Displaying items by tag: Eddie Sipplen

:17 - February is Black History Month, and each day, Ray Horner will interview a member of the community who has been of influence and made a difference. Today, Ray sat down with attorney Eddie Sipplen.

7:58 - Super Bowl 54 has concluded, with the Kansas City Chiefs defeating the San Francisco 49ers, 31-20. The morning show panel discussed the game itself, the commercials, and a little on the rather risqué halftime performance.

14:38 - We’re over two months away from Tax Day, but many got their W2’s in the last week or so. Doug Klein from BDO will be with us every Monday with some tax tips as we head towards April.

19:58 - February 3rd kicks off the Iowa Caucus, and Dr. David Beer from Malone University discussed the caucus itself and recapped last week in the Senate impeachment case.

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Over the weekend, 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick made the headlines over his refusal to stand up during the “Star-Spangled Banner.” Kaepernick stood by his comments, believing America and its flag and anthem have promoted institutional racism.

Eddie Sipplen, a local attorney and former mayoral candidate, joined the Ray Horner Morning Show to discuss Kaepernick’s decision from a different standpoint. Sipplen respects his right to sit out the National Anthem, believing his decision can open up honest dialogue. He feels that both blacks and whites should have this conversation on race relations.

Sipplen believes an honest dialogue can help Americans get away from the methodology and get to the message as to why Kaepernick is making this political point. The key points in the conversation, according to Sipplen, are about classism and white folks’ perception of blacks, no matter the social and economic backgrounds.

It’s been over 20 years, and we are still talking about the O.J. Simpson trial. In fact, there is a new cable miniseries about the case, titled The People Vs. O.J. Simpson.

Eddie Sipplen, an attorney with an office in West Akron, joined the Ray Horner Morning Show to discuss the defense of the former Buffalo Bills running back. The reason the Simpson trial is still in our minds, Sipplen believes, is the emotional aspect. Whether it was a racial emotion or just plain visual aspect, it sparked opinion and debate.

Ray and Eddie break down the Johnnie Cochran and Simpson’s defense team, which was assembled to create “reasonable doubt.” Sipplen also shared his thoughts on being an African-American during and after the infamous trial.

On this day in 1993, Martin Luther King Jr. Day was observed for the first time in all fifty states. Today, we celebrate the life of Dr. King and his message of equality and acceptance.

Last week, Eddie Sipplen was tapped to be a part of the MLK commission in the state of Ohio, and he joined the Ray Horner Morning Show to touch on what Dr. King’s life and words meant to him. When asked if the black community is better off now than it was 50 years ago, Sipplen said in some ways yes, some ways no. He believes it’s wonderful that blacks and whites can eat in a cafeteria together with no issue, but from an economic standpoint, the divide continues.

In less than 24 hours, the polls will open for Akronites to elect their first new long-term mayor in nearly three decades. Republican candidate Eddie Sipplen and Democratic candidate Dan Horrigan talked to The Jasen Sokol Show about their experiences on the campaign trail, the sewer issue, and who they think is underrepresented in city government.

 

Democratic mayoral nominee Dan Horrigan says his campaign is still working hard, despite the success of other Democrats in the past.

"You always work hard. You don't take anything for granted. Nobody gives you anything, " Horrigan tells WAKR.net. "You've gotta go out and earn it, and that's one of the great characteristics of the city...we've earned every everything that we've had. Nobody gives us anything."

Horrigan faces challenges from Republican Eddie Sipplen and Independent Bill Melver. The city of Akron historically leans heavily Democratic, and has had a Democratic mayor leading the city for the past 30 years.

There are more than 20,000 registered Democrats in Akron, compared to more than 2,800 that identify themselves as Republican, according to the Summit County Board of Elections data. There are over 99,000 voters who identify as independent.

Horrigan says his campaign's efforts on the ground proved to be an important tool, saying candidates have to understand the voters' needs and concerns. "This campaign has always been about issues," Horrigan says. "And it's about the voters. It's not about me, and it's not about the other opponent. It's about what they (voters) care about. Because that's what elections are for."

Akron will elect a new mayor for the first time in nearly 30 years next Tuesday. Early voting through the weekend hours at the Summit County Board of Elections, 500 Grant Street, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturday; 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday and 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Monday. Precincts will be open the usual times for in-person voting on Tuesday.

Ohio Senator Rob Portman offered his support for Republican mayoral candidate Eddie Sipplen during his visit to Akron on Saturday.

"I was excited when Eddie agreed to step up and run," Portman said at Sipplen's campaign headquarters on W.Exchange Street.. "I think Akron needs Eddie Sipplen." Senator Portman, as part of his first Super Saturday grassroots campaign event traveled across nearly all of Ohio, in an effort to reach 25,000 voters in one day.

He also gave his thoughts on why he thinks Eddie Sipplen would be the best leader for the city.

"He's a guy with his MBA, his legal degree; he's got great qualifications," Portman said. "He knows how to work across the aisle and work with everybody and that will be great for Akron." With the election less than a couple of weeks away, the two candidates, Sipplen and Dan Horrigan, are ramping up their efforts to convince voters to punch their ticket as the next mayor of the Rubber City. Portman's team assisted Sipplen's campaign Saturday in reaching more than 1,500 voters by going door-to-door and asking for their vote.

Sipplen says his focus is on the people of Akron. "We [he and Portman] talked about the financial aspects of the campaign and he was like look; it's not about the money in the campaign its about what you are going to do for the people. Stay focused on that." Sipplen says his campaign has always been one that wants to talk to voters directly and that involves getting out into the neighborhoods. He says that's what he's always done and it won't change, as the November election approaches. "I'm not taking it for granted," Sipplen said. "I'm knocking on the doors. Every volunteer that's out there knocking on the doors. I'm out knocking with them so they know that I walk the talk."

WAKR contacted Horrigan for comment on this story, but he was unavailable.

The general election to choose the next mayor will be on Tuesday, November 3rd.