Stow City Council hears resident concerns, passes legislation
Stow residents filled City Hall’s seats Thursday to speak out on an alleged altercation between the mayor and a councilman.
Mayor Sara Kline reported to police that Councilman Bob Adaska shoved her after the March 22 council meeting.
Report made by Mayor Sara Kline against Councilman Bob Adaska.
According to the police report, Kline accused Adaska of “assault” and “disorderly conduct – fighting or threatening.”
Police charged Adaska Wednesday with simple misconduct. Law Director Amber Zibritosky said the Summit County Sheriff’s Office will complete the investigation.
Adaska claimed he was getting out of his seat to leave the meeting when the mayor “yelled” at him and “pointed fingers” about comments during the meeting related to tearing down the SKiP Park Playground. He said he didn’t push her.
“She should have never approached me that way,” he said. “It is just inappropriate.”
Valene Douglas said she’s known Adaska for 10 years, and said he served her well as her councilman.
“To see his good name smeared like this is very sad indeed, and I hope truth will prevail,” she said.
Adaska said he couldn’t believe the amount of support he received at the meeting.
“To see these people come forward and come to support me in this… it’s very heartwarming,” he said.
Kevin Clarke of Stow said he thought Mayor Kline made the wrong decision to tear down SKiP Park, a playground built out of wood by Stow residents 23 years ago.
“I have four granddaughters in this city, and they don’t have SKiP Park like my kids had,” Clarke said.
The wood deteriorated over time, and parts of the playground had to be removed before it finally was torn down. Although some made the claim she tore the playground down to make room for an upcoming entertainment district, Kline stated that was not the case.
“It absolutely was not torn down because there potentially might be an entertainment district,” she said during the March 22 meeting. “It was not torn down because we didn’t want to maintain it. It was torn down because it was, in fact, posing significant safety hazards.”
During the meeting, the council approved purchasing new vehicles for city departments. They also agreed to hire a deputy city engineer, an operator II in the street department, a specialist in the maintenance department and to fill two full-time positions in the maintenance department.
The mayor was not available for comment.
Surveillance footage from the incident can be downloaded using this link.
At Stow City Council tonight to cover the latest. Stay tuned for developments on community news! #JMCRPP
— Emma Keating (@Emma_M_Keating) April 12, 2018
Many Stow residents are taking to the floor tonight, defending councilman Bob Adaska against what they’ve been calling attacks by the mayor. #JMCRPP
— Emma Keating (@Emma_M_Keating) April 12, 2018
Upset about Skip Park being torn down in Stow? You’re not alone. This council meeting is filled with concerned residents wishing to preserve their playgrounds.
— Emma Keating (@Emma_M_Keating) April 12, 2018
