Town Halls in June and July: you're invited

[mjkuhns]

It has been a lively week or so, but it seems like this may remain the case for a while. So, I would like to invite people to attend:

Lakewood Town Halls
Hosted by Tristan Rader, candidate for City Council At-large

We have a series of town halls planned, one for each of Lakewood's wards, beginning June 10 with Ward 1. Tristan will open each with some brief remarks, but after that we hope you will be the featured guests. Ask Tristan questions, speak up about something that should work better, or share something working well that more people should know about. City issue, bigger issue impacting our city, issue local to your block.

All are free to attend. Each town hall will "belong" to one ward, but you're welcome at any.

The schedule:

Sat., June 10, 1:30-3 p.m. (Ward 1)
Harding School cafeteria
16601 Madison Ave

Sat., June 17, 1:30-3 p.m. (Ward 3)
Garfield School cafeteria
13114 Detroit Ave

Sat., July 8, Noon-2 p.m. (Ward 4)
Ice cream social followed by town hall
Madison Park pavilion
13029 Madison Ave

Sat., July 29, 1:30-3 p.m. (Ward 2)
Harding School cafeteria
16601 Madison Ave

Hope you can join us.

[mjkuhns]

Since things are relatively quiet (and tonight's playoff game may be low on suspense) I'm giving this a bump.

While doing so, I would like to add something about why I hope people will take part in these events. A decade ago, the late Ken Warren wrote the following; I came across it a while ago and it has stuck with me.

My first question to council candidates hinges on a reframe of the old Jack Kennedy chestnut, bouncing through the code of silence back to the Chatty Cathy citizens like you and me:

"Ask not what your council can do for you but what you can do for your council."

In short - tell us what you want us to do - as informed citizens, in unison, in action - in your representation of us.

I think this remains a very good question. I can say at least something on behalf of at-large candidate Tristan Rader without even asking him, since it was one of the first things he talked about at the first public event of his campaign.

Be participants. Involve yourself in what your government does, including (but by no means only) locally. Obviously I would like you to attend one of the Town Hall events, but don't stop there. One of the primary points of Tristan's platform is broader and more substantive citizen participation in decision-making. If he is elected, take him up on it.

Above all, stay involved even when it gets discouraging. It can definitely appear that trying to contribute is a waste of time. But please, if you have it in you, keep trying.

[Michael Deneen]

I'm sure many of you might not see eye-to-eye with a lot of Tristan's views. He's very progressive and doesn't try to hide it.
One thing I can vouch for is that he listens to people and doesn't toe the company line.
As one of the leaders of our local Berniecrats, he faced contempt and opposition at every turn from the Democratic political establishment. He faced it in the local Dem Club (that tried to kick him out) and at the Philly convention, where the Berners were marginalized and hidden outside the view of cameras.
Even faced with this uphill Lakewood campaign, he has been active leader and voice against the Q Arena giveaway.....directly opposing the corporate stooges like Budish and Frank Jackson.
The Party Machine is locked, loaded, and ready to wipe him out.....they want to maintain the corporate status quo.
I hope you consider him in this election.

[mjkuhns]

In fairness, I should note that Tristan has actually had a lot of support in the campaign against more taxpayer money for Quicken Loans Arena. Lately a whole lot, in fact, for which he (and I) are tremendously grateful. Advance announcements have been in the news this weekend, but I'll hopefully have an update here, tomorrow.

[Meg Ostrowski]

Above all, stay involved even when it gets discouraging. It can definitely appear that trying to contribute is a waste of time. But please, if you have it in you, keep trying.

Thanks for the reminder and encouragement.

[Stan Austin]

I sense a curiousness - locally, statewide and of course nationally out there. I think Tristan's town halls can be a very good venue to explore these issues.
Stan Austin

[Dan Alaimo]

Matt,
I know Tristan is committed to not taking corporate money, and that's a very good thing. But what about taking money from other politicians? In past elections, some of the biggest single contributions to council candidates have come from the Mayor, and we can see the results.
Dan

[mjkuhns]

Matt,
I know Tristan is committed to not taking corporate money, and that's a very good thing. But what about taking money from other politicians? In past elections, some of the biggest single contributions to council candidates have come from the Mayor, and we can see the results.
Dan

You ask good questions; I had never thought of this and had to contact Tristan. Although it turns out he has thought about it. His reply:

"I'm not accepting contributions from elected officials in Lakewood government. Since I am running to be an independent voice, I decided that it's important to have a clear policy that reflects this. I have received support from a few other politicians, and I consider these contributions case by case. But for those serving in city government, I just decline money as a blanket policy, which I apply to all without it being about this or that individual."

