The Observation Deck

Ryan Patrick Demro wrote:It would be great if we could get some real debates.

-Ryan

There is usually no upside for an incumbent debating his challengers so waiting for Mayor George to agree to a series of debates is probably a waste of time. That's not right or wrong it's just the way it is.

You and Councilman Fitzgerald should simply schedule a series of old time debates:

The venue:

The Library
Sullivan's
The Women's Pavilion
The Beer Engine
Sinagra Park
Around The Corner
My Back Yard

The stage:

Two soap boxes

The rules:

You talk for 10 minutes

Your opponent responds for 5 minutes

Repeat the cycle for two hours

Two hour time limit including intermissions for adult beverages.

The subject of the first of 15 debates:

Is the Status Quo the best we can do?

Bill - LPL doesn't serve beverages - adult or otherwise.

As for the debates - we'll have chairs for all the candidates, whether they attend or not. And we don't except proxies. They must attend in person. In the meantime, we support the opportunity to present and defend our platform. I like the format you describe.

Suzanne

Suzanne Metelko wrote:Bill - LPL doesn't serve beverages - adult or otherwise.

As for the debates - we'll have chairs for all the candidates, whether they attend or not. And we don't except proxies. They must attend in person. In the meantime, we support the opportunity to present and defend our platform. I like the format you describe.

Suzanne

I agree...debates should be held wether all agree to participate. Make it very obvious which candidates don't show. The people deserve to see the candidates commitment to describe and defend their platforms.

Ryan,

You are right, these are forums, or modified debates at best. So then will Mayor George participate in forums, but not debates - or he will not participate at all.

I understand Mr. Call that it is not in an incumbents best interest to debate - but it is in the city's best interest to have debates. I too like your format and I would agree that Councilmen Fitzgerald and Demro should go ahead without him. Who knows, maybe the public will decide that these are the two that should make it through the primary because they are willing to come into the public and put their ideas forward.

Lynn,

I cannot speak for the Mayor, but his unwillingess to engage indicates his fear of a debate. I know that Councilman FitzGerald is willing to get into a three way debate, but the last time I spoke to him it seemed that he was unwilling to participate in a two-way debate without George.

Debates are constructive, I think Mr. Call's will be the most entertaining. We will be issuing debate challenges to our opponents in the coming days. We will provide a public location and a moderator and it will be advertised. I will publish the open letters here and the other candidates can respond here. I would hope they would appoint an emissary to work with my campaign manager to help create a forum that would be suitable to them. We shall see.

Ryan Patrick Demro wrote:I know that Councilman FitzGerald is willing to get into a three way debate, but the last time I spoke to him it seemed that he was unwilling to participate in a two-way debate without George.

If Councilman Fittgerald is serious about his willingness to debate then he should debate with or without the Mayor.

My suggestions of venue were not as tongue in cheek as some might assume. The venue ideas were based on the premise that since it is hard to get the people to the debates the debates should be brought to the people.

It's too late now but three lecterns on a street corner during the Lakewood Arts Festival would be one such opportunity.

Soap Boxes on a street corner - gets my vote.

Reminds me of Speakers Corner in Hyde Park, London. Spent many fascinating Sunday morning listening to all kinds of free speach.

Ryan Patrick Demro wrote:Lynn,

We will provide a public location and a moderator and it will be advertised.

If by "We" you mean your campaign providing a moderator, I would be surprised if anyone agreed to those terms.

A neutral, competant moderator is required for a true debate, not a party hack.

Richard, we agree. The campaign has contacted each group we've cited and asked them to plan and execute a moderated debate. Campaign hacks are not permitted.

If would be really helpful if interested residents who belong to these organizations would also express their desire to have this type of event. There seems to be a reluctance, one I can't explain, to provide an objective, moderated debate of the issues.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Suzanne Metelko wrote:Richard, we agree. The campaign has contacted each group we've cited and asked them to plan and execute a moderated debate. Campaign hacks are not permitted.

Glad to hear that - but it's different from what Mr Demro wrote.

[quote="Richard Cole]Glad to hear that - but it's different from what Mr Demro wrote.[/quote]

Councilman Demro's post failed to communicate as I did in my post that the Demro campaign has been working dilegently, for several months, to get independent groups to provide this service to the community. We're willing to plan and execute the event, if we have to but we don't feel it is appropriate for us to do so.

Again - I can't understand the reluctance of organizations within Lakewood for whom a candidate's debate would be a mission appropriate program to provide such a program. Wishy washy candidates forums are just larger versions of a meet and greet. Lakewood has an educated constituency that deserves a moderated discussion of the issues.

Suzanne Metelko wrote:Again - I can't understand the reluctance of organizations within Lakewood for whom a candidate's debate would be a mission appropriate program to provide such a program.

If Councilman Fitzgerald is waiting for the Mayor to volunteer to appear in a series of real debates he is letting the Mayor dictate the terms of his campaign. That may or may not be good politics, I don't know.

How about:

Councilman Demro can schedule a series of debates and invite the other candidates to attend. If they don't show up a stand in can take their place.

I would be willing to stand in for the Mayor. To be fair I will limit my response to various questions with the answer "I think the only solution is to raise taxes".

Moved from flood thread:

May I suggest that since this throw down has occured on the LO deck that it is time to schedule the debate, sponsored by the LO. The mayor's comfort level is a deep concern to the community groups that would traditionally sponsor a debate and so "forums" have been scheduled. But he's obviously very comfortable with the LO gang.

As the LO is a non traditional group and resource, I propose that they should take the lead and get this on the schedule. Obviously Councilman Demro and FitzGerald are ready to rock and role.

So Jim, when, where and who's moderating? I think you'll need the civic auditorium for this one.

And so I ask again - when and where?

This community is waiting and we have two candidates who are willing. Can we have a debate without the incumbant?

Suzanne Metelko wrote:Can we have a debate without the incumbent?

Yes.

A little bird told me that Ryan Demro has declined debate invitations. Any truth to that?

Can't the councilmen just agree to meet and have at it? At the women's Pavilion, City Hall, Beck Center, Peppers?