Why Should Anyone Trust David Anderson?

[Michael Deneen]

Last month the Lakewood Democratic Club conducted an unprecedented purge of its membership. Many suspected of opposing Republican Mike Summers' hospital plan were kicked out of the club on the day of a major endorsement vote. Among those purged was a delegate to the DNC convention in Philadelphia.

Mr. Anderson is a member of this club, and has been an endorsed candidate of the group. I have repeatedly asked his position on the club purge, and he fails to respond. He has posted here numerous times in recent days, consistently ignoring my basic question: Do you support the purge?
He refuses to make a public statement, not wanting to appear openly "pro-purge" (because that's inherently undemocratic) but also afraid of alienating LDC leadership.

Mr. Anderson is behaving just like the spineless Republican officeholders around the US that refuse to condemn Donald Trump.

If he doesn't have the integrity to speak on the Club issue, why should he be trusted about the hospital?

[Lori Allen _]

Mr. Anderson cannot bring forth documentation to explain the alleged stealing of Lakewood citizen's homes, without due process. He cannot explain why, according to HUD, homes and properties are not given away for free, but, it appears that Summers and Extended Company's friends are given these properties for free.
He cannot explain why the elderly, Blacks, Hispanics, and Arabics appear to be the homes that Summers and Company are allegedly stealing. Is there alleged racism in Lakewood?

He cannot explain why in the "deal",the Lakewood residents are paying to demolish Cleveland Clinic's south medical building, and garage, that the city has dumped millions into over the past few years, and was sold for pennies on the dollar. He cannot explain the rush to bring that building down prior to the election. I believe we all know that it is to make the Lakewood citizens think that the deal is done! Why not wait Mr. Anderson? Perhaps if your side doesn't win, Council could fix our horrible roads and hire more Police to combat the rising crime in Lakewood, particularly on the eastern end. I do not think that a drive by shooting, three armed robberies, and a man shooting up Detroit Avenue and then not being found for 24 hours, in less than three weeks time, is exactly Mayberry! This is not a slam on our Police. They are great guys, but are severely overworked!

Mr. Anderson, why do you not demand that Mr. Butler turn over the 85% of the PUBLIC records that were requested, that Mr. Butler appears to be holding hostage? It appears there must be something to hide or pretty damning? Well, it appears, at least until after the election or after the law suit.

Why is the Lakewood Police not listing Heroin overdoses, Heroin deaths or rapes on the crime maps anymore? Lastly, since it appears that the talk about town is that Summers, Council and the Cleveland Clinic have allegedly money laundered our hospital, I again asked for documentation to explain all of the above. I have gone into the housing situation quite in depth here on the Deck in two separate threads.

Why is Mr. Brosky, ( LHA ), allegedly threatening the residents of the Westerly if they talk about the hospital? You sir, are just like Mr. Gilman, ( Mr. I hide behind the Hippa Law so I don't have to release EMS response times to the residents of Lakewood, that, according to law, have the right to see them. You appear to call the residents of Lakewood liars and appear to try to defame the characters of those that disagree with you.

Did you all really allegedly money launder our hospital away? Show us the money and show us the documents!

[Bridget Conant]

As I stated elsewhere:

I asked WHY no one spoke out about the Dem Club purge or the fake newspaper.

When you remain silent on this type of activity, it diminishes your credibility.

If you choose to remain silent to these issues, it appears that you think it's OK. If that conduct is acceptable to you, then why wouldn't a person believe that you would accept fudging facts or misleading constituents?

Again, someone who stood up and spoke out against shenanigans would would be far more believable when they argue that the "deal" was all above board. As it stands, you and others on council have refused to insist on the type of behavior that would show your commitment to a higher ideal.

Mr Anderson, why won't you condemn these tactics? They subvert democratic principles.

Are you a REAL Dem, or a DINO?

