The Lakewood Sunpost's Idiotic Editorial On Council

[Bryan Schwegler]

This is exactly the type of attitude that is damaging politics and government. This attitude treats politicians as entertainers, not as statesmen (or women). Nowadays people want politicians to put on a show, either through being slick (Clinton, Obama) or nasty, divisive and confrontational (the Karl Rove formula). In this paradigm, campaigning is perpetual and governing is only an afterthought.

That's not at all what I'm saying. Are you saying great presidents like Teddy Roosevelt, Thomas Jefferson, FDR or JFK were entertainers? No, but they were inspirational leaders with a vision. A true leader is enthusiastic and inspirational. In my humble opinion, I have seen neither of those two things from the current mayor. But maybe I've missed them, please enlighten me to the inspirational activities of Mayor George.

Like I said, he may be doing a great job, but he's not a true leader in my book. There's nothing necessarily wrong with that, not everyone is or can be a leader. However, this is the time when I think Lakewood needs a true leader, whoever that might be.

[Gary Rice]

Bryan,

Believe me, when I was writing my concerns about agenda-driven leadership, I was certainly not thinking about the great positive attributes that you had offered here. ("Inspirational" and "exhibits enthusiasm")

In fact, I agree with you that those are great attributes.

Mayor George, to me, is inspirational and enthusiastic, because I view humility and personal modesty as attributes. Look around at the many things going on in this city. Ask yourself whether you have seen this type of development going on in other inner-ring suburbs?

I do not expect that you and I will agree on this, and that's OK by me. I respect your opinion. As I said, I agree with your attributes. I just feel that these also apply to Tom. I don't think that he likes to beat his own drum. I think instead, that he just tries to bring what good he can to our city by building consensus.

And I like that...a lot.

I DO believe that all of us want what's best here. We'd better listen well to all of the mayoral candidates in the coming months. The future of the City depends upon our selection.

[Jeff Endress]

but he does a horrible job of inspiring others or displaying enthusiasm in my book.

So...if he were out choreographing photo ops and giving out sound Bytes that would a better display his enthusiasm? Frankly, if that's more important than being a capable administrator, I guess I'll settle for capable and get my inspiration in church....

I could be wrong Bryan, but have you ever actually talked to the Mayor?

Jeff

[Bryan Schwegler]

but he does a horrible job of inspiring others or displaying enthusiasm in my book.

So...if he were out choreographing photo ops and giving out sound Bytes that would a better display his enthusiasm? Frankly, if that's more important than being a capable administrator, I guess I'll settle for capable and get my inspiration in church....

I could be wrong Bryan, but have you ever actually talked to the Mayor?

Jeff

Is there an unwritten rule I broke with the MTG fanatics that means everyone has to twist my words and infer things I'm not saying?

Please point out where in any of my posts I said photo ops (which this mayor has certainly done his fair share) or sound bites (again, shall I find the "endorsements" post for you?) were important.

And no Jeff, I haven't spoken to the mayor, nor should I have to in order to feel inspired. I've never spoken to Martin Luther King either, but I still feel he was a great leader.

All I'm saying is, I'd like a little more inspiration, a little more public vision. Heck, it would even make me feel more inclined to vote for him if he actually took a meaningful role here and joined the discussion on the Deck.

But we're not going to agree. You're a supported of Mayor George, I'm not necessarily one at this point. But hey, that's the joy of politics I guess.

[Jeff Endress]

Okay Byran, I'll bite:

How would you have a mayor properly display his/her enthusiasm?

Recognizing that a mayor has no automatic access to the media (beyond sound bytes and photo ops) how would the ideal mayor get out his inspirational message?

Frankly, while you surely don't have to speak to the mayor in order to form an opinion of him, given the limit of his ability to use his weekly hour long TV show, or daily radio broadcast or midmorning press conferences(or inaugural speech) to reach each of us, our ability to be able to speak with him, one on one might prove to be a valuable tool as you formulate your opinions. Or Not. Perhaps that which you learn from the media sources which are available is sufficient.

