Wednesday, April 12, 2023

Dear Citizens of Akron,

You may have received a mailer or a social media piece from the group called “Partners Advancing Our Future” (AKA: Advancing Akron), where my picture was featured as part of a slate. I want the citizens of Akron to know that it was an unauthorized/unethical piece of political propaganda that I, Linda Omobien, had no knowledge or input.

This “Dark Money” group is headed and directed by William (Bill) Considine, Marc Merklin, and Don Taylor. They are doing everything they can to get their Mayoral candidate, Marco Sommerville, elected to protect the “Good Ole Boy, Pay-to-Play” system. I was shocked beyond belief when I saw the flyer from “Partners Advancing Our Future” with my picture on it as part of this slate. A slate of individuals that I have worked with over the years WHO DO NOT SHARE MY VALUE SYSTEM and will do anything to hold on to power. This slate of individuals knows we do not share similar values and are using my name to garner support from the community that has elected me time and time again because I fight for them, a fight these individuals have chosen not to join. I unequivocally do not support this slate. I believe in a system that puts people first. I have observed them up close and personal in the Council Chamber, and I have found some of their actions to be hurtful to the citizens of Akron.

The unfortunate part is, Bill Considine knew I wanted nothing to do with Marco Sommerville as a candidate for Akron’s Mayor as my husband, Eddie Omobien, politely told him in a brief interaction at James Hardy’s fundraiser in November of 2022. Marco Sommerville will never get my endorsement to be the Mayor of Akron or any other leadership position. I’m not a supporter of Jeff Fusco or Ginger Baylor, either. They both amply demonstrated their true colors during the member selection for The Citizens’ Oversight Review Board when Imokhai Okolo was maligned and not seated.

I want the citizens of Akron to know I have never asked for or received any “Dark Money” for any of my campaigns, and I won’t start today. This is a ploy to keep the “Good Ole Boy, Pay-To-Play” system in place, and I want no part of it. So, please know I don’t endorse the slate. I didn’t ask for the “Partners Advancing Our Future’s” money or endorsement. Bill Considine, Marc Merklin, and Don Taylor have never given me a dime in my thirty (30) year political career. I find it interesting that they would choose to include me in a flyer to get their candidate for mayor elected.

Eric Garrett is the one person I would love to join me on Council as an at-large-Councilman. He is a small business owner with a heart for the people of Akron. Other than him, I have nothing to say.

Please know I didn’t ask for this fight, nor do I want to spend my time writing statements/letters about these individuals. I would much rather discuss public safety, finding money to repair the homes of our senior citizens, tackling environmental issues, looking for ways to address the serious eviction problem we face in Akron, creating jobs, and using the ARPA dollars to help those in need. In other words, “Making Akron Work For People Again.”

LINDA OMOBIEN

Akron City Councilwoman-at-large

Candidate for Re-election