[mjkuhns]

Well, according to his profile at cleveland.com from last fall, he professed "None" as his party affiliation.
http://www.cleveland.com/lakewood/index ... vid_1.html

Which is interesting given that his opponent Patrick Metzger described himself as a Democrat.
http://www.cleveland.com/lakewood/index ... s_inc.html

The club endorsed Councilman Anderson.
https://web.archive.org/web/20151029021 ... ments.html

I vaguely recall something in the by-laws which might have relevance in a situation like that. There may have been miscommunication involved, of course. If that was the case, perhaps cleveland.com owes the community an apology and retraction. Or maybe the club does. Maybe it's me.

We may need to start a list before long.

[cameron karslake]

Maybe, since some LDC members were purged because they voted in the recent Republican primary or are registered Republicans, Anderson should be purged as well since he hasn't the balls to pick one side or the other? Are "Independents" immune from the club's by laws?

To be part of the Lakewood Democratic Club, you HAVE to be a Democrat (come to find out)!

BTW, how did Summers get in there? Oh, that's right, he switched parties years ago as a political convenience. Talk about a DINO!

[cmager]

Well, according to his profile at cleveland.com from last fall, he professed "None" as his party affiliation.
http://www.cleveland.com/lakewood/index ... vid_1.html

Which is interesting given that his opponent Patrick Metzger described himself as a Democrat.
http://www.cleveland.com/lakewood/index ... s_inc.html

The club endorsed Councilman Anderson.
https://web.archive.org/web/20151029021 ... ments.html

I vaguely recall something in the by-laws which might have relevance in a situation like that. There may have been miscommunication involved, of course. If that was the case, perhaps cleveland.com owes the community an apology and retraction. Or maybe the club does. Maybe it's me. We may need to start a list before long.

Sunlight is a marvelous thing, and a disinfectant. At least they are consistent with their special treatment for Lakewood Insiders.

[Dan Alaimo]

Maybe, since some LDC members were purged because they voted in the recent Republican primary or are registered Republicans, Anderson should be purged as well since he hasn't the balls to pick one side or the other? Are "Independents" immune from the club's by laws?

To be part of the Lakewood Democratic Club, you HAVE to be a Democrat (come to find out)!

BTW, how did Summers get in there? Oh, that's right, he switched parties years ago as a political convenience. Talk about a DINO!

And at least in this forum, we can draw a distinction between those who are registered Republicans and those who switched their registration for the primary to vote against Trump. I gave some thought to that, but didn't. To me, it's a very rationale action for a Democrat, or a declared human being.

[David Anderson]

I am a registered Democrat - always have been and always will be.

I believe the Lakewood Dem Club's goal should be to endorse candidates and help those endorsed candidates get elected.

I am proud to have been endorsed by the Lakewood Dem Club twice - 2011 and 2015.

I do not recall ever speaking to any official of the Lakewood Dem Club about Dem Club policy decisions either during a Club meeting, at an event or during a chance encounter at the grocery store.

I believe only those registered as Democrats should be allowed to be members of the Lakewood Dem Club. Such registration should be demonstrated over the long term and not be determined because someone wanted to vote against or for any Tea Party, Green Party, Libritarian, Republican, etc. national candidate and pulled another party primary ballot for the first time earlier in 2016. I was told those who pulled a Rep primary ballot in 2016 but had been a long term registered Dem were not denied Club membership.

Regarding Issue 64 itself, I did not think the Dem Club should have taken it up for an endorsement vote as it is not a person running for elected office. But, reasonable people believed otherwise and I am good with that.

I do not believe the Dem Club should allow non registered Democrats as members because then it is possible for other political parties to bring more in, run for leadership positions within the Dem Club when they recruit enough supporters, then relax important efforts to get out the vote for Democrat candidates such as Secretary Clinton who MUST win Ohio. The Lakewood Dem Club has a tremendous reputation for its amazing GOTV efforts. I can only imagine such efforts would only suffer if non Dem voters amass the support to take over the Dem Club. Turnout throughout Cuyahoga County in general and in Lakewood will be crucial next month and for many elections to come.

David Anderson

[m buckley]

I am a registered Democrat - always have been and always will be.

I believe the Lakewood Dem Club's goal should be to endorse candidates and help those endorsed candidates get elected.

I am proud to have been endorsed by the Lakewood Dem Club twice - 2011 and 2015.

