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Stallworth's contract terminated
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KSU Notes – February 9
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NBA Power Rankings from Around the Internet
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Buckeyes grab 18 players on signing day
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Garfield at Buchtel basketball
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Palin At The Tea Party Convention
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Republican Pre-Conditions
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Citizens United v. F.E.C. (Part 4): Kennedy's and O'Connor's Basic Approaches to Constitutional Decisionmaking – Top Down and Bottom Up
Car Chase:
Collector Car Hobby Loses One of the Best—Jim Roll
Let's Talk Real Estate:
Decisions Decisions: Credit Cards or Your Mortgage?
Ohio Travels with Betty:
Loucile is looking for a Lake Erie getaway in June for three kids, ages 1, 3, and 5.
Sound Check:
Talk of the Town – Top entertainment picks for the weekend
HRLite House:
Track HR Research
Akron Gamer:
Makers of 'Castle Crashers' unveil 'BattleBlock Theater'
See Jane Style:
Do IT this week: Layering
By Stephanie Warsmith
Beacon Journal staff writer
POSTED: 11:40 p.m. EST, Nov 03, 2009
The Akron City Council has five new members.
While the new members were celebrating at parties or at home Tuesday night, they did so knowing difficult times await when they assume their seats in January. The council is facing a continuing budget crisis, difficult contract negotiations with three unions and a federally required sewer project expected to triple customers' rates.
''I'm aware of the issues facing this city and other cities across the country,'' said Linda Omobien, a longtime Akron school board member who was elected to one of three at-large council seats. ''I think we're up to the challenge as long as we work together and stay focused on what the real issues are.''
There were no upsets in Tuesday's election, with all of the Democratic incumbents and candidates beating back their Republican challengers. But the makeup of the council was significantly altered with the outcome of the September primary, which saw two at-large incumbents lose and three new ward candidates win.
Besides Omobien, the other at-large winners Tuesday were Councilman Mike Williams, the only at-large incumbent to retain his seat, and Jeff Fusco, a former Akron councilman and retired deputy service director. They easily won against three Republican challengers and a write-in candidate, beating them by at least 10,000 votes.
''I'm looking forward to working with council and the administration and to doing positive things now,'' said Fusco, who had his own party at home to celebrate. ''The hard work is about to begin.''
Only four ward races were contested in Tuesday's election. The incumbents won without a problem in Ward 1 (Jim Hurley), Ward 2 (Bruce Kilby) and Ward 7 (Tina Merlitti.)
In Ward 8, Sandra Kurt, who beat appointed Councilman Raymond Cox in the September primary, defeated GOP challenger Elizabeth Smith on Tuesday.
Smith mounted an aggressive campaign, including posting yard signs across the ward and sending out a mailer. Kurt also worked hard and campaigned longer, since she ran in both the primary and general elections.
''I'm really excited about the win — as decisive as it is,'' said Kurt, an industrial engineer at Goodyear, who celebrated at Mariachi Coco's, along with two successful, new Akron school board members. ''I'm looking forward to the challenges of serving the ward.''
Two new council members secured their seats in the primary: Russel Neal Jr., who beat councilwoman Renee Greene to claim her Ward 4 seat; and Bob Otterman, a former state representative and councilman who is returning to the Ward 6 spot he once held.
The Ward 6 seat opened when Councilwoman Terry Albanese opted to run at-large. She lost — by only seven votes — to Fusco in the primary.
What remains unclear is how the new council members will mesh with Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic and the rest of the council — most who are loyal to the mayor.
Fusco ran on an at-large slate Plusquellic supported. Omobien was recruited but declined to run on any slates, saying she wanted to win on her own merit.
Omobien said she doesn't have any animosity toward Plusquellic, who hasn't always supported her in her election bids. She said she has been pleased by the support he has shown for the schools.
''We both want the same thing: a strong city,'' said Omobien, who celebrated on her own at home. ''That's what we are going to be working toward.''
Stephanie Warsmith can be reached at 330-996-3705 or swarsmith@thebeaconjournal.com.
The Akron City Council has five new members.
