2023 Voter Guide: 9 Democrats seek 3 nominations for Akron City Council At-Large
Welcome to the 2023 Voter Guide produced by the League of Women Voters and Akron Beacon Journal with funding from the Knight Foundation.
Nine Democratic candidates are vying for three nominations to appear in the November election for Akron City Council. Two Republican candidates face no primary opposition.
Information on candidates for all ward races is covered in a separate article.
This year's primary election on May 2. Early voting is taking place at the Summit County Board of Elections Early Vote Center, 500 Grant St., Akron.
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Responses are not edited, vetted or corrected by the League of Women Voters or Beacon Journal to allow candidates to speak in their own words.
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2023 Election: Summit County Voter Guide
City of Akron Council-at-Large
Akron City Council is responsible for providing leadership and guidance to the community, facilitating communication between the community and the council, determining policy, planning for the city's future, managing assets, governing finances, reviewing policy and attending meetings.
DEMOCRATS
Pick three.
Ginger Baylor
Candidate did not respond.
Jeff Fusco
Training/Experience: Real Estate Appraisal coursework. American Society of Appraisers dual designation in Real Property Urban and Ad Valorem
Education: Attended the University of Akron. graduated from Akron St Vincent St Mary. leadership Akron Class 23.
Current Occupation: Akron City Council at large representative.
Why are you the best candidate for the office? I believe my experience in the administrative and legislative sides of the Akron government helps me as a council person. This qualifies me uniquely as understanding how to get the work done and legislating to improve the lives of all Akron residents. I have worked with council members, the administration, community leaders, nonprofit organizations, and residents to enhance the quality of life in Akron. I have always worked on listening to advocates on both sides of an issue. I have always believed in balance and striving to set aside my preconceived notions and biases before making decisions before deciding and committing to a point. People who know me know that I have always believed in continuous improvement. I plan to work harder and strive to represent Akron even better than before. I think post-pandemic has worn on all of us. It's affected all of us in one way or the other. Patience and thoughtfulness are needed more now than ever. I plan to bring that with me for the next term.
What is your vision for economic development for your community over the next ten years? We in Akron are very resilient. However, to prepare for the future, we must work with our educational institutions to prepare Akron for what's next. Both primary and secondary education will help us prepare. What's next is advanced manufacturing. This is needed as AI (Artificial Intelligence) will soon drive the Smart City. We in Akron build things. Therefore high-level advanced manufacturing will help us compete in the global market. This needs to be discussed and promoted in the city of Akron and embraced by all of Akron. We must also be more socially and environmentally conscious and intentional moving forward. Akron must invest in education, infrastructure, and marketing to compete globally. Akron's residents need to champion this effort, as well as Akron's leaders.
What are the most significant issues facing your community and what ideas do you have to address these issues? Akron's most significant issues are Public Safety, Quality of life, and Job Creation. Public safety is top of mind when considering National illegal gun regulations are lacking. I have worked with are police department to remove illegal guns from Akron Streets. I believe the quality of life continues to be a concern. Akron needs to be more socially and environmentally conscious moving forward. As our city moves forward, more attention needs to be addressed, and more open-mindedness should be considered when listening to the younger voters of our town. Listening to our younger residents is pivotal in attracting and keeping younger residents and families. Referencing job creation, please see #2.
Eric Garrett
Training/Experience: U.S. Army Veteran, Claims Rep for Social Security Administration, Business Owner (Beyond Expectations Barber College, Legends Barbershop, Kids Academy 2 Childcare, Eric Garrett Construction)
Education: University of Akron, University of Cincinnati, University of Massachusetts, and National American University
Current Occupation: Entreprenuer
Website: EricGarrett.com
Facebook: facebook.com/garrett4council
Why are you the best candidate for the office? As a lifetime member of the community, I have experienced and seen a lot of struggles. I love this city and I believe I can bring a new, fresher perspective to city government and be the voice the people need. As a successful business owner of over a decade, I know our city and I have what it takes to build working relationships. As a former employee of social security and a business owner, I have served this community for over 20 years, and I am ready to lead Akron into the future.
