Please help Akron is suffering and on a self destruct mode with this administration
Akron, Oh
Posted 07:47 AM, 11/19/2008
How about instead of a recall, the discontents just move! Seriously, why do I have to ruin my morning coffee reading about those that antagonize and do not offer reasonable solutions and alternatives to the grand problems we face, not just as a city, but as a state and country. I do not agree with all of Mayor Don’s policies, but at least he has always had an eye on the future and has worked to create solutions. The voters have already had their say and will again in the next scheduled elections. We need not create more division when its time to ante up and work together. And again, if you are that unhappy, MOVE!
Wadsworth, OH
Posted 07:56 AM, 11/19/2008
11 volunteers?
Let me guess--
-Warner
-His wife
-His kids
-Joe Finley
-Bruce Kilby
-Betamax
-Duke for Mayor
-Liz Raines
Who else am I missing? LOL
akron , oh
Posted 07:59 AM, 11/19/2008
dear greg maybe b/c unlike you, when someone is confronted with needing to make a change they stand up to the challenge instead of just moving. Boy you must be a great example. just deal with it and if you really don't like it than move someone where else and let everyone else fight your battles for you. thank god our founding fathers had better sense than you.
Go Warner.
akron, oh
Posted 08:04 AM, 11/19/2008
Rusty has already peeled through the county rainy day fund in a record 4 months, just like Plusquellic, its open check book time. Ween Jones is in a class by himself and he knows Mendenhall has the numbers to win the recall. I look for 1000 volunteers and 1/2 million in donations, Plusquellic ain't going to be able to buy this race. Y. U. P. ---YOU UNSEAT PLUSQUELLIC.
Posted 08:13 AM, 11/19/2008
I would love to move out of Akron! I would love to move out of Ohio BUT- I have two kids in college that need me to stay here to keep a roof over their heads!!! I don't know if I agree with the recall but trips to China the after DON losses his sewer deal is crazy and costly!!! Why did we move the Hower House, why did we buy Youngs Restaurant? Stupid spending by the DON. And you need to quit harping on the residency with city employees!!! They have more reason for recall then that!!!
Posted 08:13 AM, 11/19/2008
I would fully support this initative and I don;t even live in Akron. The city as a whole from your neighbors outside seems to be a bully. Plusquellic is seen as an arrogant idiot. I seriously doubt the people there would see the opportunity to get rid of this jerk because there doesn;t seem to be very many smart voters in Akron. I would say if you are wise you would vote to get rid of Plusquellic. He's as crooked as they come and the most arrogannt person I have ever seen.
barberton, oh
Posted 08:15 AM, 11/19/2008
I can tell U one thing. I don't believe one Akron Police Officer would B bothered to see the Mayor take a hike. The guy takes off on the City's dime to go all over the place. R U kiddin me ? He's going on all these trips for free and having a ball, all on the taxpayer, wake up folks. He's peelin ya like a banana, U should do SOMETHING about it !! I wouldn't live in Akron if U gave a Mansion, that will B all.....
Wadsworth, OH
Posted 08:28 AM, 11/19/2008
If you guys that want to recall the mayor so worried about the city's spending, then why aren't you trying to recall everyone on council as well? Do you even know how Akron's city government works? Because it seems to me that you are misplacing your concerns.
Akron City Council is a legislative body that creates ordinances, or local laws, and resolutions that express the will of the Council. This includes all of the expenditures of public dollars.
The mayor's office is the executive branch that implement and administer laws and policies based upon council's ordinances and resolutions.
Posted 08:31 AM, 11/19/2008
Lets see:
The Mayor's "Police Levy" goes down 2-1 in 2007.
His "Scholarship" Plan...same result in 2008.
The Citizen led initiative to require future sales of public utilities passes by the same margin.
On all three of these issues, the BJ Editorial Board meekly backs the Mayor without asking pertinent and important questions.
