The mayor's strategy, I have been told, will be an across-the-board appeal to civic and business leaders to defend the mayor's work during his six terms in office by sending the message down through the ranks of their companies and institutions. If this strategy is effective - and I think it probably will be - it will stave off a recall in a special election. But that isn't certain. As Plusquellic learned in his last campaign against Mendenhall ally Joe Finley, nothing in politics can ever be taken for granted. City Hall has set out to make sure that there will be no more close calls.
It will be costly for the city. Plusquellic advisors are talking about a six-figure outlay with some forecasts of upward of $500,000. And the internal advice that will be given to the often outspoken mayor: For this to be a success, you have to hold your tongue.
The danger, of course, is that Mendenhall may be able to get the 3,200 or so valid signatures on the recall petitions to force a disruptive special election. That's why there will be an intense effort to amass support from the top rung of the city's movers and shakers - many of whom have been supportive of his leadership in the past. There is more than enough evidence of Plusquellic's productive initiatives for Akron to offset his setbacks over the years.
So let the spitefully silly season of his opponents begin. With so many other things on our collective minds to worry about, why do I feel that we are instead heading off to Wally World?
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Dear Abe, Plusquellic held his silly season all last year. He was woefully unprepared to argue his position (which continually changed) on the sewers. If you are backing Plusquellic, I think we deserve some answers from you ... How much debt for the city is too much? Do you approve of his expenditure of hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars on travel? Do you approve of his girlfriend representing the city in Israel and Florida? Should the Mayor follow the campaign finance law like everyone else, or do you approve of his violations of the law? Should the city have sold the property across from the Beacon for its appraised value? Is it a problem that Kevin Davis benefited from that deal? How do you respond to the items posted under the EVIDENCE link on www.changeakronnow.com? I look forward to reading your opinions on these items.
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