The First Mayoral Debate

[Suzanne Metelko]

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?

Gary, I guess you'll have to come tonight because the article that the organizer wrote WAS NEVER PRINTED. It might have answered your questions. Perhaps it could be cut an pasted here.

[Gary Rice]

Suzanne,

I hope that you know me well enough to know that even though I have opinions, I try to be a fair person.

The lack of information coming out ahead of time causes the reporter in me to want to know more. What's with the cryptic nature of this whole thing? Why are the organizer, the moderator, the background of this debate etc..being referred to not by name?

What's with this "can't post here" about? and why?

Are you implying censorship? Residency? What exactly? I'm not sure I appreciate the implication as regards the Observer. I have too many friends here and I know how fair they are.

This very vagueness and circumspection bothers me....a lot.

I'm honestly trying to be fair here with my thinking.

[dl meckes]

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.

Anna Shakarian has never been blocked from posting on the Observation Deck.

The Virtual Mayoral Debate thread was locked and will be locked until the questions are posted by Jeff Endress.

[stephen davis]

Who will be moderating the debate?

Two nonpartisan gentlemen that are associated with the parish and that are Cleveland residents will be moderating. Additionally, they will just be making sure the candidates stay within the time limit, introduce the main issues, and collect the audience questions.

Unfortunately, the mayor is unable to attend debate on the evening of Sept. 5 prompting the original sponsor, Fr. Duke of SS. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church, to cancel. However, both Councilmen, Ryan Demro and Edward Fitzgerald agreed to work to keep this event alive. It will now take place in the gym of Harrison Elementary at the same time, 7:00-8:30pm. The original moderators will still participate.

Why are you claiming that Fr Duke was the "original sponsor?"

I heard from a very reliable source, a member of the parish, that this was NOT the case at all.

I find this very misleading.

Also, if the debate was cancelled because the mayor could not attend on that particular date, what's the point of just changing the venue? Do you really want the mayor to attend or do you actually prefer being able to claim that he won't attend?

Thank you Anna and everyone at SS Cyril and Methodius for organizing this event and getting all three candidates to attend (there's been some speculation on whether that could happen).

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

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?

This very vagueness and circumspection bothers me....a lot.

I'm honestly trying to be fair here with my thinking.

[stephen davis]

I see a lot of confusion about organizers, sponsors, and formats.

CLEVELAND moderators introducing the issues?

The Mayor couldn’t attend the first date, so the debate was rescheduled for the SAME DAY? Obviously, he won't be there.

I want a mayoral debate. I think that it's in the public interest that all of these candidates meet face to face, but if I was a mayoral candidate, even with a wide open schedule, I probably would not participate in this one. It just doesn't pass the smell test.

[Shawn Juris]

Who needs the Real World drama or Jerry Springer antics when we've got Lakewood politics? How many days until this election cycle is over?

[Jim O'Bryan]

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.

Suzanne

I had always thought it was settled. As I have told you and others, I have very little if nothing to do with the paper. Layout is by Brian, editing by Heidi and Dan. Not passing the buck, if I do not know there is a problem why would I call.

How many times have you called me since we started the Virtual Debate, 20? 30? I have to think I am a pretty easy person to get in touch with. She could have signed on to the Deck anytime, and posted her problems. But none of this was done.

I have just spoken with Dan and when he gets to a computer he will posts his side of this sorid tale. Also we have recently finished a long interview with Father Duke and I know the reporter was looking and trying to get in touch with Anna. Just to clarify some responses, last I heard 4 days ago, she had not returned his phone calls.

As for the catty comment, I only wirte what I look after, and care about. However Tim Kanak was fascinated by this story and after a two hour interview with Father Duke, he has worked very hard to make sure this is documented and printed.

.

[Gary Rice]

"The truth will out"- Shakespeare

...and I can't wait.

[Dan Slife]

Suzanne,

The article did not run on my insistance that Anna Shakarian have the article resubmitted through the member center via a Lakewood resident.

Jim was not involved in this mis-communication, I take full responsibility.

When the event info changed, I asked Anna to resubmit through the member center, exactly as she had done for the original. She did not do so, instead sending me an email with the new information.

