Ray Horner Show

Even though Akron mayor Dan Horrigan joins the Ray Horner Morning Show each week, especially since the onset of the pandemic, there was a lot of news and topics to cover since his last visit.

The mayor of Akron has spoken in the past about the reopening of Ohio, and that was brought to the forefront after Governor Mike DeWine’s announcement of the conclusion of his health orders, which ends June 2nd. Horrigan says he knew this day was coming, but with the vaccination rates continuing, he is optimistic heading into the summer with events and gatherings.

“There is still a ways to go,” says Horrigan. “But this is a small victory.”

Horrigan also touched on the housing market in Akron throughout the pandemic, as well as Thursday’s unveiling of the Rubber Worker Statue downtown.

This is National Police Week, and today, May 12th, is an emotional day of service for those lost on duty. And with tensions between the public and the police at a fever pitch, many police officers have lost their lives in the last year.

Clay Cozart is the Akron FOP president, and he talked about the sacrifice it takes to serve the community as a police officer on the Ray Horner Morning Show. He mentioned the dangers these officers deal with on a daily basis, not just with violence, but with COVID-19 out there, as well. He says recruitment both locally and nationally is at a critical point, and many have trepidation and are scared away due to the danger and scrutiny surrounding the position.

Dr. Debbie Plate, Cleveland Clinic Akron General

Susan Spencer - Chief Nursing Officer, Cleveland Clinic Akron General

Sports at the collegiate level took a backseat for much of the COVID-19 pandemic, but as vaccines ramp up and that sense of “normalcy” returns, college athletic programs are looking ahead. The Akron Zips athletic department has overseen many changes the last six years, and now that includes a new AD.

Charles Guthrie is the new athletic director of the University of Akron, and he joined the Ray Horner Morning Show to look ahead at his new job in a new city. Guthrie comes over to Akron from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, where he spent four years as AD and even had a previous relationship with now-UA president Dr. Gary Miller. Guthrie says he is looking forward to work alongside the faculty, the students, and the alumni, and believes the program has a lot of upside.

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Summit County Health Commissioner talks about latest on COVID-19 vaccination efforts, including neighborhood pop-up locations, and delivering the vaccine to directly to people in their homes, who are shut-ins, and can't get out to get the vaccine.

As the vaccines continue to get distributed, and the cases and deaths from COVID-19 plummet, more venues have started their reopening, most notably Canal Park and the Akron RubberDucks’ season opener.

Dan Horrigan is the mayor of Akron, and he joined the Ray Horner Morning Show for his weekly radio visit. Horrigan talked about the slow reopening of businesses and venues as the city heads closer towards some form of “normalcy,” especially in downtown Akron. He also looked at the near and distant future of downtown and how attractive it can be for young professionals to live and gather.

The mayor also touched on the future of the Chapel Hill area, which is mostly in Akron, as well as the conversations he has had with the local medical professionals about the vaccines.

Jim Pfander - General Manager, Akron RubberDucks

Dr. Hazel Barton - Microbiologist, University of Akron