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Bob Dyer: Recognition not always a big bonus
West Akron homeowners in rough spot
Newsletter inexpensive, gives news
DYER: This newsletter inexpensive, gives news
Legislator: Leeway OK in late fine
High tech helps police in Youngstown
New TWC boss stressing the basics
A hot topic to thaw out frigid days
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Cuyahoga Falls residents come home to find burning couch on balcony
Blogs:
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Pet telethon re-airs
The Heldenfiles:
Chipmunks "Squeakquel" on DVD/BD March 30
Akron Zips:
Late surge gives Zips ugly road win
Tribe Matters:
Blogmail response on Hafner
Cleveland Browns:
Stallworth's contract terminated
Balanced Ledger:
QB in Browns future: another mock draft
Kent State Sports:
KSU Notes – February 9
Cleveland Cavaliers:
NBA Power Rankings from Around the Internet
Buckeye Blogging:
Buckeyes grab 18 players on signing day
Varsity Letters:
Garfield at Buchtel basketball
All Da King's Men:
Palin At The Tea Party Convention
Blog of Mass Destruction:
Republican Pre-Conditions
Akron Law Café:
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 Bob Dyer
Beacon Journal columnist
Published on Wednesday, Jul 01, 2009
YEAH, YEAH, WE KNOW.New York, New York. If you can make it there, you'll make it anywhere.
But the chances are good that if you can make it in any modern American city, you'll have plenty of career opportunities in other cities.
Yet many high achievers continue to stay in Greater Akron. They must have their reasons.
Eric Mansfield, reporter and anchor for WKYC (Channel 3): ''As a teenager, I swore I would never live in Akron. I wanted to be in New York, Chicago or anywhere else in the world. I've since learned that there's little to be found in those major metropolises that I can't find in my hometown.
''I love that the cost of living is good here in Akron and that we have the extremes of all four seasons.
''Mostly, I stay for the people, because those who choose to live here genuinely care about their families, each other and their community.''
• • •
Tom Sawyer, state senator, former U.S. representative and former Akron mayor: ''It's a 64-year-old habit. Besides, I get to see more blimps than any other place on Earth.''
• • •
Steve Marks, co-founder of Main Street Gourmet and founder of the Road Runner Akron Marathon:
''I live here because I love it here. I think we take so many things for granted and tend to think it is so much better somewhere else.
''Our park system, cost of living, health care, educational opportunities, culture, lack of traffic, general opportunities, stress levels and the ability to get anywhere in Akron in 20 minutes or less are just a few of the reasons why Greater Akron is great.
''We may not have an area that is booming all of the time, but this area has been relatively stable for a long period versus the boom-to-bust scenarios you are now seeing in a lot of cities across the U.S.
''My great-grandparents came to Akron in the early part of the 20th century and I am proud to be a fourth-generation citizen.''
• • •
Luis Proenza, president of the University of Akron: ''Akron is a 'right size' city in the middle of a much larger region that provides an enormous range of amenities — from Lake Erie (where we sail), the spectacular [parks], the rich variety of topography and vegetation (including the magnolias, azaleas and dogwoods that we came to love elsewhere), to the cultural and restaurant choices available throughout the region.
''Akron also is a most welcoming and collaborative community that has made us feel welcome and productive in all we do.''
• • •
Summit County Juvenile Court Judge Linda Teodosio: ''I love Akron because of the people. They are warm, friendly and the best sports fans in the world! While it is small enough to have a small-town feel, Akron is the beneficiary of the gifts of diverse cultural groups that make up our community. Best of all, they are always willing to work together for the good of the community. Nothing says collaboration like the people in the Akron area.''
• • •
Cuyahoga Falls Mayor Don Robart: ''Blossom Music Center, the Falls Natatorium and the Cuyahoga River are all right here in the heart of Cuyahoga Falls. Moreover, as a runner, between our wonderful Metro Parks and the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, we have some of the best outdoor running trails in the country.''
• • •
Stan Piatt, morning humorist at WNIR (100.1-FM): ''[I stay] because I'm still searching for the last Broadcasters Hall of Fame. Perhaps it's buried under Quaker Square with Schumacher's gold.''
Piatt also asked his listeners why they're still around. Here are some of their responses:
• Nobody else knows about ''jo-jos'' and ''devil strips.''
• I have weird sun allergies, and living here allows me to be outside 300 days a year.
• My ankle bracelet won't let me leave.
• More desperate guys than anywhere in the world.
• Garage sales, LeBron, Dick Goddard and Howie Chizek.
• I have cute jackets for all seasons and can use them all in one day.
• My Zippy tattoo is not nearly as cool outside of Ohio.