What is your vision for economic development for your community over the next ten years? As a business owner over 10 years, I have been aiding in the push for economic development in our city by helping over 200 students graduate and obtain their license and become employed. With my seat on council, I plan on continuing those efforts on a much larger scale.
What are the most significant issues facing your community and what ideas do you have to address these issues?The City of Akron has struggled with unemployment rates for several years. I believe that I can help with job creation and education in the City of Akron. Studies show gun violence is increasing in Akron at an alarming rate. I would like to address the spike in the violence by spreading awareness to the concern and education on gun control. I plan to create allies within the Akron Police Department and communities to reduce violence within the city. Research suggests that quality housing is a major concern in Akron. There is a scarcity of availability in affordable housing. A lot of the available housing in Akron are in poor condition and have been considered “not cost effective” to update. I want to work to increase housing support for everyone, including Veterans and citizens coming home from incarceration. Lastly, I believe it is very important to engage our youth and young adults, they are our future! We must keep them involved & engaged so they know their voice matters!!!
Derrick Hall
Candidate did not respond.
Reau McClendon
Training/Experience: Broadcasting
Education: Studied in music education
Current Occupation: Teacher at Innes CLC
Why are you the best candidate for the office? I am the best candidate for this office because I am in tune with and really plan to speak on behalf of THE PEOPLE. The voices of our city have been ignored far too long, especially when those voices are the reason the council seats are filled in the first place. I am not attached to any big money regime so therefore I only answer to the people who needs answers…the people.
What is your vision for economic development for your community over the next ten years? Over the next ten years my plan is to have Akron pour more of itself into Akron. Invest more in minority and local businesses so that their reach is further than our current city limits. In turn that would draw more business to our city. Commemorate our past being the rubber capital of the world, one of the first two professional football teams in history and our rich past in music and arts to spring forward our future of cutting edge growth and attract the rest of the nation to come support.
What are the most significant issues facing your community and what ideas do you have to address these issues? My top five concerns are the bridging of Akron Public Schools and the home for our future youth, the visibility and advancement of the small business, the reform of our police departments, the awareness of infant mortality, and the cease to gun violence in under privilege d neighborhoods. My means to address them all start with accountability and include more funding, bringing back programs of the past to assist with the present and assist with wealth building rapport from the inside out within each community and across all communities.
Linda Omobien
Candidate did not respond.
Johnny Osby Jr.
Training/Experience: Fitness, Rites of Passage Facilitator, Coaching, Mentoring, Training.
Education: Some college
Current Occupation: Fine Fragrances (Owner)
Facebook: www.facebook.com/johnny.osby
Why are you the best candidate for the office? My number one reason for running is Family. Family is the cornerstone of community. In order to unleash the power of communities we need to invest in families to build a better Akron. Community First. I am co-founder of Stop the Violence Akron Movement, formation 2012. I canvassed for the Freedom BLOC 2022. Which was responsible for 14,000 registered voters, 7,000 signatures, and a 30,000 historical turnout for the win with issue 10. As a canvasser I was grateful for the opportunity to speak with a lot of families in various neighborhoods and communities. To realize the number one common denominator in communities is the missing of the nuclear family structure.
What is your vision for economic development for your community over the next ten years? Empower Families, Home Businesses, Entrepreneurs and Start ups to Achieve Financial Sustainability with Money Management Workshops and Programs.
What are the most significant issues facing your community and what ideas do you have to address these issues? Together, We Rebuild Futures: Rebalancing the Parent- Child Relationship Through Co Parenting Incentives and Community Rehabilitation.
Ronald Smith Sr.
Candidate did not respond.
