Akron City Council will vote on a new at-large member Monday.
The selected candidate will fill the seat recently vacated by long-time council member Jeff Fusco, who retired at the end of March after 40 years in public service.
Seventeen people applied for the job, according to a news release.
鈥淐ouncil leadership expressed gratitude for the robust community interest and civic engagement demonstrated by the volume of applicants,鈥� council spokesperson Joan Williams wrote in the release. 鈥淭he breadth of applications reflects the community鈥檚 commitment to active participation in local governance.鈥�
Ward 6 Councilmember Brad McKitrick initially applied, then later withdrew his name from consideration, Williams added.
A screening committee of council members interviewed the applicants in executive session last week and will announce their pick Monday morning.
Several city leaders applied, including Tara Mosley Weems, who represented Ward 5 on council for 10 years and ran for mayor in 2023. Former at-large council member Ginger Baylor also applied, as did Akron200 executive director and 2023 mayoral candidate Mark Greer.
Other applicants come from various backgrounds, including church leaders, former city employees, educators and community organizers. 精东影业 obtained their names and resumes through a public records request.
The full list of candidates and their recent employment can be found below.
- N.J. Akbar: Administrative lead, Akron Legacy Building Project; president and senior principal consultant, B4U Services, LLC
- Ginger Baylor: At-large council member from 2020-2023
- Catey Breck Scanlon: Director of economic development, inSITE Advisory Group
- Rodney Dennis: Founder, Levels Barber College
- Mark Greer: Chief development and engagement officer, Development Finance Authority of Summit County
- Maria Golden: Freelance photographer and artist
- George Johnson: Labor and government liaison, Mendenhall Legal Group
- Maurea Lollar: Community outreach coordinator, Patricia Ann Cargill Charities
- Tara Mosley Weems: Court navigator, Akron Municipal Court
- Charley Nelson: Retired and substitute teacher, Akron Public Schools
- Eric Nevins, Jr.: Youth programming coordinator, Red Oak Behavioral Health
- Johnny Osby II: Prevention specialist, Minority Behavioral Health Group
- Denane Pollard, Sr.: No resume provided
- Acacia Reynolds: Community advocate and organizer
- William Reynolds, Sr.: Rideshare driver for Uber, Lyft
- Kevin Thomas: Retired regional president, AAA Auto Club Associates
