Letter to the editor: Defender of Russ Neal says Akron has been 'underhanded' before

Believe in Councilman Neal, not city

When the city of Akron underhandedly took away affordable health insurance coverage from spouses of city employee retirees, I began attending City Council meetings to voice my concerns. For roughly two years, I attended and spoke up on behalf of fellow city retirees who had been sucker-punched by the city's sudden and unexpected action.

The council president and some of the council members consistently showed disinterest, disrespect and were condescending and rude to what I was saying and to many of the others who spoke during the public comment period. Interaction with the Law Department met with a similar response. However, Councilman Russ Neal was always respectful to me and anyone else I observed him dealing with when I was attending council meetings.

A complaint was filed by the police union regarding the health coverage. The issue went to arbitration and when ruling in favor of the union, the arbitrator noted that the city had acted in a "less than honest" manner when making changes to employee health insurance coverage. The city disputed that ruling and eventually they reached an agreement with the union which rendered the arbitrator's decision moot.

I think the administration and the council president have decided that anyone who doesn't offer blind support to their agenda needs to be dealt with. I think the Ward 4 residents should be thrilled to have a man of such integrity representing them, and the whole city should be appalled that the city appears to be again operating in a "less than honest" manner to get their way.

I have to agree with Neal's comment that "I do not have confidence in meeting with leadership" — I've seen them operate and I share that lack of confidence.

Steve Nome, Cuyahoga Falls