Butler Fitzgerald Claussen
Moderator: Jim O'Bryan
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Bridget Conant
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- Joined: Wed Jul 26, 2006 4:22 pm
Butler Fitzgerald Claussen
Kevin Butler apparently has lots of time on his hands. Although a FULL TIME Law director in Lakewood, he has just taken a job as part time law director in Brooklyn.
He's replacing the former director, Scott Claussen, who was recently arrested on federal drug trafficking charges. Claussen was previously employed in the Lakewood law department under Fitzgerald.
You may recall the infamous Ohio Neighborhood News, a political mailer disguised as a community newspaper, underwritten and directed by Fitzgerald, which was distributed here in Lakewood to support the hospital deal, and in Brooklyn to support Claussen , who was running for mayor.
The connections between Fitzgerald, Claussen, and Butler run deep. Now Butler replaces Claussen in Brooklyn, collecting a $58,000 salary as a part-timer, all while STILL WORKING AS A FULL TIME LAKEWOOD EMPLOYEE.
Meanwhile, Butler is so busy he can't send off the referendum petitions to the BOE, yet he can take on an additional job as a law director.
He's replacing the former director, Scott Claussen, who was recently arrested on federal drug trafficking charges. Claussen was previously employed in the Lakewood law department under Fitzgerald.
You may recall the infamous Ohio Neighborhood News, a political mailer disguised as a community newspaper, underwritten and directed by Fitzgerald, which was distributed here in Lakewood to support the hospital deal, and in Brooklyn to support Claussen , who was running for mayor.
The connections between Fitzgerald, Claussen, and Butler run deep. Now Butler replaces Claussen in Brooklyn, collecting a $58,000 salary as a part-timer, all while STILL WORKING AS A FULL TIME LAKEWOOD EMPLOYEE.
Meanwhile, Butler is so busy he can't send off the referendum petitions to the BOE, yet he can take on an additional job as a law director.
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Meg Ostrowski
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Re: Butler Fitzgerald Claussen
Apparently he is also too busy to respond to public records requests.Bridget Conant wrote:Meanwhile, Butler is so busy he can't send off the referendum petitions to the BOE, yet he can take on an additional job as a law director.
http://lakewoodobserver.com/forum/viewt ... =7&t=22616
“There could be anywhere from 1 to over 50,000 Lakewoods at any time. I’m good with any of those numbers, as long as it’s just not 2 Lakewoods.” -Stephen Davis
- Jim O'Bryan
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Re: Butler Fitzgerald Claussen
Bridget Conant wrote:Although a FULL TIME Law director in Lakewood,
Bridget
I have not been able to find the term "full-time" as part of the Law Director description. I am still looking.
.
Jim O'Bryan
Lakewood Resident
"The very act of observing disturbs the system."
Werner Heisenberg
"If anything I've said seems useful to you, I'm glad.
If not, don't worry. Just forget about it."
His Holiness The Dalai Lama
Lakewood Resident
"The very act of observing disturbs the system."
Werner Heisenberg
"If anything I've said seems useful to you, I'm glad.
If not, don't worry. Just forget about it."
His Holiness The Dalai Lama
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Bridget Conant
- Posts: 2896
- Joined: Wed Jul 26, 2006 4:22 pm
Re: Butler Fitzgerald Claussen
He is full time. This article contains a chart of law directors in the county, their status, and their pay as of 2014:
http://www.cleveland.com/lakewood/index ... a_few.html
http://www.cleveland.com/lakewood/index ... a_few.html
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Brian Essi
- Posts: 2421
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Re: Butler Fitzgerald Claussen
The people of Brooklyn will be in my prayers.
David Anderson has no legitimate answers
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tkmbuckley
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Re: Butler Fitzgerald Claussen
I have recently learned that Mr. Butler is still the Director of Law however, it is now a part time position. We now have a Chief Assistant Law Director which is Ms. Jennifer Sparrow, who is a full time employee. If you check the City website, under the Budget for 2016 pg. 47 it gives the complete breakdown of the Law Dept. structure.
Therese K. Buckley
Therese K. Buckley
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Meg Ostrowski
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Re: Butler Fitzgerald Claussen
Then perhaps petitions and records requests are no longer his responsibility.tkmbuckley wrote:I have recently learned that Mr. Butler is still the Director of Law however, it is now a part time position. We now have a Chief Assistant Law Director which is Ms. Jennifer Sparrow, who is a full time employee. If you check the City website, under the Budget for 2016 pg. 47 it gives the complete breakdown of the Law Dept. structure.
Therese K. Buckley
“There could be anywhere from 1 to over 50,000 Lakewoods at any time. I’m good with any of those numbers, as long as it’s just not 2 Lakewoods.” -Stephen Davis
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Bridget Conant
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Re: Butler Fitzgerald Claussen
Kevin Butler, whether he was reduced to part time or not, is still the Law Director, not an assistant, and is responsible for that department's functions.
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Brian Essi
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Re: Butler Fitzgerald Claussen
Was his Lakewood salary reduced?
Other than the designation "part time" was the substance of his job description changed?
The old expression "possession is nine tenths of the law" comes to mind.
Whether Butler is holding the documents hostage or is preoccupied with other gainful employment and ignoring them on his desk.
Also, Butler advised the City to enter an agreement that effectively required the City to fight the referendum that he/they knew was coming.
It seems to me that Mr. Butler will earn himself a notorious place in Lakewood History among law directors.
Other than the designation "part time" was the substance of his job description changed?
The old expression "possession is nine tenths of the law" comes to mind.
Whether Butler is holding the documents hostage or is preoccupied with other gainful employment and ignoring them on his desk.
Also, Butler advised the City to enter an agreement that effectively required the City to fight the referendum that he/they knew was coming.
It seems to me that Mr. Butler will earn himself a notorious place in Lakewood History among law directors.
David Anderson has no legitimate answers
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Lori Allen _
- Posts: 2550
- Joined: Wed Jan 28, 2015 2:37 pm
Re: Butler Fitzgerald Claussen
Let's not forget he is also the acting Mayor. I believe then perhaps it is time for Summers to hire another friend to add to the city payroll that ultimately comes out of our pockets! 
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cameron karslake
- Posts: 646
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Re: Butler Fitzgerald Claussen
Butler Fitzgerald Claussen...
...mysterious love triangle?
...mysterious love triangle?
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Lori Allen _
- Posts: 2550
- Joined: Wed Jan 28, 2015 2:37 pm
Re: Butler Fitzgerald Claussen
You all should read my post from yesterday about Fitzgerald and Budish. There appears to be a lot of players in this show. Was Claussen affiliated with the Bill Mason group? Why are the SLH lawyers not looking into the back ground stories that appear to possibly be related to the hospital? If you ask me, they are missing out on what could possibly be a big win!
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cameron karslake
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Re: Butler Fitzgerald Claussen
...I meant to say "bizarre love triangle"... 
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cameron karslake
- Posts: 646
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Re: Butler Fitzgerald Claussen
...I meant to say "bizarre love triangle"...

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Lori Allen _
- Posts: 2550
- Joined: Wed Jan 28, 2015 2:37 pm
Re: Butler Fitzgerald Claussen
I'm still slightly confused as to why the petitions got to Buter's desk in the first place. I was under the impression that they went to the clerk of council and then to the BOE.