The Observation Deck

Peter Grossetti wrote:"I will not present a LOKOL Public Forum unless both sides are represented" means: there will never be a LOKOL Public Forum without a method for opposing views to be presented. That means always including an Q&A and discussion period.

(and frankly, in hindsight, I should have not said "both sides" ... as we all know that complex issues such as this often have innumerous "sides.")

The LOKOL Public Forum Series was never intended to be a formal debate series. Nowhere in my posts will you see me use the word "debate" to describe the LOKOL Public Forum Series. However, as it has been pointed out previously in this thread, anyone who wants to start a Debate Series is certainly welcomed to do so.

Peter Grossetti
Associate Editor for Community Engagement
The Lakewood Observer Project
petergrossetti@lakewoodobserver.com

Hi Peter,

I'm glad that you pointed out that there are many sides to issues that we can discuss with the Lakewood Observer Know Our Lakewood forums.

We are not the League of Women Voters, sponsoring debates, giving everyone equal time on principal. Our mission is to give our community a chance to share their voices.

Mayor Summers is concerned about Municipal Income Taxes and has a definite point of view on the subject, that as the mayor of Lakewood, and as a Lakewood citizen, he thinks is important to share with the community. He thinks that a LOKOL forum might be a good way to educate the public-- and yes, to "HIS" way of thinking. And he's allowed. This is his opinion that he wants to share. If you want to ask that LOKOL sponsor a forum, where you can speak on an opposing viewpoint-- or on any other issue that you think is important to share with the community-- that's your right. The Mayor wants to share his view, and is fully prepared to discuss it, answer questions about it, and yes, address opposing views if those come up. As Peter points out, that's what the discussion period is for.

In the latest Collinwood Observer (of which I am an editor) a resident wrote a piece about what a terrible time she had at the Horseshoe Casino-- her first time ever gambling. She felt that it was important that she share this with her community, maybe save them some time, money and heartbreak, which is what she describes experiencing herself. This is her voice. There are people out there who love the Horseshoe Casino. Maybe someone else will write another article, giving their side of the story, maybe someone else will think that it's possible to have such a great time at the Horseshoe Casino that everybody should know. If they want to write that, we'll publish it. But the Collinwood Observer isn't obligated on principle to present different sides of every story. We publish the collective voices of our communities with Observer projects. Everyone is welcome to write, everyone is welcome to respond.

The difference between our projects and others is that all you need to do to "get in the paper" is write an article, and be who you actually say that you are.

All you need to do to discuss a topic online, is to post it on the Deck --after you register, using your real name.

And be ready for others to respond.

Betsy Voinovich

Betsy Voinovich wrote: If you want to ask that LOKOL sponsor a forum, where you can speak on an opposing viewpoint-- or on any other issue that you think is important to share with the community-- that's your right.

So does this mean that if Bill Call wants to do a forum on why the Levy should not pass the LOKOL would sponsor it? I took Peter's comment to mean it would not.

Ryan Salo wrote:

Betsy Voinovich wrote: I took Peter's comment to mean it would not.

Ryan -

In order to help me reply, which comment are you referring to. Thanks for chiming in.

Peter Grossetti
Associate Editor for Community Engagement
The Lakewood Observer Project
petergrossetti@lakewoodobserver.com

Peter,

I was referred to your comment that both sides would need to be represented in order to host a forum. I guess I am still just confused on how this doesn't apply to Mike Summers on SB5. I am sure you could have a pro SB5 spokesperson talk, and I was curious what the litmus test is.

Your phrase "Ohio House Bill 5 which has started snaking its way around State House down in Columbus, and how the most influential corporate-funded political force most of us has never heard of -- ALEC, the American Legislative Exchange Council plays the role of invisible puppet master hands controlling an effort aimed at increased corporate profits at public expense without public knowledge." sheds light on which direction you are coming from, so I am assuming this is not designed to be a fair and balanced forum.

Ryan Salo wrote:Peter,

I was referred to your comment that both sides would need to be represented in order to host a forum. I guess I am still just confused on how this doesn't apply to Mike Summers on SB5. I am sure you could have a pro SB5 spokesperson talk, and I was curious what the litmus test is.

