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Council delays votes on multiple Akron Citizens Police Oversight Board appointments to next week
Summary
Akron City Council continued consideration of several appointments to the Citizens Police Oversight Board to allow candidates to appear in committee; council members raised ward-representation and institutional-knowledge concerns during the discussion.
Akron City Council—s public safety committee continued consideration of multiple appointments to the Akron Citizens Police Oversight Board, voting to defer openings until next week so candidates can appear in committee.
President of Council Sharon Somerville (identified in the meeting) said the selection committee "thought that it was really important that we did bring back an existing member," introducing Danzella Anuskaitz for consideration and explaining the committee—s reasoning to preserve institutional knowledge. Somerville asked for time to allow candidates to appear in committee; the motion to continue was approved.
Fran Wilson, a member of the public who addressed the committee, asked why long-serving board member Robert Gippen was not returning and raised concerns about ward coverage on the board. Wilson noted a perception that some wards would lack representation and asked whether the Fraternal Order of Police attended appointment interviews; council members confirmed they planned to invite candidates back for committee appearances next week.
President Somerville and other council members also introduced Juanita Elton for appointment; council members praised Elton—s background as a retired Akron Police Department officer with a Ph.D. in public administration, but they again moved to continue time to give the candidate an opportunity to appear.
The mayor—s office presented two additional names, Christopher Weems and Dwayne Krebs (appearing in the mayor—s submission), and asked council to consider those appointments; the committee likewise agreed to continue consideration until the candidates can appear. Council members repeatedly emphasized the importance of geographic diversity across wards and said committee hearings next week will give members and the public an opportunity to question candidates.
No appointments were confirmed in committee; the committee scheduled votes for the next meeting and asked the mayor—s office and the president—s office to notify the candidates of the invitation to appear.
