Mayor To City: Here's Mud In Your Eye!

[Bill Call]

Yesterday I received some campaign literature featuring Powers, Smith and Antonio that I find a bit distasteful. I was supporting Powers and Antonio but I might have some second thoughts after seeing the literature. I say might because they are good people who have made some good decisions on council and should be judged on their whole record.

Our Mayor will be leaving for a job with the County, Ms Antonio will be leaving for higher office and Tom Bullock wants to leave after only a short time on the job.

Are we destined to be governed by an appointed Mayor and an appointed council?

Will the interests of Lakewood be sacrificed to the government unions in exchange for the Mayors efforts to seek higher office?

Will members of council who have their eyes on higher office sacrifice the needs of the City for the endorsements of the County power structure?

Who is Monique Smith and what is her agenda? Is she committed to the City or subserviant to the County Puppet Masters?

The Mayor and his allies on council achieved a great deal in only one year. Are they about to throw it all away? And what about that secret agreement with the seven sisters?

This council election is more important than it seems.

[Ryan Patrick Demro]

It should be noted that all three candidates approved of that mudslinging piece.

[sharon kinsella]

Monique Smith's candidacy is indeed questionable. From what I understand, she claims involvement on the Phase III committee. Reports from those who were a part of it are that she came to one meeting and never returned. She's been a member of the Dems club for about three years and the only participation I saw there, was doing sign in table, where I assisted, twice. Possibly she was part of the planning committee on those events. But that was it. Not much activism there.

She was part of a committee for a Lakewood Alive function where they attempted to send out a solicitation letter with three signatoriies, which I strongly objected to as a member of the Lakewood Is Art board. It was ridiculous and a very transparent ploy. Those who witnessed her behavior at said event were very shocked at her apparent display of dislike of the entertainment, which was insulting to the band that came in at the last minute to fill an emergency gap in the program. They also managed to get the attendees up and dancing, which was the point.

No, she is not the real thing. I don't know if she is a puppet, I haven't witnessed any of that myself. Mostly my witness of Monique is that she's very pretty, vacuous but pretty and therefore, highly electable.

[Jim Sage]

Monique Smith is pretty and doesn't like a certain type of music. Thanks Ms. Kinsella. I have eliminated her from consideration.

Mr. Demro, Please keep up the good work. I love your chutzpah. Keep pointing out others' mudslinging.

[sharon kinsella]

Jim I'll bet you always get what you pay for.

[sharon kinsella]

She crossed her arms, huphed about and she truly acted like the church lady on SNL.

How's that description for ya.

[Bryan Schwegler]

She crossed her arms, huphed about and she truly acted like the church lady on SNL.

How's that description for ya.

So then what you're saying is she'd fit in well on council?

[stephen davis]

Monique Smith is pretty and doesn't like a certain type of music. Thanks Ms. Kinsella. I have eliminated her from consideration.

Mr. Demro, Please keep up the good work. I love your chutzpah. Keep pointing out others' mudslinging.

Thanks for the chuckle.

.

[sharon kinsella]

Well I guess so Bryan. That was good hun.

[Justine Cooper]

Which candidates are closely associated with Lakewood Alive and which are not? Where can I get a Dan Shields sign?

[Colleen Wing]

I posted the mail piece on a different thread (political attacks) for anyone who is interested.

[Jeni Matousek]

Sharon,
I think you and I share a sincere concern for Lakewood which is tempered by a healthy skepticism of all authority, including our city leaders. I am writing today because your experience with one of the city's council hopefuls, Monique Smith, is drastically different than mine.

Monique and I met at a Lakewood Democratic Club meeting--the first for both of us. That evening, we dove in and both volunteered to work on events for the Club. We teamed up to handle the Summer Supper with Monique manning the invitations, lists and other computer tasks because that is her skill set and I took care of food, decorations, etc. After that successful venture, we continued to work together on the Holiday parties and other events for the Club.

One of the reasons you may not have noticed Monique's input during those times is because she worked largely behind the scenes. She doesn't grandstand. Instead of standing around shaking hands while others do the real work, Monique was in the kitchen getting food out of the oven, cutting up pastries, washing dishes, and taking out the trash. I never could have pulled off those holiday parties without her in 2006 and 2007.
She has also been an integral player in organizing the Club's membership lists which were in complete disarray when we joined. That may sound trivial but believe me, it was no small task. Combine her enthusiasm to help wherever necessary with her love of Lakewood and I think she is an asset to any organization, Council or otherwise.

