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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
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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.
