Dear Bridgestone Firestone, Akron wants you to stay

The stupidity of people wrote:

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First off, the move to Chicago was the result of one CEO that was trying to restructure a money making "COMPANY/BUSINESS". When Bridgestone/Firestone realized that this guy was really not on the same page as everyone else, they came back to Akron and that individual was out of a job.
Then when Bridgestone/Firestone received an offer from the state of Tennessee, what did the mayor of Akron, city council, or even the governor of Ohio do? Absolutely nothing! The Bridgestone/Firestone buildings in the surrounding Akron area have been standing since the early 1900's and Tennessee offered to help in the construction of NEW state of the art buildings with tax incentives if the company moved there. Once again, what did the mayor of Akron, city council, or even the governor of Ohio do? Absolutely nothing!

You got the general idea behind the story, but let me correct a few critical details.
To be fair, Akron never really had the chance to stop Firestone (there was no "Bridgestone" in the name then) from leaving town. The CEO at the time, John Nevin who moved the company's HQ to Chicago essentially showed up in Plusquellic's office and declared that he was leaving town with the company. Period. There was no chance for negotiation then.

From Chicago, Firestone was sold off to Bridgestone and the merged company's new headquarters was established in Tennessee. Akron wasn't even a consideration.

You have to keep in mind that in its' recent deal, Goodyear actually approached the city of Akron and the state of Ohio. The company wasn't obligated to do so, and in fact could have simply picked up stakes and left for Charlotte. Now don't get me wrong, as I am by no means arguing here for corporate welfare. But that Goodyear actually seriously considered remaining in Akron from the get-go perhaps says something about the character of someone at or near the head of that company, profit motive notwithstanding.

bill wrote:

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You mean Santa isn't real. Next your going to tell me the Tooth Fairy is Micheal Jackson

NO - just that Michael Jackson is a fairy . Ha Ha Ha. Joking people...

AppleJack wrote:

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Sorry friend, but your entire post is nothing more than an assumption based on trying to discredit this woman's work. Unnecessary and uncalled for.

I lived in Firestone Park while she was Council person and never saw her do anything that wasn't self serving.

No Name wrote:

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Really? Have you bought gas recently? Those of us who have 20 mile commutes can totally understand why Craig and Mary Ellen chose to live closer to his job. What I don't understand is why you would think someone who is trying to do something good for the community in which she used to live, has no right to do so, simply because she lives elsewhere now. At least she's trying to do something. I haven't read anything about the current council person in that ward doing anything to encourage Bridgestone-Firestone to keep their tech center here.
By the way, there are some beautiful homes in Firestone Park. No, they're not brand new, and most are not very large compared to the McMansions being built now, but they have character and charm.

Speaking of beautiful homes...I have one in Firestone Park that's been up for sale for 8 months in Voris school district. Maybe Mary Ellen wants to buy it?:)

Got Outta Akron wrote:
<Speaking of beautiful homes...I have one in Firestone Park that's been up for sale for 8 months in Voris school district. Maybe Mary Ellen wants to buy it?:)>

Oh great--I guess this is what we have to look forward to next year--a beautiful house that will sit on the market. Have you tried burying a statue of St. Joseph upside-down in your front yard? And I agree with your comment about her term in office.

lizzy wrote:

I am from the park myself and currently work there as well, it is a long drive , I would do anything to live there again....it does not make sense based on where my husband works. I would love to send my children to Voris as well, it is a fabulous school! Mary Ellen would love to live there too, Jackson was a compromise she had to make b/c it was best for her family. I applaud Mary Ellen for taking a stand on this issue. Who cares where she lives, NE Ohio needs to keep what we have or we will fall apart more than we already have. Rather than bashing her based on her zipcode, use your energy to write a letter and show your support for our area.

Beth?

WAKE UP AKRON. 600 High paying jobs. 600 people with college degrees, mostly Master Degrees, and Phd's., probably married to college degreed mates, who support the arts,universities and many of the charitable needs of Akron. 600 families. Do the math. How can we lose approx. 2,400 people. You know, an ave. family of 4 X 600.Com e on Akron, don't let these negative personal comments be true about a city with such a vibrant, long history of innovative people. Remember Akron has an incredible history. Let's keep part of it.

