Coverage for new VP

The official press release for Tina’s election as Vice President of Council, Marco Sommerville remaining president, as well as the others who were sworn in.

New council sworn in; Sommerville retains president’s seat, Merlitti named new vice president

The 2010-2011 Akron City Council was sworn into office Monday night, followed by the election of Council officers and sometimes emotional acceptance speeches by new and old members.

Packed Council chambers reflected the monumental nature of this session’s installment of Council officers, as nearly half of those sworn in are newly elected to replace incumbent members who have served more than a decade on Council.

Sworn in were newly elected Jeff Fusco, At Large; Linda Omobien (pictured left), At Large; Russel Neal Jr., Ward 4; Robert Otterman, Ward 6; and Sandra Kurt, Ward 8. Fusco and Otterman are returning to council after having served in previous years.

Reelected incumbents sworn  in were Michael Williams, At Large; James P. Hurley III, W-1; Bruce Kilby, W-2; Marco Sommerville, W-3; Kenneth L. Jones, W-5; Tina Merlitti, W-7; Mike Freeman, W-9; and Kelli Crawford, W-10.

After swearing in, Council elected its officers. Sommerville was reelected as Council President. Merlitti was elected Council Vice President and Freeman was elected Council President Pro Tem. The vice president presides over Council in the president’s absence, and the president pro tem presides in the vice president’s absence.

During time for remarks from all members, incumbents expressed sadness to bid farewell to members not returning this session, but also optimism for working with new Council members on jobs and strengthening partnerships between the city and Akron Public Schools.

Sommerville encouraged the new Council to embrace with hope and a spirit of working toward a common goal the challenges it faces as it enters a new term.

“It’s not as fun to be a Council member as it used to be,” Sommerville said. “We live in a time when the economy poses a number of challenges. We have a number of things to tackle, but we’re going to make the best of a challenging situation.”

Newly elected Council members will not vote at a special meeting scheduled for Dec. 21 to vote on proposed increased sewer rates and other unfinished Council business before the winter recess. The new session of Council officially begins Jan. 4.

Tina elected VP of Council

Last night all of the City of Akron Council members who are new or were reelected were sworn in, including Tina for her third consecutive term. She was also elected Vice President of Council.

An exclusive quote from Tina, just for her web site followers:

“I look forward to working with my fellow council members in the coming year.  I appreciate their confidence in me as we face a difficult fiscal year.  I know that by working together we will weather the deep recession that has impacted the entire country.”

Stay updated on the latest Council news through their web site or http://twitter.com/tinamerlitti

Bridgestone keeps Technical Center, 1000 jobs

Multi-party agreement reached to keep Bridgestone technical center, 1,000 jobs

Launch article online

Akron City Council Monday night approved a historic agreement that will keep an Akron icon – and 1,000 full time jobs – in the city.

Council authorized the execution of a development agreement between the city, Summit County, the Summit County Port Authority and Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations LLC to build a new technical center on the grounds of the original Firestone Tire and Rubber Co. campus in Firestone Park.

Under the agreement, Bridgestone will invest $67 million to construct a new 260,000-square-foot technical center on Firestone Parkway and 410-car parking lot directly across the street to be shared with Firestone Stadium. Construction is expected to begin in the spring.

For its decision to remain in Akron, Bridgestone will benefit from additional assistance and incentives from not only the city and county, but from the state of Ohio and the private sector.

Akron will contribute $1 million per year in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) payments to the project over the first 10 years, and $800 per year during the last 20 years of the agreement. If Bridgestone should leave Akron within 20 years of the agreement, the company will repay the city a pro-rata share of its contribution.

Other key details of the agreement are:

• The city will spend $10 million to further redevelop the surrounding neighborhood and continue the $8.5 million in improvements underway on Main Street from Waterloo Road to Firestone Boulevard.
• The city will purchase and lease to Bridgestone its former headquarters, 35 acres of surrounding land and Club House if the company is unable to sell them.
• The city and Summit County will contribute $500,000 each to construct a pedestrian connector from the parking facility to the technical center.
• Summit County and the Port Authority will contribute $6.8 million, also for the parking facility and pedestrian walkway.
• FirstEnergy Corp. is committing $600,000 toward making the technical center energy-efficient.
• The State of Ohio is providing incentives totaling $32 million, including a Rapid Outreach grant, an Ohio 166 Direct Loan and an Ohio Job Retention Tax Credit.

Council President Marco Sommerville lauded the agreement as a testimony to how the city and county can work together for the betterment of the local and regional economy.

“This is a great day,” Sommerville (W-3) said. “We always try to attract new business to this community, but the fact that we can retain jobs really says what we can do when we work together.”

Holiday Safety Tips from the APD

Some helpful suggestions for holiday safety from the Akron Police Department Community Relations Office (330-375-2390):

The Holidays are good times for family gatherings, friends, and burglaries.

We should all think about home security during the holidays. Burglary is a crime that tends to increase around the holidays. Homes are filled with gifts for family or friends’ this time of year potentially luring burglars and criminals.

Traveling, visiting relatives, or just away shopping only to return to the scene of a burglary at home can be devastating. These simple home safety tips may help.

* Always activate the home alarm, lock the doors and windows before leaving.
* Leaving for the holidays hire a house sitter or family member to check the home, pick up mail or cancel the paper and deliveries.
* Ask your local law enforcement agency to check your property.
* Never leave your home in the pitch dark, keep interior and exterior lights on digital timers that turn lights on and off at intervals.
* Put radio talk shows or television on timers so it sounds like your home.
* Make sure the window curtains or blinds are closed. Why advertise?
* Break down the boxes to the big ticket items like flat screen televisions and X-box game consoles so they fit into the trash can.

Stay aware of your surroundings at malls, stores, and shopping centers. Your safety and those of your family members should be a priority. If a criminal attacks you for your packages, wallet or purse give it to them. Your life is more important.

* Shop during daylight hours if possible and take someone with you “Safety in Numbers”.
* If you must shop alone and leaving a store late at night ask store security or employees to accompany you to your car.
* Avoid carrying large amounts of cash and don’t advertise large rolls of money.
* Use debit or credit cards and secure any receipts then check your account regularly.
* During daylight hours park under a light so your vehicle will be visible after dark.
* Look for landmarks.
* Before leaving your car scan the area for threats. Scan the area on your return.
* Make sure you lock the doors and windows on your vehicle.
* If your car has an alarm set the alarm.
* If you take packages back to your vehicle put them in the trunk or out of sight.
* Occasionally move your vehicle try to avoid parking in the same spot for too long.
* STAY ALERT! STAY SAFE! and HAPPY HOLIDAYS