Posted: 03/11/2008
AKRON, Ohio – Kenneth L. Jones was chosen by Akron City Council as the new Ward 5 Councilman. He replaces Jim Shealey, who resigned from the seat to serve at large in February. Jones will serve out the remainder of the term until the next primary and general elections, in which all electors of the city will be eligible to vote.
In her capacity as Council Vice President and member of the Ward 5 Screening Committee, Councilwoman Renee Greene officially announced the committee’s choice before introducing Common Pleas Court Judge Eleanor Marsh Stormer to swear Jones into office.
“I want to thank and commend all of those persons who came out to be interviewed for the Ward 5 seat,” Greene said. “Ward 5 is a very diverse community and we agreed that Mr. Jones was the ideal choice to accept the responsibility of representing the interests of this ward.”
Ward 5 includes nearly all of downtown Akron including major professional services, government offices and hospitality outlets plus residential and commercial districts in parts of East, Northeast and Southeast Akron.
Jones comes to Council with nearly a decade of experience working with youth in various capacities throughout Akron. He currently serves as a detention officer with the Summit County Juvenile Detention Facility. Prior to his current position, Jones conducted summer camps with EduK-8 Inc., ran several before- and after-school programs and worked with Alternative to Suspension Programs for middle and high schools in the Akron Public Schools system.
A native of North Akron, Jones grew up in the former Elizabeth Park homes, which were torn down and replaced by the award-winning Cascade Village homes. He said he looks forward to presiding over more positive changes in his old neighborhood and throughout Ward 5.
“I’ve been in Ward 5 all of my life and have done a lot of community service work in this ward and throughout the city,” Jones said. “I look forward to doing more work for the community I serve as the new Ward 5 Councilman.”
Jones has been appointed to serve on Council’s Public Service, Parks and Recreation, Housing and Health and Social Service Committees.
Jones, 36, lives on Garfield Street with his Wife, Latoya, and their four children.
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Contact: Jinida Doba, Highland PR, 330-996-4140 or jd@highlandpr.com