Note to readers:

The following item is a written record of the Ward 5 meeting from April 16, 2026, compiled by Akron Documenter Jeremy DeLoof. It is not a reported story.

Documenters are residents who are trained to observe and document local government meetings. Their notes are edited before publication for clarity and accuracy — unless quotation marks are used, all text is paraphrased.

If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at documenters@signalakron.org with "Correction Request" in the subject line.

Summary

  • Representatives from the Alzheimer’s Association and the City of Akron shared resources on Alzheimer’s and dementia diagnosis and care, emphasizing that Black and Hispanic communities are at higher risk. Environmental initiatives, including Project ACORN, a program offering free trees in five specific neighborhoods to address declining tree canopy and related health impacts were also discussed.
  • Ward 5 Council Member Johnnie Hannah led a discussion centered on neighborhood concerns, with residents raising ongoing issues about housing conditions at Cascade Village, communication gaps with property management and frustration over a recently approved waste management transfer facility in East Akron. Hannah said the Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority has taken over Cascade Village management and that the changeover is moving forward despite his opposition, partly due to prior legal action.
  • Magistrate Job Esau Perry introduced his campaign for judge of the Summit County Court of Common Pleas, highlighting his more than 20 years of legal experience and emphasizing the need for greater diversity and fairness in the judicial system ahead of the November 2026 election.

Documenter follow-up questions

  • How will the City of Akron evaluate the success of Project ACORN, and will the program expand to neighborhoods beyond the initial areas?
  • What specific steps is the Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority taking to address reported maintenance and communication issues at Cascade Village, and how will residents receive updates?
  • What is the expected timeline for the waste management transfer facility, and what measures will the city take to address residents’ concerns about its location and impact?

Council member Johnnie Hannah started the meeting at 6:10 p.m.

Black, Hispanic residents have higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease

  • Nickayla Brooks, a program manager focused on health equity with the Greater East Ohio Area Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, shared information about Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, particularly in underserved communities.
  • She said Black residents are about twice as likely and Hispanic residents about 1.5 times as likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, two-thirds of living dementia patients are women, she said. 
  • Brooks said dementia is a general term, while Alzheimer’s is a specific disease.
  • She emphasized the importance of early detection, noting that available treatments are most effective in early stages.
  • She encouraged residents to monitor risk factors such as blood pressure, smoking and alcohol use, and to seek cognitive testing after age 65.
  • Brooks highlighted resources such as caregiver support groups, a 24/7 helpline, community education programs and volunteer opportunities.
  • Residents asked about diagnosis, treatment options, caregiving challenges and interactions with law enforcement. A police officer said officers coordinate with Adult Protective Services in cases involving safety concerns.

Find more resources: Learn about the 10 early signs of Alzheimer’s and dementia as well as find help for caregivers and other resources at the Greater East Ohio Alzheimer’s Foundation website.

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Residents share concerns about housing, vandalism, street lights

  • A resident raised concerns about ownership and conditions at Neville Apartments. Hannah said the city has already addressed issues with the property owner and identified it as a problem location.
  • The same resident reported a broken streetlight and vandalism involving damage to their garage. Hannah said he would follow up. He also noted that some properties are owned by out-of-town investors, which can delay responses. 
  • Another resident said they had not seen Hannah regularly in the neighborhood and felt some residents were unfamiliar with him. Hannah responded that he prioritizes responding directly to resident calls and addressing larger issues affecting the ward, but he would be willing to stop by and took down the resident’s information. 
  • A resident raised concerns about conditions at Cascade Village, including property maintenance, rodents and lack of communication regarding changes in management. The resident sent a letter outlining concerns, saying that it had gone unanswered and that some people are considering moving. The resident said the lack of communication has frustrated them and other neighbors. 
  • Hannah said the property was previously managed by an out-of-state company and had fallen into disrepair. He said the Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority (AMHA) has since taken over management and that he would continue to provide updates.

Are City of Akron leaders ‘doing a good job?‘

  • Hannah asked residents for their thoughts on whether Mayor Shammas Malik is doing a good job.
  • A resident said responsibility should be shared across City Council, not just the mayor. Hannah agreed, noting that legislation requires council approval and that collaboration is necessary despite occasional disagreements among members.
  • Hannah said a City Council at-large seat is currently vacant and that the application deadline of April 16 has passed.
    (Editor’s note: City Council members will vote on their selection for the at-large seat during the April 27 meeting.)
Location of the proposed waste transfer station.
Location of the proposed waste transfer station in relation to Wards 5, 6 and 10. (Courtesy of City of Akron)

Waste management facility discussion

  • Residents asked about a waste management transfer facility in East Akron that was approved in 2024.
  • Hannah said the project is moving forward despite his opposition, noting that three council members (including himself) voted against it. He added that some opposition from other wards was based on not wanting the facility located in their areas.
  • He also said legal action involving the company influenced the outcome and contributed to the project moving ahead.

Ward 5 announcements: 

Judge candidate speaks about his run for office

  • Magistrate Job Perry introduced his candidacy for a judge seat on the Summit County Court of Common Pleas in the 2026 election as a Democrat. He is running unopposed in the May primary but will be opposed by a Republican in the November general election. (Editor’s note: See here for all candidates in the May 5 primary election.)
  • Perry said he has more than 20 years of experience as a trial attorney and currently serves as a magistrate.
  • He emphasized the need for greater diversity on the bench, noting that the current general division does not reflect the demographics of the community.
  • Perry said his platform focuses on fairness, accountability and ensuring people feel heard in court.
  • He discussed differences between magistrates and judges,  explaining that magistrates can hear cases and make decisions but are appointed rather than elected.
  • Residents asked about voter eligibility, election timing and how to support his campaign. Perry encouraged participation in the November election.

Stay up to date: Read our recent coverage on Project ACORN.

Project ACORN focuses on expanding tree canopy

  • A member of Akron’s Innovation team discussed Project ACORN (Akron Community Owned Reforestation Network), a city initiative focused on expanding tree canopy coverage in neighborhoods with lower tree densities.
  • She said tree loss contributes to environmental and health concerns such as urban heat and asthma.
  • The program provides free trees (native or fruit) to property owners in five targeted neighborhoods: East Akron, Middlebury, Summit Lake, South Akron and Sherbondy Hill.
  • Trees are selected with guidance from city arborists, and participants must maintain them for at least five years.
  • She said the initiative also supports workforce development by training residents in tree care and environmental work.

Closing

  • Hannah announced the annual letter carriers May 9 food drive. Residents can leave nonperishable items by their mailboxes for the mail carriers to pick up.
  • Hannah ended the meeting at 7:29 p.m. 

Akron Documenters trains and pays residents to document local government meetings with notes and live-tweet threads. We then make those meeting summaries available as a new public record.