Support for Sommerville, Malik for Akron mayor | Voice of the People

Supporting Sommerville

I never thought I’d still be worrying about my granddaughters’ bodily autonomy and about their right to choose how their bodies are used. But here we are with Roe v. Wade overturned for someone’s religious liberty. My religion says save the mother before the unborn, but not one of those people care about my religious liberty.

We don’t know if it will be the courts, the governor, our gerrymandered legislature or the voters who will ultimately decide the issue. However, we can start locally and choose the strongest, most respected candidate for mayor to help make the case locally for Akron’s women.

I believe that of all the candidates running, Marco Sommerville stands head and shoulders above the crowd. He is a proven pro-choice advocate. He’s helping lead the petition drive for a pro-choice ballot issue this fall. Sommerville understands that the ability of a woman to control her own body is too important to a woman’s health and to the economic well-being of her family to be eliminated by judges and politicians. He has the integrity and relationships needed to defend a woman’s right to choose and her right to obtain health care that her doctor deems advisable. An activist in his youth, Marco Sommerville became a strong Akron leader for safety and justice, as well as good jobs, racial and gender equality and fairness for every person in every neighborhood. His is the proven, respected, and accomplished voice that Akron and Akron’s women need.

If you are pro-choice and care about women’s health and women’s issues, you need to be pro-Sommerville.

Dianne Newman, Akron

Labor backs Sommerville

The Tri-County Regional Labor Council, AFL-CIO, representing more than 50,000 active and retired members in Medina, Summit and Portage counties, has unanimously endorsed Marco Sommerville for mayor of Akron.

Marco has a long-term relationship with all the labor leaders in this area. He has also been endorsed by the Ohio AFL-CIO, the Tri-County Building Trades and many other local unions.

Marco has the experience in the community as a business owner, former president of the Summit County NAACP and a former president of the Akron City Council. One of his strongest qualities is his understanding of what this position requires.

The house of labor stands ready to work hard for Marco Sommerville to ensure that he is successful in his campaign.

David E. Prentice, Tri-County Regional Labor Council, AFL-CIO, CLC

Environmental groups endorse Malik

Shammas Malik earned the endorsement of the Portage Trail Group of the Ohio Sierra Club and the Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund in his race for Akron mayor.

Akron requires leadership that recognizes the need for environmental responsibility and sustainability. Increasing greenspace and the tree canopy, creating pedestrian-friendly communities, and reducing urban sprawl by planning for a vibrant life in the Akron city core are all important for our physical and mental health, economic stability, and environmental justice.

Malik embraces this vision of Akron and demonstrates the determination to get the job done. He already encouraged Akron to take the pledge to be 100% carbon free by 2050 and work with Power a Clean Future Ohio to accomplish that goal, and as mayor he will lead the city to do just that. He plans to electrify the city’s fleets and to help Akron citizens make the move to clean electric vehicles by assuring electric charging stations are available in all city neighborhoods

Of the seven candidates in the race, Shammas Malik best shows the environmental sensibility and leadership skills to help Akron residents achieve a greener, safer, more affordable, more appealing city life.

Denise Woods, Sierra Club Portage Trail GroupChristopher Colon, Northeast Regional Director, c4, OEC Action Fund.

Oppose Coventry tax

Last November, Coventry taxpayers voted no on the proposed tax levy replacement and increase for parks. Trustee Edward Diebold thanked “all who voted,” adding the board respects “the vote of the electorate.” He then added: “The trustees will re-evaluate what we put on the ballot in the spring.” If they really respected our vote, they would have separated the replacement from the increase and changed the ballot. They just put the same thing back on, hoping it might pass this time.

Now is not the time for a tax increase. Everyone is experiencing increased costs at the gas pump, the grocery store, utility bills, etc. People are doing without these days. The trustees might have a wish list but now is not the time. George Beckham told us last summer that passage of the existing park levy alone would generate additional income.

Why do the trustees always want even more? Do we really need the increase added on?

Please vote no on Issue 1 on May 2.

Kathleen Finefrock, Coventry Township

LaRose comments ‘farcical’

Reading Secretary of State Frank LaRose’s column on the supposed “vulnerability” of Ohio’s constitution left me both laughing and angry. LaRose cynically fails to mention, that in addition to raising the constitutional amendment threshold to 55%, the Ohio Constitutional Modernization Commission also recommended making changes to the legislative process, which LaRose and his cronies aren’t interested in doing.

His purported “concern” that failing to raise the constitutional amendment threshold will result in a never-ending parade of amendment campaigns is also rooted in fantasy. One need only look at the dearth of amendment campaigns over the years to realize this fear is absurd. LaRose also lacks credibility when it comes to his belief that three-fifths of Ohio voters is some sort of magical threshold.

If he really believes that, why did he vote repeatedly to implement gerrymandered maps in the latest round of redistricting, despite Ohio voters voting overwhelmingly to ban gerrymandering years ago? LaRose’s attempt to sell this as some sort of good government play is farcical. He and his Republican allies simply want to make it harder for citizens to implement policies they disagree with. It’s a shameful attack on the representative democracy his office requires he protect.

Mike Naso, Akron

Culver best for Kenmore

As a 53-year resident and homeowner in Ward 9, I’ve seen many changes in Akron and in Kenmore. A new mayor and several council seats are up this year, including this ward. I’ve had the opportunity to speak with each candidate and listened to them speak before a group of residents. While each candidate is running with the best of intentions, I believe the best qualified is Susan Culver.

She has the necessary experience of having worked in and with several city departments during her 35 years of service to Akron. If elected, this position would be her only job. She would hold monthly meetings at different locations within the ward — one earlier in the day and one later in the day — thus giving more opportunity for residents wanting to attend. She intends to work with the new mayor and police department to establish a substation here. If implemented, this would benefit residents and officers alike. She will seek enforcement of the Akron Municipal Code as it pertains to tax delinquent vacant homes and buildings, as well as those which fail to maintain code standards.

All Kenmore residents want our boulevard businesses to prosper, and much attention has been focused there. Even so, there are several vacant eyesores in this business district. Susan Culver will strive to make the boulevard a safer area for people to frequent and support existing business owners. However, to bolster future success for boulevard businesses, the needs of Kenmore’s residential areas must also be met.

Susan Culver is the best choice.

Joe Kapzath, Akron

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: akron-mayor-marco-sommerville-shammas-malik-letters-to-editor