I do not recall ever speaking to any official of the Lakewood Dem Club about Dem Club policy decisions either during a Club meeting, at an event or during a chance encounter at the grocery store.

I believe only those registered as Democrats should be allowed to be members of the Lakewood Dem Club. Such registration should be demonstrated over the long term and not be determined because someone wanted to vote against or for any Tea Party, Green Party, Libritarian, Republican, etc. national candidate and pulled another party primary ballot for the first time earlier in 2016. I was told those who pulled a Rep primary ballot in 2016 but had been a long term registered Dem were not denied Club membership.

Regarding Issue 64 itself, I did not think the Dem Club should have taken it up for an endorsement vote as it is not a person running for elected office. But, reasonable people believed otherwise and I am good with that.

I do not believe the Dem Club should allow non registered Democrats as members because then it is possible for other political parties to bring more in, run for leadership positions within the Dem Club when they recruit enough supporters, then relax important efforts to get out the vote for Democrat candidates such as Secretary Clinton who MUST win Ohio. The Lakewood Dem Club has a tremendous reputation for its amazing GOTV efforts. I can only imagine such efforts would only suffer if non Dem voters amass the support to take over the Dem Club. Turnout throughout Cuyahoga County in general and in Lakewood will be crucial next month and for many elections to come.

David Anderson

Mr. Anderson, Lots of words. No answer.
Do you support Karolyn Isenhart's attempt to purge members of The Lakewood Democratic Club (including a DNC delegate) on the very day of the vote to decide whether or not to endorse referendum 64.

[Jim O'Bryan]

I am a registered Democrat - always have been and always will be.

I believe the Lakewood Dem Club's goal should be to endorse candidates and help those endorsed candidates get elected.

I am proud to have been endorsed by the Lakewood Dem Club twice - 2011 and 2015.

I do not recall ever speaking to any official of the Lakewood Dem Club about Dem Club policy decisions either during a Club meeting, at an event or during a chance encounter at the grocery store.

I believe only those registered as Democrats should be allowed to be members of the Lakewood Dem Club. Such registration should be demonstrated over the long term and not be determined because someone wanted to vote against or for any Tea Party, Green Party, Libritarian, Republican, etc. national candidate and pulled another party primary ballot for the first time earlier in 2016. I was told those who pulled a Rep primary ballot in 2016 but had been a long term registered Dem were not denied Club membership.

Regarding Issue 64 itself, I did not think the Dem Club should have taken it up for an endorsement vote as it is not a person running for elected office. But, reasonable people believed otherwise and I am good with that.

I do not believe the Dem Club should allow non registered Democrats as members because then it is possible for other political parties to bring more in, run for leadership positions within the Dem Club when they recruit enough supporters, then relax important efforts to get out the vote for Democrat candidates such as Secretary Clinton who MUST win Ohio. The Lakewood Dem Club has a tremendous reputation for its amazing GOTV efforts. I can only imagine such efforts would only suffer if non Dem voters amass the support to take over the Dem Club. Turnout throughout Cuyahoga County in general and in Lakewood will be crucial next month and for many elections to come.

David Anderson

David

Thank you for coming in, when you are doing other stuff.

David Anderson is a friend, a neighbor and a damn fine man and father. I do not agree with him on many aspects of the Hospital Debacle, be he has a right to his view. He is always looking for something to change his mind. I believe having been with both of them at the same time, that Brian and David like each other, and have respect for each other. Both are amazing family men, deeply religious, and dedicated.

I have never doubted David's Democratness, or anything else. When I wake up in the morning and see David and the family I smile.
And think, how can he be so wrong about...

David thanks for coming in.

.

[Michael Deneen]

Mr. Anderson --will you specifically comment on the purge of a DNC delegate?

[mjkuhns]

I do not recall ever speaking to any official of the Lakewood Dem Club about Dem Club policy decisions either during a Club meeting, at an event or during a chance encounter at the grocery store.

I was told those who pulled a Rep primary ballot in 2016 but had been a long term registered Dem were not denied Club membership.

By whom were you told this, then? And what significance did it have if the source was not an official of the Lakewood Democratic Club?