Now the Mayor reverts to calling those he disagrees with names, proclaimimg that they have reserved a place in hell because of their intransigence.
How about this for "leadership": Find another way to fund REAL Scholarships for the children of Akron, and work WITH the people who disapproved of the method you chose to fund your proposal?
No...Calling them names is more your style.
$525,000 is a small price to pay for much needed change.
woof
Rio Linda, CA
Posted 08:37 AM, 11/19/2008
Look at Plusquellic's record:
1. Inventure place- lost a ton of taxpayer money
2. Civic Theater- loses a ton of taxpayer money
3. Akron Art Museum - will lose a ton of taxpayer money
4. The softball Stadium - lost a ton of taxpayer money
5. Canal Park - loses a ton of taxpayer money
AND LAST BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST.....HOW MUCH MONEY DID WE HAVE TO SPEND TO BE NAMED AN "ALL AMERICAN CITY"? AND HOW MUCH TAX DOLLARS WERE SPENT TAKING THOSE CITY OFFICIALS TO THAT EVENT?
AND AS PRESIDENT OF US CONFERENCE OF MAYORS, WHAT EXACTLY HAS THE CITY RECEIVED FOR THAT? EXCEPT FOR ALLOWING DON TO CIRCUMNAVIGATE THE GLOBE ON THE PUBLIC DOLLAR WITH HIS GIRLFRIEND?????
Posted 08:41 AM, 11/19/2008
Eric has a good point about council. Both mayor and council ignore and insult what's likely the bulk of Akron residents.
Wadsworth, OH
Posted 08:43 AM, 11/19/2008
It sure is funny to see Warner admitting that he can't beat the mayor in a real election, so now he has to try an end-around to grab power. By pulling this recall charade, Warner has acknoledged that he is too scared to run against the mayor. If you don't believe that to be the case then ask yourself why Warner didn't run last year, and instead ran his patsy, Joe Finley, against the mayor in the primary?
Why didn't Warner himself run?
Posted 08:46 AM, 11/19/2008
I sure would love to move... but The Don won't let us... Maybe I should get a divorce so I can leave the city?
Cop Wife Stuck in Akron
Posted 08:52 AM, 11/19/2008
I love that Mendenhall is touting that the website got 900 hits but only 11 signed up to help. I am a Plusquellic supporter and I looked at it quite a few times to see how Mendenhall would mislead the citizens this time. I'm sure many other people did the same. Many people thought that crazy ole Mendenhall's adamant opposition to Issue 8 was merely for his own political gain, and just 2... just 2 weeks later he proves that by this nonsense. So, you want to recall him because because he found a way to give money to kids for college... how horrible of him?? Goodyear and Firestone are staying and the jobs and income tax stay here in Akron... how dare Plusquellic? Akron won the All American City Award this year... shame on him? While all other cities are laying off city service workers no one in Akron has been laid off in this city... how dare he? Warner, everyone know that you want to be mayor. So, why did you make Finley your fall boy and not run yourself? Instead it is you who wants to cost the taxpayers an obscene amount of money for your personal gain. Shame on you.
And I find it absolutely apaulling that Mendenhall is using Yes We Can. We just had a historic election and he is trying to launch himself off of the words of our historic president. shameful, utterly disgusting.
Akron, OH
Posted 08:57 AM, 11/19/2008
Instead of leasing the infrastructure, try leasing
Canal Park
Firestone Stadium
Inventure Place
The Art Museum
The Civic
(thanks, don)
Not to mention Young's Tavern...
Not exactly an unbiased headline, either.
No surprise.
Posted 09:35 AM, 11/19/2008
Still haven't heard many examples of solutions, just complaining and finger pointing.
When Akron is the only major city in Northeast Ohio not listed in Forbes dying cities, something has to be working, right?
