Wow!!! Well said Mary!

I must be in a different circle. I moved here from Arizona in 2003 and don't see what you're talking about. All of my friends are open minded about people who are different from them, and although this city has a larger percentage Caucasian population than Akron, it seems more tolerant and accepting than Stow or Hudson. I've seen amazing improvements in the dontown and Howe road areas since I've been here; and soon I think State Road will be thriving. Please give some references to where the governor has indicated he has no tolerance for anything but a WASP living in this city, because I am very interested in what may be happening!

I completely agree. As someone part of the GLBT community who who owns a home and works in the Falls, I always feel marginalized due to our city officials and the stance they take on certain issues. The Nat issue with them not recognizing unmarried couples for a family membership pass made me cancel my membership there. What Robart and his cronies still have not learned after ALL the years he's been in office, is how to be inclusive instead of exclusive. There are many many many GLBT and diverse families and couples living in Cuyahoga Falls. We need to be recognizing and applauding them to even want to live in this conservative community!

I tend to agree with Mrs. Kolton. There is a concentration of power and likemindedness in our city government that makes it very difficult to address any issue without having rose-colored glasses on. Frequently I see issues resolved based on ideology instead of ideals. Look back at some of the recent headlines in our city (The Nat, the curfew, Portage Crossing) and you can always link the final outcome back to those who produced and benefited from it. Solutions are frequently filled with inequality, nepotism, and closed-mindedness. Cuyahoga Falls does have a lot of untapped potential, but those in power have to stop thinking with a 1950s mentality.

I'm not seeing it...

I'm PROUD to say I am from C-Falls!

As for the comments about Stow or Hudson. First, this isn't a conversation about Stow or Hudson. Second, yes, you should be afraid of CF turning into Stow or Hudson. Certainly, more economically progressive and forward thinking than Cuyahoga Falls. I know people in those towns who actually understand what I am talking about. They are the kind of places your children will move to, if they can't get farther away. . .

Well Adam I'm happy for you!! But I've been here since 1963 and yes grew up around African Americans then when I moved here it was the n word across the board. My father invited his black friends over just to tick off the neighbors!! There is definitely a stuck up attitude in this city. If u aren't a bully your not a part of!! I knew the minute I moved here it was different. I could tell u all about the schools back then and I can tell you all about them now!! I can tell you the story my daughters shared about their experience at rockin a couple weeks ago while enjoying the music!! A cop pounding his finger in their shoulder or my friend who got pushed in the back of the head and he wanted them to move. Do you think that treatment was necessary? I think not!! Or how about my daughter sitting with black students and getting told why don't you sit with your own kind. Or my own experience about being thrown across a class room in Jr high and having that teacher dig his finger nails in my ARM till it doubled in size. Right now I live rent free! If I had to pay forget it I'd be gone! So thanks Mary for having the guts to give your opinion! I stand behind u 110%!!

@ Mary No my daughter is not color blind. She's not gothic just has black friends. No being prejudice its not the only issue but it is huge! This city has major issues!! And for the mayor to read this he doesn't care!! I hope he comes back black or gay someday!!

@Mike Penta Re: the Portage Crossing responses. Yes. Quite a few had to be deleted for inappropriate comments. However, I got them before deletion and I saw a tremendous amount of hate and ignorance in those letters. It's good to know there are people with vision and compassion in Cuyahoga Falls. Sad that I have yet to meet any in person. There is a famous saying used by a politician recently: "The fish always begins to rot from the head." I couldn't agree more. Good luck in your efforts.
PS Let's begin by finding an appropriate place for Good Neighbors to help those in need in our community!

There's so much here to talk about, but let's dive right in with probably the most important thing: Your hypocrisy.

You want everyone else to see, value, and accept your beliefs and opinions--even going so far as to end it with "learn to respect the opinions of others"--yet this entire letter does nothing but bash, insult, and degrade people for doing nothing more than having an opinion you disagree with.

Where's your open heart?
Where's your listening ability?
Where's your respect for the opinions of others?

Needless to say, I'm nowhere near a fan of the mayor nor most parts of his administration. I think he's waaaaay off-base with most of what he does. I think it's been time for a change for a long time.

But for you to sit back and criticize the city for not kowtowing to the opinion and want of every single person in this city is shortsighted at best. A line has to be drawn somewhere. Funny, but you seem to have drawn your own lines as well, excluding those whose opinions you refuse to open up to.

I guess the simple point for this post is that you can't complain about others not listening to your opinions when you're not willing to listen to theirs.

I have read and responded to every response in this thread and others. I have heard your opinions and respected them even when we don't agree. I have not responded to hate-filled rhetoric, ignorance, taunts or name calling. I have made suggestions for improvement as well as criticized. I will say I am stunned by the level of vitriol in your responses. If you are happy here and see no need for change, especially in the services for those who are in need, and the prejudicial attitudes, I'm glad for you.
Do nothing and things will stay just as they are. . .

Just because you happen to be gay doesn't mean you represent the 'gay community' on this thread... We get it, you HATE the mayor of C-Falls!

Mary, I feel much the same as you do; I am, for better or for worse, one of those young people who has left the area & will never return, save to visit friends & family. Cuyahoga Falls was a nice place to grow up, but I am horrified at the place it has become, & particularly at the hatefulness espoused on these pages by commenters who prove your point as soon as they hit "submit." I fear nothing will ever change here. I love Cuyahoga Falls for the 18 good years it gave me, but as an adult, I cannot fathom having to deal with such small-mindedness on a daily basis.

@Adam If you are referring to me, I am not gay, but am the proud parent of a daughter who is. I don't claim to represent anybody, i speak for myself. I don't hate anyone. I just think it is time for a change. As mayor he is supposed to represent all the citizens here. Not just the people that agree with him. As for intolerance, once again, I give you, our mayor at work. http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2011/04/05/cuyahoga-falls-mayor-is-scared-of-goth-kids-piercings

And if the police chief is correct, and I don't doubt he is, what kind of city planner would put a senior citizen housing development one block away from this kind of "gang" activity???

@Kate, thank you for validating my opinion. @Tom, so you think because you live in Stow, I'm jealous of you? This is one of the reasons I don't respond to you and Earl. Clueless. @Earl, nice to know you are keeping track of the African-American and other minority populations for us. . .

Let's get back to finding a handicapped accessible place for the wonderful people at Good Neighbors that is on a bus route. Because of the layoffs, foreclosures and near poverty level incomes, they find themselves operating in crisis mode. Please donate whatever food or money you can to help your neighbors and their families. The thought of children in this city going to bed hungry should motivate each and every one of us of us to give whatever we can.

@Tom - I've lived in Stow, and moved to The Falls. Proud to be here, and so are my neighbors. An actual city that lights their streets rather than a dark bedroom community. Stow is a noce place, but considering the property taxes, I don't understand what Stow is doing with that money, especially considering the community benefits and improvements I've seen in CF for my tax dollar. I really don't think your opinion about another community is worth $.02 if you haven't lived there. Glad you enjoy your overpriced housing, and are getting your money's worth. So am I.