And how, while we're at it, did Bruce Geiselman determine that your party affiliations is "none"? And why haven't you demanded an apology and a retraction?

Please, councilman. As someone who writes press releases, I recognize the difference between making such a statement and participating honestly in a conversation. This forum is a good place for the latter. If you prefer to engage in the former, by all means do so but there are better media. Please choose which approach you want to take.

[Kate McCarthy]

I do not believe the Dem Club should allow non registered Democrats as members because then it is possible for other political parties to bring more in, run for leadership positions within the Dem Club when they recruit enough supporters, then relax important efforts to get out the vote for Democrat candidates such as Secretary Clinton who MUST win Ohio. The Lakewood Dem Club has a tremendous reputation for its amazing GOTV efforts. I can only imagine such efforts would only suffer if non Dem voters amass the support to take over the Dem Club. Turnout throughout Cuyahoga County in general and in Lakewood will be crucial next month and for many elections to come.

David Anderson

Please campaign to change the bylaws then. I think limiting membership could be problematic because it would make it more difficult for independents and disenfranchised republicans to join the group and I recall that's why they wanted to make the club more inclusive.

Right now the only mention of being a registered democrat in the bylaws is that you must be registered as a Democrat to be endorsed as a candidate for office. Members were tossed for reasons not specified in the bylaws.

Can you please chime in on the capricious enforcement of non-existent rules by the club?

I am a lifelong Democrat that now tosses mailings with county and local democrat endorsements into the recycling bin. Endorsing a lifelong Republican over a progressive Democrat for mayor was the last straw for me in addition to a county government that doesn't seem to care about jobs leaving the county. True progressives would fight tooth and nail against the redlining of health care access in our community.

[cmager]

I do not believe the Dem Club should allow non registered Democrats as members because then it is possible for other political parties to bring more in, run for leadership positions within the Dem Club when they recruit enough supporters, then relax important efforts to get out the vote for Democrat candidates such as Secretary Clinton who MUST win Ohio. The Lakewood Dem Club has a tremendous reputation for its amazing GOTV efforts. I can only imagine such efforts would only suffer if non Dem voters amass the support to take over the Dem Club. Turnout throughout Cuyahoga County in general and in Lakewood will be crucial next month and for many elections to come.

David Anderson

Please campaign to change the bylaws then. I think limiting membership could be problematic because it would make it more difficult for independents and disenfranchised republicans to join the group and I recall that's why they wanted to make the club more inclusive.

Right now the only mention of being a registered democrat in the bylaws is that you must be registered as a Democrat to be endorsed as a candidate for office. Members were tossed for reasons not specified in the bylaws.

Can you please chime in on the capricious enforcement of non-existent rules by the club?

I am a lifelong Democrat that now tosses mailings with county and local democrat endorsements into the recycling bin. Endorsing a lifelong Republican over a progressive Democrat for mayor was the last straw for me in addition to a county government that doesn't seem to care about jobs leaving the county. True progressives would fight tooth and nail against the redlining of health care access in our community.

I think this reflects that for many, and for Insiders, love of power (and money) is far more important than progressive agendas and doing what's best for the people and the community. It's an industry to be leveraged for personal advantage.

[David Anderson]

"MBuckley" -

Did you not read my response as to whether non registered Democrats should be given membership into the Lakewood Dem Club?

Regarding the report that a registered Democrat had his/her membership revoked, I try not to speak about things that I don't know much about. This is what I do know.

Apparently, I was video recorded at the August meeting, along with others. I did not know I was being recorded. Nobody asked me if they could record me. Nobody asked me if I was upset over being recorded without my permission and having that video recording posted somewhere on the Internet. Honestly, I don't really care one way or the other. I haven't looked for it and haven't seen it and, as an antithesis of the Hawthorne Effect, any prior knowledge of my being recorded would not have changed one syllable of what I said.

County and Lakewood Club officials felt otherwise and took action.


Mr. Kuhns -

Are you seriously challenging me as to whether or not I have been a registered Democrat since I turned of voting age more than 30 years ago?

David Anderson