Former Ward 1 Councilman Bruce Bolden appointed to fill Akron's vacant Ward 8 seat

Akron City Council voted unanimously Monday to appoint former Ward 1 City Councilman Bruce Bolden to fill the Ward 8 seat vacated by James Hardy .

In a news release, Council President Margo Sommerville, the selection committee chair, called Bolden “an experienced public servant with a keen understanding of city government and a proven record of accomplishment which readies him to represent the residents of Ward 8 from day one. We have expectations as he commences this new season of public service."

The special committee — comprised of council members Margo Sommerville, Jeff Fusco, Eric Garrett, Tina Boyes and Sharon Connor — nominated Bolden during its meeting on Monday.

Bolden served as Ward 1's representative from 1991 to 1996.

In his application for the position, he laid out his qualifications.

"With three terms as Ward 1 Councilperson," he wrote, "I bring a unique perspective of the responsibilities both in representing constituents and balancing legislative duties, that only comes from direct experience."

Bolden said he's served on Akron's zoning appeals board since 1998 and has been its chair since 2020. He also chaired the Public Utilities Committee from 1992 to 1997, chaired the Public Service Committee from 1997 to 1998, vice-chaired the Budget & Finance Committee from 1991 to 1997, and served on the Public Safety Committee from 1992 to 1996.

Additionally, he was council’s representative on the Joint Economic Development Board for Bath, Copley, and Coventry Townships, and the mayor’s alternate and treasurer for the Summit Akron Solid Waste Management Authority Board.

Resident input key to selection process

During the screening committee's meeting, Sommerville thanked the Ward 8 residents who attended a town hall at Firestone Community Learning Center on July 11.

They "made it really clear to the screening committee and to council in terms of what they wanted to see in their next representative, which really helped us in our interview process because we led with what it was they wanted," Sommerville said.

She also thanked the organizers of a virtual town hall held on Thursday, which also informed the committee's decision.

The event was moderated by elected precinct representatives of Ward 8.

According to a release from the organizers of the town hall, the event had 60 participants out of 90 registrants, and 15 of the 20 candidates attended.

Of those residents in attendance, 33 were polled after the town hall about which candidate they preferred and why, and whether or not council should appoint someone new or a former government official. The results of the poll showed that the top four favored candidates were Patrick Bravo, Bolden, N.J. Akbar and Meghan Meeker.

The forum moderators listed Bolden as their second choice below Meeker.

If Bolden seeks to serve beyond the appointment's expiration, he will have to run in 2025 to serve out the final two years of Hardy's term.

Following the announcement of Bolden's nomination, Akbar declared that he will run for the position starting with the May Democratic primary.

Why did James Hardy resign?

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. Samuel DeShazior was appointed in her place.

Hardy, a senior program officer with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, cited developments in his professional life as his reason for exiting his council role July 1.

Contact reporter Derek Kreider at DKreider@Gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Former Ward 1 Councilman Bruce Bolden appointed to fill Akron's vacant Ward 8 seat