Akron, OH
Posted 09:36 AM, 11/19/2008
In Don's defense, it could be worse:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1gs9fOsPr8
Posted 09:47 AM, 11/19/2008
It's a great sign for Akron that the anger and complaining on Internet forums can collectively be mobilized into a recall effort. What's next? Will the ohio.com Romeo Crennel bashers organize an official coach firing campaign? Grow up. So you don't like the guy's style. Boo hoo. Run a good candidate next time, propose good ideas (not just be the antithesis of the opposing candidate) and obtain a democratic outcome. Another example of Sore Loser Syndrome playing out.
Posted 10:45 AM, 11/19/2008
RECALL DON!!!
don first, then the council, and let's get some accurate FAIR & BALANCED reporting from the ABJ! they just support don no matter what! there are 2 sides to things ABJ!!! get some journalistic integrity!
Posted 10:45 AM, 11/19/2008
The Akron City Council serves as nothing more than a rubber stamp for Plusquellic's policies. It does not function as an independent body.
Posted 10:49 AM, 11/19/2008
Eric, as long as one of them doesn't go by the nickname "The Big Lebowski", we're doing fine.
11 volunteers?
Let me guess--
-Warner
-His wife
-His kids
-Joe Finley
-Bruce Kilby
-Betamax
-Duke for Mayor
-Liz Raines
Who else am I missing? LOL
Wadsworth, OH
Posted 11:13 AM, 11/19/2008
@Melissa:
"The Akron City Council serves as nothing more than a rubber stamp for Plusquellic's policies. It does not function as an independent body."
If that is truly the case, then what will a recall change? You will then simply have a council that will roadblock all of the policies forwarded by a new mayor.
akron , oh
Posted 11:42 AM, 11/19/2008
Jennifer, I am with you girl. We are stuck so we just to have dream of greener pastures.
also cop's wife stuck in akron
Posted 11:57 AM, 11/19/2008
What's up Akron?
Cuyahoga Falls, Oh
Posted 12:17 PM, 11/19/2008
Since when has anyone in that party cared about wasting taxpayer money?
Posted 12:32 PM, 11/19/2008
Your Forums changed three times due to kids ridiculing teachers & cops.
The whole worlds watching.
We wouldn't be caught dead up there.
Akron, Oh
Posted 01:03 PM, 11/19/2008
Eric,
You're missing the notorious, Lisa Bostwick, former head kook of the useless and insane Highland Square Neighborhood Association and Patty Longville the kooky treasurer of "Save Our Sewers".
Akron, Oh
Posted 01:14 PM, 11/19/2008
Nadine, well thank you for your words, but if you recall history, our founding fathers did indeed move. If was from oppression in Europe that the immigrants began coming over to America, but that is not really the case. If you are referring to the founding fathers that framed the Constitution then you will notice that provisions have been made to voice discontent through free speech and perhaps the greatest one through the process of elections.
The Mayor has done nothing to merit a recall. Just because he can be brash and act like a jerk at times is no reason to try and change the results of a valid public election. I am all for voicing concerns and offering plausible solutions to problems, but a recall at this time is just plan stupid and self serving for one man looking to garner attention for himself.
And lastly, I have the utmost respect of the men and women that serve in Akron’s police and fire departments. But I do not understand the argument over residency. It is not like all of a sudden, out of the blue, the Mayor decided city workers should live within the city borders. This has been the law before most of these people agreed to accept their jobs. It was in fact a condition of their employment. If the residency requirement is that big of an issue then perhaps those individuals should not have accepted the job in the first place. In the spirit of offering plausible ideas, how would people feel about eliminating residency, but offering increased wages for those that choose to remain in the city? Kind of a residency incentive?
Posted 02:10 PM, 11/19/2008
I don't agree with all of the Mayor's positions, but not one decent candidate has run against him in the past. I don't know if any of the people complaining ever leave the city limits, but most of the cities in the state of Ohio are falling apart.
