Demro Seeks Return to Council

[Ryan Patrick Demro]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Former Councilman Ryan Patrick Demro announced today that he is a candidate for one of the three at-large seats up for grabs on Lakewood City Council this fall. Demro ran unsuccessfully for mayor last year, but stated that he is getting into the race because, “The critical issues facing the City last year are still pressing needs today, and the loss of a seasoned councilman like Michael Dever during these difficult times creates a need for someone who has a demonstrated ability to lead.”

Citing a record of results, Demro says he found great satisfaction in working with individuals and groups to improve the quality of life for all citizens. “I spent four years working on issues, big and small, and because we achieved success Lakewood is a better place to call home.” Demro was the sponsor of the Chronic Nuisance law that targets problem properties, the Sex Offender law, restricting residency near schools, libraries, and daycare centers, and the revised Curfew law tightening times for juveniles. He also voted to support economic development projects including Rosewood Place, Rockport Square, the Lakewood YMCA, the Lakewood Public Library, and first phases of the public schools reconstruction program.

Well-known for standing up to City Council in order to build a long-desired skate park and prodding a former mayor to hold a Detroit Avenue skyscraper accountable for violating noise laws, Demro stated that he will not hesitate to fight City Hall when necessary. “Some criticize me for being a strong advocate, but my job is to represent the people and to produce results. The problem with many politicians is that they forget who they work for. My job is not to make nice with politicians whose interests are not those of the people.”

Following the expiration of his term on city council, Demro joined the U.S. Army Reserve and received his commission as a Second Lieutenant last July. He currently serves as the Adjutant in the 983rd Engineer Battalion in Monclova, Ohio, overseeing the human resource and readiness needs of the over 1,000 soldiers in the battalion.

Demro, 29, is a lifelong resident and a graduate of the Lakewood City Schools. He holds a B.A. in Political Science from Capital University and an M.A. in Education from Ursuline College. Demro is also a licensed teacher in the state of Ohio.

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[stephen davis]

I'm shocked. Who could have guessed?

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[Charlie Page]

Ryan – I wish you well in your quest to return to City Council. As you mentioned above, you are currently in the U.S. Army Reserve and serve as the Adjutant for a battalion stationed in Monclova, Ohio. How will your duties in the Reserve affect your ability to carryout your responsibilities on Council, if elected? Are you physically in Monclova, Ohio? Thanks - Charlie

[Ryan Patrick Demro]

Charlie, thanks for that. In fact, my commitment is that of every other Soldier in the Army Reserve. I have to be in Monclova one weekend a month and then two weeks, generally in the summer, somewhere in the world. I just returned from my Annual Training at Soto Cano Airbase in Honduras. We were conducting humanitarian operations there. I love my job and feel that my Army training has made me a better leader.

As far as influencing my ability to serve on city council, I think it will only have a positive affect. I think the drive the Army inspires is helpful, along with the development of my decision-making capability. Many city councilmembers across the nation serve as Reservists and Guard members. Some may remember that Denis Dunn served as a Marine Corps Reservist during his term and former Lakewood Mayor David Harbarger served in the rank of Lt. Colonel during his term. Many members of the Ohio General Assembly have also served or are currently serving.

[pat ballasch]

Could people writing help me out & stop writing as though someone else did an interview. Could you own it. As in, I am running. A piece written by Bullock (LO) did the same thing last week . He even quoted himself. That is just too over the top for me. Now I guess interviewing yourself has it's up side. No tough questions.

[Valerie Molinski]

Could people writing help me out & stop writing as though someone else did an interview. Could you own it. As in, I am running. A piece written by Bullock (LO) did the same thing last week . He even quoted himself. That is just too over the top for me. Now I guess interviewing yourself has it's up side. No tough questions.

Ditto. I saw the Tom "I rep dis block" Bullock's article as well and thought it was completely weird.

[Ryan Patrick Demro]

Pat, we write them that way because that is the way press releases are to be written. That is the way it will be expected by the Sun Post, Plain Dealer, and others, it is standard. We don't have press secretaries, no local candidates do. I only write one press release, as I am sure Tom does also. Most papers employ reporters, this one does not. The Sun called me today, so I will call the reporter back and answer her questions. That is just how it goes, this isn't the big time.

[Christopher Bindel]

I agree with Pat and Valarie. The whole talking in third person is a bit weird. Not to say Ryan and Tom are the only ones to do it, but it would be a lot less weird if either someone else wrote the article or it was at least in first person. "I am running for council because blah blah blah" sounds a lot better and less arrogant.


So Ryan, as you are in the reserves, what happens if your battalion gets called up for active duty? This may be an overly simple question, but I thought it an important one.