While the new members were celebrating at parties or at home Tuesday night, they did so knowing difficult times await when they assume their seats in January. The council is facing a continuing budget crisis, difficult contract negotiations with three unions and a federally required sewer project expected to triple customers' rates.
''I'm aware of the issues facing this city and other cities across the country,'' said Linda Omobien, a longtime Akron school board member who was elected to one of three at-large council seats. ''I think we're up to the challenge as long as we work together and stay focused on what the real issues are.''
There were no upsets in Tuesday's election, with all of the Democratic incumbents and candidates beating back their Republican challengers. But the makeup of the council was significantly altered with the outcome of the September primary, which saw two at-large incumbents lose and three new ward candidates win.
Besides Omobien, the other at-large winners Tuesday were Councilman Mike Williams, the only at-large incumbent to retain his seat, and Jeff Fusco, a former Akron councilman and retired deputy service director. They easily won against three Republican challengers and a write-in candidate, beating them by at least 10,000 votes.
''I'm looking forward to working with council and the administration and to doing positive things now,'' said Fusco, who had his own party at home to celebrate. ''The hard work is about to begin.''
Only four ward races were contested in Tuesday's election. The incumbents won without a problem in Ward 1 (Jim Hurley), Ward 2 (Bruce Kilby) and Ward 7 (Tina Merlitti.)
In Ward 8, Sandra Kurt, who beat appointed Councilman Raymond Cox in the September primary, defeated GOP challenger Elizabeth Smith on Tuesday.
Smith mounted an aggressive campaign, including posting yard signs across the ward and sending out a mailer. Kurt also worked hard and campaigned longer, since she ran in both the primary and general elections.
''I'm really excited about the win — as decisive as it is,'' said Kurt, an industrial engineer at Goodyear, who celebrated at Mariachi Coco's, along with two successful, new Akron school board members. ''I'm looking forward to the challenges of serving the ward.''
Two new council members secured their seats in the primary: Russel Neal Jr., who beat councilwoman Renee Greene to claim her Ward 4 seat; and Bob Otterman, a former state representative and councilman who is returning to the Ward 6 spot he once held.
The Ward 6 seat opened when Councilwoman Terry Albanese opted to run at-large. She lost — by only seven votes — to Fusco in the primary.
What remains unclear is how the new council members will mesh with Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic and the rest of the council — most who are loyal to the mayor.
Fusco ran on an at-large slate Plusquellic supported. Omobien was recruited but declined to run on any slates, saying she wanted to win on her own merit.
Omobien said she doesn't have any animosity toward Plusquellic, who hasn't always supported her in her election bids. She said she has been pleased by the support he has shown for the schools.
''We both want the same thing: a strong city,'' said Omobien, who celebrated on her own at home. ''That's what we are going to be working toward.''
Stephanie Warsmith can be reached at 330-996-3705 or swarsmith@thebeaconjournal.com.
Comments
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Tallmadge, OH
Posted 11:57 PM, 11/03/2009
Congrats Councilwoman Kurt. I knew you would win.
I'm also glad I'm the first poster to rub it in Ward 8 Resident's face.
It's good to be a democrat and a veteran.
Tallmadge, OH
Posted 12:05 AM, 11/04/2009
Congrats Councilwoman Kurt.
Ward 8 Resident is being treated for a projected head explosion.
Posted 12:16 AM, 11/04/2009
I see you're up to your usual antics. Funny how you made so many jokes about gay activities at Nimisilla reservoir, now you're Mr. Gay Rights.
I met Kurt briefly at the polls, she seemed nice. I hope she comes with her own ideas. I think her "activist" tag is a plus, at least she cares enough to get involved in things.
Akron, OH
Posted 01:31 AM, 11/04/2009
Congrats to all council winners tonight. Now let's see if we can have a council who can think on their own and not just be the mayors mouthpiece. A council who actually supports their police and fire depts. would be a nice change! Please stand up for those who put their lives on the line daily for you and all the citizens of Akron.
