James Hardy resigns as Akron City Council Ward 8 representative

Ward 8 Akron City Councilman James Hardy has resigned, effective immediately.

Hardy was elected to City Council in November, taking the spot previously held by Akron Mayor Shammas Malik. It's the second resignation from the council this year. In January, Nancy Holland resigned as Ward 1 representative and Samuel DeShazior was appointed in her place.

"Recent developments in my professional life have made it impossible for me to provide the time and responsiveness I planned to bring to Ward 8 as its council representative," Hardy wrote in his resignation letter. "Fairlawn Heights, Northwest Akron, Wallhaven, and Merriman Valley each expect and deserve more attention than I will be able to provide going forward."

Hardy resigned from former Mayor Dan Horrigan's administration in 2021 to accept a position as senior program officer for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. His role there expanded this February when he took on additional responsibilities as an interim deputy director.

“Akron City Council would like to thank Councilman Hardy for his service to the residents of Ward 8 particularly, but also to the city of Akron as a whole," said Council President Margo Sommerville in a release issued by Council Chief of Staff Joan Williams. “His love for the City of Akron and extensiveness of his service to the residents has left an indelible mark than cannot soon be forgotten.”

Council now has 30 days to appoint a replacement. Interested applicants must have resided in Ward 8 for the past year and can submit their letter of interest and resume to the clerk of council at sbiviano@akronohio.gov by 12 p.m. July 22.

Until a new council representative is selected, Ward 8 residents can contact at-large Councilman Jeff Fusco at atlarge1@akronohio.gov or 330-208-5561.

Ward 8 encompasses most of Northwest Akron and parts of Merriman Valley and Wallhaven.

Previously, Hardy served on the Akron Public Schools Board of Education and as the city's deputy mayor and chief of staff.

"I remain a cheerleader for Akron and plan to volunteer for causes dear to me such as preserving our tree canopy and improving our neighborhood parks," Hardy said. "I will work with whomever Akron City Council appoints to fill the vacancy to ensure important items are not lost in transition. Ward 8 voters will get a chance to elect a permanent replacement in 2025, beginning in May with the primary election."

Contact reporter Derek Kreider at DKreider@Gannett.com or 330-541-9413

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: James Hardy resigns as Akron City Council Ward 8 representative