Thoughts on Akron mayor’s race, Wadsworth drag event | Voice of the People
Akron needs new leadership
The recent Akron Decides research survey (www.CMOResearch.com) found crime, safety and law enforcement to be the most important issues for the next mayor. Positive support for the current mayor was ranked as 32% and only 25% for City Council. This matches the failure of council to address the related issue of policing and instead let a few members operate with old-style backroom politics.
It is time for “same ole same ole,” special interest, undemocratic, politics to stop. The people are sick of it. The top traits that voters want in the next mayor are “high ethical standards,” “a clear vision for the future of the city” and “fresh ideas for solving problems.”
It is up to us, the voters, to get the mayor and the leaders our city deserves. We need leaders who understand and respond to the pains and struggles of racial and economic inequity in our city by boldly changing the policies and institutional practices that continue to perpetuate inequity. We need leaders who will be transparent and honest, speak truth to power, humbly and respectfully listen and learn from community leaders, have a vision and concrete plan for a safe and healthy Akron, and respect the dignity and rights of all in our city. We are our brother’s/sister’s keeper. What affects one directly affects all indirectly. Self-interest politics must end.
Joyce Penfield, Akron
Hatred unveiled in Wadsworth
On March 11 in Wadsworth, a transgender woman read and sang songs to kids and their families at a local park. People uncomfortable at such an event might ask, “Why involve children?” The answer is: Transgendered people are human beings. They exist. “Normal” means many things and just as people have different colored skin, practice different religions, celebrate different holidays, they also have different sexual orientations and gender expressions. Parents have the right to teach tolerance. This is not indoctrination. It is an extension of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, freedom of speech, religion and assembly.
I attended because close friends of mine have a daughter who began questioning her gender at the age of 9. I have watched this incredibly talented child struggle with societal judgment. I am angry that their most personal struggles are used by politicians and pundits to fan the flames of fear, divisiveness and hate. This hatred was unveiled in the counterdemonstration.
At the event, I escorted families through crowds of Christian nationalists, Proud Boys and neo-Nazis. Never before have I been surrounded by crowds who wished me physical harm. I was reduced to a vile pedophile. Proud Boys shouted: “More trans people need to commit suicide.” One professed Christian held a sign: “The gallows for people who corrupt children." When I questioned him, he looked me in the eye and said, "You should all be hanged. I will shoot you if I see you touch a child. Do you not think I am armed?” I felt this was a man capable of committing a mass shooting. In his eyes, I was neither a citizen, nor a neighbor to be loved. I was an evil that should be exterminated.
Language matters. Those who demonize their opponents as “pedophiles” undermine civil discourse. They bolster fascism. The hate I witnessed was shocking. Only when good people unite in solidarity will those who teach hate be held accountable. Otherwise, the threats heard in Wadsworth will solidify into real violence. The children who question their gender identity and the First Amendment will become its victims.
Ian Burns, Wooster
Stand up for LGBTQ+ rights
Regarding the March 12 article, “Two arrested after protesters and supporters clashed at Wadsworth drag queen story hour,” I am glad the drag-queen story hour occurred and was successful. As someone who attended the event and donated to the GoFundMe “Rock-n-Roll Humanist Drag Queen Story Hour,” I applaud everyone who came out to support the LGBTQ+ event, including the Parasol Patrol, and law enforcement who kept everyone safe.
It took great courage for the Reed family to organize and find a venue for the event and I’m glad one brave and beautiful drag queen was able to read the entire “Elle the Humanist” book and sing and play the guitar at the event to the delight of adults and kids alike.
I would also like to be clear on a few things. First, having a drag queen read a book to children is not harmful, the kids were happy to have a story read to them, and books open minds, not close them. Second, the only threat to children came from white supremacists and conservative Christian extremists who verbally screamed and threatened attendees and their kids while holding transphobic and racist signs and some flags with a swastika or cross. Third, any local politician who didn’t immediately condemn the white supremacists coming to their community is complicit, and anyone using a religious belief to espouse hate toward drag queens is a bigot. I hope this becomes an annual event in Wadsworth and inspires more people to stand up for LGBTQ+ rights.
Nancy Dollard, Lake Township
Focus on leadership in mayor’s race
My neighbor and I attended the debate at Robinson CLC and found it to be, as Akron Beacon Journal reporter Doug Livingston described, like some sports competition entertainment.
I was disappointed there wasn’t a question about leadership, which in my mind is sorely lacking in current and past administrations of this fine city. All the questions focused on issues — the high water bills, the innerbelt, White Pond and police/safety. One thing was clear — the dysfunctional process currently employed, which enables the administration to make and implement key decisions that affect the pocketbooks of its citizens, without due diligence to solicit a comprehensive voice of the people.
If that “upside down” process is corrected by a future administration, it will still require excellent leadership to implement the final decisions. To me, true leadership is defined by qualities such as integrity, humility and understanding the underlying fundamentals.
Mayoral candidate Shammas Malik came the closest by his statement saying “I stand by my word,” showing personal integrity, and “I admit I’ve made mistakes but I will own up to them,” showing humility. Rarely do we see today’s politicians admitting they are human and all humans make mistakes. It was good to see agreements on things like “reparation” for those who were economically damaged by the innerbelt, and future efforts to build trusting relationships between our police and citizenry.
The event was well attended — perhaps the free food might have added an element to attract. I think the community learned some things and kudos to the organizers and sponsors.
William N. Melver, Akron
Dr. Kolb’s faith is inspiring
Thank you for the most inspirational front-page article "God allowed this for bigger purposes" by Betty Lin-Fisher that featured Dr. Jason Kolb, who became paralyzed from the midsection down in a January 2023 skiing accident.
