From Mayor Bob Genet's Office

WELCOME to the City of Barberton's Website.

When you visit Barberton, you will find many exciting and interesting opportunities.  During the summer, music fills the evening air at the Gazebo at Lake Anna with free concerts.  We have some of the best festivals in Summit County; the Cherry Blossom Festival is in early May, followed by the Arts and Crafts Festival in July, the Labor Day Festival, United Way’s ChickenFest! as well as the Mum Festival, in September.  In addition, the City of Barberton offers many exciting recreational programs throughout the year to provide the community with enjoyable, healthy, enriching, physical activities.  From summer camps for youth to bingo for senior citizens, the Parks and Recreation Commission’s desire is to provide opportunities for all age groups to grow socially, physically and emotionally.  For our senior adults, the Active Adult Center is located in the Lake Anna YMCA.  In addition to bingo, senior citizens can come to enjoy billiards, arts & crafts and many more exciting activities.  Speaking of the YMCA, it is a new, state-of-the-art $9.6 million facility which opened in December 2007.  It is located northeast of Lake Anna.

There have been many accomplishments since the beginning of my term as Mayor in January 2008.  Here is a sampling:

• Initiation of an employer visitation program which allows me to visit the sites of current employers to discuss their challenges in ever-changing markets. This visitation program started with a conversation with Stark State University and the University of Akron.  Workforce development will play an integral role in revitalizing the area.  My goal is to provide post-secondary education opportunities for residents in Barberton and neighboring communities.  An educated workforce will provide our current businesses with a quality pool of potential employees and hopefully attract new companies to Barberton.

• Met with Norton Mayor Dave Koontz and New Franklin Mayor Al Bollas to discuss ways we can work together to provide opportunities for our residents.  It is of premium importance that our communities look at each other as partners and not as competitors.

• I am in constant contact with Congresswoman Betty Sutton, State Representative John Otterman, State Senator Kevin Coughlin, County Executive Russ Pry and other elected officials.  The ability to call on these individuals gives us the opportunity to present and take action on our residents’ concerns, such as flooding.  My administration is committed to working toward a permanent solution to the flooding issues that occur far too frequently.

• We are in the process of establishing our five-year plan for capital improvements.  This plan, when adopted by City Council, will establish the process, timeline and revenue sources for the needed capital improvements to the city.

Finally, if you have any questions, concerns or suggestions, please feel free to contact my staff or me.  It is an honor to represent you as your Mayor.

Sincerely,

Bob Genet

Click here to Meet My Staff

Summit County Board of Election voting machine demonstrations and registering voters for the upcoming General Election schedule

View some of the frequently asked questions I receive.