The Akron City Council has five new members. While the new members were celebrating at parties or at home Tuesday night, they did so knowing difficult times await when they assume their seats in January… more…

POSTED: 09:20 p.m. EDT, Oct 24, 2009: The Democratic at-large candidates include an incumbent who wasn’t supported by Mayor Don Plusquellic, a former councilman who was and a woman with years of political experience — just not on council.

Linda Omobien, who has a highly recognizable name thanks to her 16 years on the Akron school board, had the second-best showing among the Democrats, trailing Williams by only 58 votes. She was recruited but didn’t run on any slate, saying she wanted to be elected on her own merit.

Mike Williams, a councilman since 1988, was the top vote-getter among the Democrats and the only at-large incumbent to win in the primary. He has emphasized his experience and how he doesn’t always side with Plusquellic. He ran with at-large Councilman John Conti, who lost.

Jeff Fusco, a former councilman and retired deputy public service director, was among a slate of candidates supported by Plusquellic. He initially tied with Terry Albanese, the Ward 6 councilwoman who also was on the mayor’s slate, but beat her by seven votes in a recount.

The top at-large vote getters in the Democratic primary were incumbent Michael Williams and Linda Omobien, a longtime Akron school board member.  Read More…

Omobien is a well-known name across the city. She has been a strong and effective presence on the Akron school board the past 16 years.   Read More…