Get out!!! You do nothing for us in the park. Oh yeah thats right they give tips to the restaurants they eat in. OH BOY. Even in Akron, what do these theives do? They get, and thats all they do. Tax breaks, Akron city at your beck and call. Also how many of those high paying workers even live in Akron? How many live in the park? I just don't see the payoff. We give, they take, what a deal. Oh i forgot to mention some kind of parade or something, thanks Firestone. When rubber left Akron for the south 30 years ago you high paid thieves should have left too.

See what happens when a good man can,t find a job in his trade? He writes dumb letters that don't do or mean anything.

Old Man Grump wrote:

<quoted text>...Move to Tallmadge with me, and enjoy life once again.

Just be sure to play music from the 50's or older, and not too loud--it IS Tallmadge, remember.

Old Man Grump wrote:

I say let them go so I have money left to feed my family and pay my taxes, not Firestones.

A couple things here that should be pointed out...

1. You live in Tallmadge so it doesn't affect you either way unless you wrok in Akron which I assume you don't.

2. That is NOT the way things work Grump. If those jobs leave, taxes for the remaining people go up to make up the difference. You don't get to KEEP anything - you pay MORE.

When you post such inaccurate info, you rile up folks for the wrong reasons - unless your being a troll on purpose?(and that's a question this time)

Old Man Grump wrote:

<quoted text>If you were stupid enough to buy a house in Akron city, you deserve what your getting. No one wants to live where taxes are sky high and the black hoodies control the streets. Akron is a lost cause. Move to Tallmadge with me, and enjoy life once again.

The Park was in good shape when I bought my home 15 years ago. Now I live in Portage Lakes with the old farts who decided not to live in Tallmadge!

Park resident wrote:

Got Outta Akron wrote:
<Speaking of beautiful homes...I have one in Firestone Park that's been up for sale for 8 months in Voris school district. Maybe Mary Ellen wants to buy it?:)>
Oh great--I guess this is what we have to look forward to next year--a beautiful house that will sit on the market. Have you tried burying a statue of St. Joseph upside-down in your front yard? And I agree with your comment about her term in office.

Saint Joseph has not worked his miracle for me yet...but I'm still praying!

Got Outta Akron wrote:

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I lived in Firestone Park while she was Council person and never saw her do anything that wasn't self serving.

Yuppers! She was one of the Mayor's most loyal lackeys. Mary Ellen is no really different than Merlitti, a dyed-in-the-wool part of the local Democratic machinery. How do you think Tina got her county job.

The Akron voters always lose whenever a Democrat wins!(And I'm a Democrat!)

I, too, am a BFS employee, and I live in Akron. It sounds as though many are upset at the "company", when it's employees that lose out if a move to Nashville occurs. Firestone has a history here, and a lot of hardworking employees that spend their money from their so-called "high paying" jobs in this city. I believe I'm one of at least 600 other co-workers who wants to see the company stay here. How would you feel if your job was in danger of relocation???

Waiting wrote:

I, too, am a BFS employee, and I live in Akron. It sounds as though many are upset at the "company", when it's employees that lose out if a move to Nashville occurs. Firestone has a history here, and a lot of hardworking employees that spend their money from their so-called "high paying" jobs in this city. I believe I'm one of at least 600 other co-workers who wants to see the company stay here. How would you feel if your job was in danger of relocation???

ironic that your isp is listed as nashville. coincidence?

concerned citizen wrote:

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ironic that your isp is listed as nashville. coincidence?

ISP location isn't always correct, and is determined by what server broadcasts the message. This poster very possibly has an ISP that uses a Nashville server farm.

I read about your house book in the Times. Alas, Harper Collins says basically no photos of the work in the book...

I am a life long resident of Firestone Park. I am raising my children here and would like the park to improve.

So many of these posts are bashing someone trying to do good and picking apart life choices. We all have them.

Stop arguing and do what you can to help...no matter who suggested it.

Big picture...do you think the Park will be better or worse if Bridgstone leaves?

I have some ill feelings toward the corporation because my father was a life long employee and he lost his job. But he did not complain...he turned his talents elsewhere...and still lives in the Park.

I want it back! I want security, safety, and longevity.

get writing!

this story sucks!!! who the hell is david giffles? i think he's an nice guy