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Yvette Davidson to leave Recreation Bureau after 22 years of planning hundreds of programs
By Kathy Antoniotti
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Thursday, Dec 04, 2008
Call Yvette Davidson Akron's original party girl, and she will take it as a compliment.
As the community events coordinator with the Akron Recreation Bureau, she has spent the last 22 years earning the title.
''It's definitely been a fun ride — interesting and exciting,'' she said.
Davidson, who will retire at the end of January after 42 years with the city, jumped at the chance when she was offered the community events job in 1986.
A 1959 Garfield High School graduate and single mother who was raising her daughter Laurie in Akron's Firestone Park neighborhood, she was told she had to make a go of it or return to the city's planning department, where she had been an accountant for 20 years.
With no staff and very little money, Davidson took her old desk and moved into the job. She was handed 13 small events that first day.
Her boss, then-Service Director Ray Kapper, told her to ''bring some color'' to the city. She responded by selling the banners that decorate the poles on downtown streets.
''All those banners you see — she's responsible for them,'' said the 72-year-old Kapper, who now lives in Clearwater, Fla.
''She could sell anything. She'd just wear them down until they agreed. If you had a hundred of her, it would be better for the city.''
Those few events have mushroomed into 350 annual city-sponsored events, including the juried Akron Arts Expo at Hardesty Park. She introduced the Taste of Akron, a silent auction and wine-tasting event, to raise money to help elevate the Expo's reputation and lure artists from across the country.
''I began bringing in $160,000 to $190,000 a year in donations outside the budget,'' she said.
That money helps pay for other events, such as the Fourth of July fireworks and downtown Christmas celebration at Lock 3 Park.
''I've always believed in going to the experts,'' she said. ''I really learned from them and still ask for their input each year.''
No use in arguing
But when charm and boundless energy fail to win cooperation from city employees, she's a force to be reckoned with, her co-workers say.
''People know Yvette likes certain things done her way,'' said Sgt. Tom Dye, special events coordinator for the Akron Police Department. ''It's a waste of time to argue with her. So whenever I met resistance with things I needed to have done to perform my duties, I'd just say, 'Yvette wants it that way' — end of the discussion.''
''She's a whirlwind,'' agreed longtime friend and city purchasing agent Pat Ashbrook.
''Let me tell you, when she's talking about her [Arts] Expo and says she wants the T-shirts and tote bags to match, she means it. When she says she wants them deep wine, she doesn't mean purple.
''And I don't even want to talk about the color turquoise,'' she added, with a laugh.
Hands-on approach
Davidson has a staff of five — two full-time workers, two seasonal workers and one intern. During the summer, it wasn't unusual for her to put in 60 to 75 hours a week. She had always taken a hands-on approach, attending most of the city-sponsored programs — from concerts in the park to major events.
Davidson formed the Spirit of Akron Alliance, a group of 170 organizations, to get input for most larger events. The alliance helped put thousands of people on Akron's streets on Jan. 2, 2002, when the Olympic Torch came through town en route to the Winter Games in Salt Lake City.
She got addresses for every business along the route and sent them letters stating the exact time that the torch would pass. She asked employers to permit their employees to go outside to watch.
''The Olympic Committee said they were in awe that we could pull that off the morning after New Year's Day,'' she recalled.
To get people to spread the word about city-sponsored events, Davidson designed a pamphlet with the slightly suggestive title, For a Good Time Call, on the cover. The pamphlet soon was in demand.
''I only got one negative call, from a little old schoolteacher who said, 'I know what that means. I see it on bathroom walls,' '' Davidson said.
Future plans
Despite a knee replacement a year ago, Davidson still loves sports and gardening and goes dancing twice a week.
She plans to stay busy in her retirement from the city of Akron, and has accepted a job as a part-time events coordinator for Springfield Township, where she moved two years ago.
''Akron's loss is Springfield's gain,'' said Garry Moneypenny, the former Springfield police chief who's now chief deputy with the Summit County Sheriff's Office.
She starts the new job in February.
Davidson isn't getting away from Akron without fanfare and a party is scheduled, said Brittany Schmoekel, Davidson's assistant and her successor.
But the 30-year-old Schmoekel, who has been with the Recreation Bureau for six years, wouldn't give specifics so she wouldn't ruin any surprises.
''I told them they could have only one half-hour to roast me,'' Davidson said. ''I want to have enough time to talk to everybody and have fun.''
Kathy Antoniotti can be reached at 330-996-3565 or kantoniotti@thebeaconjournal.com.
Call Yvette Davidson Akron's original party girl, and she will take it as a compliment.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Akron, OH
Posted 07:03 AM, 12/04/2008
Loved to have had the pleasure of volunteering under you.
akron, oh
Posted 08:50 AM, 12/04/2008
I thought Ray lived in Marco Island.
Akron, OH
Posted 09:08 AM, 12/04/2008
Congratulations to Davidson on her retirement from Akron. I'm amazed she put up with the city hall hero as liong as she did.
Kapper lives in Florida??? So much for former public servants stickin' around to help shoulder the debts they helped create.
Mebbe we can change the city charter that would require the politicians and their hand picked stooges, to either live in Akron for 30 years after they retire, or pay city income taxes for 30 years iff'n they decide to move away.
Posted 09:46 AM, 12/04/2008
Congratulations to Yvette! Have had the pleasure of working with her many times and it was always great fun. She will be missed. She truly made Akron shine! Best of luck to her.
Akron, Oh
Posted 03:04 PM, 12/04/2008
Way to go Yvette....Graduated with you in '59...You did a great job for Akron....and now will surely be an asset to Springfield...
