Ward 2 Race Heats Up

[Dan Shields]

Ken and all -

One thing that I have learned from participating in the LO experiment is that you have to "own" your words. I know Tom, we've been together in the Lakewood Dems, but this is a campaign. This is not personal, but in a campaign there is going to be debate.

Now, Tom has attached my name to his literature, and that literature is being distributed throughout the community. Whithin that literature is a characterization of me as being the "establishment" candidate. I'm not commenting on his intelligence, nor am I attacking him personally, but merely asking to explain what it means, and also, what it means to be "establishment".

His words, my name. I am requesting that Tom take ownership of the piece, and respond to some very simple questions.

As far as the campaign, I will not deny that I am pushing hard that my experience in the community makes me the better candidate. Pure and simple. The voters will decide.

Dan Shields

[Ryan Patrick Demro]

The Establishment is what holds this community back. It is the resistance to new ideas, new people, and new energy. It resists because it is threatened. It does this at a great personal price to all of us.

What voters should be wary of most in this election is the Establishment and the Elite. I found out hard that the elite care not about political parties nor do they care about change. They only seek that which benefits them most with as little change as possible. Neither is in the best interest of this city right now.

A vote for the establishment is a vote for continued decay, continued brain drain, and continued despair. Should we even wonder why people are leaving Lakewood and Ohio? We often say in teaching that there are no stupid questions. I am beginning to believe that this is one of them.

[Frank Murtaugh]

The Establishment is what holds this community back. It is the resistance to new ideas, new people, and new energy. It resists because it is threatened. It does this at a great personal price to all of us.

What voters should be wary of most in this election is the Establishment and the Elite. I found out hard that the elite care not about political parties nor do they care about change. They only seek that which benefits them most with as little change as possible. Neither is in the best interest of this city right now.

A vote for the establishment is a vote for continued decay, continued brain drain, and continued despair. Should we even wonder why people are leaving Lakewood and Ohio? We often say in teaching that there are no stupid questions. I am beginning to believe that this is one of them.

Ryan,
Who specifically are the members of the establishment and the elite that you refer to?

[Justine Cooper]

The Establishment is what holds this community back. It is the resistance to new ideas, new people, and new energy. It resists because it is threatened. It does this at a great personal price to all of us.

What voters should be wary of most in this election is the Establishment and the Elite. I found out hard that the elite care not about political parties nor do they care about change. They only seek that which benefits them most with as little change as possible. Neither is in the best interest of this city right now.

A vote for the establishment is a vote for continued decay, continued brain drain, and continued despair. Should we even wonder why people are leaving Lakewood and Ohio? We often say in teaching that there are no stupid questions. I am beginning to believe that this is one of them.

Considering that Ed won hands down at the primary I don't understand this post. Doesn't he represent the new and changing?

[Bryan Schwegler]

Considering that Ed won hands down at the primary I don't understand this post. Doesn't he represent the new and changing?

I don't think he was referring to Ed. I think he was answering someone's question about the "establishment" was.

[Justine Cooper]

I read it as if voters weren't making a change for the new but it looked like they were. Did I read that wrong then? Having only been here 8 years voting for the establishment never entered into my mind. I don't even know enough about that or history. I just don't like the mayor being blamed for everything wrong in this city and somehow gets no credit for anything good. Also with all these paid people, like council, chamber, city, etc. I don't buy that it all falls on the mayor. There truly is something wrong going on here but it falls many places. Many.

[Bryan Schwegler]

I think that's just the symptom of being the chief executive at any level of government. They seem to take most of the blame when things are going poorly.

[David Lay]

Same thing in professional sports - when the team performs badly they fire the coach.

[Justine Cooper]

Hey now, as someone who studied Latin and Classical History at the University of Michigan, I can say that yes, I think that is a big deal.

I'm going for my MBA right now, but I'm seriously considering getting my Masters in Classics since that's where my true passion lies.

Bryan,
While you and I are procrastinating our homework, remember

Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.-Albert Schweitzer

Go for your passion!

[Dan Shields]

Ken -

You may have found it objectionable that I raised the neighbor/newcomer issue. Well, it seems like Tom fired the first shot across the bow. Don't be surprised that I fired back. I was raised to stick to my guns and do the right thing, including fighting for what I think is right. If I am to be denigrated in campaign literature as somehow being part of 'the Establishment', then Tom has put his lack of experience and history in Lakewood directly into play. For the third and last time, if you want to use my name and attach it to a term, then own up to it and don't be surprised when I ask for an explanation. What establishment? Who? What are you talking about? All I asked is that he step up to the plate and give us all a little insight into the WORDS HE IS USING AND SENDING OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY.

You also mention that Lakewood needs new, smart, and committed people to step up and provide leadership. I couldn't agree more, but I think you should add experienced to the list. This, I believe, is my greatest strength in this race.

Let me ask you, Ken, did you understand everything about Lakewood shortly after you moved here? How long did it take before you felt that you truly understood the community and were able to make informed, correct decisions about issues affecting the city? One month? One year? Five years? What about the library. How long did it take before you were able to truly understand the relationship between the residents and the library, so that you could proceed to build it up (literally and figuratively) to national prominence? Didn't living here and working here take some time - to gain the necessary experience to get the job done right?

I rely heavily on my experience to make the right decisions - for my family, in my business, and in my work in the community. And experience has been the best teacher.

