Another Don Dynasty

There's been oodles of attention paid to the failed recall attempt of Don Plusquellic but another Mayor Don has escaped recent notoriety from critics.

The chatter amongst the Dems and political elite in Cuyahoga Falls that Mayor Don Robart was looking vulnerable to a challenge from a Democrat. Abe Zaidan had written about the waning of the Robart's power back in January. The local opposition it seems, was adamant that this was the year to unseat the Don of CF.

I too had heard from people close to the situation that 2009 would be a watershed year in the city o f CF. There was a feeling Robart had overstayed his welcome on Second Street and there was supposedly some blood in the water (meters) after several Robart initiatives had met stiff resistance from the Democratically controlled council. The days of unchallenged directives have disappeared now that they controlled city council.

With the stars aligned and plenty of ammunition to go after Robart with in the general election there would be a strong chance of a challenger filing to take on Robart this fall. What's that you say? No Democrats filed at the Summit BOE to run against Robart? The most under reported story of the week is that there will be no Democratic challenge to the long-time Falls Mayor. So much for striking while the iron is hot.

There is a remote chance someone could file as an independent after the primary. Typically you don't see that sort of thing in local elections but, you never know. Maybe the banished Kevin Coughlin will abandon his quixotic campaign for governor and re-brand as an independent.

Photo: Falls News Press