I'm also not sure that I've ever declared my support for any candidate. My point is simply that, at this level, unless you seek out information, there is precious little that will be available.

Jeff

[Danielle Masters]

but the fact is council is the legislative branch of our city government, they cannot enact laws

And here I thought that an ordinance was a law, and that council was responsible for passing them.

Jeff

Sorry (I was multitasking when I last posted), let me rephrase, council can only pass laws they cannot enforce them, that is the mayor's responsibility.

[Jeff Endress]

Danielle

Just had to show you I was paying attention....

Jeff

[Danielle Masters]

Danielle

Just had to show you I was paying attention....

Jeff

Glad someone was.

[Bryan Schwegler]

Recognizing that a mayor has no automatic access to the media (beyond sound bytes and photo ops) how would the ideal mayor get out his inspirational message?

Frankly, while you surely don't have to speak to the mayor in order to form an opinion of him, given the limit of his ability to use his weekly hour long TV show, or daily radio broadcast or midmorning press conferences(or inaugural speech) to reach each of us, our ability to be able to speak with him, one on one might prove to be a valuable tool as you formulate your opinions.

Ok let's assume you're right. I can think of one large way in particular the Mayor could reach out to the people on a regular basis, the grand experiment called the Observer. He could write a column in the paper every two weeks. But even better would be his participation here, on this public forum.

He has an account and he clearly knows how to post. Of course in the last 6 months, all 5 or 6 of his posts have been "look who endorses me now" posts except the one where he takes political pot shots at his opponent Ed Fitzgerald.

Why doesn't he come here regularly to join the conversation about the future of Lakewood, his vision on how to keep us going in the right direction, etc. Looking back at his posting history, I haven't seen anything like that from him.

Kevin Butler and Ryan Demro seem to be fairly regular posters here sharing ideas and getting into the conversation. I wish more in government would follow their example.

Or how about starting a blog on the city site? It would be great to get regular postings from the mayor on his thoughts on current events, what he's doing, his goals and where he stands on those. Corporate America is quickly learning the power of doing just that as have many politicians in other forms of government.

Not to mention MTG writing a column in the paper, engaging in conversation on the Deck or writing a blog would cost the city virtually nothing.

I think claiming lack of media access as the reason MTG is not more public in his ideas or vision is a cop-out in my opinion. There is more than enough opportunity in he was creative.

[Kenneth Warren]

Bryan:

I agree. There has been a failure on the part of elected officials and public institutions to realize gains in political efficacy, intellectual and social capital that the Lakewood Observer experiment has offered the city. For me, it's been a large disappointment.

I have joked that the motto here is "Because we care so much, our lips are sealed to the cone of silence."

It will be interesting as we launch similar experiments in other places to see if the competitive stakes will raise the performance levels.

Kenneth Warren

[Jim O'Bryan]

Ok let's assume you're right. I can think of one large way in particular the Mayor could reach out to the people on a regular basis, the grand experiment called the Observer. He could write a column in the paper every two weeks. But even better would be his participation here, on this public forum.

Bryan

I agree with Ken Warren. The single largest disappointment in this project is the the dash back into the darkness by some groups in Lakewood. When this project was started, City Hall, Council, Dr. Estrop and the School Board were notified of this project said they were excited to take part in such an innovative project. To date the silence from schools and council is deafening. Mayor Tom George has kept his word and given this project unprecedented access to anything we have asked for. We are working out the details right now for a column he thought would be good and we agree. "Lunch with the mayor" Each issue will feature a serious discussion on different departments at City Hall and hot topics.

Ryan Patrick Demro and Kevin Butler are champions of this project, and Mike Dever, Mary Louis Madigan and Ed Fitzgerald try when they can.

According to CNN, MSNBC, Time, Newsweek and others this fall will be the year the internet powers elections and candidates. Where will our candidates fall? Who will miss this one? Tom Bullock has already announced he will run his campaign right here on the Observation Deck. It will be interesting to see who joins him, and who doesn't.

The two best ways to reach out to Lakewoodites are US Mail to every house, and The Lakewood Observer. One is free, because it is paid for by the residents, businesses, and people in Lakewood. A smart person might think they are voters as well.

