I hope you had a wonderful Holiday Season and are off to a great start in 2026. We were back to things quickly on Council, electing officers and committee assignments at our first meeting on January 5th. While Council Leadership remained the same, there were some committee changes and I was appointed Chair of the Housing and Neighborhood Assistance Committee. I’m proud to have earned the trust of my colleagues who tapped me to chair after only 18 months on Council, and see a lot of exciting things ahead. I also sit on the Public Service and Budget and Finance Committees.
As Housing Chair, I plan to be involved in Akron’s Civic Assembly Project partnership with UnifyAkron to solve some of our Housing Issues (learn how you can get involved here) https://www.unifyakron.org/. I had picked up ideas and contacts at the National League of Cities Conference on strengthening our short term rental program, and want to work with the Administration to encourage local housing ownership over absentee, out of state landlords.
We’re also back on track for our monthly Ward Meetings starting this Wednesday, January 21st! I hope you’ll join me at the north Northwest Family Recreation Center at 1730 Château Ave. from 6-7:30pm. As always, Officer Aaron Brown will kick us off with crime and updates, a discussion on Traffic calming program to hep reduce speeding and accidents with our Director of Public Service Chris Ludle, and Development Engineering Manager Michelle DiFiore. Lastly, Pete Nischt with Klutch Cannabis will be on hand to discuss proposed changes to their dual use marijuana dispensary before Council on the corner of W Market and Frank.
As always, feel free contact me by phone, text or email with any ideas, concerns or thoughts, as I work for you at city hall!