I then sent a message requesting that a resident of Lakewood involved with the event handle the submittion, also leaving a voicemail message. She did not respond to either. I believe his was mid-week, last week.

I was disappointed that the conversation ended at that point.

If you have issues with submissions, please contact myself and Heidi Hilty directly.

You can reach me at home, 216.227.8394 anytime. I check my voicemail frequently. Leave a number, I'll get back to you asap.

I'm happy to work closely with candidates and their supporters to ensure that time-sensitive articles do appear as requested/submitted.

Do not let communication go silent, if email fails, call. Always.

[Richard Cole]

I ws unble to attend this evenings activities. I would be interested to hear all opinions on the procedings.

Thanks

[Gary Rice]

I was at the event tonight. I spoke with Suzanne, and her story dovetails nicely with Dan's..

Apparently there were some well-intentioned misunderstandings with all of this. I'm not of the opinion at this point that there was any intentional wrongdoing on anyone's part, as far as setting this thing up went.

Mayor George was not there. There were 3 podiums set up. Candidates Demro and Fitzgerald had white podiums. The one for Mayor George was black.

I found no one who could explain that particularity.

As far as the two candidates attending went, they conducted themselves well, with controlled expressions, good eye contact, and articulate answers.

I would estimate the crowd to have been at around 100 people. Applause held off until the end.

Questions taken by cards from the floor were apparently categorized and summed up. Supposedly there were only a few verbatim-recited cards.

I would have liked to have seen a live microphone for live questions from the floor.

I inquired as to whether the school was rented, and who had to sign off responsibility for the auditorium. The belief from those with whom I spoke was that the building was provided free. As to who signed off to use it, I was unable to determine that information.

Both candidates remained afterwards for some time, speaking with anyone who wanted conversation.

[Tim Carroll]

I thought the debate went better than I had expected tonight.

The first four questions were based on Crime, Housing, Taxes and streets.

Then they had about six - eight questions from the audience on various issues facing the city.

My guess there was about 75 - 100 people in attendance.

[Lynn Farris]

The Debate tonight was excellent. Mayor George did not attend, but both Councilman Fitzgerald and Demro did.

The debate was well attended. I'm glad it was at Harrison school because it was beautiful and I hadn't gotten a chance to see it before.

Both candidates had opening statements. Then the moderator asked 4 questions. Then a second moderator took the questions the audience had submitted and tried to get some general themes to ask the candidates. Then both had summaries.

Both Councilmen looked very Mayoral. Both Councilmen answered questions excellently and had wonderful ideas on how to make the city a better place. Issues such as crime, infrastructure, housing, taxes, were the main topics. No fluff.

The only criticism I would have of the debate is it makes a decision even harder as both of them would do an excellent job of running the city. I was quite impressed.

It is my understanding that Councilwoman Madigan is going to be hosting a debate at the Caryle in the near future. If you missed this one - maybe you can make that one and hopefully all 3 candidates will attend.

[Suzanne Metelko]

Gary, it was good to see you there. A few details:

When Brian Powers and I arrived the auditorium was set up with chairs only. The requested 3 IDENTICAL podiums and mikes as well as the moderator's wireless mike were not there. The black podium was on the stage. The custodian and the rec department event person set up the stage when the equipment arrived minus one podium. The moderators labeled the podiums. I don't think there was any malicious intent; it was probably about balance?? white, black, white. I suppose you could read stuff into anything.

As for the rental, the gym was reserved by me on behalf of the Demro and Fitzgeral campaigns when we were told the event had been canceled at St. Cyrils. We would have been happy to share any bill with the George campaign, but there wasn't one. The End.

As for Anna Shakarian and Dan. Having worked with both of you now, I'm sure that if you were to meet one another, you'd be fast friends. I get the misunderstanding, its just that Jim seems intent on using it as evidence of some conspiracy. I suggest you make that phone call yourself. I know you appreciate primary source information as much as I do.

It was a good night for Lakewood.

Suzanne

[Bryan Schwegler]

The Sun Post just released an online article about the debate:

Mayor no-show at town hall meeting

While true, I think the title is a bit obnoxious and leading. Especially considering that 99% of the article isn't even about that.