[Dan Alaimo]

Thanks Matt and Tristan. That sounds real good to me. Dan

[mjkuhns]

We held the first of our four ward Town Halls on Saturday.

We did not fill all of Harding's fine cafeteria, but the campaign secretary (that would be me) filled almost five pages with notes from the lively conversation. In particular, people got into a really great discussion about how Lakewood does and does not accommodate seniors; also discussed affordability, diversity, maintenance of the housing stock, parks, & more.

Tristan and I both got a lot of information and ideas to draw on, and I think other attendees felt it was a good experience. (Tristan was already inspired to make a short video with thanks and other follow-ups.)

Next Town Hall is this Saturday, June 17; 1:30 at Garfield School. I hope some of you may be able to join us. (As a bonus, in this case you can also check out the adorable Little Free Library outside the school.)

[mjkuhns]

Tristan & co. held our town hall for Ward 3, yesterday. We were excited to welcome a bigger group to the conversation, especially because there is so much potential in these live exchanges.

We got into some very serious issues, including city finances, jobs, affordability and accessibility. Also heard some compelling stories about where Lakewood government itself needs to improve, and discussed what options can actually lead to change. Once again, people brought in plentiful interesting ideas which we will explore further.

With a couple of weeks off before the next Town Hall, we will hopefully get a chance to process some of this, and start reporting back in more detail.

In the meantime, thank you very much to all who have attended!

[m buckley]

Tristan & co. held our town hall for Ward 3, yesterday. We were excited to welcome a bigger group to the conversation, especially because there is so much potential in these live exchanges.

We got into some very serious issues, including city finances, jobs, affordability and accessibility. Also heard some compelling stories about where Lakewood government itself needs to improve, and discussed what options can actually lead to change. Once again, people brought in plentiful interesting ideas which we will explore further.

With a couple of weeks off before the next Town Hall, we will hopefully get a chance to process some of this, and start reporting back in more detail.

In the meantime, thank you very much to all who have attended!

Glad to have attended this town hall.
Tristan Rader comes off as someone who will stand up for what is right even when The Powers That Be insist that he sit down.
Quite a contrast to Dan O'Malley.

[mjkuhns]

"Why don't we take this discussion inside?" And offline?

For everyone concerned that an issue isn't getting enough notice or discussion, I would like to reissue the invitation to this town hall series. The last of this four-ward series takes place on Saturday afternoon. This is a great opportunity to create the conversations that you think Lakewood needs.

Views on safety? Parking? Government hiring practices? Share them.
Something you think is underreported? Come tell people about it.
Want info on redevelopment proposals—or a more interactive conversation than Tuesday's Q&A permitted? I've got notes on the whole thing, and the town hall format is consistently two-way.

Also, while it is a community event, Tristan Rader is going to be there and part of the conversation of course. If you're interested in looking over your city council candidates and getting some info directly, and on record, I think free public events are the place.

Ward 2 Town Hall
Saturday, July 29, 1:30-3pm
Harding School cafeteria
16601 Madison Ave

[mjkuhns]

I'll post one more time here, mainly to say thank you to everyone who has been part of this series. Especially today's Ward 2 Town Hall. On a gorgeous day when they could have been, say, getting free cupcakes, dozens of people came to talk about our community. And then after we used up our reserved time at Harding, stayed around a while to talk some more. (So we even got to take advantage of the weather after all. )

We talked about a lot of things, from the tree canopy to development to traffic lights. As usual, I think all of us learned things. For that reason I'll note that Tristan will definitely continue holding town halls, if he becomes a city council member.

We really do learn a lot, which I think you just don't any other way. To paraphrase Indiana Jones: you gotta get out of the conference room.

Thanks everyone who has taken part!