My immediate thoughts are with the employees
who have been laid-off today, and of course, their families. Our neighbors, friends, and
family members who have lost their jobs today are feeling a real sense of loss. I have a
better understanding of what they’re going through, since this is something that my
own family and friends have experienced in the past. As I said in my State of the City
speech one week ago, Goodyear has not only been a major employer, Goodyear has also been a
friend to Greater Akron. It has provided resources to every one of our arts and cultural
groups, our athletic teams, supported our schools, both public and private, and supported
Greater Akron when our community was down on its luck in times past.
If there is any good news in this announcement, it is that Goodyear is taking these
difficult steps to become a stronger company. A strong Goodyear will continue to be an
asset to the community. Goodyear will continue to be headquartered here and will employ
some 3,000 area residents.
These ups and downs are part of our free market economy, and that’s why I have
fought so hard to keep the City focused on developing new jobs as part of our duty to the
people of Akron.
To those employees who are suffering the loss of their jobs, we will do what we can as
a City to assist them and be supportive of their families. This is also a time to be
supportive of those associates, who tomorrow will return to Goodyear to make it a stronger
company. It is also a time to remember Goodyear’s contributions to Akron, and to be
supportive of their efforts to restore the company to good economic health.
