Login | June 01, 2026
Akron Mayor Moneypenny discusses his vision for the city
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: June 5, 2015
Sunday marked a significant changing of the guard in Akron history as then Council President Garry Moneypenny took the reins as the city’s 60th mayor.
Moneypenny, 59, was sworn in at 4 p.m. in the auditorium of East High School (now East Community Learning Center), the institution that he once worked to keep open. He will fill the final seven months of former longtime Mayor Donald Plusquellic’s term.
Plusquellic was a part of Akron’s governing body for 41 years, helping to revitalize the downtown, persuade key businesses to keep their headquarters in the city and attract international companies, but on May 8 he resigned without warning.
Under the rules of the city charter, Council President Garry Moneypenny was automatically given the option of filling the remainder of Plusquellic’s term, a challenge he chose to embrace.
“One of the major reasons that I decided to retire now is because I believe Garry Moneypenny is the best person to take over for me,” Plusquellic said in a statement. “His strong background in public safety, his work on city council, his work directly with our economic development staff on business attraction efforts, his work with Stu Lichter to keep Goodyear and develop the East side, and most importantly, his integrity, makes him the best choice to be mayor.”
The 65-year-old Democrat was Akron’s longest serving mayor. A practicing attorney, he was first sworn in as mayor in 1987, taking over for former Mayor Tom Sawyer who was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Plusquellic, who became a councilman in 1974, was council president at the time.
While he leaves behind quite an impressive legacy ranging from Canal Park minor league baseball stadium to the new Goodyear headquarters and the redevelopment of Goodyear’s former campus (East End) along with many other things, the mayor had his critics, including some who accused him of favoring big business and said he spent too much on travel.
In his letter of resignation, Plusquellic thanked the residents for allowing him to serve and praised the efforts of those in government who worked alongside of him to transform the city.
“I believe Akron may have the longest stretch of years in the U.S. without any cabinet member being convicted or even charged with a violation of any law–and that didn’t happen by accident,” he said in his resignation letter. “It was partly a result of an environment or culture we created by requiring people to do what is right, not what is politically expedient, to be transparent, to deal with people and issues honestly, and to encourage people to speak their mind–especially if they think there is something wrong. I am extremely proud of our record of achievement.”
Plusquellic did have harsh words for The Akron Beacon Journal, stating that being called a “B word” in an editorial was more than he was willing to endure.
His resignation took effect at midnight on May 31, 2015.
A native of Akron, Moneypenny is a graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. In addition, he attended the Police Executive Leadership College in Dublin, Ohio and the School of Police Staff and Command through the Northwestern University Traffic Institute (now the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety), all of which earned him college credits.
Moneypenney spent a little over 29 years in the Springfield Township Police Department, working his way up to chief of police. Afterwards, he was recruited by Sheriff Drew Alexander to become chief deputy/assistant sheriff, a position he held for four years.
“I was also a hostage negotiator for 22 different police departments in Summit and Portage counties for 15 years,” said Moneypenny. “I still teach basic and advanced hostage negotiations to police officers in Ohio.”
Moneypenny was first elected to represent Ward 10 on the Akron city council in 2001. He chose not to run for re-election in 2007, but ran in 2011 and was re-elected to Ward 10. He became council president in 2012.
He and his longtime wife, Sandy, live in Akron with their three Shih Tzus, Gracie, Bueller and Laney.
While Moneypenny has pledged to continue moving the city forward, he plans to keep his focus local.
“I have traveled with the mayor and members of the economic development team on many international trips over the years,” said Moneypenny. “While I recognize the value of these trips, there is a team in place that can handle international travel.
“For the next seven months at least, I will be spending the bulk of my time in Akron where there are a number of pressing issues.”
At the top of the list, securing an extension of the time period given to the city to remedy problems caused by its Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs). In a combined sewer system, stormwater and sewage from domestic, commercial and industrial sources flow together in a single pipe.
In 2009, city officials settled a lawsuit with the U.S. and Ohio Environmental Protection agencies in which they agreed to repair and upgrade Akron’s combined sewer and stormwater collection systems, pay a $500,000 fine and another $900,000 to remove the Ohio and Erie Canal diversion dam near Brecksville. Under the consent decree, the city was given 19 years to make upgrades to the old combined sewer system.
Last year, the council voted to increase sewer rates by nearly 70 percent over two years to help cover the cost of the sewer overhaul, now estimated at $1.4 billion.
“This is an unfunded mandate so we had to raise sewer rates on the backs of our residents,” said Moneypenny. “We as a city are fighting to make sure that as many of the jobs as possible that are created through this unfunded mandate go to Akron residents.
“I would also like to extend the time period to 25 years so we could possibly roll back some of the burden that has been placed on our residents.”
Another area of concern, the ongoing saga in the 2006 federal lawsuit (William Howe et al., v. City of Akron) against the city of Akron over alleged racial and age discrimination in the 2004 fire department promotion tests for lieutenant and captain.
In December 2008, a jury awarded almost $1.9 million to 23 Akron firefighters after determining the tests were skewed against white applicants who sought the rank of captain and black candidates and those over age 40 looking to be promoted to lieutenant.
Appeals are still pending in connection with the case.
“The suit has been going on for years,” said Moneypenny. “I am not saying I can fix it since it is a complex case. I do want to give it my attention. I also want to avoid further litigation concerning hiring and promotions in the fire department.
“Public safety is very important to me.”
In addition, he said four of the city’s unions—Akron Fire Local 330, Fraternal Order of Police Akron Lodge 7, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 1360 and the Civil Service Personnel Association--have contracts that are expiring at the end of the year, so officials will be working on the pre-negotiation phase.
The redevelopment of Akron’s downtown will continue to be of major importance to Moneypenny’s administration.
“Testa Companies is putting up a brand new Courtyard by Marriott at Northside,” said Moneypenny.
“The Hilton Garden Inn, which is part of the East End Project, is exceeding all expectations.
“I have had young professionals and retirees approach me and say they want to rent or own apartments in the downtown area, so we are exploring a mixed-use project that would contain apartments and condominiums.”
One of the keys to attracting more young professionals said Moneypenny is the continued addition of local events like Better Block and Open Streets as well as making neighborhoods into small communities with restaurants and other amenities in walking distance.
“I plan to sit down with Torchbearers and other young professional groups and see what kind of events they would like to see in the city,” said Moneypenny. “I also want to meet with recruiters from large companies and see what the city can do to help them attract more talent. We have thousands of students who attend The University of Akron and many of them move on afterwards. I would like to put a stop to the ‘brain drain’ by making Akron a more attractive place to live. This increases the tax base and helps our local businesses.”
One thing Moneypenny won’t be doing is making any staff changes. “I sat down with everyone in the mayor’s office and the prosecutor’s office right away to assure them that their jobs were secure. I think this will add to the stability of city government as opposed to rocking the boat. We have a good team in place and there is no reason to get rid of anyone.”
In addition, Moneypenny has brought back former deputy mayor/chief of staff, Rick Merolla, who is temporarily resuming his chief of staff position.
Looking down the road, Moneypenny said he would run for election when his seven months are up.
“Right now my plan is to keep the city moving in a positive direction and concentrate on the needs of the residents,” said Moneypenny.