I’m Billy Soule, Assistant to Mayor Don Plusquellic for Community Relations and ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) Coordinator. Our mission is to create pathways for communications with our citizens, and, to be the liaison for the Mayor’s Office, when working with residents, churches, non-profit and community organizations, and other institutions.

We often meet with organizations and groups to discuss matters of interest, programs and ideas that might affect the quality of their lives and the lives of those they serve.

The Office of Community Relations is responsible for designing programs and campaigns that serve the public interest. We currently oversee the Annual Holocaust Arts & Writing Contest, National & Global Youth Service Awards, the City of Akron’s Black History Month Observance, and the Annual Charles Salem Awards.

We also assist other City of Akron divisions with their community relations projects. This past year, we worked with the Akron Police Department in its 2006 recruitment efforts, designed the National Night Out Against Crime anti-crime sign campaign, assisted the Akron Department of Public Health in promoting and marketing its annual Healthy Baby Fair, and we assisted the city’s Planning Department and Akron Area Board of Realtors with the 2006 Homebuyer’s Expo.