Akron, OH
Posted 04:25 AM, 11/04/2009
Congratulations, Mr. Neal.
mayberry, oh
Posted 05:23 AM, 11/04/2009
Im from missouri here...look what happened to j. conti when he didnt play ball with the mayor.....do they really have any choice if they dont rubber stamp Donnies "ideas"(aka demands)
you want him you got him.......
Akron, oh
Posted 07:16 AM, 11/04/2009
Rubber stamp council one more time. Democrates enjoy taking down Akron
Now I know why smart people leave Akron
akron, oh
Posted 07:19 AM, 11/04/2009
Congratulations MR. Neal and MRS. Omobien!!!
Akron, Oh
Posted 07:35 AM, 11/04/2009
New faces, same democratic party.....all 'yes' men to Donny Boy. Nothing ever changes in Akron, not the Mayor, not the politics, not the BS.
Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Posted 08:23 AM, 11/04/2009
As long as Akron continues to vote solidly Democrat, this city will continue to suffer its ongoing decline. Reference Detroit.
Akron, oh
Posted 08:40 AM, 11/04/2009
The idiots of Crackron strike again electing all those good old Dem. rubber stampers. And everyone thought the rubber city was dead?
Posted 08:53 AM, 11/04/2009
About a week ago the ABJ said Akron had roughly 50,000 registered democrats, and only 7,000 registered republicans. I think the fact that some of these races were close should send a message to the democrats that won. 2 out of 3 republican judges won, how did that happen?
I really hope these new council persons stand up for the residents of their neighborhoods. Akron is losing decent places to live.
Tallmadge, OH
Posted 08:55 AM, 11/04/2009
The Mayor wins again, not one republican voted in council.
Even if a republican were elected, he would be out shouted.
The voters spoke and the voters still have a voice.
All of you whiny Change Akron Now losers need to move out of Ohio. You curmudgeons have a long list of failures- get over it!
Posted 08:58 AM, 11/04/2009
No I just find it funny that you ridicule one group for being gay or sort of gay, then lecture everybody about tolerance when it fits your agenda. Thats all.
Akron, oh
Posted 09:22 AM, 11/04/2009
Can't wait to get out of Crackron, and watch it swirl down the sewer... oh yeah, it will be clogged because they need fixed too
Akron, OH
Posted 09:27 AM, 11/04/2009
Mariachi Coco's?
Tallmadge, OH
Posted 09:51 AM, 11/04/2009
J:
My humor is dark and satirical.
akron, oh
Posted 10:25 AM, 11/04/2009
Congradulations to Councilman Bruce Kilby. He is truly a man of the people. The party bosses threw everything they had at him, and he's left standing as usual. He is the only REAL Democrat on Council.
akron, oh
Posted 10:48 AM, 11/04/2009
Did anyone actually think anything would change on the city council. Never has never will!
Posted 11:02 AM, 11/04/2009
bubble- sure thing. Ever hear this one? What's long and hard and filled with seamen?
AKRON, OH
Posted 11:40 AM, 11/04/2009
Thank you City of Green voters for passing the renewal levy. There is still a budget short-fall, so we'll see how Superintendent Nutter and the Board resolve it. The City of Green received $250,000 from the stimilus and can use it however they like. Mayor Norton wants to use that money to build a Veteran's Memorial in Green. I am in favor of honoring and supporting our Veterans, but Mayor Norton may have a hidden agenda with wanting this Memorial now. Mayor Norton will not make any decisions that are considered controversial because it would hurt his chances for re-election and all of his decisions are based on getting himself re-elected. The City of Green has the $250,000 stimulus money now and the Green Local School District needs that $250,000 NOW. Mayor Norton could organize a Veterans Memorial committee and that committee would be responsible for raising the funds necessary to build a Veteran's Memorial. Mayor Norton wants to take credit for actually doing something before the next Mayor's election. It is mind baffling that Mayor Norton (along with the City of Green Administration) is fully aware that Green Schools NEEDS that $250,000 and isn't giving it up to the schools. This clearly shows his hidden agenda and his lack of supporting Green Local Schools. Mayor Norton's term is up in 2012, you can see his profile needs something added to the year 2010 www.cityofgreen.org. Mayor Norton also hired Valerie Wolford, Communications Coordinator, to "handle" press releases and a newsletter for the City. Her press releases and newsletters have numerous grammar errors and misspelled names. Ms. Wolford has been paid over $80k so far for doing virtually nothing. Her duties were effectively handled previously by current staff and it didn't cost the City anything additional!
