The letter asks residents to support an emergency review of the Akron charter that allows 2 percent of the registered voters to trigger such recall elections.

The letter indirectly supports Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic, who is facing a recall vote.

Hudson Mayor Bill Currin, who helped organize the effort, said the main aim of the letter was to focus on the recall process.

The letter -- published Friday in the Beacon Journal -- argues that a mayoral recall "is not an appropriate way to resolve disagreements regarding policy decisions."

The letter was signed by the mayors of Hudson, Reminderville, New Franklin, Peninsula, Stow, Barberton, Boston Heights, Tallmadge, Lakemore, Norton, Macedonia, Richfield, Green, Twinsburg and Fairlawn.

Currin said Friday that recall efforts such as the one going on in Akron are frivolous and hurt the region's image and economic vitality.

The cost of recalls to the city is substantial and undermines the stability of government, Currin said.

To allow such recalls to proceed when only 2 percent of the voters sign petitions is silly, he said. "Who can't get 2 percent of voters to sign petitions today?"

What happens in Akron has a big impact on communities in Summit County, and that's why the mayors weighed in, he said.

Petitions with 3,774 valid signatures -- nearly 600 more than required -- have been submitted by attorney Warner Mendenhall to Akron City Council Clerk Bob Keith.

The City Council could set a date for the recall election today, when Plusquellic is expected to give official notice that he won't resign. The election must be within 40 to 60 days of that notice, meaning the vote will be before mid-July.

The letter was not signed by the mayors of six Summit communities: Cuyahoga Falls, Clinton, Munroe Falls, Northfield, Mogadore and Silver Lake.

Cuyahoga Falls Mayor Don Robart said he "didn't see any upside" and decided not to get involved.

Clinton Mayor Phyllis Mayberry said she didn't know about the letter. Currin said the mayors behind the letter didn't have Mayberry's e-mail address and had to get signatures collected in a short time.

Silver Lake Mayor Bernie Hovey said he intended for his name to be on the letter. He said he responded to the e-mail and isn't sure what happened.

Northfield Mayor Victor Milani said he wants to stay out of Akron politics: "I don't really feel qualified to render an opinion whether he's doing a good or bad job. That should be left to the Akron residents."

The mayors of Munroe Falls and Mogadore could not be reached to comment.

bdowning@ thebeaconjournal.com.

kbyard@ thebeaconjournal.com.