Your phrase "Ohio House Bill 5 which has started snaking its way around State House down in Columbus, and how the most influential corporate-funded political force most of us has never heard of -- ALEC, the American Legislative Exchange Council plays the role of invisible puppet master hands controlling an effort aimed at increased corporate profits at public expense without public knowledge." sheds light on which direction you are coming from, so I am assuming this is not designed to be a fair and balanced forum.

Ryan -

In response to your concern/confusion about my paraphrased statement: "both sides would need to be represented in order to host a forum" ... I reiterate what I already posted in this thread (and I stand by it): "I will not present a LOKOL Public Forum unless both sides are represented" means: there will never be a LOKOL Public Forum without a method for opposing views to be presented. That means always including an Q&A and discussion period. You'll also note that I added this: (and frankly, in hindsight, I should have not said "both sides" ... as we all know that complex issues such as this often have innumerous "sides.")

In response to your inquiry about litmus test ... other than, "does this topic seem like folks might want to engage in a dialogue about it?" .. there is no test.

I'm not sure how this statement: "Ohio House Bill 5 which has started snaking its way around State House down in Columbus, and how the most influential corporate-funded political force most of us has never heard of -- ALEC, the American Legislative Exchange Council plays the role of invisible puppet master hands controlling an effort aimed at increased corporate profits at public expense without public knowledge." sheds a light on which direction I am coming from??

HB5 is "snaking its way around State House," yes?

The American Legislative Exchange Council is an influential corporate-funded political force, right?

Assuredly, most American have NEVER heard of ALEC, (hell, I saw a survey recently that found that only 34% of Americans could name even one member of the Supreme Court and 13% of Americans thought Hillary Clinton was the Vice President!)

ALEC's mission? ... "The American Legislative Exchange Council works to advance the fundamental principles of free-market enterprise, limited government, and federalism at the state level through a nonpartisan public-private partnership of America’s state legislators, members of the private sector and the general public."

In response to your "fair and balanced" concern? I don't work for Fox News! I'm just a schmuck citizen with a penchant for wanting to encourage civil civic conversation. In my volunteer, unpaid role as "that-guy-who-puts-together-the-LOKOL-Public-Forum-Series-for-The-Lakewood-Observer," I have absolutely NO political agenda and non-partisanism is my guiding principal.

Thanks for your participation here!

Peter Grossetti wrote:And ... be sure to stay tuned to the The Observation Deck for news on our next LOKOL Public Forum Series program (late-April, date tbd), where Mayor Summers will lead a presentation on Ohio House Bill 5 which has started snaking its way around State House down in Columbus, and how the most influential corporate-funded political force most of us has never heard of -- ALEC, the American Legislative Exchange Council plays the role of invisible puppet master hands controlling an effort aimed at increased corporate profits at public expense without public knowledge. Yep, they are intertwined! Drama! Conspiracy!! Intrigue!!!

Peter,

Any update on when this LOKOL Public Forum Series program will take place?

Matt

Matthew John Markling wrote:Peter,

Any update on when this LOKOL Public Forum Series program will take place?

Matt

Matt - Working on it. I have to remind y'all ... my role with the LOKOL Public Forum Series is a part-time volunteer gig. Sometime "Real Life" gets in the way!

Peter Grossetti wrote:

Matthew John Markling wrote:

Peter Grossetti wrote:And ... be sure to stay tuned to the The Observation Deck for news on our next LOKOL Public Forum Series program (late-April, date tbd), where Mayor Summers will lead a presentation on Ohio House Bill 5 which has started snaking its way around State House down in Columbus, and how the most influential corporate-funded political force most of us has never heard of -- ALEC, the American Legislative Exchange Council plays the role of invisible puppet master hands controlling an effort aimed at increased corporate profits at public expense without public knowledge. Yep, they are intertwined! Drama! Conspiracy!! Intrigue!!!

Peter,

Any update on when this LOKOL Public Forum Series program will take place?

Matt

Matt - Working on it. I have to remind y'all ... my role with the LOKOL Public Forum Series is a part-time volunteer gig. Sometime "Real Life" gets in the way!

Peter,

I hope that the Mayor didn't back out on you.

I was looking forward to the "Drama! Conspiracy!! Intrigue!!!"

Matt

[quote="Matthew John Markling

I was looking forward to the "Drama! Conspiracy!! Intrigue!!!"

Matt[/quote]


Matt -

The Mayor and I are very busy men!

Working on it. Take a chill pill. Enjoy the beautiful spring weather!!