What Do You Want From Our Local Elected Leaders?

[marklingm]

I debated over including an introductory sentence (or two or three) but decided to simply cut to the chase and ask, “What do you want from our local elected leaders?”

While I have my own thoughts on the issue, I am interested hearing your views.

[Betsy Voinovich]

Hi Matt,

It seems like a simple question. What I want from my elected leaders is actual representation. I would like them to represent the community that elected them. The definition of the word "represent" is "to act or speak for someone else."

So to represent the people who elected you, you would have to take into account the actual needs of the people you serve, and act and speak for those people. You wouldn't represent the needs of a small group of people; you would represent the whole community, and you would be clear about what you were doing, who you were representing, which needs you were attempting to take care of, and why you had made the decisions that you had.

I'm so tired of the words "transparency" and accountability", with the current school board, you might as well replace those words with the words "loss" and "sorrow."

So what I'm saying is you be clear about what you are doing, be responsible and respectful of the people you serve.

Simple. Thanks for an easy question.

Betsy Voinovich

[sharon kinsella]

Accountablity, active listening and morality.

[Scott Meeson]

STRONG LEADERSHIP


Elected Leaders who are ready to serve and not be served!

[Ryan Salo]

Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2010 4:35 am

What?!?!?
------------
I have to agree with Scott. I believe that strong leadership is missing in a lot of elected officials across the country. While I believe that taking constituents opinions is important, elected officials should be able to look at the facts, ask experts when needed and make tough decisions, even if they are different from the majority.

Thanks for all of your hard work Matt.

-Ryan

[Scott Meeson]

Leaders:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhxINyIZ454


The strong leaders have a way of exposing the pretenders.

[Jim O'Bryan]

Leaders:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhxINyIZ454


The strong leaders have a way of exposing the pretenders.

WOW

A thread with everyone in agreement! Love it!

Leadership and vision.

Tempered with EXTREME ACCOUNTABILITY backed with true transparency.

I think we are seeing first hand what Scott posted, the real deal exposes all of the
posers, and makes them seem terribly inept and secretive.

Accountability is not a slogan, it needs to be a way of life, and something this city
desperately needs.

I applaud the hard work and constant pressure of elected officials like Matt Markling
who has put his political future on the line to make both the school board and city hall
live up to the slogan they throw around so lightly.

Every big problem in this city, has been brought on by a small people working
the backroom for their own self interest, and not for the interest of the community.
Many in this city work harder at stopping the open discussion, and exerting peer
pressure on others to not talk publicly, then they do on the projects they are supposed
to be shepherding for the good of the city. pitiful

Matt, as always thanks for your hard work, and taking the time to actually engage the
citizens of Lakewood in open and honest fair dialogue.

I will be using this thread for a future article in the paper as we look at those that do it,
and those that seem totally incapable of it.

.

[Bill Call]

“What do you want from our local elected leaders?”

I want our Council and Mayor to take a stand against the Cleveland Clinic's "Vision for Lakewood Without A Hospital".

Here is what it looks like when the Clinic supports a hospital:

http://www.hillcresthospital.org/

[Rhonda loje]

Matt,
Thank you for the question and the opportunity of have an open discussion.
These are my thoughts:

-Respect of all citizens of Lakewood. (Not just the well connected or politically aligned)
-Open and honest discussions of issues with all citizens before a decision is made.
-No appearance of conflict of interest.
-No appearance of collusion.
-Independence

[Stan Austin]

I most want intellectual integrity and the application of true logical analysis to any given situation.

[Bill Call]

A Warrior Spirit

[Ivor Karabatkovic]

Someone who doesn't buy underage kids beer.

[Bill Call]

Here is an example:

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/ ... _you_.html

[Jim O'Bryan]

Someone who doesn't buy underage kids beer.

Oh

Now that you turned 21, you have changed your tune.


.

[Bill Trentel]

– creativity
– celebrate the REAL Lakewood of today not the mythical Lakewood that never was
– admit to your past mistakes and don't be afraid to make your next mistake
– communicate and engage

This would be a good start
Bill