Public safetyand policing biggest issues to Akronites

The people of Akron have spoken in an opinion poll

released Monday. And they’re ready for the change

coming this election year.

At the time the survey was conducted from Jan. 17

to Feb. 4, the field of seven Democrats running for

mayor on the May 2 primary ballot was still forming.

As expected so early in the race, 66% of the survey’s

510 respondents were undecided about who should

succeed Mayor Dan Horrigan, who is not seeking re-

election.

But these Akron residents resoundingly said they

want a leader with high ethical standards, fresh ideas

and a clear vision for the city, by margins of 71% or

better. Less than half prioritized previous experience

in city government.

The full results of the poll are posted below.

Akronites are measurably eager to have their voices

heard at the ballot box, in part, because 86% say their

voices aren’t always or frequently heard in the halls of

city government. And 53% say the city is on the wrong

track.

They would have the next mayor do more than just

run the city. They want a visionary with a reform

agenda.

The most important issues for Akronites can be

grouped as economic or reform-minded, said John

Green, director emeritus of the Ray C. Bliss Institute of

Applied Politics at the University of Akron. One cate-

gory pertains to economic development — job cre-

ation, providing a safe environment — while the other

dimension lumps policies that would deliver change,

such as reforming police and giving citizens a greater

voice in city government.

“The reform cluster is stronger statistically. That

means it’s more prevalent,” said Green, who was care-

ful not to discount economic concerns.