Lots of good candidates for at Large position

[Lynn Farris]

From the "other" newspaper,

In the interviews Monday and Tuesday candidates were given five minutes to talk about themselves, and then were asked a series of questions about what their goals would be as a member of council.

Paul Beegan, an architect for various projects around Lakewood including a converted duplex on Bunts Road and member of a vast amount of community organizations, said he wanted to assist in establishing a budget for the city.

Stephen Davis, who has served on several city commissions and on committees for Lakewood schools, said there were several issues that needed to be addressed but one of the most important would be the city charter, which he said could be changed to make things more efficient.

Diane Helbig, who helped set up a block watch stretching from Warren Road east to Wyandotte Avenue and from Lakewood Heights Boulevard north to Madison Avenue after an armed robbery occurred on Athens Avenue in 2007, said her main priorities would be safety and children.

Stephen Hoffert, who was the unit manager for the Wastewater Treatment Facility for the city, said he wanted to use a hardlined approach that didn't put up with "crony-ism" and would use public resources as efficiently as possible.

Tim Carroll, who ran for a seat on council in 2006 and is well known by current council members for his involvement, said he wanted to use a customer service approach for residents.

Ruth Koenigsmark, with a background of 22 years in human resources management and who has worked closely with many community groups including Lakewood Commission on Aging, said economic growth, safety issues and making residents feel they have a connection to the new council are important to her.

Edward McCartney, who has studied religion, law and politics independently, is interested in making Lakewood focused on faith.

Brian Powers, a graduate of Harvard Law School and member of community groups such as Campaign for Lakewood's Future, said fiscal balance and protecting the safety of residents would be his goals.

Daniel Shields, who has been a member of various community groups including Lakewood Charter Review Commission and who ran for the Ward 3 council seat in 2007, said he would focus on safety and economic growth to prevent foreclosures and empty storefronts.

Who do you think would be good?

[Bryan Schwegler]

I just wish I knew more about the candidate's positions? I mean the 5-minute speech doesn't really give anything of substance. Anyone can say "I want to be tough on crime", "I want to improve the budget", "I want to [fill in the blank]" but how to do the candidates propose to do these things?

For example, I'd be interested in knowing what changes Steve would propose to the charter to make improvements, what does Tim mean by "customer service approach", and how does Brian think we can balance budget and safety?

I'd also ask Diane, what happened with the block watches? They were all big news with all kinds of meetings up until October...then the entire thing seems to have gone silent. It just smacks of political expediency but I'm hoping I'm wrong. I like Diane and her ideas while she was running, I'm just disappointed that at least from a surface level, it looks like block watches were a campaign tool and forgotten shortly thereafter.

All in all, at first glance, all the candidates look qualified and could be good choices. But as they say, the devil is in the details.

[Diane Helbig]

Bryan,
The block watches are still in effect. A captains meeting is being planned. Some illnesses have prevented us from getting it going sooner.

Just because people aren't talking about them, doesn't mean they aren't working. And I'd note that I never brought them up as a political tool. We decided to implement them prior to my decision to run for office. They are still valid and mostly work due to citizen's decisions to make them work.

[Ivor Karabatkovic]

All of these candidates bring up valid points I must say.

A little birdie (other than my talkative parakeet that sits next to my desk) told me who the front runner is for the seat.

Personally I believe that our city council is very strong right now. Any additions for the empty seat from the list above would justify my belief that our city council is good and will be effective.

[Bryan Schwegler]

Bryan,
The block watches are still in effect. A captains meeting is being planned. Some illnesses have prevented us from getting it going sooner.

Just because people aren't talking about them, doesn't mean they aren't working. And I'd note that I never brought them up as a political tool. We decided to implement them prior to my decision to run for office. They are still valid and mostly work due to citizen's decisions to make them work.

Thanks Diane, the clarification helps. On the surface things looked odd and unfortunately the timing of illnesses didn't help. I just found it odd that there was so much block watch talk (not only in ward 3 mind you) that stopped almost immediately after the elections. It just was strange.

Glad to hear however that things are still being planned and progress is in the near future. Thanks for all your efforts.

[Grace O'Malley]

Hmm.

No matter how many or how good, word has it that Brian Powers has a lock on the job.

[Jim O'Bryan]

Hmm.

No matter how many or how good, word has it that Brian Powers has a lock on the job.

Grace

In discussions with members of Council, I have been assured that while this is the talk all over the city, "nothing could be farther from the truth."

FWIW


.

[Grace O'Malley]

Of course, what else can they say in public?

However, if Brian Powers is the final selection, (and we shall soon see) it raises serious questions about not only the objectivity of the process, but how serious the new mayor is about avoiding the "cronyism" he claimed he so despised in the previous mayor.

[Jim O'Bryan]

Of course, what else can they say in public?

However, if Brian Powers is the final selection, (and we shall soon see) it raises serious questions about not only the objectivity of the process, but how serious the new mayor is about avoiding the "cronyism" he claimed he so despised in the previous mayor.

Grace

I think we would both agree that if we cannot trust council to tell us the truth we have major problem in this city.

I would also like to remind you that Mayor Edward FitzGerald has nothing to do with this selection.

FWIW


.

[Tim Carroll]

Bryan,

The "customer service approach" was the back end of a comment regarding how the council and the city must continue to be responsive to the citizens and I was trying to tie in my previous experience to the workings of council.

I talk a little bit about the interview at my blog; http://carrollforlakewood.blogspot.com/

I will admit, that I haven't had a job interview like that since 1989. It was also unique that I have never gotten feedback on a interview from a newspaper.

Tim

[sharon kinsella]

Of course, what else can they say in public?

However, if Brian Powers is the final selection, (and we shall soon see) it raises serious questions about not only the objectivity of the process, but how serious the new mayor is about avoiding the "cronyism" he claimed he so despised in the previous mayor.

Grace

I think we would both agree that if we cannot trust council to tell us the truth we have major problem in this city.

I would also like to remind you that Mayor Edward FitzGerald has nothing to do with this selection.

FWIW


.

And now it's official and speaks for itself, does it not?

[Bryan Schwegler]

So I'm not sure I'm up on the animosity displayed towards Brian. Is he not a good candidate or option for the seat? Are others better?

I don't know him at all so I'm just wondering if there's something we need to know...

[sharon kinsella]

Nothing bad is being said about Brian Powers, from what I understand he is a very involved and knowledgeable community leader.

[Diane Helbig]

So, what is the problem if council had Brian in mind for the position? Seems like he is the best person for the job. Personally, as someone involved in the process, I appreciate the fact that council interviewed all those interested in the position to be sure they were selecting the best person.

They were respectful and gave each of us the same amount of time and consideration. They called today to let us know of their decision. I found the whole process above board and fair.

We are fortunate to have a panel of people truly interested in the welfare of our great city. In addition, we have many, many citizens who care about the welfare of our great city.

What say we try an experiment - for 1 week, say only nice things. Remember when your mother said - if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all??????

What do you think would happen to the energy and vitality of this city if we all thought and acted positively? Care to give it a whirl?

[sharon kinsella]

Can you get everyone on board?

Diane - Not all of us have that kind of faith in everyone. Part of making sure our community is vital and upward bound is being careful and keeping watch.

Genuine mistakes get made, no big deal, they get corrected and everyone moves on.

However, not everyone is of sterling character. There are some people who do bear watching, not out of maliciousness but because of observed behaviour and in many cases personal interaction.

Would that it were so easy to just put out positive energy, something everyone would like to do - then it would be a perfect world.

We haven't evolved to the stage yet.