Fran Wilson
Education: Bachelors
Current Occupation: Senior Public Relations Executive and Community Organizer
Website: franforthepeople.com
Facebook: facebook.com/franforthepeople
Why are you the best candidate for the office? Fran Wilson is a fourth-generation Akronite, an LGBTQ+ progressive community organizer. They are running as the only candidate under 40 for one of three Akron City Council At-Large seats. Fran is a regular at city council meetings and has served as an Akron Civil Rights Commissioner. They’ve organized alongside protesters after the police killing of Jayland Walker, helped to fight against LaDue fracking and the White Pond luxury development on wetlands, and advocates for the unhoused, as well as Akron’s refugee and immigrant communities. Fran is endorsed by The Black Elected Officials of Summit County, Run for Something, Working Families Party, and 30+ local leaders and organizers They also have over 230 donors and have out-fundraised 7 of 8 at-large opponents in the first quarter.
What is your vision for economic development for your community over the next ten years? Development must center on elevating all Akronites’ abilities to live, work, and play in a healthy and safe environment. Akron’s history of redlining and displacement — matched with city leadership’s suppression of public involvement on issues like the White Pond development, Theiss Woods, and housing inequity — highlights a need to foundationally restructure the mentality and process of policymaking in Akron. We must have the most affected communities at the table from the get-go, give ample space and time for community engagement, add safeguards against unethical backroom dealing, rework the 15-year tax abatement to benefit everyday Akronites, and combat any interests that seek to further displace and cut out our marginalized communities.
What are the most significant issues facing your community and what ideas do you have to address these issues? Fran is a vocal advocate for expanding affordable housing, cracking down on negligent landlords, prioritizing neighborhood investment, bolstering police oversight, and making city hall more welcoming. Fran will advocate for: Bolstering public investment in affordable housing projects; Increasing funding for the city’s under-resourced housing inspections team; Supporting neighborhood organizations in combating gun violence and other public health issues; Strengthening the powers of Issue 10’s police oversight board; Reworking legislative processes to include more citizen participation
REPUBLICANS
This race is uncontested.
Cynthia D. Blake
Candidate did not respond.
Vyrone Finney
Training/Experience: Licensed Realtor
Education: Master of Science Education
Current Occupation: Real Estate
Facebook: www.facebook.com/vyrone.finney/
Why are you the best candidate for the office? Honestly, I am the candidate who will represent our citizenry, all of them. I possess all the skills and experience that the people are looking for. I'm pretty confident that I am the best candidate for this council role. It's not just my background in the past projects, but also my people skills, which will be applicable in this position.
What is your vision for economic development for your community over the next ten years? Most development economists agree that the key stages of development are related to three different transitions: a) a structural transformation of the economy, b) a demographic transition, and c) a process of urbanization. Structural transformation as a distinctive feature of economic growth that occurs when a sustained period of rising income and living standards coincides with changes in the distribution of economic activity across three broad sectors of an economy—agriculture, industry, and services. Demographic transition is a long-term trend of declining birth and death rates, resulting in substantive change in the age distribution of a population. Urbanization refers to the concentration of human populations into discrete areas. This concentration leads to the transformation of land for residential, commercial, industrial and transportation purposes.
What are the most significant issues facing your community and what ideas do you have to address these issues? Based on the latest poll, public safety and crime (89%), K-12 education (75%), availability of quality housing (73%), availability of affordable housing (72%); and racial justice and equality (71%). Economic issues (70%) were next. Police reform was at 62%. A safe community attracts good people, thus increasing educational outcomes. Education is the key component to assuring our community is safe, if the school's are safe, our community is safe. Affordable housing is also crucial for the city's success. Hosting housing workshops with lenders and other stakeholders will help educate our community. Retaining our college graduates and attracting young future leaders will also benefit the city. Lobbying for jobs by attracting corporations to our area. Setting up Small Business development and networking opportunities for future business owners. Finally, I will help ensure the city has a citizen review committee to ensure safety and accountability for the Police Department.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Voter Guide: 9 Democrats seek Akron City Council At-Large seats
