We Love Our Recreation Department - So Why the Coup d'État?

[todd vainisi]

Hi Jim,
Can you expand on what Lakewood Soccer and LCA are doing through Committee? Thanks.

I'm interested in knowing about this too.

[Rhonda loje]

Check out these minutes: http://www.onelakewood.com/pdf/CouncilM ... 4_0602.pdf

[marklingm]

Thanks, Rhonda!

It appears that the members of City Hall's "Lakewood Recreation Task Force" are as follows:

Jay Foran (Chairman)
Mary Louise Madigan
Maureen Powers
Monique Smith
Mike Callahan
Joe Stolitza
Stephanie Toole
Ben Vanlear
Tom Zigman
Chris Sinagra
Glenn Coyne

Matt

[Ken Lipka]

Yes, Jim, of course people will always push for their own agenda. Just not a big fan of people pushing their agendas in special hand picked committees. I will need to do a little more research on the committee members, I only know about half of them. I just wonder how these individuals were picked.

It will be interesting to find out what this task force comes up with.

Thanks Matt for finding the entire list of members.

[Jim O'Bryan]

Yes, Jim, of course people will always push for their own agenda. Just not a big fan of people pushing their agendas in special hand picked committees. I will need to do a little more research on the committee members, I only know about half of them. I just wonder how these individuals were picked.

It will be interesting to find out what this task force comes up with.

Thanks Matt for finding the entire list of members.

Ken

I am with you, however this city has a long rich history of that. And the way the committee system is
designed you have to understand that predetermined outcomes are often part of the selection process.
At the same time, it grantees nothing. In the Charter Review I believe many including those appointing
others were pro-City Manager. The mayor and Mary Louise Madigan were both pro city manager. Common
sense would say, appoint people that are good, or have similar views. Yet, The Charter Review wants to
hear almost nothing about City Managers.

One would ask, why this committee was even formed, and if you look, you will see it leads back to a
Rec Center conversation, and this falling out of Lakewood Soccer and The Lakewood Rec Department,
for the lack of better words. Likewise Brian Powers who helped call for this committee is a huge
supporter of LCA and Lakewood Soccer. Or course he is not on the committee.

It will be interesting, but most of the committee I have seen in this town over the years, are merely
efforts of trying to make the residents believe they came up with the idea. DowntowN Lakewood,
Mainstreet, Grant School, and on and on. This is also true elsewhere.

To Mayor Michael P. Summers credit, I know one person appointed to Charter Review by him, that was
never asked what their positions were on City Manager and other charter issues. The person was
appointed for their background and difference of the other participants.

.

[Jim O'Bryan]

It will be interesting to find out what this task force comes up with.

Ken

Also, it depends on the form of committee. A committee formed by council, or groups like "The Public
Works Committee" now headed by Ward 3 Councilman, Shawn Juris. comes under the guidance of
City Council and as such the Council President, can by our charter, appoint herself to any committee as
a member, a voting member or head it up.

Likewise on the Charter which is a committee called for in the charter, I think council had 4 choices, and
the mayor had 5 choices, so that the elected mayor has a slight edge over 4 ward council people. Again
I think it is up to each group how they choose the participants.

However the Active Lifestyle Task Force is an ad hoc committee pulled together through what rules to
look at if the city needs a rec center, and then the tax to pay for it. I belive in many comments from
city hall the underlining issue is not active lifestyle, but if we need a rec center. If you doubt it try to
get a member of city council to say "Recreation Center" it is amusing watching most dance around the term.
A great fun hobby right now.

.

[Scott Meeson]

It will be interesting to find out what this task force comes up with.

If you doubt it try to
get a member of city council to say "Recreation Center" it is amusing watching most dance around the term.
A great fun hobby right now.

.

A little help for our city council members:

http://www.oddcast.com/home/demos/tts/tts_example.php

Damn... I like the way that sounds in any language!

[marklingm]

I just wonder how these individuals were picked.

Ken,

I suppose one could argue that what we are witnessing is more of a "friend de coup" than a "coup d’état" ...

In any event, I just wish that Mayor Mike Summers and City Council would leave one of the best recreation departments in the State of Ohio alone.

As was already stated earlier in this thread:

The whole thing sounds too stupid to be true.
Everyone agrees that the School Board does a great job running the Rec Dept.
Everyone agrees that City Hall has enough issues on its hands already.
Everyone agrees that noone likes to pay higher taxes.

Matt

[Ben VanLear]

Hi. I'm on the Active Living Task Force.

I really don't have time to type out what was discussed at the task force meetings, but as you've already seen here, the meeting minutes are posted, and so are the meeting times on the Public Notices page when I just checked.

At the meetings there hasn't been any discussion of a rec center or taking over rec or anything like that, so I can't help you there.

Personally, I'm interested in Active Living in the form of active transportation - making it easier to walk and bike around Lakewood. The national average is something like 40% of car trips are under 2 miles. I bet in Lakewood that is an even higher percentage. 2 miles is a 10 minute bike ride, and with parking probably about the same in a car. A mile is a 20 minute walk, which I find is a great way to spend time if you just plan for it a little. I think if crossing the street were easier (think Clifton and the many intimidating places to cross the street around Lakewood), and riding your bike was so un-intimidating and safe anyone age 8 to 80 would feel comfortable then I think more people would do it and Lakewood would be an even nicer place to live. So that's my bias. thanks,
Ben

I wish I had more time to check these boards but this is a really busy summer.

