Mike Summers and the Politics of Exclusion

[m buckley]

The election on Tuesday is about much more than deciding the fate of Lakewood Hospital. What hangs in the balance is the very nature of government in Lakewood. Do we demand a city government that operates in a transparent and inclusive manner, that trusts its residents? Or do we validate the Summers' administration as it recedes further into the shadows, excluding, deceiving, ignoring Lakewood residents?

Mr. Skindell has staked out a position of transparency and inclusiveness. He respects Lakewood residents enough to believe that he will make better decisions for our community if he consults with and actually listens to residents. He believes in discussing issues in a frank and open manner. He trusts us.

Mr. Summers has operated city government in a manner that is anything but transparent or inclusive. He has shown by his actions that he does not trust us with critical information about our city. He has shown by his actions that he does not trust us with the truth. Mr. Summers, time and again, has treated Lakewood residents not as partners but as obstacles to his goals. We are misled, kept in the dark, provided mis-information, and kept out of the room.

Here are just a few examples of how Mr. Summers has operated during his tenure:
⦁ Grace Avenue residents were told that Drug Mart's plans to move onto residentially zoned property and tear down the apartment building and house were "just rumors." Residents received critical information late or not at all. Mr. Summers broke the promise of protections like no trucks on Grace. He broke his trust with residents and then told them "you'll get over it." Be assured that Grace residents have not gotten over the disrespect we experienced.
⦁ When a serial rapist was preying on women, Mr. Summers failed to warn residents. During his silence, another woman was raped. When confronted by a resident about his failure, he put the blame on the fact that a reporter was on vacation (suggesting he has no way of communicating with residents, except through his one reporter). Disturbingly, he then took the opportunity to turn the focus to brand and commercial development. He told the complaining constituent that the city had successfully attracted "several new retail operations" including "popcorn, bicycles, graphic arts, soap, drug stores." A crass and completely tone deaf response.
⦁ Mr. Summers negotiated an agreement to close Lakewood Hospital (owned by the city) without telling Lakewood residents that this possibility was even on the table. He allowed the Clinic to remove services from the hospital, apparently hoping that the closure would become a fait accompli. He still refuses to provide critical information about the hospital deal, including an explanation of why the hospital is paying tens of millions of dollars in administrative fees to the Clinic. He tells us that there is no way the hospital can continue, even though MetroHealth made an offer to take over operations.

Mr. Summers runs our city government like its his family business - he does what he wants, consults only with people he wants, reveals only the information that suits him.

This is unacceptable in a democracy. This is not your government, Mr. Summers. This is our government. And we want it back.

Make no mistake, a vote for Mike Summers is a vote to close Lakewood hospital.
Make no mistake, a vote for Mike Summers is a vote for government behind closed doors.

[Lori Allen _]

Hi Mark,

Thanks. You are spot on. It appears that there is still a rapist, or two rapists loose in Lakewood. We will probably never know for sure, since Summers apparently likes to keep it hidden. Below is the PDF file listing all the rapes that have apparently been covered up. Please take a moment to digest this and think about the victims.

Let us not forget also that a police report was apparently pulled from the city website where a two year-old was reportedly sexually molested outside of Pepper's Restaurant. Another rape happened on Halstead a little over a month ago that was apparently also pulled from the city website.

The lives of these victims will never be the same. It is bad enough that this happened. When you don't warn the public of potential danger, it makes the problem much worse. In my opinion, it is an insult to the victims.

[marklingm]

Mr. Skindell has staked out a position of transparency and inclusiveness. He respects Lakewood residents enough to believe that he will make better decisions for our community if he consults with and actually listens to residents. He believes in discussing issues in a frank and open manner. He trusts us.

Mr. Summers has operated city government in a manner that is anything but transparent or inclusive. He has shown by his actions that he does not trust us with critical information about our city. He has shown by his actions that he does not trust us with the truth. Mr. Summers, time and again, has treated Lakewood residents not as partners but as obstacles to his goals. We are misled, kept in the dark, provided mis-information, and kept out of the room.

Nicely, said.

As I have stated time and time again, Michael J. Skindell is perhaps one of the most honest leaders I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.

It says a lot about Michael J. Skindell that nobody - nobody - on Team Summers has even attempted to attack Michael J. Skindell's honesty, transparency, and accountability.

The worst thing that I have heard Team Summers say about Michael J. Skindell is that he is a Democrat ... well ... so is Mike Summers.

As Mike Deneen said in another thread, Michael J. Skindell has built an unprecedented coalition of Lakewoodites from across political and socioeconomic spectrums.

That speaks volumes on how Michael J. Skindell has led and will continue to lead.

Matt

[Bridget Conant]

A vote for Mike Summers is a vote for Fitzgerald.

The phony newspaper proved Fitz is still pulling strings behind the scenes, where he hides like a coward. Do we really want Fitzgerald, the Sarah Palin of local politics, running the show?

[Brian Essi]

Great Post Mark.

I hope the voters decide to exclude him in favor of the Squeaky Clean guy who is inclusive.

[Michael Deneen]

Very well said, Mr. Buckley.