Akron attorney Warner Mendenhall admits he's a long-time and vocal critic of Mayor Don Plusquellic, but he stresses he's not alone. He says more than 4,000 fellow petition signers agree with him -- many more than the 3,200 needed to get the recall of Plusquellic on the ballot..
MENDENHALL: "That's not a personal thing. That's a mass movement against the treatment that this guy has inflicted on the citizens of Akron."
Mendenhall's group, Change Akron Now, points to the city's debt level -- 760 million dollars -- and the mayor's reportedly irascible nature as reasons to unseat Plusquellic, who's been in office since 1987. The mayor was widely quoted targeting members of another Mendenhall group that opposed him last year on an attempt to lease the city sewer system to fund a college scholarship program. When voters defeated the measure by a wide margin, Plusquellic said those who campaigned against it deserved quote "a special place in hell." Another blowup between Plusquellic and an Akron parking lot attendant resulted in that man's dismissal.
But the mayor's colorful demeanor shouldn't cost him his job, says Ilene Shapiro, a Summit County Councilwoman who's against the recall. Shapiro points to Plusquellic's successes, including the the revival of the Akron Civic Theater and deals to keep Firestone and Goodyear from moving out of the city.
SHAPIRO: "I grew up in Cleveland. I wouldn't trade this to go back to live in Cleveland or Youngstown."
By charter, Akron's council clerk has 10 days to challenge signatures following the April 10 deadline. Then, recall supporters get 20 days to attempt to collect more signatures if needed. A recall vote could be held in a special election this summer.
Kymberli Hagelberg 90.3