A Mayor should communicate...

[Ryan Patrick Demro]

The primary role of any mayor is to lead and engage those who have given you the authority to govern. The following email does not reflect the current mayor's willingess to do so:

LakewoodAlive Forum‏
From: Jay Foran (jayforan@ameritech.net)
Sent: Wed 9/05/07 9:56 PM
To: Jay Foran (jayforan@ameritech.net)
Mayor Thomas George, Mr. Edward Fitzgerald, and Mr. Ryan Demro,

FYI

The Mayor has declined LakewoodAlive's invitation to participate in a LakewoodAlive Forum debate.

LakewoodAlive will attempt to schedule a debate following the primary. Hopefully, a date can be identified and scheduled.

Jay


The mayor not only chose to dodge this debate and the one at Harrison School, but will also be ignoring the residents of the Carlyle by skipping their forum.

LakewoodAlive: Please schedule a debate today to follow the primary, invite the potential candidates, and let the chips fall where they may.

[Thomas J. George]

Observers,

Due to the large number of debate requests and the short notice provided for some of them, along with the preparation involved in each of them, I have been forced to limit my political activities. You are paying me to do a job at City Hall, not to campaign full time.

I have a deep respect for some of the organizations which are holding events, such as Lakewood Alive, and I have communicated this fact to them.

The League of Women Voters contacted me in July to coordinate a mutually acceptable date for their debate in October and the Chamber of Commerce did the same in regards to their late September debate.

I will, of course, be participating in both these respected debate events.

I will not participate in political campaign rallies disguised as debates.

In the meantime, our campaign maintains the most comprehensive web site of all the candidates and I attend more Lakewood events than any other candidate. My office handles over 10,000 phone calls per year and I am always available to answer your questions.

No hidden agendas or ulterior motives,

Mayor Tom George

[Ivor Karabatkovic]

speaking from past experiences and thoughts....

Mr.Demro,

I'm sure that the mayor has many things to do on a daily basis, because after all he is the mayor.

I would like to remind all the readers that the accusations made by canditate Ryan Demro on a weelky, almost daily basis, are as true as you would like them to be. While Mr.Demro is posting online and talking negatively about his opposition, the Mayor is visiting with civic groups and engaging personally with people in the community.

Mr.Demro, let me try your tactic.
After being a witness to the lack of control you always had with 7th and 8th graders in the classroom, I'd hate to see what happens when you get a grip of millions of tax dollars, the safety forces and 60,000 people.

[Justine Cooper]

Some of the campaign tactics have definitely pushed me away from and/or toward a candidate. Negativity pushes away. If there is enough positives about yourself you have no time to bash others.

I think two debates plus the LO debate is enough to hear what we need to.

[Bryan Schwegler]

I'm sure that the mayor has many things to do on a daily basis, because after all he is the mayor.

You mean so busy that he can't attend any safety meetings, block watch organizational meetings, or debates in an election year? Both Ryan and Ed are City Council people and each also has a regular full-time job, yet they find time to be present at events important to the public.

I would like to remind all the readers that the accusations made by canditate Ryan Demro on a weelky, almost daily basis, are as true as you would like them to be.

In fairness, that is a bit of a hyperbole. Also, Ryan is hardly alone in noticing the absenteeism of the Mayor. It's a common discussion around Lakewood, at least among those I know and interact with. Just look at some of the debate or safety meeting threads here and on other boards to see what people think.

While Mr.Demro is posting online and talking negatively about his opposition, the Mayor is visiting with civic groups and engaging personally with people in the community.

Where is the mayor? What groups is he engaging? I've been to alot of things recently and haven't seen him anywhere, even when he's invited to show up. I just must be missing him.

Ivor, you're a George supporter, nothing wrong with that. What I do find deeply ironic is you lambast Ryan for "negative" campaigning and yet you are doing the very thing against Ryan that you are attacking him for doing. Especially making personal digs about teaching style, etc...just seems a little hypocritical to me.

Look at Justine's post, that's a much more effective way to describe being turned off by negative campaigning. Engaging in what you say you're against just seems odd.

[sharon kinsella]

Bryan -

I think the statement about Ryan's teaching performance is indeed relevant.

Whenever people are looking for a new position, prior performance is very much applicable.

[Stephen Eisel]

When is the next sheduled debate? Thanks

[Bryan Schwegler]

Bryan -

I think the statement about Ryan's teaching performance is indeed relevant.

Whenever people are looking for a new position, prior performance is very much applicable.

Sharon I'm not saying it's not. Reread what I'm saying.

What I'm saying is that Ivor is going after Ryan for "negative" campaigning and yet is being just a negative in doing it. I'm just pointing out the irony.

So I agree, Ryan's teaching ability is relevant.

I'm just saying that someone shouldn't attack someone for doing something they themselves are doing.

[sharon kinsella]

Okay - I get that.

