Well, this has certainly been a wild start to 2026. From frigid temperatures, to the biggest snowfall we’ve had in years, multiple water main breaks all over the city and a stand-off with US Marshals and Akron SWAT Team in Ward 8, literally a block from my house. I don’t know about you, but things could calm down anytime now!
I want to give a shout out to our snow and ice teams from Public Service Department who plowed and salted continuously for about seven days. After two plus days of trying to clear our main roads, they moved into our neighborhood residential streets and did a fantastic job. Yes there were some hiccups, parts of roads were missed, but we caught back up with them as you alerted me and 311 of trouble spots. Please keep in mind that you can always call in your street to be plowed or salted by using 311 app or calling 311 and we will come out.
The temperatures have also taken a toll on our old water distribution lines. I’m sure you’ve all seen the flooding at Cleveland Clinic Akron General’s emergency room, and the sink hole over the weekend on North Howard Street that were both due to water main brakes. It is very difficult to forecast a break and with about 1200 miles of water distribution piping in our system, it’s impossible to upgrade all of it. We do have $4.3 million in the 2026 Capital Budget for our annual water main replacement program, but that simply scratches the surface of this problem. Kudos to employees at Akron Water we’ve been working overtime on these and other water main breaks throughout the city.
To say I was surprised to see US Marshals, and Akron Police blocking Kenilworth Drive on the morning of February 4 is an understatement. I wa s out talking with the Marshals, Police and neighbors from 8:45am and tried to keep folks updated via Facebook. Thankfully, through the excellent work of all parties involved, they apprehended the suspect without firing a weapon. I’m sure we’ll talk more about this at Wednesday’s Ward meeting with Officer Aaron Brown.
Speaking of Ward meetings, I hope you’ll join us this Wednesday, February 18 at the Northwest Family Recreation Center at 6 PM. As always, Officer Aaron Brown will kick us off with safety updates and there will be a presentation on Akron‘s Mass Notification System. Morgan Lasher with Unify Akron, will tell us about the Akron Civic Assembly Project on Housing. As always, your questions are welcome on any topic and I look forward to seeing you this Wednesday at 6 PM.