Akron mayoral candidates share ideas on helping immigrant community

Change is needed in Akron.

On that, everyone participating in the Asian Services in Action candidates' forum Saturday — seemed to agree.

The forum, hosted by Urban Vision, included the candidates in Akron's May 2 Democratic mayoral primary. According to officials with Asian Services, there were around 80 people who came to the forum. Six of the seven candidates attended; they fielded questions from both the audience and from moderator Elaine Tso, the CEO of ASIA.

Several themes emerged during the discussion: A need for greater mental health support. More services and outreach for the community's youth. Stemming the violence in the neighborhoods. Creating more welcoming and inclusive neighborhoods for everyone, especially for people of color, for those in the immigrant community, those without permanent homes and individuals with special needs.

Mental health is an issue close to Arjun Gurung, who works with ASIA.

"What's going on lately is the suicide rate is going crazy," Gurung said. He added that in one year, someone he had gone to school with and someone else he had played soccer with both died by suicide. Gurung said he also heard about a young woman who killed herself earlier this month. "I want to see more services in mental health. I hope for better services to keep this from happening."

Gurung said he wasn't sure of the reasons why suicide rates were so high in his Nepali community. Possible reasons, he added, could be bullying, language barriers and difficulty adapting to another country.

"I would like to see a more open and welcoming community." Gurung said. "There was an elderly man going past a grocery store, minding his own business, when another guy knocked him for no reason."

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Robert Culver of Akron said he wanted to see someone in the mayor's seat who was going to change things in Akron.

"Someone who is going to be proactive, not retroactive," Culver said. "I would like to hear if someone has a plan to put into place, an actual structure. Someone who a vision on what they want to do, not just do what they think people are saying."

Rodney Bowden, a North Hill resident, said he came to the forum to hear what the candidates had to say.

"What are they willing to do for all the neighborhoods?" Bowden said. "We need affordable housing but how can we have that when houses are $200,000 and more?"

Bowden said he also would like to see programs that would bring Akron's youth and the police together in a better relationship.

"I want to see us focus on our youth," Bowden said. "The youth are our future."

Simone Walton, another North Hill resident, had questions about the newly-created civilian review board for the Akron Police Department.

"Who is going to hold the board accountable?" she asked. "Who is going to enforce the bylaws?"

Candidates share their ideas for programs, improvements

Mark Greer, who served on the city's Small Business Program Manager and administrator of the Great Streets Initiative, said one idea he would like to see implemented to assist the immigrant community is to turn the North Community Learning Center into a one-stop shop of services.

"This is what we have to do to ensure an equitable Akron for all," Greer said. "I strongly feel that community engagement should not be seen as an option, but as a way to do business."

Ward 8 Councilman Shammas Malik said he would like to see official documents printed in multiple languages to help bridge the language barriers.

"We have to build a shared vision for our city," Malik said. "Folks want to see more community policing, more foot patrols."

Keith Mills, a teacher with the Cleveland Metropolitan school district, said too many people currently fall through the gaps.

"Instead of talking about how the tire is flat, we need to change the tire," Mills said. "When you are mayor you are mayor for all. People are falling through the gaps. I want to close those gaps."

Ward 5 Councilwoman Tara Mosley said she has proposed in Council meetings that the city should put up signs in various districts that include multiple languages to address the language barriers.

"The younger generations serve as translators for their parents and grandparents, which can create issues if theey aren't available," Mosely said.

Jeff Wilhite, who is District 4 representative on Summit County Council, agreed that bridging the communication gaps was crucial. He said one problem he has seen is when the younger generations in the immigrant communities struggle to communicate with the older generations.

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"The youth can no longer communicate with the older generations because they don't know the language and culture," he said. "I would like to see programs that help the younger generations learn more about their language and culture, and to help the older generations with English."

Marco Sommerville, deputy mayor for intergovernmental affairs and senior advisor, said it's vital that the city improve its housing and expand homeownership opportunities.

"When people own their own property, they tend to take better care of them," he said.

Joshua Schaffer, a store manager at a cell phone business, was not able to attend due to work, but he sent two short videos with his introduction and closing statements.

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Reporter April Helms can be reached at ahelms@thebeaconjournal.com

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron mayoral candidates forum addresses help for immigrant community