• • •
Betty Sutton, U.S. congresswoman from Copley: ''Akron, the All-American City, has a great sense of community and boundless potential. It is home to the University of Akron, the art museum, the BioInnovation Institute, the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and other wonderful places that make living here so great and full of opportunities.''
• • •
Keith Dambrot, men's basketball coach at the University of Akron: ''I like living in Akron for many reasons. First and foremost, not many people have the opportunity to live where they grew up and be around family and friends.
''Akron provides me with a great mix of a good-size city but a small-town atmosphere. It is a great place to raise a family.''
Yes, it is.
In fact, I would argue that, from mid-May through mid-October, this is as good a place to live as anywhere in the country.
From mid-October to mid-May . . . not so much.
One thing is certain: If you don't like the place now — when the leaves are green and the lawns are lush and the skies are blue more often than not — you probably never will.
Bob Dyer can be reached at 330-996-3580 or bdyer@thebeaconjournal.com.
YEAH, YEAH, WE KNOW.New York, New York. If you can make it there, you'll make it anywhere.
Get the full article here.
Comments
Click here to post your comments
Stow, OH
Posted 04:41 AM, 07/01/2009
I have spent my entire life in Akron or the Akron area and will give my perspective as a lesser being than the high achievers you cited. Nice people, the change of seasons, Cuyahoga Valley, good schools I attended, Cleveland teams, the Zips and Flashes, lots of places to go to the movies, good poltical leadership, good services, parks, nice libraries, good coffee shops, Stricklands, Swensons, Luigi's, Sky Way, Hamburger Station, Amber Pub, Portage Lakes, sledding off Quick Road, Camp Y-Noah, Camp Manatoc, Camp Ledgewood, and good memories that would fill the Rubber Bowl.
akron, oh
Posted 07:50 AM, 07/01/2009
How many of these people have actually lived and/or worked in another area? Akron is OK, but broaden your horizons, people!
Akron, Oh
Posted 08:07 AM, 07/01/2009
Just as important, I think we need to ask why so many low-achievers choose to stay in Akron. The answers might provide a clue as to what we need to do to get rid of them.
Akron, OH
Posted 08:18 AM, 07/01/2009
cassie221, I moved back from Florida 3 years ago. Been bopping around other places too. I found that every other place I went to was facing the exact same issues Akron is (lack of jobs, crime, housing, etc.). The grass isn't always greener on the other side of the fence. I came to hate the traffic in Florida, the hurricanes, the wildfires, fire ants, the alligators and the sharks, plus it seemed people there lacked the moral fiber of the Midwest.
California - don't even get me started. I would not go back for anything.
I love the park system here, the fall, spring and summer (snow, not so much). We don't have to worry about hurricanes taking our house away, or wildfires. I can swim without fear of alligators or sharks.
Cassie, have you broadened your horizons? If so, why did YOU come back?
Akron, OH
Posted 08:18 AM, 07/01/2009
Right on Whatevs
Stow, OH
Posted 08:46 AM, 07/01/2009
Most people stay because of their job ,period.As good paying jobs leave this area so will the "over achievers" .Take a look at the stats on how many college grads are leaving Ohio.
I know many people who live on the East coast who hate the weather there, but are not about to leave because of their 6 figure job .I mean come on ,half the people you mentioned in this article are elected politicians.
akron, OH
Posted 09:08 AM, 07/01/2009
@Wile E, true. And others, like Dambrot and Proenza, will leave on a moment's notice for the next big step up.
That being said, I agree with the premise that this is a fine city and region in which to live. I've always been proud to be from Akron, and used to be proud of being an "Ohioan" because it really used to be a forward-thinking and forward-moving state, but that has declined immensely. Now the state is a bunch of fat, whiny babies who don't want to pay the price of elevating ourselves to mediocrity, and who keep electing short-sighted, term-limited, professional politicians who don't know how to fix it, nor do they care.
But Akron's cool.
Barberton, OH
Posted 09:18 AM, 07/01/2009
Yeah right. There aren't high achievers anywhere else but Akron. This isn't exactly an impressive list.
Richfield, OH
Posted 09:38 AM, 07/01/2009
Mack Rhoades was unavailable for comments...
Posted 09:39 AM, 07/01/2009
LOL...a laughable list at best. All these "high achievers" enjoy being big fish in a small pond. If they went elsewhere, they would be small.
Akron, OH
Posted 09:50 AM, 07/01/2009
University of Akron is why.
Now if the city would show some respect for itself and the university by bulldozing the rest of the ghettos as they bulldozed for the new stadium, UA might be able to shed its "urban" reputation.