Dr. Kolb’s faith in God is utterly amazing, as he professed trust in God in the first moment he lay injured on the ski slope and knowing his accident brought him paralysis and painful injuries.
‘I could have died’: Akron ER doctor paralyzed in skiing accident relies on enduring faith
Betty deserves a Pulitzer Prize for feature writing. She wrote captivating copy, weaving Dr. Kolb’s faith commitment from the moment of his accident through his continuing rehab.
So much in society revolves around acrimony, people at each other’s throats, peace nowhere in sight. Yet Dr. Kolb shows us another way, a road less traveled but graced by God and filled with peace despite pain. Amy Kolb, Dr. Kolb’s wife, shows her faith, too, by her unwavering support of her husband.
The courage of this married couple is a marvel, but more illuminating to me is their trust that God brings good from bad and can bring peace into any situation if we only seek his help.
Please continue to publish more God-centered amazing stories of hope. God bless the Kolbs — they are in my prayers.
Patrick Kunklier, Fairlawn
Marco Sommerville best choice for Akron
I am a retired president of United Steelworkers Local 2 in Akron. I am writing in support of Marco Sommerville for mayor of Akron.
Of all the candidates, Marco is head and shoulders above the rest of the field. Several times I reached out to the administration to get input or get help on labor management issues. Each time, Mayor Don Plusquellic or Mayor Dan Horrigan was there for us, along with Marco. He is the only one running who will be able to do all of the job duties from day one.
You also have to consider who will be able to fill their cabinet posts with qualified people, not supporters of a campaign.
Akron has some serious issues that will take a mayor that has seen it all. Marco Sommerville is the most qualified person to lead us forward.
Jack Hefner, Akron
DeSantis pushing Trump’s agenda
In recent years, the leadership of the Republican Party has evolved from promoting social conservatism to embracing far-right “social provocateurs.” Thanks to Donald Trump’s influence, beliefs that used to stay discreetly veiled in stereotypes and racial tropes have taken a front seat in political discourse.
In an attempt to light a fire under the base, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is boldly taking up the mantle by trying to start a cultural war against the left’s embracing of a conciliatory attitude toward enlightening our understanding of the historic cultural grievances of minority groups. Done for the sake of unifying our country’s ever-changing demographics, Democrats see an amalgamation of ethnicities as America’s future identify.
But it would seem that the right is determined to forge a path of dissension. It seems to want a future that denies the past while it whitewashes our future. The leading provocateurs are trying to wage a culture war against what DeSantis has coined as the “woke” Americans in order to keep the fringe element pacified and morally inclined supporters asleep.
Renee F. DeBose, Akron
Don’t let politicians divide us
Most Americans believe that every person deserves to live with freedom and safety. Whether we’re walking down the streets of our neighborhoods or through the doors of our holy spaces, freedom and safety for any of us depends on the freedom and safety of all of us.
But there are some politicians who seek to build a country that’s only for themselves and people like them, dividing us against each other and making us afraid while they hoard power and wealth. We’ve seen how dangerous this is. When politicians target one group and blame it for hard times, it leads directly to violence. Racism is part of the machinery of division and fear those politicians rely on for power; the same machinery those politicians use to blame Black and brown people, people who are immigrants, people who are Jewish or Muslim, and more. But whether they manufacture division and fear based on our religion, our skin color, or how long we’ve been here, their goal is to keep us from working together for the things we all need to thrive.
When we come together with our neighbors across differences, as we have in the past, we can shut down the fear factory and protect each other. We’ll show up for each other every time one of us is targeted because of our differences. We’ll reject any politician who uses fear to divide us against each other. Together we can build a country that fulfills the promise of freedom and safety for all of us.
Catherine E. Hunt, Akron
Republicans defunding cities again
Our Republican legislators are providing further evidence that their only interest is in providing favors to the wealthy residents of Ohio. Their most recent snub to the rest of us is House Bill 1. The list of injuries that this bill does to workers and their families is a long one. First, the tax benefits go only to the rich. Almost 90% of the tax cut will go to the wealthiest 20% of households.
Republicans plan to pay for the loss in revenues by cutting funds to Ohio cities and towns by $1.2 billion. That loss will lead to a direct defunding of police and first responders in our communities. It will also result in substantial cuts to schools, programs for seniors, libraries, parks and services for kids and families.
Ohio already ranks near the bottom of all states in education, health care, environment and public safety. Our Republican representatives seem intent on driving us even further toward the bottom. Let’s tell them that Ohio can’t take any more of what they have to offer.
George Bohan, Akron
Ohio still needs to address corruption
Over two years ago, Ohioans learned of federal racketeering charges being brought against those involved in the House Bill 6 scandal, Ohio’s biggest-ever public corruption case. Since then, no laws that would prevent similar scandals have been passed.
House Bill 16 (HB 16), the Ethics and Financial Disclosure Reform Act, is a step in the right direction. It would:
Require all lobbying income to be reported and sourced directly to the clients being represented.
Require nominees to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio to disclose any income and previous business relationships regulated by the commission.
Prohibit statewide elected officials getting paid to serve on corporate boards.
Require candidate and elected official financial disclosure statements to be posted online.
Common Cause Ohio recommends these reforms to strengthen the bill:
Require political nonprofits and other corporate groups to disclose their donors and spending.
Provide public access to records at Ohio’s bill-writing agency, the Legislative Service Commission (LSC).
Require entities that engage in political advertising to report the expenditure and to identify themselves in the advertisement.
Ohio needs disclosure, transparency and laws that disclose who is writing and promoting legislation. Please tell your representatives to support and strengthen HB 16.
Suellen Roberts, Fairlawn
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Letters: Akron needs new leaders. Hatred unveiled in Wadsworth
