Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Goodyear, City Hall, Zips and Dog v Baby

OK, this has already been a big week; it's likely Goodyear will announce tomorrow it is staying put in Akron; two members of City Council tussle with the Mayor in an unusual public display of will and ego and University of Akron head basketball coach Keith Dambrot is so frustrated we're not showing up for Zips games he's promising to work to get us all free hot dogs.

On Goodyear: the State passes a big plan and now the world's top tiremaker has a news conference set for Wednesday to announce whether they stay or go. The developer will be in the house, and not just to hum the Clash tune; it's a no-brainer Goodyear will stay. As we told you last week the economics to keep Akron the Rubber City was on the fast-track to happen in early December (I noted this was coming during our "crystal ball" segment on NewsNight Akron a month or so ago). This isn't insider information but it is highly likely since Governor Strickland, Lt. Governor Lee Fisher, Summit County Executive Russ Pry (confirmed) and Mayor Don Plusquellic (we think) are all planning to attend the news conference. Ohio wins one in the war to protect our economic flank, and this is a HUGE win for Strickland & Fisher -- and Pry has a major feather in his cap heading into a March 2008 primary election. Plusquellic should share in the love, too as local government proves it can do what it is supposed to do: keep Ohio's businesses in Ohio. That hasn't always been the case.

I could opine further on both Mike Williams and John Conti taking on the Donald but this link to AkronNewsNow's coverage, complete with audio, is 'nuff said. We're working on getting Dambrot's full comments after Sunday's Zips-Wyoming game posted as well but in the meantime my favorite multimedia is included in this blog: who cries loudest and isn't it great we've finally found something other than a car ride to quiet the screaming baby.

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