Emmy Award-winning Feagler & Friends is a lively, weekly half-hour television discussion of local and national issues impacting lives in Northeast Ohio. Hosted by award-winning journalist and former Plain Dealer columnist, Dick Feagler, Feagler & Friends explores the various issues behind today's news. With a changing ensemble of "friends" ranging from journalists to community and political leaders, Feagler & Friends takes on issues from many different perspectives. Always entertaining and never boring, Feagler & Friends is the program for people "in the know" in Northeast Ohio.

Friday, August 24, 2007

Topics: Education, Politics, Other
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Roundtable: Joan Mazzolini, reporter, The Plain Dealer; Jay Miller, reporter, Crain’s Cleveland Business; Bob Dyer, columnist, Akron Beacon Journal.

Euclid Race Case: A federal judge ordered the city of Euclid to redraw its city council wards in such a way that black candidates have a better chance of winning a seat on council. No black candidate has ever been elected to public office in Euclid where the population is 30% black. The court order means city council elections with the redrawn wards will be held next spring instead of November. Post-trial recriminations are expected to reverberate loudly in the fall Mayor’s race.

University of Akron Deal: The State Controlling Board this week approved the University of Akron’s plan to buy Quaker Square for $22-million dollars. U. of Akron will convert the hotel, built into former grain elevators, to a dormitory. Controversy arose, however, then the Columbus Dispatch reported the hotel and its land is worth just under $10-million. A university representative admits he may have some explaining to do if the Controlling Board demands it.

Challenge for GOP Kingmaker: There’s a move afoot to replace Summit County’s long-time Republican Party chairman, Alex Arshinkoff. It’s being led by state senator Kevin Coughlin who says the party’s fortunes have slipped under Arshinkoff’s leadership. Arshinkoff is known for his abrasive style but is lauded for his skill as a fund-raiser and for navigating GOP candidates through choppy waters dominated in northeast Ohio by Democrats.

Diocese on Trial: Trial began this week for a former accountant accused of arranging kickbacks to the chief financial officer of the Cleveland Catholic diocese. The government claims Anton Zgoznik funneled money to diocese CFO Joseph Smith, who’ll face charges in a future trial. Defense attorneys have hinted that sub rosa financial dealings were common among high diocesan officials.

Vick’s Admission: Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick has agreed to plead guilty next week to federal dogfighting charges that could send him to prison. Vick might also face additional state charges in Virginia. Vick’s future as a football player won’t be known until after he’s met with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. 53 pit bulls seized from Vick’s property may be euthanized if no one steps forward to claim them.

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