AKRON, OH (WOIO) –Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic announced Friday that he is resigning his position after decades in office, effective May 31.
City Council President Garry Moneypenny will take over the position on June 1.
Plusquellic released the following letter to the citizens of Akron, citing an ongoing dispute with the Akron Beacon Journalnewspaper as the reason for his abrupt departure.
To The Citizens of Akron:
It has been an honor to serve the people of Akron for over forty-one years. The vast majority of people have been good-hearted, honest and caring. I have enjoyed working directly with them through both the good days and the difficult ones as we took on the tough job of transitioning an entire community.
I have been blessed with the opportunity to serve with some of the most dedicated, and I will emphasize honest, people in my Cabinet and in City government.
I believe Akron may have the longest stretch of years in the U.S. without any cabinet member being convicted or even charged with a violation of any law – and that didn’t happen by accident. It was partly a result of an environment or culture we created by requiring people to do what is right, not what is politically expedient, to be transparent, to deal with people and issues honestly, and to encourage people to speak their mind — especially if they think there is something wrong. I am extremely proud of our record of achievement.
It is why more than anything, it is so disturbing to me that the words and reputations of seven cabinet members and the President of City Council, Garry Moneypenny (a retired police chief), are being discounted in favor of one enraged councilperson. To believe this one person, it is necessary to believe that all 8 dedicated, honest people would lie for the Mayor of Akron – and that just is not possible. Nor by the way, have I ever asked anyone to lie or make-up a story after the fact as, unfortunately, the Beacon has accused Stephanie York of doing.
To read the rest of Plusquellic’s letter, click here: 19ActionNews.com
Article Courtesy of WOIO 19 Action News
Picture Courtesy of Getty Images