Those "hoods" are an embarrassment to alumni, faculty and students, but city "leaders" seem to think it's just fine.
Methron, OH
Posted 09:50 AM, 07/01/2009
I love living in Akron because we were once the fastest growing city in the U.S. if not the whole world during the Rubber period, and our fantastic history, and the fact that if we dish out a few more "Lebron James" we could be right back on top like a blimp!
Big muah i love you Akron, big hug i extremely like you Ohio!!
Akron, OH
Posted 10:07 AM, 07/01/2009
Isn't this article a month old?
Akron, OH
Posted 10:22 AM, 07/01/2009
@TOJ - I was goin' to ask the same question. This is a reprint.
Skillman, NJ
Posted 10:32 AM, 07/01/2009
People moved here for the jobs, and they've moved out for jobs.
And the comment "I know many people who live on the East coast who hate the weather there, but are not about to leave because of their 6 figure job.", is just silly. NE OH weather is terrible compared to the east coast.
Posted 10:51 AM, 07/01/2009
Since when is a politician considered a high- achiever??
AKRON, ohio
Posted 10:59 AM, 07/01/2009
LMAO Tom Sawyer never did anything[besides being the final vote on NAFTA and effectively slice the throat of everyone in the US that works] and as for Betty Sutton- how can anyone say a US Congresswoman or man does anything??? What a waste of skin.Try stickin' to reportin' traffic there Bobby.What, no love for Donny P.???
Akron, OH
Posted 11:02 AM, 07/01/2009
That may be true about the jobs, but I have a job that I can do from anywhere, on the internet. I admit, in the winter I wonder why I am not working on the beach in Florida. However, the cost of living is much more affordable here, the change of seasons is nice, etc., all the things other people have mentioned. Most of all, it is familiar to me. I think that is the case with most people. If they have the ability and incentive to move, they will, but if they get a job in their neighborhood, and keep moving up in their jobs, they won't leave where they grew up. If it was all about money and weather, everyone would be in CA or NY.
Having said that, as many more jobs go "virtual" as mine is, the location of the jobs will be less of an issue. I work for a company based out of Atlanta, and people I work with are from all over the country. If I had the money to travel, I could take my laptop and work from anywhere.
Canal Fulton, OH
Posted 11:46 AM, 07/01/2009
wahh!! wahh!! wahh!! What a bunch of whiners!! If this area is so bad, and you can only find the negative side, then move away!!! I've lived in several different states and a few other countries...but there is no place like home. Even if I have to deal with cry babies.
Posted 12:45 PM, 07/01/2009
Akron is a city in decline. This much is a given. To even SURVIVE here requires a high level of smarts and thinking. BIG surprise the area has high achievers. They must do so much more to even get by.
akron, oh
Posted 01:26 PM, 07/01/2009
I must say that the biggest reason to stay here is the cutting edge medical services we get.
akron, oh
Posted 01:28 PM, 07/01/2009
But, having mentored many young people, I'ld say the quality of the local pot keeps people here too.
AKRON, OH
Posted 01:29 PM, 07/01/2009
I thought this was the capitol of West Virginia?
, OH
Posted 01:39 PM, 07/01/2009
DeViti's Italian Market. They should make perfume that smells like that place!
Akron, Oh
Posted 01:47 PM, 07/01/2009
cassie221 - Just about everyone of them have lived elsewhere. Why so negative cassi? You take a perfectly innocent and positive story and find fault with it. Perhaps you should leave and broaden our horizons oh self righteous one. No one is obliged to cow tow to your pompous bigotry.
Akron, OH
Posted 02:23 PM, 07/01/2009
cassie,
I missed your post until bilbo commented... speaking as someone who has lived in three other states, on both coasts, the Midwest has its positives and negatives. Overall, it's a great place to live, especially in terms of raising a family. For one, you take for granted the diverse climate and activities that it affords. Secondly, the sense of community is a lot stronger here than in the other places I've lived. A lot has to do with the % of transplants being higher in many other parts of the country, but there is a lot to the whole "Midwestern values" cliche.
There are good aspects everywhere and there are bad aspects everywhere. But to insinuate that people who like it here are ignorant and naive to the world around them is a little presumptuous and speaks more to your worldview than to others'.
Akron, Oh
Posted 04:14 PM, 07/01/2009
I'm not any sort of "achiever", just your typical "Joe Average".
I left for the Navy in 1982 and retired in 2002. Had the chance to live anywhere in the country, but came back here, because it feels like "home".
I suppose it sounds silly, but thats my story and I'm sticking to it!
Fairlawn, OH
Posted 04:35 PM, 07/01/2009
@magpie
Get me a job at your company, I would gladly move back to Florida!
