jcv1

Yes it is ..... Does anyone remember what happened to the Buchtel High Science (or Math) teacher on his way to school a couple of months ago??? A concealed carry and a gun in his car may or may not have saved his life.Thankfully our founding fathers thought it was and it still is.Libs don't quite get it.Ummmm... the Founding Fathers WERE libs.... revolt against the status quo, establish individual freedoms, etc..... your right to insult and a closed mind is due to "libs"... now, back to the subject.....

It's only a matter of time my good friend.....only a matter of time.High taxes, poor weather, bad schools, rapidly decreasing property values in Akron (look at all the for sale signs on homes, people are getting out as fast as they can) and a mayor who has only one answer...raise taxes again.The only job growth I could see is hospital building. They will be needed to take care of they dinosaurs left after the young flee. People who work in hospitals do not typically live in the city. Just like people working in the hospitals live in places like Boardman and Poland.It's an attitude like this that continues to poison those who struggle to make where we live better for all of us and our children. Taking apart your arguments one by one:1. Taxes - though the burden has increased over the years in relation to other states, Ohio is still only 18th in total tax burden, with many of the higher 17 states in areas of the country that you may consider more "appealing" - http://www.taxfoundation.org/taxdata/show/474.html2. Poor weather - somewhat kidding, with "climate change" almost inevitable, just wait a few years and we'll have weather very similar to Charlotte. This is an old and poor argument: cities in the north such as New York, Boston, Chicago, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, etc. all are seeing revivals despite the "weather" - learn how to deal with it and get outside - you can't tell me our summers and falls are not fantastic3. Bad schools - the Public schools have recently received a rating of "continuous improvent" in statewide ratings - other acheivements include, in addition to the $800 million rebuilding project:Akron Public Schools has a state rating of Continuous Improvement and is widely considered one of the best urban districts in Ohio. Akron Public Schools is considered a leader in the use of educational technology. Each of Akron's 53 schools is wired for access to the Internet. Currently, there is one computer for every five students at the elementary level, one computer for every six students at the middle-school level, and computer labs and computer classes at each of our eight high schools. National Board Certification has been awarded to 20 Akron teachers. The graduating class of 2006 received more than $12 million in scholarships. Firestone High School is one of only 13 high schools in Ohio to offer the world-wide International Baccalaureate Program (Pre-IB courses are offered to current ninth- and 10th-graders). The first class of IB diploma candidates graduated in June 1998, with 80 percent earning the prestigious IB Diploma. 4. Declining property - as mentioned earlier, Akron and Ohio are not the only areas dealing with this problem but it's not the fault of City leaders. Most economists see a turn-around by the 3rd quarter of 2008. The Brookings Institue actually sees much inprovement for the region: http://www.ci.akron.oh.us/News_Releases/2007/0524a.htm5. Mayor P and high taxes: asking for an increase of income taxes for the first time in 26 years specifically to keep the momentum going for economic development and to put additional cops on the streets does not strike me as irresponsible.6. Other positive factors:Inc. Magazine rated us among the top 25 cities for doing business in America; Expansion Management magazine ranks Akron among the "best U.S. Cities to expand or relocate a business;" And the Beacon Journal, last October, noted that in comparison with all other Ohio cities, Akron was best positioned for economic growth, based on major indicators. Companies announcing expansions or building of headquarters in 2007 include: Sterling, Infocision, First Energy, and Goodyear - total investment of all will exceed 1.5 BILLIONSo, if that's not good enough, nothing will be.....

And a large part of the turnaround for Cincinnati was getting into the Big East, a BCS conference which the MAC never will be. If AKron wants to compete with the big boys, they have to play the big boys and get in a conference (easier said than done) that allows more exposure. After that, we have to get better quality kids to come here, both in talent and in citizenship. With the discipline problems this year and the defections of recruits, the program looks to be in deep sh__ for the next couple years. I don't think getting creamed by Kentucky in the opening game of the new stadium will help things, either. We can't be satisfied with playing a big time programs once in a while, we have to win those games for people to even start paying attention to the scores and then they'll want to come out and see the product.

OK - everybody simma down now, simma down..... The momentum appears to be in a direction similar to the UNC system or California; two states that, last time I looked, have economies centered on research and development which only would bode well for Ohio. Who do we play in BBall, UNC or UNC-Charlotte, UNC-Wilmington, etc.? I think the name game will tend toward Universities of NE Ohio - Akron or UNEO-Can't, Cleveland, etc. The "politicians" are trying to balance the needs of the business community which demands more efficiency and consolidation with the parochial traditions of independent campuses. The process needs to continue to be open, public and to take all our concerns into account.

Here's one.... the come from behind win against Temple (W 24-23) in 1975 when receiver Glenn Evans (?) made a TD catch as time expired. The crowd started getting louder as the 4th Q started and then the team caught on and completed a comeback I'll always remember.

I just drove by the campus yesterday and the survey crew for the new stadium was out painting the limits of construction. Any news about property putchases or demolition time-lines?