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

[Jim O'Bryan]

We sure expect a lot from our Mayors and Councilpersons in this town, as we should, but let’s be realistic.

…I am not sure Lakewood needs a monarchy, where everything is laid out by succession. I like being able to vote for my representatives.

Jim,

Monarchy?

You’re going to have to get over it. You DO get to vote, but sometimes a seat is going to open up. The rules for succession and appointments are spelled out in our citizen created, and voter approved, City Charter.


The Council appointments, that I remember, have worked out fine. Unscientifically, I might suggest that, given the percentages, Council appointees may have better performance records than those initially voted in by the public.

Steve

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Steve

As always thank you for the pearls of wisdom.

I would say that there is a huge difference between the occasional shuffling and needs
of an appointment now and then, and the long term changes and appointments that are
actually becoming woven into the fabric of this city as the normal process.

Our past two elections have been filled with "it is easier to elect an incumbent, then
step down, and we will put X into that seat."

While you point out, that while unscientific, we end up with higher quality than those elected.
I still prefer that old fashion system of voting, and that person staying on through
the term until then end and then moving on, up or out.

While one can argue that it only makes sense for a public official to plan their successors.
One can equally argue that it does work around the democratic system, especially in
what has quickly become the revolving door of Lakewood politics.

Of course we all know that this county wide shake-up will see many seats vacant, and
leave us with the need to fill many seats with good people quickly.

But then we all know what the bible says about pearls of wisdom.



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[Ed Dickson]

Steve,

Council being a team sport is a great concept and in the ideal it's what everyone would want. The problems arise when the team stops listening to the people that pay the bills. Council works for me and in my eyes (this is my opinion, not fact) they have let me down and in several very large ways. They have also proven to me through actions that experience and willingness to participate means nothing. I'll leave it that.
Also, your opinion that appointed council members have worked out in the past doesn't jive with my opinion of even the most current appointee.

This thread may be awful but it's very indicative of the current state of our city. This state was acheived by a majority of the members of council and the mayor that currently serve. Just thought that was worth pointing out.

Ed

[Shelley Hurd]

Steve,

Council being a team sport is a great concept and in the ideal it's what everyone would want. The problems arise when the team stops listening to the people that pay the bills. Council works for me and in my eyes (this is my opinion, not fact) they have let me down and in several very large ways. They have also proven to me through actions that experience and willingness to participate means nothing. I'll leave it that.
Also, your opinion that appointed council members have worked out in the past doesn't jive with my opinion of even the most current appointee.

This thread may be awful but it's very indicative of the current state of our city. This state was acheived by a majority of the members of council and the mayor that currently serve. Just thought that was worth pointing out.

Ed

THis batch could not be more of a team, Lemmings the lot of em. The last year was never about Lakewood and her residents. The last year was about positioning ones self for bigger and better things.

And from the way it looks they all did a mighty fine job at that.

[Shelley Hurd]

If Lakewood Mayor Ed Fitzgerald, hopeful Frank Russo replacement for Auditor, had been a Republican, Just how many of his cut and gut to services, bloating of other services and absurd spending do you HONESTLY believe would have been allowed by this Council?


How many of you fine folks would be saying man, “ MR. Demero” is a hero he made hard choices and we do not begrudge him his run for Auditor. His motives as Mayor were pure and we wish him the best of luck in his run for bigger and better things for him self. It is fine with us that Mr. Demero is leaving to pursue his dreams so quickly after decimating Lakewood. Mr. Demero was the right man at the right time for Lakewood. Mr. demero made choices, not to further him self and curry favor… no no no. Mr. Demero was selfless in his one year served as Mayor. G-D Bless him, everyone.

How quickly would this Lemmings Council been to approve the decimation of Lakewood for a Republican Mayor?

And how much praise would have given to a Mayor Demero, by those who look at a promotion for Lakewood Mayor Ed Fitzgerald, hopeful Frank Russo replacement for Auditor, as somehow reciprocal for Lakewood?

Just what does an auditor bring to or give to a city that suffered to position the man? I must be missing some info you all have concerning this ability and power of county auditor to enrich the city he used as a stepping stone.

G-d knows Lakewood and we residents gave up a hell of a lot to position Lakewood Mayor Ed Fitzgerald, hopeful Frank Russo replacement for Auditor.

