The Observation Deck

Collen - read the beginning of this discussion.

Colleen Wing wrote:The discussion began with "pulled petitions" not "filed petitions".

How many have candidates have officially filed petitions?

Colleen

An excellent question.

In the shrinking time bank we all have, it could be a huge waste of time talking to a non-candidate on my front porch, week after week, after week. that is why we made the Observation Deck serious conversations about things that matter in Lakewood. Look at the wonderful exchange between Candidate Ed Fitgerald, Mayor Tom George, and Lakewood residents.

It was one of the happiest days since starting this board. Candidates, residents in open dialogue, with respect for the person, but different ideas of how to get it done. Volunteers jumping in!

This is how we can move the city forward at Lightsspeed, pardon the pun. For a brief moment, I felt like the Ferrari, I call the Lakewood Observer tasted 2nd gear!

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Let me put this to rest.

Jim-- Many presidential candidates have not filed their paperwork. Would you consider Rudy, Hillary, Obama, or McCain to be serious? This discussion is just so silly. Getting petitions filed was not a priority for the campaign until now. The deadline is approaching and this is a simple technicality. I have more experience than most in Lakewood when it comes to filing petitions. Let's look at the record:

2002
City Council refuses to address the issue of non-partisan elections. Ryan Demro leads an effort to collect over 1,00 signatures to place the amendment on the ballot. The signatures are filed very close to the deadline and are challenged. The signatures survive the challenge and the voters agree with me at 71% of the vote. Tom George and Ed FitzGerald oppose the issue and are nowehere to be found.

2005/2006
City Council votes down a charter amendment to allow employees of the Lakewood City Schools to run for City Council. Demro once again leads a committee to collect over 1,000 signatures, they are filed, challenged, and verified. Voters agree with Demro with 58% of the vote.

2007
Ryan Demro collects 50 signatures to run for Mayor, files the petition on July 19th. Signatures will be challenged and verified, October 8th the voters will decide if he proceeds to November.

I began collecting signatures on St. Patrick's Day and have continued to do so at my leisure. I will file on July 19th. I have a pattern of filing in this way, it's just personal preference.

Ryan Patrick Demro wrote:Let me put this to rest.

Jim-- Many presidential candidates have not filed their paperwork. Would you consider Rudy, Hillary, Obama, or McCain to be serious? This discussion is just so silly. Getting petitions filed was not a priority for the campaign until now. The deadline is approaching and this is a simple technicality. I have more experience than most in Lakewood when it comes to filing petitions. Let's look at the record:

I began collecting signatures on St. Patrick's Day and have continued to do so at my leisure. I will file on July 19th. I have a pattern of filing in this way, it's just personal preference.

Not my list of candidates.

As you know I have this thing about campaigning year round.

I was headed to a party last night and broke my toe. What if you had a flat tire on the way to the Board of Elections at 4:45pm?

Never put off to tomorrow...

Ryan, you know I am just having fun. You are indeed seasoned.

I am just happy to have the big three on the Observation Deck on the same day talking about moving the city forward!


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To Jim and all residents,

As many have asked about who is running for Mayor, a lot of people I've spoken to, including myself, don't know much about the candidates.

Would it be feasible, mostly through sponsorships and realistic in regards to candidates showing up, to have some kind of "meet the candidates day" at Lakewood Park. Possibly using the bandstand as the podium, obviously having a good audio company so all can hear. It wouldn't be a debate but would involve having each candidate speak in an allotted amount of time about who they are, what their views and opinions are and their vision on where the city would stand after their tenure if they were elected. We could have some local organization handle concessions (we could even have an area to let the children of lakewood set up there own lemonade stands) and other organizations including the candidates parties set up tents with information.

It may take a little doing, but it would be a great thing for the citizens of the community and at least for me would justify a reason why I moved here. The hometown, old-fashioned get to know your community this city evokes.

Dave,
There have been a few threads here on the Deck where alot of us have been asking for some sort of Mayoral debates, etc to learn a little more about where the candidates stand, their vision for Lakewood, etc.

To date both Demro and Fitzgerald have publicly stated on the Deck that they would participate, the current Mayor hasn't been heard from so I don't know where he stands.

So you are definitely not alone in wanting to have an honest, open dialog of some sort to better understand the candidates positions beyond the superficial marketing spin or "endorsements".

I would love love love some kind of a sponsored-Citizenship Fair-in Lakewood. Similar to the Community Festival, annually but where all political organizations, issues, and candidates participate. (Maybe- Civic Fair)

I think it would be great for getting citizens involved in the community and give candidates and issues an appropriate venue.

I would suggest that it be sponsored by the LO.

It would be take off like a rocket.

Colleen Wing wrote:I would love love love some kind of a sponsored-Citizenship Fair-in Lakewood. Similar to the Community Festival, annually but where all political organizations, issues, and candidates participate. (Maybe- Civic Fair)

I think it would be great for getting citizens involved in the community and give candidates and issues an appropriate venue.

I would suggest that it be sponsored by the LO.

It would be take off like a rocket.

If I am not mistaken most serious candidate take out booths at the Community Festival.

If someone wants to work on this we would be happy to sponsor it. I was looking for a big enough place to have a simple meet the cnadidates party. The Community Fest might be a place to start.


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Ryan Patrick Demro wrote:Ryan Demro leads an effort...

Demro once again leads...

...agree with Demro...

Ryan Demro collects...

Ryan,

Why don't you suggest to Demro that he stop talking about himself in the third person.

Steve

In thirty six hours we will know.

Who is serious and who was playing.


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Maybe that could be a new campaign slogan:

RYAN DEMRO: EXPERIENCED (at filing petitions)

Only eight hours to go!!!

Now we'll see who really puts their money where their mouth is.

3 Filed Petitions

Mayor Tom George- filed June 1
Edward Fitzgerld- filed July 19
Ryan Demro - filed July 19


Upon verification of signatures.