Plusquellic has been around for Akron U's expansion,the new Akron U stadium, Summa's expansion, the ASCPLibrary expansion, the relocation of the bus transfer downtown, Highland Square on Market, and more residences downtown (we'll have to see if moving the bus transfer helps that along). He needs to step up on crime big time though, and stop trying these quick fix schemes when it's difficult for people to heat their houses.
So if you want to get rid of Plusquellic, vote him out.
Akron, OH
Posted 02:16 PM, 11/19/2008
Even his friends, despite his drinking at work, support him. I admire that.
akron, oh
Posted 02:48 PM, 11/19/2008
Word - if you are reading this...youare right on the HSNA site. They are one dishonest and desperate bunch of liars. There usless blog hase managed to insult everyone from African-americans to gays to those in the military. And their blog is indeed a product of the HSNA. Anakronism (Mark Smith) simply lies througth his teeth in a desperate attempt to save face. Ask them why after 3 years they are unable to 501(C)3 status and have been cut off from any more money from the the Akron Community Foundation. Ask them what they have accomplished this year. (nothing)
Posted 02:57 PM, 11/19/2008
Scholarships? The babies over at Helen Arnold want be rec'ing any when they reach the end of the traditional school road, if we don't help them overcome the Academic Watch Status, 11% state math score---Academic Watch all around. Take this energy and focus it elsewhere. I'm not making any judgement calls, perhaps we need to take a look at the school board as well as the council. However, at this time, the people have spoken and that is democracy.
akron, oh
Posted 03:38 PM, 11/19/2008
McDonald Plusquellic needs to go along with McBBQ sandwich.
You notice how desparate McDonald got during the Issue 8 campaign, squawking over the MC D's drive thru Bitcchbox, just thing what he might resort to next!
Akron, Oh
Posted 04:50 PM, 11/19/2008
900 hits on a web site. Big deal. Web sites are notorious for attracting every nut in the universe. Look at this one. Only Medenhall would brag about such a thing. It's like saying, "I through a rotted carcass out in the dessert and I got 900 buzzards picking at it.
Copley, OH
Posted 06:24 PM, 11/19/2008
Heard Howie on WNIR mention the state of our economy today & he had an interesting suggestion. Howie thinks we should put our efforts toward recalling Donofrio instead of The Don, as Donofrio managed to increase our homes' tax asessments, all the while the economy is on a downward spiral.
Posted 08:06 PM, 11/19/2008
I fully support everything the Mayor supports.
ahhhhhhkkkkkkkkkewkkkkkkk,
WOOF
somewhere near you, US
Posted 09:40 PM, 11/19/2008
You fools just elected the guy and now you want to waste 1/2 mil in an attempt to get him out of office?
I didn't realize Akron was that flush with money. If mendenhall wants him out of office, let him pay for the recall. What a waste of money.
Akron, OH
Posted 10:08 PM, 11/19/2008
I admit it could be worse:
http://www.idahostatesman.com/531/story/575558.html
Posted 06:14 AM, 11/20/2008
Vote a democrat out? NEVER. When this city voted in only democrats no matter how bad of a politition they are... no vote out for any democrat in Summit County. Until you start making the polititions accountible for their actions you get the bad, corrupt government like we have now.
Summit County would vote for the devil if he had a D infront of name.
Posted 08:47 AM, 11/20/2008
Akron should look at the source. If you watched Mendenhall over his career you would not sign his petition period, no matter what you thought of the Mayor
Posted 01:36 PM, 11/20/2008
Hi we need to look at why we are here mayor Don gets these visions probably while indulging in the spirits>remember he wanted to close the akron interbelt and build ghetto housing in it's place.I used to do warrenty work on the new houses he was building in that area .the repairs were because of flat out negligence and vandalism not poor workmanship,so we build miles more to bne tore up .I don't think so .then the straw that broke it's back (lease our sewere and pay higher rates so Don can give 500.00 scholarships )flat out stupidity .Hey DSon used to do a lot of good but it appears the old boy brain got pickled thanks mendenhall hope you can save our city .......thanks Tom (@@)