Please share and educate those of us not in the know and or lacking the smarts, just how this is done and how it would be legal to show favoritism to Lakewood. Please give us the knowledge to understand and insight to support this suggested tit for tat.

[stephen davis]

...“ MR. Demero” is a hero...

I've been trying to follow the comments throughout this thread. I was missing something.

I finally get it!

Thanks.

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[Bill Call]

Demro has conducted a very clean, issue orientated campaign. I have not seen one negative ad or comment by him or for him. On the other hand the Mayor and his surrogates are waging a highly negative and personal campaign against him. Why?

Are they that afraid of an independent voice? Why are they so afraid? Why can't they even bring themselves to support Shields, the endorsed Democrat?

Who will be the appointed replacements? And will the appointees represent the people of Lakewood?

Ed Fitzgerald is a fine man and one of the best Mayors this City has ever had. Why does he feel the need to have a rubber stamp council?

There is something else going on here.

[Grace O'Malley]

There is something else going on here.

That's the problem, Bill, business as usual. Always some back room dealing and intrigue that the average Lakewood person knows nothing about.

Why does Fitzgerald want Smith on council so badly? Hmmmm.

[stephen davis]

Demro has conducted a very clean, issue orientated campaign. I have not seen one negative ad or comment by him or for him.

Ryan has basically accused every current Council member of “Go along, Get along.” Oh, it's a button pusher, but just not true. Issue oriented?

Ryan has implied that the Mayor and Council members are co-conspirators with Dimora and Russo in county corruption. More button pushing, but total crap.

Ryan has attacked a bright young woman for not taking a firm stand on a county (not Lakewood) issue. She beat him in the primary, yet he refers to her as “Monique Who?”. Oh, that’s positive.

Ryan has accused me and others of not liking him because he is young and a Republican. Years ago, I supported Pam Smith (A Republican) for Mayor. She was effective on Council, and even though she was in the minority party, no one seemed to complain about working with her. Also, I assume that most people don’t care how old a candidate is, as long as they behave maturely, no matter what their age.

There is something else going on here.

Yes, it seems “there is something else going on here”.

Why does Fitzgerald want Smith on council so badly? Hmmmm.

Hmmmm, maybe he just doesn’t want Demro on Council. I haven’t seen any other Council members endorse Ryan either, and most have worked with him.

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[Rhonda loje]

Stephen Davis wrote:

Ryan has attacked a bright young woman for not taking a firm stand on a county (not Lakewood) issue

I am only here to clarify that at the Candidate Forum (at the LPL) all the candidates were asked to give their views on this topic and how they would vote. Monique was the only candidate that could not answer the question. She said she had not decided. All other candidates answered the question.

I am sure she is a very bright young woman....but Ryan is correct she did not take a firm stand.

That is a fact.
I was there photographing the event.

[Grace O'Malley]

I haven’t seen any other Council members endorse Ryan either, and most have worked with him.

You REALLY expect Democrats to endorse a Republican? LOL, what'cha smokin?

Don't bother replying that it's a non-partisan election. It is in name only. Everyone knows who is what and the candidates know who butters their bread - they wouldn't in a million years endorse someone from the opposing party.

We all know you don't like Ryan but even I, who cannot endorse him, think some of your comments border on hyperbole.

[stephen davis]

We all know you don't like Ryan but even I, who cannot endorse him, think some of your comments border on hyperbole.

Grace,

I often make comments about politics and politicians.

I really don't care enough to like or dislike Ryan personally. I just don't like his politics and the way he behaves as a politician.

Because Ryan is a serial candidate and perpetual politician, I’ve had ample opportunities to express myself.

I know you would agree that making comment on things that are important to you and your community is often more satisfying than sitting idly by.


Steve


BTW, I’m not sure that one’s comments can “border on hyperbole”.


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[Stephen Eisel]

We all know you don't like Ryan but even I, who cannot endorse him, think some of your comments border on hyperbole.

Grace,

I often make comments about politics and politicians.

I really don't care enough to like or dislike Ryan personally. I just don't like his politics and the way he behaves as a politician.

Because Ryan is a serial candidate and perpetual politician, I’ve had ample opportunities to express myself.

I know you would agree that making comment on things that are important to you and your community is often more satisfying than sitting idly by.


Steve


BTW, I’m not sure that one’s comments can “border on hyperbole”.


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