If you are as outraged with Mayor Norton's hidden agenda, please email him at mayor@cityofgreen.org or call him at 330-896-6601 and voice your outrage!
clinton, oh
Posted 12:11 PM, 11/04/2009
I remember when Republicans were in Akron
I remember when Rubber Factories were also.
clinton, oh
Posted 12:14 PM, 11/04/2009
And crime was below the national average
Akron, Oh
Posted 03:11 PM, 11/04/2009
Unfortunately we still have a Newspaper that continues to lie. I am wondering if the Secret letter that did not attack Kurt for her sexual preference, but that is what ABJ wanted to publish, was either mailed by the ABJ or the Kurt Campaign.
But AGAIN the ABJ reports that ELIZABETH sent out the letter. Is that Slander? I think there needs to be a printed APOLOGY from you Stephanie for that Lie, and Also I am assuming Michael Douglas wrote the Ugly in 8????
Posted 04:40 PM, 11/04/2009
apology from the beacon; it will never happen.
uniontown, oh
Posted 04:53 PM, 11/04/2009
Is it against the law to elect someone else to city council other than the same old has been names we have seen for years? Let these washed up old worn out politicians go and get a regular job. Oh, I see, their aren't any. Well I guess this will fix all of the city's problems by putting the same losers back in. Go figure and good luck.
akron, oh
Posted 05:18 PM, 11/04/2009
The story says these "new" faces realize the hard road ahead of them and the continuing revenue shortages. Let's see how that affects their next vote for a raise for their own part time jobs, oh yea, part time jobs with full health benefits.
akron, oh
Posted 05:20 PM, 11/04/2009
Just wondering, did the name bubblehead come before or after the lobotomy?
clinton, oh
Posted 07:07 PM, 11/04/2009
To assume he had a lobotomy would be assuming he had a brain to begin with, which no one has found any evidence of.
But we love our bobblehead
He is the closet evolutionists have come to proving man evolved from the Ape.
Tallmadge, OH
Posted 09:59 PM, 11/04/2009
DS, dearie,
New theories suggest ape evolved from man. Do try to keep up.
But at least you are agreeing that we evolved and were not created.
AKRON, OH
Posted 08:23 AM, 11/05/2009
Thank you City of Green voters for passing the renewal levy. There is still a budget short-fall, so we'll see how Superintendent Nutter and the Board resolve it. The City of Green received $250,000 from the stimilus and can use it however they like. Mayor Norton wants to use that money to build a Veteran's Memorial in Green. I am in favor of honoring and supporting our Veterans, but Mayor Norton may have a hidden agenda with wanting this Memorial now. Mayor Norton will not make any decisions that are considered controversial because it would hurt his chances for re-election and all of his decisions are based on getting himself re-elected. The City of Green has the $250,000 stimulus money now and the Green Local School District needs that $250,000 NOW. Mayor Norton could organize a Veterans Memorial committee and that committee would be responsible for raising the funds necessary to build a Veteran's Memorial. Mayor Norton wants to take credit for actually doing something before the next Mayor's election. It is mind baffling that Mayor Norton (along with the City of Green Administration) is fully aware that Green Schools NEEDS that $250,000 and isn't giving it up to the schools. This clearly shows his hidden agenda and his lack of supporting Green Local Schools. Mayor Norton's term is up in 2012, you can see his profile needs something added to the year 2010 www.cityofgreen.org. Mayor Norton also hired Valerie Wolford, Communications Coordinator, to "handle" press releases and a newsletter for the City. Her press releases and newsletters have numerous grammar errors and misspelled names. Ms. Wolford has been paid over $80k so far for doing virtually nothing. Her duties were effectively handled previously by current staff and it didn't cost the City anything additional!
If you are as outraged with Mayor Norton's hidden agenda, please email him at mayor@cityofgreen.org or call him at 330-896-6601 and voice your outrage!
