The Observation Deck

No really, does anyone know when City Council will allow folks to apply for the soon-to-be vacant Ward 2 position?

Is the sunshine too bright this winter in the 'Wood?





Or, is this just another example of how City Hall is run - i.e., no planning?

I believe they can not take applications until the seat is officially been vacated. Which in this case is not until January first, with Bullock's current term expiring on the 31st. Council then has 60 days to fill the position.

I really don't think this is a sunshine issue, because as of right now there is not vacant position to be filled. The City, Council specifically, will make an announcement regarding the situation once there is a vacancy to fill and will then start collecting applications.

In the future if you are curious about something feel free to check out the Codified Ordinances on Conway Greene anytime. It is very helpful. In this case it does not give you the exact answer you are looking for, but often times it can. Below is a link to the site and what I found on the subject.

http://www.conwaygreene.com/Lakewood/lpext.dll?f=templates&fn=main-h.htm&2.0

Vacancies in Council shall be filled by the remaining members thereof, provided that in the event Council does not so appoint a successor within sixty (60) days of the occurrence of a vacancy, the Mayor may fill the vacancy. The term of any appointee filling such a vacancy shall expire at the end of the unexpired term of the former Councilmember if that vacancy occurs two (2) years and one hundred five (105) days or less before the next regular election to be held for the office of the former Councilmember, or otherwise until his or her successor is elected and qualified at the next regular municipal election. Any vacancy that results from a recall election shall be filled in the manner provided by Article XXII of this Charter. (Amended 11-8-11.)

Christopher Bindel wrote:I believe they can not take applications until the seat is officially been vacated. Which in this case is not until January first, with Bullock's current term expiring on the 31st. Council then has 60 days to fill the position.

I really don't think this is a sunshine issue, because as of right now there is not vacant position to be filled. The City, Council specifically, will make an announcement regarding the situation once there is a vacancy to fill and will then start collecting applications.

Okay, Chris.

You know, planning is not a bad thing, Chris.

Usually, governmental entities prepare in advance to fill known vacancies. There are usually applications and sometimes even interviews.

That was done when Chas Geiger stepped down from the School Board. There was someone ready to step into his shoes on the Board – i.e., John Kamkutis.

That was done when Ed FitzGerald stepped down from the Mayor position. There was someone ready to step into his shoes at City Hall – i.e., Mike Summers.

That was done when Mike Summers stepped down from the Ward 3 position. There was someone ready to step into his shoes – i.e., Shawn Juris.

That was done when Kevin Butler stepped down from the Ward 1 position. There was someone ready to step into his shoes – i.e., David Anderson.

If you are correct, Chris, what is going on in the below video?





Matt

Sorry, I missed your text about 'planning' as it fell at the bottom of the rather large image. I agree planning wouldn't be a bad idea, and I understand where you are coming from, however I think this situation is a little different and you are missing an important point as to why they have not started the process yet.

The search for a Council person's replacement is steered by the Council President, in this case Brian Powers. Brian Powers, however is one of the currently out going Council people, and although he surely has the right to start the process, from my experience I am not surprised he isn't. Not because he is lazy, or hates the process, but out of respect. Since he will not be serving as president next year, he probably wants to allow the new president and Council to have full control over the process and make the decision themselves, without his influence at all.

This is something I deeply respect him for. Although it might not be convenient, I think it is rare anymore for someone to go out of their way to keep their influence out of decisions they wont be around to make. Which I think is how things should be.

Christopher Bindel wrote:Sorry, I missed your text about 'planning' as it fell at the bottom of the rather large image. I agree planning wouldn't be a bad idea, and I understand where you are coming from, however I think this situation is a little different and you are missing an important point as to why they have not started the process yet.

The search for a Council person's replacement is steered by the Council President, in this case Brian Powers. Brian Powers, however is one of the currently out going Council people, and although he surely has the right to start the process, from my experience I am not surprised he isn't. Not because he is lazy, or hates the process, but out of respect. Since he will not be serving as president next year, he probably wants to allow the new president and Council to have full control over the process and make the decision themselves, without his influence at all.

This is something I deeply respect him for. Although it might not be convenient, I think it is rare anymore for someone to go out of their way to keep their influence out of decisions they wont be around to make. Which I think is how things should be.

Chris,

Did I really miss the point?

Or are you guessing?

Did Brian Powers tell you that the above analysis is why no requests have been made to submit application to a known vacancy for a new city council to review and fill at the start of January 2014?

Or are you guessing?

And Brian can always abstain from discussing the matter. Chas did when he stepped down from the School Board. It really isn’t that hard.

Matt

The 'point' I was referring to was Powers being a lame duck, not my deduction of the situation.

Regardless, you asked a question, that no one else seemed interested in responding to, and I simply tried to answer it by offering my opinion and a possible situation. Feel free to take it or leave it. I have been attending Lakewood City Council meetings for seven years and covering it for the observer for four. Although I by no means can tell you exactly what is going to happen, I feel like I have a decent understanding of the body and how its members interact.

