Events Calendar
In This Section
Most Read Stories
Akron police investigate teen mob attack on family
Man found hanging at playground in Stow
Robbery suspect's body left at Akron hospital
FBI asked to investigate attack on white family near Firestone Park
Relatives doubt story of suicide
Man shot in back near Akron park
Blogs:
Pets:
Zeke, the basketball playing dog
The Heldenfiles:
Friday Notebook
Patrick McManamon:
For your Saturday entertainment …
Akron Zips:
Opponent outlook: Kent State
Browns Bulletin:
Quick thought on Browns rookies
Tribe Matters:
7-11-09 Morning Highlights
Cleveland Browns:
Stallworth test showed marijuana
Kent State Sports:
Men's Basketball Scheduling update
Cleveland Cavaliers:
Andy’s Signed According to ESPN
All Da King's Men:
Baby Got Barack !
Blog of Mass Destruction:
The Rogue Bush White House
Akron Law Café:
New Wiretapping Revelations from Inspector General
Varsity Letters:
Report: Ontko selects Wisconsin
See Jane Style:
Oh Baby!
Car Chase:
Where do We Go from Here?
Let's Talk Real Estate:
Closings….Not the Good Kind!
Ohio Travels with Betty:
Margy inquires-when is a Taste of Hudson?
Sound Check:
LeVert II live performance Saturday night — "Dedication" album due July 13,
HRLite House:
DDI One of Best Places to Work
Akron Gamer:
Video game sales drop in May
Bob Keith of Ward 8 among 12 applicants
By Stephanie Warsmith
Beacon Journal staff writer
POSTED: 08:42 p.m. EST, Jan 06, 2009
Akron Councilman Bob Keith probably will be the next council clerk.
Keith was the only applicant among 12 for the job who met the qualification of legislative experience, said Virginia Robinson, Akron's personnel director.
Keith, 58, has been Ward 8 councilman since January 1997. He also owns Summit Tailoring, a tailor shop in Highland Square.
Cherri Prough, the most recent council clerk, retired in December. She worked for the city for 30 years, moving from typist to deputy clerk and, two years ago, to clerk.
Deputy Clerk Connie Genevish, who is expected to keep that job, has been serving as clerk since Prough's retirement.
Council President Marco Sommerville said the clerk traditionally has been a council member, including John Valle, the clerk before Prough. He now serves as Akron's deputy service director.
''We want somebody who understands council, council members and confidentiality,'' Sommerville said. ''There are a lot of sensitive things that go on. We want somebody who really knows the ins and outs of council.''
Sommerville said the council will move quickly to fill the clerk post, which pays between $48,755 and $73,528 annually. (Council members make $31,117 a year.)
Voters in November rejected a charter change that would have made the clerk exempt from civil-service protection. This would have given the council — rather than the mayor — direct oversight of the post.
Keith said he thinks being clerk will be ''a nice challenge.''
''I enjoy politics,'' he said. ''I would still be part of the political system.''
When Keith first was elected to the council, he said he relied a lot on Valle, who was then clerk.
''That's what I intend to do — make their jobs easier,'' he said.
Keith said he still would continue his tailoring business, with his 23-year-old son assuming a larger role.
If the council taps Keith as clerk, a committee then would be formed to find a replacement for his council seat. The person appointed would have to run for election this year to keep the seat.
Keith said he has heard of several qualified people who are interested, including Bruce Bolden, a former Ward 1 councilman.
Stephanie Warsmith can be reached at 330-996-3705 or swarsmith@thebeaconjournal.com.
Akron Councilman Bob Keith probably will be the next council clerk.
Keith was the only applicant among 12 for the job who met the qualification of legislative experience, said Virginia Robinson, Akron's personnel director.
Keith, 58, has been Ward 8 councilman since January 1997. He also owns Summit Tailoring, a tailor shop in Highland Square.
Cherri Prough, the most recent council clerk, retired in December. She worked for the city for 30 years, moving from typist to deputy clerk and, two years ago, to clerk.
Deputy Clerk Connie Genevish, who is expected to keep that job, has been serving as clerk since Prough's retirement.
Council President Marco Sommerville said the clerk traditionally has been a council member, including John Valle, the clerk before Prough. He now serves as Akron's deputy service director.
''We want somebody who understands council, council members and confidentiality,'' Sommerville said. ''There are a lot of sensitive things that go on. We want somebody who really knows the ins and outs of council.''
Sommerville said the council will move quickly to fill the clerk post, which pays between $48,755 and $73,528 annually. (Council members make $31,117 a year.)
Voters in November rejected a charter change that would have made the clerk exempt from civil-service protection. This would have given the council — rather than the mayor — direct oversight of the post.
Keith said he thinks being clerk will be ''a nice challenge.''
''I enjoy politics,'' he said. ''I would still be part of the political system.''
When Keith first was elected to the council, he said he relied a lot on Valle, who was then clerk.
''That's what I intend to do — make their jobs easier,'' he said.
Keith said he still would continue his tailoring business, with his 23-year-old son assuming a larger role.
If the council taps Keith as clerk, a committee then would be formed to find a replacement for his council seat. The person appointed would have to run for election this year to keep the seat.
Keith said he has heard of several qualified people who are interested, including Bruce Bolden, a former Ward 1 councilman.
Stephanie Warsmith can be reached at 330-996-3705 or swarsmith@thebeaconjournal.com.
Comments
Click here to post your comments
My Heart Is In K-Town, .
Posted 09:18 PM, 01/06/2009
Put my name in too...I want this seat!
Akron, OH
Posted 07:31 AM, 01/07/2009
Another lesson in cronyism.
Akron, Oh
Posted 06:20 PM, 01/07/2009
We need someone new in this political circle!!
Posted 02:32 PM, 01/10/2009
This is pathetic -- Keith wants a pay increase without having to face voters. How convenient; he gets more salary and the voters of Ward 8 are stuck with whomever some committee appoints, and who will still have the advantage of incumbency in the next election. I hope they choose some other wonk and that the voters of Ward 8 get a chance to vote Keith out next time.
