Which Election Results Will Interest You?

[Michael Deneen]

Election Day is closing in.
Control of the US Senate will be the major national story.
There is no contest at the state level, where the Democratic ticket was toasted months ago.

I'm curious to see if any local campaigns/issues are of interest to the Deck.

Potentially interesting stories are the Tri-C levy and the Cleveland traffic camera issue.

What will you be watching?

[Tim Liston]

Michael if I recall correctly the Tri-C “levy” (your words) was actually two levies. A new levy coupled with a renewal, but subject to only one ballot issue, yeah or nay. Both up or down. Two levies, not just one.

So in order to renew the renewal, you also have to agree to a new levy. Coupling a renewal with a new, or perhaps unpopular levy with one that may not otherwise pass on it own, I think that is dirty pool. Lakewood did that with the building levy, an obvious yes with all the state money, with another levy. Voting for the $50 million building levy with matching state money was a no-brainer but since they coupled it with the brand new operating levy I voted against it. I’m sure you think it is really fair to couple popular tax measures with those that may be not so much so that they both pass.

After a while you just get tired of being played....

[Will Brown]

They aren't just playing us; they are playing the whole country. No piece of legislation covers only a single issue; it is always an amalgamation that contains enough pork to get the necessary votes.

I think that our form of government rewards those legislators who bring home the bacon, rather than those who do something that will benefit the whole country. I don't intend to pick on Kaptur, but she plays the game of voting for anything if it will get another building built in her district. In that, she is just like all the others. I suspect that if you asked her how we can better run the country, she would come back with platitudes, rather than real ideas. That is why I hope against hope that she will be sent home. I'll be watching that contest, but I think it has already been decided.

Our first Congress, under the Articles of Confederation, realized that the government was not working, and sacrificed their offices to create a better government. That was an exceptional act of political courage. I think that now we should realize that our government is not working, and devise a government where legislators could take no action that would benefit their own district, rather than the entire country.

[Bret Callentine]

why is there a specific issue for Jammy Buggars sunday liquor license? I don't recall seeing similar ballot issues for other establishments.

that said, I always thought the biggest issue with the elections is the growing number of positions where a candidate runs unopposed (I count 15 on my ballot). In those cases, I almost wish the ballot was changed to read "are you for or against the election of _____ for the positions of ______." at least that way, the results could be used as an indicator of satisfaction. Is there only one candidate because we're generally happy with who that candidate is, or is it just because we're all too lazy to run.

my other issue is that far too many people wait until they get to the polling place to find out what's on the ballot. I shudder to think that people are voting on such things as charter amendments and tax levy's after barely giving it a moments thought.

please go here: http://boe.cuyahogacounty.us/

print out a sample ballot for your precinct and at least read through what you'll be voting on.

Please don't just guess.

[Stan Austin]

Bret-- local option issue or in other words type of liquor permit are decided on by voters in contiguous precincts of the particular establishment. I haven't looked at this particular issue but I would guess that Jammy Buggers is asking voters to approve Sunday sales.
Stan

[Jim O'Bryan]

Governor race, still important to try keep it to single digits.

Double digits move Kasich into Presidential arena, and really keeps things the same or worse here.

Kasich with a mandate, on a national stage is something I really do not need to see.

I am still amazed that driving without a license, and talking with an Irish Girl is a career
ending item in 2014. But I guess the Democratic Party has become the Puritan Party.

I know Irish girls, many, and I know the trouble they can cause. But really, career ending?

If you are upset about the Driver's license than you should be recalling our city council,
and demanding some firing or quitting at City Hall. It would be interesting to find out
what date Mayor Summer's license was shown to the Law Director, if ever. Generally a
person without a license rarely or never brings it up, but almost always the person giving
them the keys to company cars do.

I have also heard that some are upset that he was not as squeaky clean as he acted?
Huh?

I have heard some won't vote FitzGerald because he broke his campaign promises?
HUH?

We are adults talking about a career politician? Career ending or as usual?

As long readers of this forum know I was not an Ed FitzGerald supporter for Mayor, still
trying to figure out what he did outside of cutting everything to a point of ZERO service.
But I am amazed at Democrats that run from the hideous man without a license and
admitted talking to the Irish girl.



.

[Bill Call]

Michael if I recall correctly the Tri-C “levy” (your words) was actually two levies. A new levy coupled with a renewal, but subject to only one ballot issue, yeah or nay. Both up or down. Two levies, not just one.

.

The levy is advertised as a renewal but it is also a nearly 100% tax increase.

I guess I'm the only one that thinks increasing Cuyahoga County taxes to offer $500 per credit hour subsidies to the residents of Lorain and Medina Counties is a bad idea.

http://www.tri-c.edu/about/Doc...une%2030,%202013.pdf

[Bret Callentine]

won't speak to the issues with the "Irish Girl", but as for the license...