I also have been lucky enough to serve on Lakewood's CAC with Monique and other committed, volunteer citizens. We allocated over $2.1 million dollars of Community Development Block Grant funding from HUD each of the last two years. Monique was not only deeply passionate about how Lakewood's citizens would benefit most from our decisions but she was also incredibly responsible about how the funds would be spent. She demanded--on more than one occasion---that the applicants provide additional information to qualify their need for funding to make sure our decisions were sound.

I hope this information sheds some light on a candidate who is worthy of your consideration. No she doesn't have a "name" or a long, loud history in our city but my experience has been that if Monique says she will do something, I can consider it done...and done well.

Thanks for reading,
Jeni Matousek

p.s. and yes, Monique IS pretty. I hope that wouldn't be a strike against her anymore than if she were not.

[Dan Shields]

Our Mayor will be leaving for a job with the County, Ms Antonio will be leaving for higher office and Tom Bullock wants to leave after only a short time on the job.

Are we destined to be governed by an appointed Mayor and an appointed council?

Will members of council who have their eyes on higher office sacrifice the needs of the City for the endorsements of the County power structure?

This council election is more important than it seems.

Bill, I have said from day one that, if elected, I would serve every day of my council term (see page one on http://www.shieldsforlakewood.com). Although I don't know what the future would hold, I am first an attorney serving businesses and families throughout Lakewood and Cuyahoga County. I certainly do not see politics as a stepping stone to a full-time career either inside or outside of this city now, or in the near future. I do agree with you and have stated throughout my candidacy that this election matters a great deal. It's hard to keep track of who is moving up and out, who is moving around and who is with whom. It's getting old. I stand for stability: the stability of living and working here for these past 15 years, owning a home and running my business here these last 15 years, and being involved throughout the community - as coach, trustee, counselor, school volunteer, Lakewood Charter Review member, and active Democratic Club member - these last 15 years. I advocate for housing development/rehabilitation to attract stable residents and retain strong neighborhoods, and am working to create and maintain a vibrant business community. I'm tired of talking about what a great job they've done down at West 65th and Detroit - and asking why can't we do that here? Slow and steady wins the race; it took 20 years and a partnership between the political and business community to redevelop the area around the Gordon Square District. Does ANYone agree with me that we can do the same thing HERE?

Well, Bill, Justine, maybe these aren't the sexiest issues, and I'm not the sexiest candidate, but I have to say I've got one hell of a demonstrated record of commitment to my family, my profession, my church, Lakewood City schools and this community.
If you are disappointed by the political musical chairs, how about giving someone who will 'stay seated' a try...there's too much 'running' going on around here!

Justine, send me a pm, I'll get the 'sign committee' right on your request~!

Thank you, Sharon. I thought the mailer and those liasons were a bit "wonky", too.

[Bill Call]

Well, Bill, Justine, maybe these aren't the sexiest issues, and I'm not the sexiest candidate, but I have to say I've got one hell of a demonstrated record of commitment to my family, my profession, my church, Lakewood City schools and this community.

Well said.

Ryan Demro and Dan Shields have both committed to the CITY and not to a higher office.

Mayor Fitzgerald and the Council should be commended for making some difficult decisions but the really hard choices will come next year.

City Labor contracts are up for renewal. The outcome of those contract negotiations will determine the future of the City. Translation: Puny concessions accompanied by another round of raises will do great damage to the City. is the school board paying attention?

I would feel more comfortable with a Council and Mayor that did not need the political support of those same unions for a race for County or Statewide elections.

Council candidates should commit to completing their FULL terms.

[Ryan Patrick Demro]

Mayor, Councilwoman Antonio, where are you? We know you read this site. Why don't you answer to your mudslinging? I have heard that Monique Smith is claiming to have not signed off on that piece. Is this true? Is she not in control of her own campaign? Those of us looking to stay here for the long haul are looking for answers. I will keep asking this question every day from now until the election at the door, in the mail, and online.