Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan plans to work on slowing down his public speaking.
University of Akron President Matthew Wilson wants to improve his tuba playing.
And Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro hopes to eat less chocolate.
“But that won’t last long,” she predicted.
These are a few of the 2017 resolutions of government, business and community leaders from the Akron area. The Beacon Journal requested the goals to mark the new year and got a great response, with even Avery, the facility dog for the Summit County Prosecutor’s Office, participating.
Grady P. Appleton, president and CEO of East Akron Neighborhood Development Corp.: “I resolve that EANDC will have a successful president/CEO transition in 2017.” (Appleton is retiring at the end of this year.)
Ken Babby, owner of the Akron RubberDucks: “Bring another championship to Northeast Ohio and deliver incredible service to our remarkable fans — one fan a time!”
Bill Considine, president and CEO of Akron Children’s Hospital: “As 2017 arrives, I look forward to our independent Akron Children’s Hospital continuing to serve all children through our caring staff and our expanded services. We’ll have additional programs, additional people and new family stories to share. For example, the new Ronald McDonald House will open and we’ll start construction of another medical office tower on the Akron campus. From a personal standpoint, I’m looking forward to publishing a book on leadership that captures lessons learned from the families and patients I’ve come to know over my 45-year career in health care — a book written through the eyes of children. I’m also looking forward to spending time with friends, family and our two new twin grandchildren, Jemma and Graeme.”
Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan: “My New Year’s resolutions include the following … try to get 1,200 miles on the bike, read at least two books on subjects I know nothing about (taking suggestions!), talk slower when speaking in public.”
Akron Superintendent David James: He doesn’t do New Year’s resolutions.
Barberton Mayor William Judge: “For 2017, professionally we will be rebuilding our neighborhoods through a grass-roots effort as we continue to build our economy and our infrastructure. Personally, guess I have the same resolutions that most do ... work out more, save more and enjoy family and friends more. Also, work to make sure that our school sports teams beat neighboring communities. Stow, Cuyahoga Falls, Norton and other communities we have a long and competitive history with, so it’s nice to meet with those cities’ mayors after a Magics win!”
Stow Mayor Sara Kline: “I resolve to do my very best to provide leadership for our community that embraces tolerance, compassion and justice and encourages a welcoming environment. On a personal note, I am looking forward to celebrating some milestones that will occur for our family in 2017 and embracing goals that I have for myself. I’m optimistic that 2017 will be happier, healthier and safer for everyone.”
Akron Councilwoman Tara Mosley-Samples: “My New Year’s resolution for 2017 is travel more, more family time, run and, lastly, rehab a vacant home and gift it to a family.”
Akron Police Chief James Nice: “To work with the citizens I serve to change the current narrative about police officers being the bad guys when indeed they are not.”
State Sen. Frank LaRose: “No more Senate sessions until 3:30 a.m. (Nobody does their best work at that time of the morning.) Stop trying to predict election results. More time with my family, especially taking my three daughters outside at Cuyahoga Valley National Park and our great Metro Parks. More time for reading, exercising and thinking.”
Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro: “My 2017 resolution is to keep Summit County moving in the right direction by helping to create jobs and keep people working, making our neighborhoods safer and spending our taxpayers’ dollars wisely … and not to eat too much chocolate, but that last one won’t last long!”
Cuyahoga Falls Mayor Don Walters: “I realize the standard resolution is to get to the gym more, eat healthier, volunteer more and so on. Those certainly apply, but my ultimate goal for 2017 as mayor is to encourage every resident in Cuyahoga Falls to be informed and involved in our great city as much as possible. If we all feel like we are stakeholders, we all share in the success.”
Kent State University President Beverly Warren: “My resolution is to do what I can, and to encourage those around me, to work for a world that embraces diversity in all of its forms and seeks for kindness and inclusion in all that we do. I also aim to continue to learn from our students, who remind me every day of the transformative power of higher education to change lives, minds and trajectories.”
University of Akron President Matthew Wilson: “First and foremost, I want to work collaboratively with our outstanding faculty and staff to implement additional and innovative ways to provide our students with the best educational experience possible and continue to equip them with hands-on, practical skills that serve them well in the marketplace. Second, I would like to introduce even more traditional and nontraditional students to the UA advantage, our strong outcomes and the research opportunities available to our students and graduates. Third, I want to make UA a destination for global education. Finally, I need to find a way to upgrade my tuba playing so I will be invited back to play in Tuba Christmas again, enhance my dance skills so I won’t embarrass myself on the dance floor with the students, and improve my jump shot so I can shoot higher than 75 percent from 3-point land!”
And, finally, from Avery: “I resolve to help as many people as possible in 2017, take more naps and eat more treats.”
And, from his boss/pal, Summit County Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh: “My New Year’s resolution is to eat healthier, exercise more, and, just like Avery, take more naps and, but maybe fewer treats.”
Stephanie Warsmith can be reached at 330-996-3705 or swarsmith@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow on Twitter: @swarsmithabj and on Facebook: www.facebook.com/swarsmith.