The First Mayoral Debate

[Justine Cooper]

Don
.

While we will miss the clever one-liners, the repartee and the anticipation of an embarrassing moment as the proverbial knock-out punch is delivered and the scripted sound bites, none of these are crucial to an informed decision on what is the best direction for Lakewood. A reviewable exchange of information is.
Jeff

I really did not know that debates were that complicated before now. I, like many of my neighbors and friends have been looking forward to a debate, in any style, to best determine who seems to best for the future of Lakewood. Many of us truly are undecided right now.

That being said, I can attest to the fact that what we DON'T want to see, in any fashion, is any of the candidates use that time to slam or embarrass another of the candidates! We are above that and deserve more! If a candidate really wants to use their time to slam another, then he must not have enough positives to focus on himself and what he can bring to Lakewood. If I witnessed that I would personally knock on doors myself to campaign AGAINST that person because WE DESERVE BETTER THAN THAT and need a TRUE leader right now. We all know the school yard bullies who slam or embarrass others do it because they lack within themselves!

Regardless of the debate location or format, how each candidate carries himself will truly tell if he is a leader, mature enough to lead this city with positives and plans, not immature theatrics that insult the taxpayers who deserve so much more!

[Donald Farris]

Hi,
Mr. Endress, I want to learn as much as possible about all the Candidates. Please do not take my comment personal.

You said,

"While we will miss the clever one-liners, the repartee and the anticipation of an embarrassing moment as the proverbial knock-out punch is delivered and the scripted sound bites, none of these are crucial to an informed decision on what is the best direction for Lakewood. "

Thank you for telling me what is critical for me to make an "informed" decision on selecting a Mayor. I must add though, I do find personal behavior under pressure important. And historically a live in person debate has been a well accepted means of demonstrating this.

The other day I was watching a tape of the Nixon-Kennedy debate for the Presidential Election of 1960. (Something done well before the internet yet still a complete record of who said what.) And I was thinking, on paper (or a computer screen) Nixon won. But America in watching these 2 people determined that Kennedy looked (and behaved) more Presidential. The rest is history. Maybe America elected Kennedy for the wrong reason. But I think he was a great President. Perhaps the greatest.

[Jeff Endress]

I must add though, I do find personal behavior under pressure important. And historically a live in person debate has been a well accepted means of demonstrating this.

Absolutely and without question. Any trial attorney knows the importance of being able to judge the credibility of a witnesses is best when presented live, although at times reading a transcription is necessary. A live appearance enables us to gauge, in addition to credibility, demeanor, appearance, attitude, body language. All issues to be taken into account.

The Nixon-Kennedy debate is a watershed in history. Before that, people could only hear the debates (radio) or read commentary about them in the papers. And, I agree with your analysis of it, as do most historians. And while considerations of who appeared more Presidential (the charisma factor) probably gave Kennedy the edge (not to mention Nixon's profuse sweating)I'm really not so concerned in this Mayoral election to find out who make a better Mayorial appearance.

I'm looking for substance over appearance. I believe that the on line debate will provide us with a huge amount of substance. A live debate will provide us with appearance. I don't minimize the importance of a live debate, and my comments were directed to your trivializing what could well prove to be an effective means of dispensing and preserving (outside of archives), a great deal of information.

Jeff (My father was Mr. Endress)

[Jim O'Bryan]

Jeff

Let's not forget is we will see them twice, just as we say Nixon and Kennedy.

By one of the sharpest people in Lakewood, maybe the county or state.


.

[Suzanne Metelko]

FYI - This event has been relocated to Harrison School Gym. Same time tommorrow night, 7:00; same organizer, 2 moderators.

I hope everyone who is interested can attend.

[stephen davis]

Same time tommorrow night, 7:00; same organizer, 2 moderators.

Same date that all of the candidates couldn't get to, same organizer (Father Duke?), not just one, but 2 nameless moderators, and no mention of format. Hmmm.

Okay, I'll be there. Should be well worth the price of admission.

[Bill Call]

The debate will be held tonight, September 5th at:

2080 Quail, Harrison Elementry School from 7 to 8:30 PM.

[Jim O'Bryan]

The debate will be held tonight, September 5th at:

2080 Quail, Harrison Elementry School from 7 to 8:30 PM.

Debate?

I thought they were now town hall meetings.

Also is the Tom Bullock answer to crime questions, and school board thing.

Busy night, I would have thought they would have changed the date to get the mayor there!

Is it the same organizer?


.

[Suzanne Metelko]

Jim, to pretend to be confused is silly. The original organizer posted here, was bounced from here and then the LO pretended it was just a silly misunderstanding.

