Democratic Club Votes To Back...

[Jim O'Bryan]

Mayor - Mayor Michel P. Summers

Ward 1 - David Anderson

Ward 2 - Sam O'Leary

Ward 3 - No Endorsement by club bylaws.

Ward 4 - Dan O'Malley

.

[Michael Deneen]

On one hand, it's a "Jump the Shark" moment....the Democratic Club endorses a Republican for Mayor, thanks to numerous Republicans in the crowd.
Sort of makes you wonder why there even is a Democratic Club.

However, this is strange.....
"Kill Lakewood Hospital" got the mayoral endorsement, but it didn't get any council endorsements.

Skindell was not there, which may have been a factor. (He was in Columbus doing his State Senate job).
However, that's still sort of weird.

[Michael Deneen]

In the spirit of good sportsmanship, I congratulated Colleen Wing on Facebook for the GOP takeover of the Democratic Club.

[Colleen Wing]

To be fair, I ran against him 8 yrs ago. Apparently Matt Markling and I are the Nostradamus's of Lakewood. Luckily , thanks to his "fine" leadership skills, I'm a 44116 now.

[Michael Deneen]

I can't wait for the Lakewood Dems presidential endorsement. I think it will be a tight vote between Bush and Walker.

I'm posting this photo by special request.
You know who you are.....

[Bridget Conant]

Just a little reminder - one of them ended up in prison.

[Amy Martin]

interesting that this morning, I rode in with a member of the Democratic Club who guarantees a Summer victory in November . .. she said the "true" democrats are behind him

[Michael Deneen]

interesting that this morning, I rode in with a member of the Democratic Club who guarantees a Summer victory in November . .. she said the "true" democrats are behind him

I'm very happy to hear that.
Team Summers also thought the LOI was going to be a "slam dunk".

[marklingm]

interesting that this morning, I rode in with a member of the Democratic Club who guarantees a Summer victory in November . .. she said the "true" democrats are behind him

Question asked at http://www.lakewoodobserver.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=13530.

If anyone knows the answer(s) to the same, please post the definition(s) at http://www.lakewoodobserver.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=13530.

Thanks.

[Jim O'Bryan]

I can't wait for the Lakewood Dems presidential endorsement. I think it will be a tight vote between Bush and Walker.

I'm posting this photo by special request.
You know who you are.....

Mike

I was wondering about that photo, I thought I remembered taking it, just not looking that bad.


Sure enough, at the time of the photo, some of my favorite people in Lakewood. I also found it slightly ironic
that day, as I spoke with Tony and Lucy Sinagra and waited for Mike, we talked about his plans.

Tony Sinagra was the only person to be elected to the office of Mayor 4 times, and his hallmark was clean
and safe streets. While many can argue his style, he did a great job. Then fell afoul of the law.

Lucy Sinagra is responsible for so many things that we love in Lakewood, mainly the Arts Festival and
the Beck Center, two of her favorite projects to make bigger and better.



I took a bunch of photos that day. I often help candidates and groups out, even some I do not agree with
but on this day it was long time friend "Mike Summers." Mike and I were polar opposites, but I think
there was at least an understanding of each that comes from decades of knowing each other. I had nothing but
the best thoughts of where Lakewood could head.


Funny at the time Tony and I were laughing how he had to become a Republican to run, and that Mike
had to become a Democrat. How Lakewood had changed.


Mike Summers candidate, relaxed and enjoying not just the park he grew up in, but his neighborhood park.

A great day in the sun.


I think this photo was taken a couple days later. Mike Summers, Myself, and Tom Warren at 56 West.
Mike had just found out that I was thinking of running for mayor, and we talked about Lakewood and the
future of Lakewood. It was a good time, and I said, "Mike, you rule with your heart and head, you will
be Lakewood's first 5 time mayor!" He laughed and said, "I would be 80! I hope not." I went on to say
"If you let your friends tell you what to do, it will never serve you well."

I am extremely disappointed not just by his ideas, but his unethical way to shove them
down the throats he has sworn to represent, inform, and protect. When you talk to the
players, they will tell you why "we need this or Lakewood dies" but the Mayor should
be smarter, wiser, more in control.


.

[Peter Grossetti]

Does the Democratic Club indicate specifically WHY they endorse these candidates ... or is it just a one night popularity contest?

[Michael Deneen]

Does the Democratic Club indicate specifically WHY they endorse these candidates ... or is it just a one night popularity contest?

It's a one-night contest.
As I said on the other thread, the closest comparison is the GOP Iowa Straw Poll.

[Peter Grossetti]

Seems totally insignificant then. Do they (either the club or the endorsed candidates) really think the general public casts their vote on such a trivial "accomplishment?"

[Michael Deneen]

Seems totally insignificant then. Do they (either the club or the endorsed candidates) really think the general public casts their vote on such a trivial "accomplishment?"

It allows the candidate to put the words "Endorsed Democrat" on their mailings and campaign lit, which historically has been a big deal. In most races people don't know any of the candidates, and Democrats have dominated Lakewood for nearly 20 years.

However, the ongoing shift toward online and issue activism has really dampened the impact in recent years.
In this specific case, the hospital issue will dominate, which really marginalizes the endorsement.

My frustration with this farce isn't that it hurts Skindell....it's that it damages the Democratic brand.
Our local party is now on record as approving job cuts, hurting the poor, devastating the tax base, and encouraging urban sprawl.

[Bridget Conant]

we need this or Lakewood dies

The West End yet again! Run a scare campaign - instill fear to get people to agree with you. Lakewood is dying, we need this development. OR I'M MOVING.

Too bad all the people that swore they'd move didn't. We might not have to put up with this redux.

Any proposal that needs to be forcefully sold - based on fear, on hurried decision making, on keeping secrets, on dividing the community- needs to be promptly and forcefully put to rest.