I have a hard time voting for someone to a position where they are charged with upholding the laws of our state when they've demonstrated by their actions (or inaction) that they don't respect them.

you can say that it's a small thing, but that's part of what makes it inexcusable to me. It would have only taken him part of a day to go and get his license. In a region that has been plagued with politicians that think of themselves as above the law, Fitzgerald was the one we elected to right the ship, not hop on board and ride along.

I'm not looking for perfect people to be my politician, but if a guy can't seem to be bothered to take care of the easy stuff, what are the odds they can handle the pressure when the really hard stuff comes along?

[kate e parker]

i'll be watching the tri-c levy and the county executive. as far as the governor's race goes, I don't think Fitzgerald stood a chance even before the controversy surrounding him came out.

and about that controversy being a career ender, i'm not sure that it is. Fitz is pretty young and can easily rehabilitate his image. I love how you are quick to blow it off though, Obryan. i'd wager that if the drivers license shoe were on say Shawn Juris' foot then not only would it be a full blown, career ending scandal, it would probably spawn at least 14 separate threads on the Deck.

[Jim O'Bryan]

i'll be watching the tri-c levy and the county executive. as far as the governor's race goes, I don't think Fitzgerald stood a chance even before the controversy surrounding him came out.

and about that controversy being a career ender, i'm not sure that it is. Fitz is pretty young and can easily rehabilitate his image. I love how you are quick to blow it off though, Obryan. i'd wager that if the drivers license shoe were on say Shawn Juris' foot then not only would it be a full blown, career ending scandal, it would probably spawn at least 14 separate threads on the Deck.

Kate

Possibly.

With good reason.

.

[Christopher Bindel]

LOL! Kate I always love the heavy dose of sense and realism, not to say anything of sarcasm, you bring to the deck. Keep up the good work!

That being said, I can't believe I am going to say this, but I actually agree with a decent portion of Jim's statement. I do think the license issue is kinda a big deal, but to make it the final nail in the coffin is ridiculous. How many politicians have been caught with a mistresses, prostitutes, drugs, and the like and have still been able to maintain relevance. It all has to do what side you are on in relation to said politician.

[Jim O'Bryan]

LOL! Kate I always love the heavy dose of sense and realism, not to say anything of sarcasm, you bring to the deck. Keep up the good work!

That being said, I can't believe I am going to say this, but I actually agree with a decent portion of Jim's statement. I do think the license issue is kinda a big deal, but to make it the final nail in the coffin is ridiculous. How many politicians have been caught with a mistresses, prostitutes, drugs, and the like and have still been able to maintain relevance. It all has to do what side you are on in relation to said politician.

Christopher

Thank you for underlining "realism." Half of kate's post are about what kind of idiot, ass,
fool etc. I am, and you are Shawn's best friend and partner at Pillars. I agree perceived realism is everywhere."
Realism, sarcasm and a little hyperbole, as you mentioned you liked it.

I know we can talk all day about lame foolish politicians, and I completely understand how
kate made the tiny step to Councilman Juris so quickly, but let's bring this back to topic of
the thread.

I know a lot of people that drove without a license on purpose or by mistake. Even I, once
on purpose and for a year by mistake. And I have spoken with thousands of Irish girls,
some of them into the wee hours of the morning. So I know of what I speak...

To me that is slightly less offensive than the all out war on public education and the labor
force, which will only get worse if Kasich feels he has a mandate of the people. I'll watch the Governor's race. Ed isn't winning, but I fear a big double digits win, just because
democrats have lost their backbone and feel "dirty."

.

[kate e parker]

Thank you for underlining "realism." Half of kate's post are about what kind of idiot, ass, fool etc. I am, and you are Shawn's best friend and partner at Pillars.

cripes, Bindel, I told you not to post in this thread. now the cat's outta the bag and Obryan knows we are in cahoots!

and Jim, though you are indeed a special snowflake, I point out to lots of folks around here that they are being assess, idiots, fools, what have you. except Shawn Juris. right, Bindel? wink wink

[Jim O'Bryan]

Thank you for underlining "realism." Half of kate's post are about what kind of idiot, ass, fool etc. I am, and you are Shawn's best friend and partner at Pillars.

cripes, Bindel, I told you not to post in this thread. now the cat's outta the bag and Obryan knows we are in cahoots!

and Jim, though you are indeed a special snowflake, I point out to lots of folks around here that they are being assess, idiots, fools, what have you. except Shawn Juris. right, Bindel? wink wink

kate

I figure you only tell people that don't care, so there is little fallout.

As for the "conspiracy" only from the mouths of fools.

Bindel knows better, and one would think you do too.

peace/love

.

[kate e parker]

aw, Jim, your lack of a sense of humor breaks my heart. im being serious for once.

that being said I still think that Fitz never stood a chance.