FWIW

[Charyn Compeau]

In addition to the Observer any city official can communicate their message to a broad audience in several ways (some of which exist here already and are under-utilized or poorly done):

E-PR work:
Independent internet site
Bogging
Podcasting
Email newsletters

Regular PR work:
News releases
Postal bulletins
Open forums

Media PR work:
Public radio announcements
Private radio commercials
Cable/network television usage

This is just a sampling of the common things that can be done. A little imagination can go a long way to expand this list.

NONE of the above are photo op or sound bite driven (although some sound bites and/or photos are sure to come from such venues) - they are driven by the desire and need to communicate with constituents in a fluid and timely matter.

If we, the voters, don't "know" the mayor it is the mayor's "fault" not ours.

As anecdotal proof of this I might point out that I "know" Demro, Fitzgerald, Butler, Antonio, Madigan, and Dever far better than the mayor.

Considering they are part time - I find that rather telling, dont you?

Charyn

[Jim O'Bryan]

In addition to the Observer any city official can communicate their message to a broad audience in several ways (some of which exist here already and are under-utilized or poorly done):

E-PR work:
Independent internet site
Bogging
Podcasting
Email newsletters

Regular PR work:
News releases
Postal bulletins
Open forums

Media PR work:
Public radio announcements
Private radio commercials
Cable/network television usage

This is just a sampling of the common things that can be done. A little imagination can go a long way to expand this list.

NONE of the above are photo op or sound bite driven (although some sound bites and/or photos are sure to come from such venues) - they are driven by the desire and need to communicate with constituents in a fluid and timely matter.

If we, the voters, don't "know" the mayor it is the mayor's "fault" not ours.

As anecdotal proof of this I might point out that I "know" Demro, Fitzgerald, Butler, Antonio, Madigan, and Dever far better than the mayor.

Considering they are part time - I find that rather telling, dont you?

Charyn

Charyn

Name five things that these people have done on their own?

Let's see how well you know them.

Just curious.

Now I am kidding

Not sure I know that much about any of them. Some I talk to all the time.

Have to run, did not want to leave this sitting.


.

[Charyn Compeau]

Butler - My council person who answers every email I send him and communicates via email newsletter as well. Has worked on appearance issues (tall grass unkempt yards etc), sexual predator ordinances, stalking ordinances, as well as active animal shelter supporter.

Demro - Also answers my every email and is very receptive to my thoughts and comments despite ideological differences. I see him mostly focused on parks and city appearance issues.

Fitzgerald - I and my family have spoken with him from time to time. Excellent perception of the city's financial picture from both the macro and micro perspective. Mostly see him focused on the budget.

Madigan is the one I know the least - but what hear from her is usually about bringing business back to Lakewood. I also seem to hear a lot of politicizing and it is my general impression that there is some bad blood between her and Demro (but that is just an impression).

Antonio seems to always be touting the arts and arts business development

And Dever seems to be the voice of our poor roads.

To be more clear, so as not to be misunderstood, when I say I "know" them and use the quotes, it refers to the way in which people react emotionally. In other words I have a feeling about them that are the results of their words, actions, or others words about them. These feeling may or may not be rooted in fact, they may or may not be accurate. They are the seeds of consumer choice that exist in all of us.

So when I say I "Know" them - it is not to say that I can regurgitate their resume, or that I have picnics with them, but to say that I have an opinion and thought about them as politicians. What that thought IS has everything to do with how they handle themselves and how they are handled by the media (Observer included). If my thoughts are wrong, it is due to poor pr management.

That was my point.

But what do I know, right?

We just do marketing.............

[Jim O'Bryan]

Charyn

Go back and read my post, I think you grabbed it before edit.

I was speaking, truthfully for myself.

I know as much as you, which really isn;t that much about any of them.

I have to run, but did not want to leave this hanging.

This was not an attack, this was just statement. There is a group of us that sit around charting much this for various reasons. I might no more about Frank Jackson. Certainly Congressman Kucinch.

As I said have to run, much affot right now.

You do the marketing for all the candidates and city hall?

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