This article is part of the 2025 General Election Voters' Guide produced in partnership with the League of Women Voters of the Akron Area.
Bruce Bolden
Democratic
Campaign phone: 330-671-6580
Campaign email address: Boldenward8@gmail.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572459552912
Training/experience: Ward 8 Councilman, 7/29/24 -present. Member, Akron Board of Zoning Appeals, 1998-2024, Business/Sales experience in Fortune 200 companies; XPO, UPS Freight, Sprint, Thomson Findlaw and as President of family owned small business Advertising Supply Co, Inc. Past board member; Keep Akron Beautiful, Boys & Girls Clubs of Summit County, Summit Akron Solid Waste Management Authority, Joint Economic Development Boards for Copley, Coventry & Springfield Township, Leadership Akron Class 15, Trustee (former Chair) Fairlawn West United Church of Christ
Previous public office: Akron Ward 1 Councilman, 10/1991-12/1997
Website: www.boldenward8 .com
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Communications, The University of Akron
Why are you the best candidate for the office?
Unanimously chosen by City Council to fill the Ward 8 seat in July of 2024, I bring extensive experience in public service, running and working in both small businesses and in Fortune 500 companies. As Akron’s Ward 1 councilman from 1991-1997, I learned the importance of addressing residents’ needs and advocating for them at City Hall. I held key roles on Council as chairman of Public Utilities and vice chair of Budget & Finance committees. Having served over 25 years on Akron’s Zoning Appeals Board has given me a solid understanding of our Zoning Code. As a board member of Boys & Girls Clubs of Summit County, Keep Akron Beautiful, and the Oriana House Advisory Board, I have deep ties to our community.
Having lived in Ward 8 since 2002, I have personal insight into our ward’s needs and stay connected through monthly ward meetings and an e-newsletter. I will work to keep residents safe, our neighborhoods strong, and to make sure Ward 8 and Akron are a welcoming community for all.
What solutions, if any, do you propose to address concerns surrounding neighborhood safety and criminal justice in Akron?
In Ward 8, the biggest safety concern revolves around speeding in residential neighborhoods. Many streets in the Ward do not have sidewalks and residents are concerned and fearful of walking their dogs or their children riding bikes. I am a strong proponent of traffic calming devices that have been used in the past such as speed tables and and solar radar speed signs in our neighborhoods. Akron police do not have the manpower to consistently use radar in our neighborhoods and I hope to use these devices to slow traffic. I also believe it’s important to commission a study on use of force and other policies within the police department. City Council is currently looking at the University of Akron as a partner and to engage stakeholders in the community, APD, and the Citizens Police Oversight Board to make sure we are using best practices across the board. Training is essential, especially at times of split second decision-making to protect our citizens and our police force.
What steps, if any, do you think the city should take to address housing insecurity in Akron?
Akron is taking steps on housing and insecurity in the 2025 Capital Budget with programs like $300,000 for down payment assistance, $400,000 in minor home repair, and over $2,500,000 in Grants and loan for housing rehabilitation and lead paint removal. I also believe that we need to continue to partner with local nonprofits that are skilled in revitalizing and building new affordable housing. East Akron Neighborhood Development Corporation, Alpha Phi Alpha Homes are just two partners at the city has successfully partnered with in the past. Housing code enforcement is also a key, especially when it comes to rental units and apartments. I’ve supported using technology in the field and cross training all department on zoning and housing code violations. Proper enforcement of our code, especially with landlords will ensure Akron’s housing stock remains solid. The law department is currently researching an ordinance from the city of Cleveland that specifically addresses absentee landlords.
Aside from the issues addressed by previous questions, what other top priorities do you seek to address once in office, and how do you plan to accomplish those priorities?
Economic development and supporting small businesses in ward eight is essential for our growth. The biggest opportunity in Ward 8 is in the Merriman Valley, with its access to the Towpath, Cuyahoga River, Sand Run and Summit County Metro Parks system. I currently sit on the Steering Committee for the Cuyahoga Valley Gateway Partnership, where we’re working with businesses, residents, along with the city of Cuyahoga Falls to to develop the area according to the master plan that was put in place a few years back. We need to be cognizant of our natural resources and make sure that any plans include abundant green space, conservation of wetlands and preserving our tree canopy. I firmly believe this can be a destination spot for eco- tourism, entertainment and shopping. The small businesses need our support and I during the heavy rains and flooding back in August, I made sure the City helped by cleaning the mud in their parking lots, enabling many of them to open their doors the next day.