AKRON, Ohio — A disparaging text message written by former Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic advising a leading candidate he is not ready to be Akron’s next mayor has been circulating via email and shared on social media.
The message, sent to Akron mayoral candidate Ward 8 Councilman Shammas Malik last September, was recently emailed at Plusquellic’s request to about 40,000 Akron residents on behalf of the “Sommerville for Mayor” campaign, said Bob Zajac, a spokesman for the campaign.
“Most Akron residents have a lot of respect for Plusquellic’s opinion,” Zajac said.
Akron Deputy Mayor Marco Sommerville and Malik are among seven candidates voters will choose from in Tuesday's primary, when they decide who will take the reins from Mayor Dan Horrigan who is not seeking a third term.
According to the Akron Beacon Journal, a new poll shows mayoral candidates Sommerville, Malik and Ward 5 Councilwoman Tara Mosley are currently in the lead.
Malik said he had gone to Plusquellic last September “out of respect,” to talk over his plans with the former mayor, who was “fairly critical.”
Plusquellic, known for his often brusque style, served on Akron City Council for 13 years before being elected mayor in 1987, a position he held until 2015.
“Akron is in a crucial time — it does not need someone to learn on the job!” Plusquellic wrote to Malik in the 607-word message. He referenced Malik’s law-school education as “worth something,” but said it’s not preparation for the city’s top job.
Plusquellic sent the text about a week after their meeting, said Malik, who found the text “rude” and did not reply.
“But I am not offended, you know, it's a free country,” Malik said. “He's allowed to have his opinion because he was mayor for many years. He’s allowed to have his opinion on who should be the mayor.”
Plusquellic’s letter claimed Malik is “unrealistic about what a Council person with limited experience could do … .”
Malik rejected Plusquellic’s accusation he is inexperienced.
“I have experience in working in city government since 2016,” Malik said. “And too, you know, as a lawyer and as a council person, I have a vision for where the city is going that I think is better than what anyone else has to offer.”
The former mayor challenged some of Malik’s ideas, calling them “not sensical,” such as replacing the part-time, 13-member City Council with seven or nine full-time members.
“So instead of the legislative oversight that the framers of our Constitution planned that legislators are supposed to provide, you create 7 or 9 miniMayors??!!” Plusquellic wrote.
Plusquellic said he had tried to advise the younger lawmaker, who was frustrated with City Council, several times calling Malik’s understanding of governing “naïve.”
“Now, you have jumped from being frustrated and unhappy to concluding that you should be Mayor,” Plusquellic wrote. “As I said — how naive!”
Malik has potential, Plusquellic wrote, but needs experience first, “to take over a position and be ready on day one — not three or four years later.”
“And if you really care about the city I love, you would put the citizens of Akron above your naive, unrealistic, personal and (egotistical?) ambitions!” Plusquellic wrote.
Malik said circulating the text is an embarrassment for Sommerville’s camp, but not surprising because Sommerville and Plusquellic are close friends.
“But, you know, if that's what they want to put forward, then they're more than welcome to,” he said. “I don't think that's going to convince voters to vote for Marco Sommerville.”
Despite Plusquellic’s words, Malik said he feels confident he will win the election.
“I think we're going to win in a strong way, but you know, I'm going to be here in Akron no matter what happens,” he said. “I love this community.”
Malik said he believes all the candidates for mayor love Akron, and he will support whoever wins.
“If [Mosley]’s mayor, I will try to help the city as best I can. If Marco Sommerville is mayor, I will try to help the city the best way that I can, and on and on and on,” Malik said. “So, my hope is to help the city, but I think we're going to win on Tuesday.”
Akron’s mayoral race has been energetic, marked by at least four live-streamed forums in which various host agencies quizzed the candidates on social-justice issues and Akron’s high-profile challenges, such as public safety, immigration, housing, government corruption and other topics.
Meanwhile, Akronites’ mailboxes have been filling with multiple campaign flyers almost daily.
With no Republicans on the ballot for mayor, Summit County’s primary could reveal Akron’s next mayor. However, a candidate running as an Independent has until 4 p.m. Monday, May 1 to file to appear on November ballots, according to the Summit County Board of Elections.