Readers focus on Akron's mayor's race, Republican politics | Voice of the People

Supporting Marco Sommerville for mayor

I retired from the city of Akron with 29 years of service working in six different departments and retiring from the Department of Neighborhood Assistance as a code compliant supervisor in 2021. Along the way, I served on the AFSCME Local 1360 executive board, including as president of the local and in other regional capacities.

My work put me in contact with Marco Sommerville and his family on and off starting in the early 1980s, not just in public service but also in his capacity as a businessman, longtime owner of Sommerville Funeral Services, community leader, NAACP president, Akron City Council and other roles up to deputy mayor.

I didn’t always agree with the decisions that council or the mayor made. But I found each and every time I worked with Sommerville, I came away with a strong impression. Many others I have had the opportunity to speak with about him say the same thing.

He's a successful business owner with a clear understanding of the world of work and business. He's a community leader with more than 30 years of service. And he's known for his reasonable common sense solutions and having an open heart to all.

I recommend Marco Sommerville for mayor of Akron.

George Johnson, Akron

Diverse perspectives: Akron mayoral candidates share their vision for Akron at North Hill forum

DeWine's appointment of Deters disappointing

Having won his election handily, Gov. Mike Dewine quickly shows Ohio that he has no interest in good governance. His patronage appointment of his good friend, Joe Deters, to the Ohio Supreme Court is all the evidence we need to see that DeWine will place favors to friends over a respect for law.

Deters has no experience as a judge. DeWine appointed Deters, not because of his long history of balanced and knowledgeable jurisprudence, but because he will be a reliable vote for his own right wing policies.

The Ohio Supreme Court will be hearing cases on redistricting, LGTBQ rights and a woman’s right to make her own health care decisions. Former Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’ Connor was an independent voice who placed a respect for our state’s constitution above party politics. DeWine has appointed Deters because he can be counted on to do the opposite.

Joe Jiamboi, Cuyahoga Falls

Protect abortion access

Two recent abortion articles caught my interest, the first, the Jan. 22 article, ''On Roe's 50th anniversary, both sides look to future,'' I agree and hope that abortion rights are fully protected and expanded in every state so Roe reaches 100 years and more. As someone who had an abortion in 1994 with no regrets, I continue to advocate and speak out for the right to have an abortion.

Regarding the second online article, ''Local March for Life marks anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, recent decision overturning it,'' I found it interesting how there was one pro-choice clinic escort photographed who seemed to be surrounded by so many anti-choice people and I'm so glad that he was brave in the face of so much anti-choice hate.

My concern for the safety of abortion providers stems from the fact that last week in Peoria, Illinois, a Planned Parenthood facility was firebombed two days after the Illinois governor signed abortion protections into state law.

I would encourage everyone to stand up and speak out against extreme anti-choice bills as they encourage a rhetoric of hate, prejudice, and violence against providers and those seeking abortion care. You can help protect the right to abortion, by supporting local groups like the Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, and Pro-Choice Ohio, to keep abortion care legal today, and in the future.

Nancy Dollard, Lake Township

Donald Trump Must Be Prosecuted

After a year and a half of work and interviews with more than 1,000 witnesses, the January 6 committee recommended, for the first time in American history, a criminal referral against a former president.

The committee concluded that there is enough evidence to convict, and recommended the Department of Justice charge Donald Trump with obstruction of an official proceeding, conspiracies to defraud the United States, knowingly making a false statement and assisting or aiding an insurrection.

It is essential for national security that the DOJ defend our democracy and indict the former president. The shameless sideshow in this hyper-radicalized Congress by hardliners like Jim Jordan to probe what they call the “weaponization of government” is a continuation of their insurrection. They are giving themselves a broad mandate to look into any government agency or program that they view as suspect, including the FBI, IRS, and intelligence community. If the DOJ is going to be forced to turn over crucial and sensitive findings to a panel of self-appointed demagogues, the repercussions could be catastrophic.

The DOJ must not be deterred in following through with these criminal charges against the former president.

William Franklin, Strongsville

GOP wasting money

If Kevin McCarthy and the Republicans really want to address wasteful government spending, they should start with looking at military spending rather then trying to increase military spending.Lynn M. Clark, Akron

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Letters: Readers focus on Akron's mayor's race, Republican politics