OK kids

Which is worse?

a) A city council that has no plans for vacancies they have known about for 4 months?

or...

b) A city council that knows there are vacancies and does nothing to fill them?

You two are arguing theory, legal versus moral, as this is political, those become vague concepts.

If we are to look back, City Council, and or the School Board will work with their favs,
getting them ready for official city council appointing season, 2 minutes after swearing in.

As for Mr. Powers. One would hope that Councilman Powers would care enough about his
hard work and city to couple qualified candidates and may have mentioned them to
friends on council.

To believe he is just walking away cold, is just as troubling isn't it?

The entire city is almost related one way or another. This city has a clubby atmosphere,
you know this is all done very legally in a clubby sort of way.

It is not evil, does it bend laws, or morals? Well it is a clubby kind of place, and nothing evil was being hatched.

But it would seem from recent appointees council does seem to have a fetish for
unelectable people that they believe fills a particular need, ours, yours, theirs? That
person seems to move on and get re-elected pretty easily in the re-election, as this city
loves incumbents!

Another interesting side note, is that City Council actually has a pretty good record
appointing people that come to grips with council and what council needs to do.

.

Matthew John Markling wrote:

Christopher Bindel wrote:I believe they can not take applications until the seat is officially been vacated. Which in this case is not until January first, with Bullock's current term expiring on the 31st. Council then has 60 days to fill the position.

I really don't think this is a sunshine issue, because as of right now there is not vacant position to be filled. The City, Council specifically, will make an announcement regarding the situation once there is a vacancy to fill and will then start collecting applications.

Okay, Chris.

You know, planning is not a bad thing, Chris.

Usually, governmental entities prepare in advance to fill known vacancies. There are usually applications and sometimes even interviews.

That was done when Chas Geiger stepped down from the School Board. There was someone ready to step into his shoes on the Board – i.e., John Kamkutis.

That was done when Ed FitzGerald stepped down from the Mayor position. There was someone ready to step into his shoes at City Hall – i.e., Mike Summers.

That was done when Mike Summers stepped down from the Ward 3 position. There was someone ready to step into his shoes – i.e., Shawn Juris.

That was done when Kevin Butler stepped down from the Ward 1 position. There was someone ready to step into his shoes – i.e., David Anderson.

Matt,

Planning is not a bad thing, but action in this case should be delayed until January.

Your examples are mechanically different than the current situation. As Mr. Bindel has stated, there is no current vacancy. A vacancy in Ward 2 will happen simultaneously with newly-elected Cindy Marx taking an at-large seat on Council, Tom Bullock taking a different Council seat, and Council-President Brian Powers and At-Large Council Member Monique Smith leaving. That is a lot of change. This appointment decision is best left to those who have to live with it, not to those who are leaving.

The City Charter addresses the filling of an empty council seat, but mostly with qualifications and deadlines. It does not address the process. The process is pretty much determined by Council. There is no application or interview process required, other than what Council agrees to at the time a seat becomes empty.

I'm sure that members of Council have considered candidates, but it would be premature to set the rules for selection. The first order of business in 2014 will probably be to swear in the new member and elect a new President of Council.

In the examples you mentioned, the elected body remained intact except for the vacancy. Early planning and action was appropriate.


Steve

.

stephen davis wrote:As Mr. Bindel has stated, there is no current vacancy. A vacancy in Ward 2 will happen simultaneously with newly-elected Cindy Marx taking an at-large seat on Council, Tom Bullock taking a different Council seat, and Council-President Brian Powers and At-Large Council Member Monique Smith leaving. That is a lot of change. This appointment decision is best left to those who have to live with it, not to those who are leaving.

That is a lot of change.

Council could at least start the application process this year and do all the reviewing/interviewing after the swearing in.

On second thought, I don't think the City will grind to a halt in Jan/Feb because we're short one Council person. Best to leave it all to the 2014 Council.

Council President Powers confirmed tonight that he was trying to walk a fine line between allowing Council enough time to find candidates for the Ward II seat and trying to keep his involvement out of it. As one of his final acts as president, he asked Council Clerk Mary Hagen tonight to now start the process of announcing the open seat so applications can be collected.

Christopher Bindel wrote:Council President Powers confirmed tonight that he was trying to walk a fine line between allowing Council enough time to find candidates for the Ward II seat and trying to keep his involvement out of it. As one of his final acts as president, he asked Council Clerk Mary Hagen tonight to now start the process of announcing the open seat so applications can be collected.

Well, Chris and Steve, it appears that your "no plan to plan" speculation is actually a "plan to plan" reality.

