On Russell Neal claims, Akron City Council leaders say context, facts and rules matter

Margo Sommerville, Jeff Fusco and Mike Freeman
·2 min read

We, the leadership of Akron City Council, provide the following context and facts regarding the recent allegations concerning Councilman Russell Neal.

At the beginning of every term, Akron City Council takes an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the state of Ohio, the Charter of the city of Akron, and all the laws, statutes and ordinances enacted thereunder. That oath encompasses City Council’s responsibility to maintain a safe and healthy work environment.

City Council’s rules require each member of Council to comport themselves with respectfulness and decorum. Additionally, the rules of City Council clearly state the procedures that Council follows when a complaint is filed against a member (Resolution 2-2021, Section V, Rule 5.6 & Section IX).

A majority of members of Council supported the adoption of the amended rules of Council in January 2021. The measure passed 11-0. One member was absent, and Neal abstained (Resolution 2-2021).

Similar rules and procedures have been used by past councils when addressing complaints brought to their attention regarding a Council member.

No single council member is exempt from these rules.

Akron’s Department of Human Resources received a complaint. Akron’s Human Resources director and an HR consultant conducted an investigation in accordance with Executive Order #4-2016. Six women from various departments were interviewed as well as Neal.

The investigation began on Oct. 6 and ended in early November. HR then provided recommendations to City Council which included a recommendation that Councilman Neal be provided with private counseling as provided in City Council’s rules (Resolution 2-2021, Section IX, Rule 9.4). Neal refused to meet with council leadership as prescribed in Section IX of City Council’s rules (Resolution 2-2021, Section IX, Rule 9.4).

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Council leadership has a responsibility to respond to complaints and allegations concerning a Council member consistent with Council’s rules. Each Council member has an obligation to follow Council’s rules and failure to follow Council’s rules is unacceptable.

Akron City Council leadership will continue to uphold the Constitution of the United States, Constitution of the state of Ohio, the Charter of the city of Akron, and all laws, statutes and ordinances. Our residents deserve nothing less.

Margo Sommerville is president of Akron City Council, Jeff Fusco is vice president and Mike Freeman is president pro tempore.

Margo Sommerville, president of Akron City Council.
Margo Sommerville, president of Akron City Council.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron Council leaders stress rules in investigating Russell Neal