reinvent everything in Akron but first hire Vernon Sykes as Mayor

reinvent everything

edward w pritchard


I have always lived in the Rubber City, Akron Ohio. Akron was named the Rubber City because of the number of tire related jobs.When the radial tire decimated the number of Akron rubber tire jobs locally politicians and tenured professors at the local University decided to reinvent Akron as the Polymer capital of the world. You see Rubber is a type of Polymer and in a round about way each lost tire related job could be a segue to attracting a higher order job in the Polymer industry. Polymers are important to me because I have a six year old heart stint made of a polymer material which I hope lasts for a while. However, as anyone knows who has driven downtown lately Akron needs a lot more than a few new recounted jobs to turn itself around. While the suburbs around Akron, Canton and north towards Cleveland are doing relatively well at ground level things are falling apart in Akron proper concerning housing, public service quality and redevelopment. With a primary dependence on property taxes to fund local schools I shutter to think what local real estate professionals must think of Akron's housing market prospects relative to other locations over the next five years. As prices decline for local houses in Akron so do property tax revenues.

My solution? Reinvent everything in Akron but first convince and hire local Democratic politician Vernon Sykes to be Mayor of Akron for the next eight years.

More later on why I think Mr.Sykes is the best man for the job.

Note- Mr. Pritchard completed a master degree curriculum at Akron University in economic  development but alas never completed his thesis to receive his degree. Typical-he needs a make over as well. Maybe next time around the wheel.