Matthew John Markling wrote:

Christopher Bindel wrote:Council President Powers confirmed tonight that he was trying to walk a fine line between allowing Council enough time to find candidates for the Ward II seat and trying to keep his involvement out of it. As one of his final acts as president, he asked Council Clerk Mary Hagen tonight to now start the process of announcing the open seat so applications can be collected.

Well, Chris and Steve, it appears that your "no plan to plan" speculation is actually a "plan to plan" reality.

I was trying to figure out who had the wryer grin with the above line. Council President Brian Powers or Chris retyping it.

At least he is trying hard not to start the process early until it was started early.

However as Steve Davis points out. There is no formula or requirements for how they do it.

"You can observe a lot by watching." yogi bera
.

From: Hagan, Mary [mailto:Mary.Hagan@lakewoodoh.net]
Sent: Wednesday, December 18, 2013 11:49 AM
To: Hagan, Mary
Subject: New Release Council Vacancy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DECEMBER 18, 2013

City Council accepting applications for the expected vacancy in Ward 2 Council seat.

Lakewood City Council will accept applications from residents of Ward 2 who are interested in seeking the position of Ward 2 councilperson. The Ward 2 seat is expected to become vacant in January 2014 when Councilmember Bullock resigns in order to be sworn in as an At-Large Member of Council.

Qualifications for members of Council may be found in the Second Amended Charter, Article 3, Section 2, and Article 23, Section 3. Vacancies are governed by Article 3, Section 2 of the Charter.

Applications for Ward 2 Councilmember should consist of a cover letter and current résumé. Such applications should be directed to the Clerk of Council, 12650 Detroit Road, Lakewood, OH 44107, or by email to council@lakewoodoh.net . Application materials should help give Council an appreciation of the applicant’s reason for seeking appointment and his or her qualifications to serve in office. Council may conduct interviews of qualified candidates as appropriate in 2014.

# # #

For more information, please contact Lakewood City Council at (216) 529-6055.

Well, it's kind of a plan.

No deadline?

And they may actually interview qualified candidates ... or ... they may not.

Michael Deneen wrote:I have no "inside information" on the subject, but I would not assume that Mr. O'Leary will be chosen.

I've followed council elections for over 20 years.
We've had numerous council openings over the years due to resignations and "call-ups" to the state legislature. I'm not sure I've ever seen the "Miss America System" (i.e. promotion of first runner up) ever invoked.

Mike,

I'm on the Bill Call for Ward 2 bandwagon. See http://www.lakewoodobserver.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=12265.

That being said, I have yet to hear anyone argue as to why either Anthony Davis or Sam O'Leary should not be appointed to the Ward 2 vacancy ... assuming either one lives in Ward 2.

Anthony and Sam actually just ran for a City Council position.

My favorite - Bill Call - did not (although he did run for School Board in the past).

Does anyone know who applied so far?

The names tossed out on the Deck to date are:

Dan Shields
Tom George
Bill Call
Anthony Davis
Sam O'Leary
Nadhal Eadeh
Deb Sweeney
Corey Rossen
Betsy Voinovich
Christina Gill McCallum
Kristine Pagsuyoin
Chris Bindel

Who am I missing?

Mike Deneen would be a good name to add to this list if he lives in Ward 2.

Matt

Matthew John Markling wrote:Mike,

I'm on the Bill Call for Ward 2 bandwagon. See http://www.lakewoodobserver.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=12265.

It's likely that Council has already made the decision and I'm pretty sure I'm not on their list.

As a group they get along well with each other and with the Mayor. They are of one mind and speak with one tongue. If I WAS on Council I suppose I'd be the odd man out.

Under the circumstances I think that they have all done a fine job. Northeast Ohio is an economic dead zone so there is only so much a City Council can do. Even if our Council and Mayor do everything right they have to contend with regional institutions that are doing everything wrong.

Cuyahoga County government, NOACCA, the City of Cleveland, RTA, Tri-C, CSU, the Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals and other taxpayer funded organizations are engaged in policies that undermine cities like Lakewood, weaken the economic vitality of Cuyahoga County and drive away people and businesses.

One local mayor voiced some mild opposition to the policies of the above institutions but his comments were quickly "disappeared". Apparently there is only one mind and one tongue allowed in the County.

If I were on Lakewood City Council I would challenge those institutions and their policies. Publically, frequently, loudly and on an on going bases. I could do so because their polices undermine all that a City like Lakewood is trying to accomplish.

The Praxis Strategy Group is reporting that the Cleveland area will rank 48th in job growth over the next few years. It is clear that this region will continue to lose population and economic vitality. Unless Council is willing to challenge the regional institutions that are holding us down there is nothing a Council can do to build us up.

When I ran for School Board I told people that we could do better and that we needed to do better. The people disagreed. I suppose the outcome would be the same if I ran for council.

People are comfortable in the status quo and nervous about challenges to that status quo. Personally, I think doing the same thing over and over again hoping for a different result is crazy.