Posted February 27, 200718 yr From the 1/5/07 ABJ: Mayor Plusquellic seeking re-election By John Higgins Beacon Journal staff writer Akron's longest-serving mayor announced Thursday at the National Inventors Hall of Fame that he is seeking re-election to a sixth four-year term. As children played with the hands-on exhibits in the background, Don Plusquellic said he intended to build on the city's success. Plusquellic reflected on his inauguration 20 years ago this week and on how the job evolved during his tenure with a growing emphasis on attracting and keeping jobs in the city. Read More...
May 25, 200718 yr From the 2/23/07 ABJ: Williams will not oppose mayor Akron councilman rules out run in fall primary By John Higgins Beacon Journal staff writer Akron City Councilman Michael Williams, D-at large, has decided he will not oppose Mayor Don Plusquellic in the Democratic primary in September. "Incumbency is difficult to overcome,'' Williams said Thursday. Late last year, he floated the idea of running when rumors abounded that Plusquellic might not run for another term. Read More...
May 25, 200718 yr From the 4/11/07 ABJ: Democrat to challenge Plusquellic Former Councilman Finley to run against mayor in primary By John Higgins Beacon Journal staff writer Former Ward 2 Councilman Joe Finley will run against Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic in September's Democratic primary, lawyer Warner Mendenhall said. Finley will make the official announcement at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Country Diner at 520 E. Market St., according to a news release from Mendenhall, who, like Finley, has at times been a high-profile critic of the mayor. Finley gave up his ward seat two years ago to run for an at-large seat on council. He lost in the primary to the three Democratic incumbents, who all went on to win in the general election. Bruce Kilby had Finley's endorsement for the Ward 2 seat and won. Read More...
May 25, 200718 yr From the 4/15/07 ABJ: Mayoral candidate enters race swinging Former Akron councilman blasts Plusquellic for supporting tax hike, development deal By Tracy Wheeler Beacon Journal staff writer Saying his message is one of "reform and renewal,'' former Akron Councilman Joe Finley said Saturday that he will be the first Democrat in two decades to oppose Mayor Don Plusquellic in an election. Finley announced his candidacy in front of about two dozen supporters at the Country Diner on East Market Street. The 57-year-old retired teacher and father of nine criticized Plusquellic for supporting a city income tax increase on the May ballot and failing to appoint a police auditor. He also cited the mayor's "abusive'' demeanor and his inclination to throw money at "millionaire developers.'' Read More...
June 30, 200717 yr From the 6/29/07 ABJ: Plusquellic faces primary foe 4 Dems vie for Akron council's Ward 10. Republican candidates in only 2 wards By John Higgins Beacon Journal staff writer Akron's Democratic voters will have a choice in the September primary in all but two of the city's elected positions on the ballot. Mayor Don Plusquellic will face his first opponent in a primary in 20 years, former Ward-2 Councilman Joe Finley. No Republican filed to challenge the winner of that mayor's race. ... John Higgins can be reached at 330-996-3792, 800-777-7232 or [email protected]. http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/news/17434574.htm?source=rss&channel=ohio_news
September 13, 200717 yr Mayor prevails in close primary Plusquellic wins 53 percent of vote to claim sixth term. Rival Finley not conceding By John Higgins Beacon Journal staff writer Published on Tuesday, Sep 11, 2007 Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic claimed victory Tuesday night with 53 percent of the vote, acknowledging that the election was closer than many expected. But retired school teacher and former Ward 2 Councilman Joe Finley, who took 47 percent, isn't giving up yet. ''We thought we were going to win, in fact, that's why I'm not conceding,'' Finley said. Read More...