Tonight, Harrison, DEBATE, same organizer. As of yesterday, according to the organizer, the Mayor had only called and derided the organizer, he hadn't actually said yea or nay, so out of respect for the office, she informed the Fitzgerald and Demro campaigns that she would provide for the Mayor, in case he decided to show.

Two moderators with questions regarding issues, 7-8; 8:30 questions from the audience. If you need more information, you could call or email her. But she might not answer because she's not permitted to post here.

Hope to see everyone tonight.

[Brian Pedaci]

Is she 'not permitted to post here' because she's not a Lakewood resident?

[Jim O'Bryan]

Jim, to pretend to be confused is silly. The original organizer posted here, was bounced from here and then the LO pretended it was just a silly misunderstanding.

Tonight, Harrison, DEBATE, same organizer. As of yesterday, according to the organizer, the Mayor had only called and derided the organizer, he hadn't actually said yea or nay, so out of respect for the office, she informed the Fitzgerald and Demro campaigns that she would provide for the Mayor, in case he decided to show.

Two moderators with questions regarding issues, 7-8; 8:30 questions from the audience. If you need more information, you could call or email her. But she might not answer because she's not permitted to post here.

Hope to see everyone tonight.

Suzanne

Anna has NEVER been blocked on the Observation Deck OR in the member center. When the editor found out she did not live in Lakewood, he did not want to run the article. As you pointed out in a call to me, she works in Lakewood and it is a Lakewood topic. So even if she does not live in Lakewood she can write for the Observer. I believe the editor was amazed to find out that she did not live in Lakewood, and was hosting a debate for mayor.

I just checked on Anna's status and she is live and good to go, and has never been "blocked." Only one person has EVER been blocked and that is strictly for copyright and legal reasons. For the record.

So if it is the SAME organizer, is it you, you are on record for renting Harrison, is it the Cleveland resident Anna Shakarian, or is it Father Duke?


Suzanne, as you have once again mistated the truth, I will have the editors, and DL Meckes who runs the Deck chime in with their information.



.

[Suzanne Metelko]

Jim, you and I have spoken about this. The organizer was without a venue due to some outside interference in this event. The Fitzgerald and Demro campaigns agreed to find an alternative place - we did. The organizer both posted and submitted through the members center an article about this event and it was BLOCKED and she was invited not to participate. To the best of my knowledge, no one has indicated otherwise to her. However this could all be cleared up with a phone call to her. So get the first hand info and report back. She can provide you with the emails she received.

In the meantime, it will be an great night for citizens to hear the candidates, ask their questions and see democracy in action.

Suzanne

[Jim O'Bryan]

Jim, you and I have spoken about this. The organizer was without a venue due to some outside interference in this event. The Fitzgerald and Demro campaigns agreed to find an alternative place - we did. The organizer both posted and submitted through the members center an article about this event and it was BLOCKED and she was invited not to participate. To the best of my knowledge, no one has indicated otherwise to her. However this could all be cleared up with a phone call to her. So get the first hand info and report back. She can provide you with the emails she received.

In the meantime, it will be an great night for citizens to hear the candidates, ask their questions and see democracy in action.

Suzanne

Suzanne

If we are to clear the air let's clear the air. In the LO Virtual Debtate I must have thrity emails from you asking for every little thing. As you had said to me in front of my office. When and Where, who are the moderators who is putting this on? Yet I am to believe that no one knows who is moderating this debate?

No article was blocked, it was held as we have a very Lakewoodcentric paper. All we ask is for some connection. When Dan found out she was not even a Lakewoodite he properly held the story. It was freed minutes later after your call. I am glad you called to straighten this out.

So as we are to "watch democracy in action" some of us, not just me, wonder what happened to Father Duke in all of this. His name appeared on every piece of literature I recieved.

To be honest I could care less about this part.

I take exception to the fact you claimed she was BLOCKED on the deck and she was not.

She was not blocked in the member center as there is NO WAY TO BLOCK ANYONE. Ignore, maybe, but I can assure you she was not ignored. This topic was talked about in depth.

.

[Gary Rice]

If I'm not careful here, I'm liable to start sounting like a Hoot Owl...

Whoooo?

Whoooo?

Whoooo?

Whoooo's supposedly running this? Whoooo's supposedly sponsoring this?
Whoooo's moderating this?

Whoooo?

[Suzanne Metelko]

Jim, how is it that no one from the LO has asked her about this? Could it be that if you engage her then you might have to print something? I've never known you to fight so hard not to know something. But you're lovin' the rumor and inuendo part.

Again - open discussion and discourse, tonight, Harrision. See you all there.