Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic accused his GOP challenger of not being a serious candidate — a parting jab in an otherwise mostly tame debate Monday afternoon.
“My advisers said I didn’t need to do this,” he said of the debate. “But I would be circumventing the political process. I’m sorry, but I don’t see that you are really serious about becoming mayor.”
Plusquellic then added: “I am serious.”
Jennifer Hensal, who raised her eyebrows at Plusquellic’s characterization of her candidacy, said after the debate that, when she makes assumptions, she doesn’t say them publicly.
“If I wasn’t serious, if I didn’t want to be mayor, I wouldn’t have spent as much time and money,” she said. “I don’t think he knows me or my level of commitment.”
The luncheon debate — the only one before the Nov. 8 general election — was otherwise subdued, especially compared with the primary debate in which sparks flew between Plusquellic and Akron Councilman Mike Williams.
About 225 people, including supporters for each candidate, attended the hourlong event at the University of Akron’s Martin Center. The Akron Press Club, the League of Women Voters of the Akron Area and UA’s Bliss Institute of Applied Politics hosted the debate.
The candidates answered questions from a panel of journalists, with two minutes to respond, 90 seconds for rebuttals and two minutes for closing statements. The topics included economic development, safety, sewers, regionalization and education.
Hensal, a Medina attorney who lives in West Akron and is a first-time candidate, said she thinks a mayor should be humble, but not apologetic, and aggressive, but not disrespectful. She said she would emphasize “fiscal responsibility, jobs and safety.”
“I agree with Ms. Hensal,” Plusquellic, Akron’s longest-serving mayor, said in his rebuttal. “What she described is me.”
Plusquellic said he would continue a two-fold approach to economic development, both keeping tabs on existing businesses and trying to lure new companies to Akron. “We need to do both, simultaneously,” he said.
Hensal said Akron must not only attract businesses, but also keep them here by making the city safe and keeping costs, such as utility rates, low.
She said she would make police funding her top priority and would consider cuts first in the mayor’s office and move out from there.
“Police officer Jones is just as important as deputy mayor 12 or 13 or the mayor,” she said, alluding to the size of Plusquellic’s Cabinet.
Plusquellic, who points out that he has cut his Cabinet and staff by nearly 40 percent, said he no longer has deputy mayors for public safety or labor.
“I’m able to do it — not just talk about it,” he said. “I’ve had to balance a budget for 25 years. I don’t use big words. This is not a made-up fairyland we live in. This is the real world of being mayor of Akron.”
If Senate Bill 5, the state legislation that would limit collective bargaining by public employees, is repealed in November, Hensal said she would see what the city could afford to pay and would encourage both sides to “come to the table and reasonably negotiate.” She said Akron could face a financial “collapse, further down the road.”
Plusquellic poked fun at her response about reasonably negotiating, jokingly suggesting that Law Director Cheri Cunningham take down this suggestion.
“Police and fire — no one has had as good of benefits as we provided to them,” the mayor said. “The taxpayers are hurting and police and fire need to make some sacrifice. It’s not because I don’t like them.”
In her closing statement, Hensal said she offers “a change of focus” and would negotiate better, make sure there were enough police and ensure the safety of residents. She said she would have the patience to get things done.
“I’m asking you to be courageous when you go to the polls,” she said.
Plusquellic used his closing to question Hensal’s motives for running and contrasted them with his continued willingness and interest in being mayor.
“I take on issues that are not popular — not come up with slogans and legalese,” he said. “I face issues from a tested, prepared way that moves the community forward.”
Supporters for both candidates thought they did well.
“When attacked, she held her own,” Scott Barnhouse of Akron, an outside sales representative for Sidari’s Italian Foods, said of Hensal.
Barnhouse said he’s known Hensal for eight years and thinks her legal experience would serve her well as mayor. He called her “a voice for change.”
Malcolm Costa, who is president and CEO of Akron Summit Community Action but wasn’t representing the agency in attending the debate, said the event showed a contrast between someone with “tremendous experience” and “someone with good intentions who doesn’t necessarily really have an understanding.” Costa said he has often worked with Plusquellic and is “very pleased he is offering himself” again as a candidate.

Stephanie Warsmith can be reached at 330-996-3705 or at swarsmith@thebeaconjournal.com.