U.S. Conference of Mayors President Kevin Johnson Issues Statement in Response to Retirement of Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic

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May 09, 2015, 04:16 ET

WASHINGTON, May 9, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- U.S. Conference of Mayors President Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson today issued the following statement in response to Akron (OH) Mayor Don Plusquellic announcing his retirement:

"Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic's public service to the City of Akron spans 42 years. Elected in 1973 as a City Councilman at the age of 24, later as Mayor in 1988, he demonstrated great leadership in promoting the transformation of Akron's economy through tough times. The modern city that stands today is truly a better place for Akron citizens today to work, play and live.

"Due to his leadership, Akron has received many national awards, but the true test for any Mayor is the ballot box. The people of Akron have showed through every election that they appreciated and wanted more of Mayor Plusquellic's vision.

"Mayor Plusquellic served as the 62nd President of The United States Conference of Mayors in 2004. He fought and led the effort to save the Community Development Block Grant program from being abolished. On the national level, he has been a champion for mayors with the federal government.

"We accept and respect his personal decision to step down. His doing so is a loss to Akron, The United States Conference of Mayors and to the cities of our nation."

The U.S. Conference of Mayors is the official nonpartisan organization of cities with populations of 30,000 or more. There are nearly 1400 such cities in the country today, and each city is represented in the Conference by its chief elected official, the mayor. Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/usmayors, or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/usmayors.

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SOURCE The U.S. Conference of Mayors