[pat ballasch]

Come on you guys are always talking about "thinking outside the box" & "new ideas". This could be a good (really small) place to make an adjustment. Just an idea. Substance over style. Oh & in this political climate, "That's the way it's always been done" is a dangerous place to go. That's going to be like "I was just following orders". Pat

[Jim O'Bryan]

Come on you guys are always talking about "thinking outside the box" & "new ideas". This could be a good (really small) place to make an adjustment. Just an idea. Substance over style. Oh & in this political climate, "That's the way it's always been done" is a dangerous place to go. That's going to be like "I was just following orders". Pat

I always figured it was something people in Ward 2 do. Like an accent, or Canadians saying "ooot-an-abooot ehhh?"

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[Ryan Patrick Demro]

Christopher, if we were to get called then I would do what all the rest of the Soldiers do, I would pack my stuff and go to war. I asked my commander about the likelihood of that and he said he did not see us going anywhere in the near term. We are advised to just live our lives and let the Army interfere when it does. You can't really plan your life around the Army.

[Ryan Patrick Demro]

Pat, the problem with your argument is that it is diametrically opposed to the reality of politics. Political science clearly indicates that all the stuff that we do in politics generally works. Who likes the phone calls, the TV ads, the mail, and the yard signs? Even I don't like them. They're expensive and a pain, but they work. The science behind it bears it out.

Here is an argument near and dear to my heart that displays the irony of many voters.

VOTER: "I want fresh blood in office!"
VOTER: " I want someone with experience!"

I have heard this so many times from the same person. They want someone from the outside, then they say they wanna vote for someone with experience. The only people they then consider to be experienced are those who have previously held office. Do ya see where I am going with this?

This is the kind of stuff that I generally do that enrages some people. I do the Jim O'Bryan, I call 'em out. Like your nitpicking about my press release. At the end of the day it won't make a bit of difference in the election. What I will hear from people in the coming days and weeks is, "Oh I heard you are running for office." And they won't care about whether or not the release was written in first or third person because they will be too busy listening to my plans to improve recreation (or whatever) and giving me feedback about their concerns and interests. See, that is where the rubber meets the road.

I just wanna do what I did before, which is solve people's problems. But I am at the point in my life where if I lose I won't shed a tear. And I am certainly not gonna sweat the nitpicking like I used to.

[sharon kinsella]

Ryan - He just might be talking about the two articles in the June 15th LO where Tom Bullock did just that.

You need to read them, it's really funny.

[pat ballasch]

Ryan
The reality of politics (for example in Cuyahoga County government) is an ugly one. In my opinion it's been wastfull, inefficient & the FBI believes criminal. With the passing of time the political product that I see (in many cases) is severely lacking. A Plain Dealer writer I spoke with expressed his observation of politicians. He said "My long time experience with politicians is, they consistently believe they are much smarter than they really are". My point is, we can't afford political standard operating procedure any more. So the real question is: How do we develop standards and oversight for our elected officials and people who provide services to us? How do we get past the drone of buzz phrases (we need new ideas, job creation, high tech solutions)? I think we need people that can identify the problems (some are within the political arena itself) set, and focus on priorities, create cost effective solutions & be respectfull of residents. These are actually old management principals. For some people who missed management 101 they only appear new. These are the real challenges in my opinion. Lee Iacoca wrote an excellent book (Where have all the leaders gone) detailing management skills & present screw ups. I wish it were required reading for everyone. Then we could focus on what's most important & "Get er done" (Larry the cable guy)
That's my opinion Pat

Your idea to make the building department more efficient was (in my opinion) something well thought out & important. It could actually be supportive of the need to renovate our aging housing stock & show respect for the valuable time of residents & contractors.
It could also improve the cost effectivness of a city department. Is anyone working on that?

[Ryan Patrick Demro]

Pat,

I would agree with the PD guy's statement, but let me make a distinction. The product you get from an eleced official is different from how one gets elected. The methods of getting elected aren't changing, but possibly the work product that people get is changing.

I haven't seen the type of sea change that needs to happen in the Building Department. For example, you still can't get permits online. It may seem like a simple thing, but so much of our lives is online now. To me its a way to keep bureaucrats at City Hall. If you have to go in to get a permit that means that there must be someone there to give it to you. One strong point that I have noticed about the Army is we are almost paperless. How is it that I can conduct and have personnel actions approved by people in different parts of the state/country within hours, but a contractor cannot apply, seek approval, and obtain a permit without ever stepping into City Hall. It's because City Hall is still in 1955. They think modernization is moving from the carbon copy to printing off an Adobe file for someone.

I am not saying the city website isn't great though. They have done a great job bringing that up to speed. I had to provide this caveat because I am not down on the man. I just believe in recognizing the strengths and weaknesses of City Hall.