[Ken Lipka]

Now we should get some real answers. How did this happen?

MARKLING JOINS REC YOUTH ATHLETIC COMMISSION


October 3, 2014


Former Lakewood Board of Education member Matthew John Markling has been appointed to the Community Recreation & Education’s Youth Athletic Commission. Markling’s appointment begins immediately.

“I am extremely honored to be appointed to the Youth Athletic Commission by the Lakewood Community Recreation and Education Commission. I look forward to working collaboratively with accomplished Youth Athletic Commission members to continue creating an environment which provides well-rounded, positive experience for our youth participants through education and recreation opportunities that will enhance the community at large,” Markling said.

Markling is Managingh Director of the statewide school law firm McGown Markling. He also serves as Superintendent of Middle Bass Local School District and General Counsel at the Ohio Education Service Center Association.

Markling and his wife Katie, have three school-age sons. He enjoys volunteering for his sons’ recreational and scouting activities, advocating for residents, public education and all children – especially children with disabilities

[marklingm]

Now we should get some real answers. How did this happen?

Ken,

I'm not sure how to respond to this post.

I have nothing to do with the committee developed by the Mayor and City Council. So, I'm not going to be any help on that issue.

But, if your question is, "How did Matt Markling get appointed to the Youth Athletic Commission?," I can answer that question.

I noticed that the following vacancy was posted here - on the Deck:

The Lakewood Recreation Department has an empty seat on the Youth Athletic Commission. In a written statement, Don Carlson, submitted a letter of resignation, explaining that he has been “asked to do other things in my service to youth”.

Mr. Carlson has been a part of the Y.A.C. for the past 3 years. He stated he has “grown so much from participating with you for 3 years. I am really proud to have been associated with such a talented group of citizens who are committed to giving youth the opportunity to grow as individuals.”

The Lakewood Recreation Department extends its sincere gratitude to Mr. Carlson for his service and contributions while on the Y.A.C.

Persons interested in joining the Youth Athletic Commission need to submit a Letter of Interest to Mr. Robert Curtin, Director of the Lakewood Community Recreation & Education Department no later than Friday, August 15th.

http://www.lakewoodobserver.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=142&t=12788

So, I applied.

I was then interviewed by the Community Recreation & Education Commission members.

On September 30, 2014, the members of the Community Recreation & Education Commission appointed me to the Youth Athletic Commission.

On October 1, 2014, I was informed of the appointment.

The Lakewood City Schools then posted the following announcement, which you reference in your post above:

MARKLING JOINS REC YOUTH ATHLETIC COMMISSION

Former Board of Education member Matthew John Markling has been appointed to the Community Recreation & Education Department's Youth Athletic Commission. Markling's appointment begins immediately.

“I am extremely honored to be appointed to the Youth Athletic Commission by the Lakewood Community Recreation and Education Commission. I look forward to working collaboratively with accomplished Youth Athletic Commission members to continue creating an environment which provides a well-rounded, positive experience for our youth participants through education and recreation opportunities that will enhance the community at large,” Markling said.

The Youth Athletic Commission provides direction and innovative ideas to the Community Recreation and Education Department that will meet the needs of the youth community.

Markling is Managing Director of the statewide school law firm McGown Markling. He also serves as Superintendent of Middle Bass Local School District and General Counsel at the Ohio Educational Service Center Association.

Markling and his wife, Katie, have three school-age sons. He enjoys volunteering for his sons’ recreational and scouting activities, advocating for residents, public education and all children – especially children with disabilities.

http://www.lakewoodcityschools.org/districtNewsArticle.aspx?artID=2709#sthash.wuSKXPDF.dpbs

And, as stated in the above announcement, I am very excited to work with a great team.

All of the members of the Youth Athletic Commission, as well as the Community Recreation & Education Commission and Adult Athletic Commission, have amazing experiences and backgrounds.

Matt

[Danielle Masters]

I didn't realize you were replacing Don, you'll be a great replacement for him, good luck Matt.

[Scott Meeson]

Now we should get some real answers. How did this happen?

MARKLING JOINS REC YOUTH ATHLETIC COMMISSION


October 3, 2014


Former Lakewood Board of Education member Matthew John Markling has been appointed to the Community Recreation & Education’s Youth Athletic Commission. Markling’s appointment begins immediately.

“I am extremely honored to be appointed to the Youth Athletic Commission by the Lakewood Community Recreation and Education Commission. I look forward to working collaboratively with accomplished Youth Athletic Commission members to continue creating an environment which provides well-rounded, positive experience for our youth participants through education and recreation opportunities that will enhance the community at large,” Markling said.

Markling is Managingh Director of the statewide school law firm McGown Markling. He also serves as Superintendent of Middle Bass Local School District and General Counsel at the Ohio Education Service Center Association.

Markling and his wife Katie, have three school-age sons. He enjoys volunteering for his sons’ recreational and scouting activities, advocating for residents, public education and all children – especially children with disabilities

Dear xxxx xxxxx:


Under the Ohio Open Records Law, §149.43 et seq., I am requesting an opportunity to inspect or obtain copies of public records of the following:

[marklingm]

I didn't realize you were replacing Don, you'll be a great replacement for him, good luck Matt.

Thank you, Danielle!

[Ken Lipka]

Hi Matt.
My bad. I assumed this was part of the Lakewood Recreation task force. Thanks for the clarification. Good luck with your new position with the Youth Athletic Commission.

Ken