That being said, Akron is and always will be my home. The best part about it is my family and friends are here.
Tallmadge, OHIO
Posted 05:54 PM, 07/01/2009
@Aixi:
Ditto here - left for the Navy in '82, did my 6yo and just kept going.
Came back to the area 18 and change years later. It's home.
cuyahoga falls, OH
Posted 05:58 PM, 07/01/2009
You will find the negatives anywhere you go crime Hoods, cities in decline. why don't all you naysayers leaver then if you are so unhappy here. No one is stopping you.
Las Vegas , NV
Posted 09:03 PM, 07/01/2009
Moved to westlake which I liked way more then Akron, and now live in Las Vegas. I do not think I would ever go back after leaving and I tell anyone that will listen that if they knew better, they would get out!
I like the fact that I wake up every morning to sunshine....never rain or snow. My days are always sunny. It really does change your outlook on life! It's hot but not humidity out here!
Canton, OH
Posted 09:24 PM, 07/01/2009
THESE ARE OUR HIGH ACHIEVERS !!!!! LOL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'M SPITTIN' ' ROO BEER OVER EVERYTHING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
leon, wv
Posted 09:42 PM, 07/01/2009
gfbhdh
leon, wv
Posted 09:46 PM, 07/01/2009
dyusru
leon, wv
Posted 09:47 PM, 07/01/2009
akron will be slave labor
leon, wv
Posted 09:48 PM, 07/01/2009
akron is dead and so is barberton where are all the factory jobs or manufacturing jobs
Posted 11:01 PM, 07/01/2009
I stay in this area because of my high paying job, period. It's also nice that the cost of living is low. I was born in Akron but would never live in the city. It is becoming a cesspool of crime and vacant properties. My hope is to keep my job until retirement and then move to somewhere more sunnier and warmer.
Akron, OH
Posted 08:06 AM, 07/02/2009
I love my humble abode in this great area
, OH
Posted 08:21 AM, 07/02/2009
I lived in Akron for almost 15 years and I can't put my finger on it, but there was something lovable about it. Kinda like a pug...it's so ugly that it's actually cute. Akron could be a quirky and fun place, but the crime has gotten out of hand.
akron, oh
Posted 09:04 AM, 07/02/2009
My observation is that the cost of living is so low that a reasonable wage should allow one to live quite well.
Real estate has sunk so low that international investors and companies are going to be moving here soon.
Having lived in many places all I can say that this area offers many amenities and attractions for
a good quality of life.
Akron, OH
Posted 09:49 AM, 07/02/2009
matt,
LOL, the same Vegas where unemployment is two pts higher than Akron and ravaged by neighborhood instability due to abandoned houses? Don't get me wrong, Akron is not the Mecca of progress, but why pot-shot from a city with its own share of problems?
I can't argue about the sun. You got me there. But talk to me in a few decades about water.
Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Posted 10:58 AM, 07/02/2009
Everything is cyclical, you can see it in every history book. I don't worry about the economy or things I cannot change.
I live here because my friends and family are here, pure and simple. I hate the climate and I hate the mindset of this state; in my opinion, Ohio deserves to be right where it is.
Akron, OH
Posted 11:19 AM, 07/02/2009
The only down side of Akron is the negative, quick wit all of you have. For some reason the people that live in Akron think it is humorous to be as negative and down as possible instead of actually doing something to adjust what is around them, whether it be moving your self outta here or improving your neighborhood.
I love Akron. My family is close, I have a decent job, I can enjoy the outside in all seasons, and plain and simple I am happy here. You hate it, move and find a McDOnalds in CA to work in.
akron, oh
Posted 11:19 AM, 07/02/2009
@jason: dude, you rule! I love your posts.
akron, oh
Posted 02:27 PM, 07/03/2009
ive moved because of the crime,ive been broken into 5 times,mugged by the guy that owns tanlines,coned buy a raghead,goodyear hts is like the jerry springer show,theres no reading about ybm;s doing this or that,only good thing about akron is some of the places to eat,altho i think the apd is the best,more apd ,less crime,less crime where we are at,your word here is good not with some of the losers in akron.
akron, Oh
Posted 04:11 PM, 07/30/2009
We should put this in perspective, 75% of the people interviewed don't live in Akron. It is easy for them to say how nice Akron is as they drive home to Hudson, Stow, Solon, and other areas that are no where near the real city of Akron. They have nothing to do with this city except work. This city is declining at a rapid rate.What's next the reasons people are staying in Canton? Stop holding on to this idea that Akron is going to rise from the ashes. I'm sure the people in Youngstown, Canton, Flint, Detroit, Saginaw, Cleveland, Toledo are are all in denial also.
