Sit Down with the LO Tonight!

[Margaret Brinich]

We will be continuing our series of LO community outreach conversations this evening at Beck Cafe from 7-8:45pm. So far we've had 2 school board members, a council person and a couple of new political faces who will be candidates for political office for 2011.

An open invitation as always- you never know who you might run into!?

[Bret Callentine]

will the streak continue? each of the last couple meetings has seen the announcement of another candidate for public office.

who will it be tonight?

[Heidi Hilty]

Would love to get to one of these sessions but Tuesdays are tough for me. Is the next one after this on the 26th?

[Margaret Brinich]

Heidi,

We have had several requests to rotate these meetings to a different day of the week. We will keep everyone posted about the next meeting- maybe a Thursday night instead? Whatever we end up with, look for it on the April 19th issue Calendar page and online!

[Betsy Voinovich]

will the streak continue? each of the last couple meetings has seen the announcement of another candidate for public office.

who will it be tonight?

I'm hoping it will be you.

Betsy Voinovich

[Bret Callentine]

I'm hoping it will be you.

to take a page out of the J.O.B. playbook...

I guess you'll just have to show up to find out.

[Jim O'Bryan]

Bret

Good call.

One more candidate for school board there, one possible mayoral candidate there, one
possible Ward 3 candidate there, one possible Ward 2 candidate there, two political
operatives once again having a fascinating conversation about how to run elections and
political campaigns dating back to the 70s, with real life experience in many races. It was
fascinating once again the almost two hours blows by.

What I found fascinating, was the discussion about this time around voters will be very
wary of PROS and incumbents, and that some of the things voters will look for is who is
supporting who, and who is running their campaigns. I found it fascinating about how the
regional agenda will play heavily into the coming election.

.

[Bill Call]

A very lively and interesting discussion.

I took (stole?) some great ideas from that meeting.

I think this will be the year of living dangerously. Fasten your seat belts.

[Betsy Voinovich]

Hi Bill--

Yeah, that was a great meeting. Nice to put a face to your words after all of this time. One of the things that makes these gatherings so fun is the mix of veteran Observers and brand new people who are readers-- and are now becoming writers.

There have been new people at every meeting-- a lot of people who are new to Lakewood itself who are able to see the city with fresh eyes and brand new affection.

As you're saying, you can get some good ideas there. I'm happy to be fastening my seatbelt for what's to come.

Betsy Voinovich

[Jim O'Bryan]

Betsy

You mention the new people at each meeting. What I find fascinating about them is when
they tell us why they moved here. While it is a story that seems to repeat itself time and
time again it is also NEVER for the reasons we are told by civic leaders why people would
move here.

I think they have confused why people live somewhere as opposed to why people visit a
place. Reminds me of why people date, is often very different from the reason why people
marry and settle down.

I think a lot of this confusions comes from Lakewood undying commitment to Economic
Development instead of a commitment to quality of life. While we are often told, ED will
lead to better quality of life, it rarely does. Their conversation will be more ED will lower
our taxes leading to better quality of life. That shorter differences to Cheesecake Factories,
and pant stores, will make our life better. I guess they have never enjoyed a slightly longer
ride as a chance to unwind, talk with the people in the car, listen to music, and just relax.

Funny how things get twisted.

.

[Mary Ellen Facemire]

I had such an AMAZING time last night. Getting to see the passion and dedication of those who were there was inspiring to say the least. I went home and immediately called my dad and friends and told them what a great time I had. I also am looking forward to continuing to participate in things like this, and maybe even write something sometime. Thank you all for the warm welcome!

[marklingm]

Margaret,

When is the next meeting?

Matt

[Bret Callentine]

Margaret,

When is the next meeting?

Matt

ditto. Are we getting together tomorrow at Beck Cafe? I've really enjoyed the discussions, it's like getting a sneak preview of what's coming for Lakewood.

[Betsy Voinovich]

Hi Matt and Brett,

Yeah, tomorrow at the Beck. It's a regular date every other Tuesday, from 7-8:45pm. Some have requested changing the day so more and different people can come, but until that comes that together, this is the schedule.

See you there.

Brett, I hope you're announcing tomorrow. Some of us are getting impatient.

Betsy Voinovich

[Stan Austin]

Betsy Voinovich said---

Brett, I hope you're announcing tomorrow. Some of us are getting impatient.

She's settin' you up man, don't take the bait