[Ivor Karabatkovic]

Where is the mayor? What groups is he engaging? I've been to alot of things recently and haven't seen him anywhere, even when he's invited to show up. I just must be missing him.

1. My fundraiser photo show. Mayor Tom George was the first one in the door and the first donation dropped in the donation box. Yes, Mr.Demro was there, but didn't speak with anyone and I don't even remember him speaking with me. I made a point to invite all of city council, and Kevin Butler and Mayor George are the only ones who donated their time and money towards a great cause.

2. Baseball tribute game in honor of Coach Jerry Gruss, sponsored by a list of local businesses, etc. Mayor George was the only candidate there, and contributed without hesitation to the great cause AGAIN. And also, he didn't bad mouth the other candidates while talking with a few parents.

3. Lakewood Sports. I've spoken to Mayor George on many occasions at sporting events over the past two years. He is a proud Ranger. Where are the other two candidates, who pledge that the youth stands behind them?

4. The Mayor stopped by LaCentre last night to congratulate St.Peters Episcopal church and give them their Resolution. His wife is fallen ill and feels under the weather, but the Mayor was still there. Again, he didn't bad mouth anyone.

the list can go on.
the truth is that the Mayor has many things on his calendar already. On top of going to events he has campaigning and work.

.....

I'm not posting these things so I can gain votes, Mr.Schwegler. You're not a George fan, there's nothing wrong with that. But I urge you to look past the posts and words of Mr.Demro. There has been one consistant supporter with the schools and the people of Lakewood that try to make a difference and it's not Ryan Patrick Demro.

And I certainly doubt he's gained any leadership ability or teaching ability in his 4-year absence from the classrooms.

[Bryan Schwegler]

Ivor thank you for proving my point so well...

So let me get this straight, you like the Mayor because he goes to sports games and donates to the charities you would choose?

I'm glad he went to the photo show, but I would be more impressed if he went to the safety meetings or the debates since those are the things that really matter to the people of Lakewood at the moment. Charity games and other photo ops are important for Lakewood as a community, but it's not relative to the core issues that are concerning most voters.

As for consistent candidate trying to make a difference, we'll just have to just disagree on who that is and wait for the voters to tell us which one of us is right.

BTW, you are aware that Ryan hasn't been absent from the classroom for the last 4 years right? He just doesn't work for Lakewood City Schools since up until the initiative recently passed, it would have been illegal for him to do so.

In the end, politics is an ugly thing and is a divisive topic which is why we're not supposed to discuss it in polite company. I just wish all races could be as friendly and positive as the Ward 3 Council race.

[Ivor Karabatkovic]

In the end, politics is an ugly thing and is a divisive topic which is why we're not supposed to discuss it in polite company. I just wish all races could be as friendly and positive as the Ward 3 Council race.

I follow.

I like the mayor because he is the only candidate which I cannot question. his good will and meaning, dedication and qualifications, his word. I like my leaders to be human.

[Bryan Schwegler]

I follow.

I like the mayor because he is the only candidate which I cannot question. his good will and meaning, dedication and qualifications, his word. I like my leaders to be human.

I'm not saying Tom George is a bad person. His intentions are probably good and I'm sure he's well meaning. There are quite a few very good people, including yourself, that support him and I know you wouldn't if he wasn't a good person himself.

Instead, what I'm saying is that I personally don't believe he's a strong leader, has a vision, or the ability to carry one through. I question his priorities and his ability to navigate Lakewood through troubled times. That doesn't make him a bad person, I just don't believe he's the right person at the right time.

I've known and been friends with Ryan Demro since I was about 12 years old. Regardless of what you may think of his plans or vision, he is a very good person who truly wants Lakewood to thrive. His heart is behind his ideas 100%, he wants Lakewood to be the place we all want it to be.

Having known Ryan for almost two decades I can say I trust him and that's why I'm supporting him. But you may not agree he's the best for the time, just like I don't think Tom George is the right guy.

This is the trouble with politics, we often overlook the good in the people running to find their flaws. We characterize them as something they're probably not. Hopefully one day, we'll find a better way to do this.

[Ivor Karabatkovic]

Here's the beauty of Lakewood as a city.

We all want what's best for the city, and we all have different lives and different struggles, experiences, strengths and daily lives. The beauty is that we can all have a choice, and the choice is ours to make as residents.

I can say without a doubt that we all would benefit from a debate, because there is so much to learn about our candidates. I'm sure they are all good people, for they are in the position to become our mayor.

There are many questions that I would still like to ask candidates in person, because you cannot really grasp a persons passion and idea through the world wide web.

[Jim O'Bryan]

There are many questions that I would still like to ask candidates in person, because you cannot really grasp a persons passion and idea through the world wide web.

Ivor

I agree that passion is a huge part of a person.

But so are facts, and in writting.

Don't be pushed around, stick to your guns.


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