Without experience, would I know that you couldn't even think about pursuing eminent domain in this town, based on what happened with the West End project four years ago? And that with the mention of eminent domain, we will probably get a post here from Don Farris?

Without experience, would I understand the safety issues facing Lakewood? With four daughters and a wife, you better believe I'm concerned with this issue. Yet it is my work in the court system, right here in Lakewood and throughout Cuyahoga County, that has taught me that there is no snap answer to the issue of crime in the region. Sure, I want to be tough on crime, but in a way that is just for ALL residents of the city, so that we can ALL enjoy the amenities Lakewood has to offer.

(In fact, Mr. Warren, regarding the safety issue, there have been some questions I've just been dying to ask you. They are: How long was the planning and implementation process from conception to construction for the Library? How many people were involved? Wasn't this a community based effort based on community input? Surely, the Library wasn't built based on two or three meetings over a three month period. Shouldn't safety concerns be addressed with the same time and consideration to see that any solutions are done right?)

Without experience, would I know and understand the work our civic leaders are doing behind the scenes in the business community? How wonderful that we we are now joined in our Lakewood family by MAMA and DADA! That the small business community is banding together to promote its products and market itself as a cohesive unit.

It is my service to the community that has taught me how our institutions work - from Lakewood Soccer to City Hall to the Union Hall to Municipal Court.

Without experience, I wouldn't understand the City Charter as I do. When I served on the Charter Review Commission in 2005, I learned how important it is to address issues in an honest, straightforward manner; allowing for give and take, and ultimately, compromise. There were nine members from all walks of life, and we had some of the most stimulating intellectual conversations I've ever witnessed. Like a game of verbal 'whack-a mole', if you stuck your neck out sometimes you got bopped. But we were no worse for the wear and tear, and ultimately I'd like to think that all Lakewood residents benefited from our service.

If this knowledge gained through experience makes me part of 'the Establishment', maybe that's a good thing. I will say this, I believe that's exactly what Lakewood needs right now.

Dan Shields

[Tom Bullock]

Hey Dan, Everyone:

Joining this thread late. No offense was meant. There are always insiders and outsiders to every race. Dan, you portrayed yourself as very established, and you've advertised the backing you've gotten from many established/establishment leaders.

There are pluses and minuses to every candidate and you have a lot to be proud of. I bring a different mix of strengths. That's what's great about democracy: voters have a choice.

For the record, I have fifteen years experience in community leadership and making government work for people. This includes work with top Ohio leaders and top leaders in Congress. I've got experience on the inside (dealing with government agencies, bureaucracies, processes, programs) and the outside (working to answer constituent questions, organizing community forums, keeping an open ear for creative ideas and important feedback missed by insiders).

In addition, I have experience in securing federal budget dollars for local communities. I'd like to put these skills to work for Lakewood. We have to make a more forceful case to get our fair share of state and federal funds.

My sense is that Lakewood needs neighborhood problem solving as much or more than a narrow focus on ordinances or official committees. It's not about passing a lot of new laws; we need to make better use of the tools we already have, match up the resources we've got to the problems on the ground and enforce community standards already on the books.

This requires listening, hustle, front-porch service, and keeping our minds open to what the people are saying. The best ideas often come from people in the community, not just city hall. That's why I'm helping set up Block Watches and Good Neighbor Groups across Ward 2--as a first step to capturing these ideas, and to pull people together to face our challenges.

[Dan Shields]

Tom -

Thanks for jumping in.

You didn't answer the questions. Is your response that because I have all of the major endorsements in this race, that makes me 'the Establishment' candidate? Remember, you fought for these endorsements as well, and are quick to tout your own.

In any event, you indicate that you have worked for "top Ohio leaders and top leaders in Congress", you have worked to obtain federal budget dollars, you have "experience on the inside", and "fifteen years experience in community leadership".

You would appear to be the very definition of 'the Establishment'. No offense.

Dan Shields

[Bill Call]

Since my public support for a candidate will hurt that candidate I will either not announce my preference or endorse the candidate I want to lose or endorse the candidate I want to win under the assumption that people will think I am endorsing him because I want him to lose when I really want him to win.

Anyway:

Will you support an income tax increase?

Will you support privatization of some of Lakewood City departments?

Will you support closing a fire station?

Will support residency incentives?

Will you support lowering minimum staffing levels at the fire department?

Will you support re-opening contract negotiations with City unions to get some relief for the City?

Will support elimination of Lakewood's Health department and transfer those responsibilities to the county?

Will you support seeking changes in the Lakewood Hospital lease?

Will you support the sale of Kaufman Park?

Will you support expansion of Rockport by use of eminent domain?

Will you support on street rush hour parking on Lake and Clifton?

Will you support the City purchase of obsolete apartment buildings?

Will you support a parcel by parcel re-appraisal of Lakewood's commercial property?

Should City employees pay for parking?

Should City employees pay more for health insurance?

Should the City employ private security guards instead of increasing the number of police officers?

Are you willing to accept a strike by City employees to control costs?

Should homeowners pay a portion of street resurfacing costs?

Should the City courts charge more?

Should the City build a new jail? Should that jail be a profit center?

Should the City build a new City Hall?

What empoyee absentee rate is acceptable?

Will you endorse the findings of the super secret budget review
committee?

Will you support passenger rail service through Lakewood to Avon Lake and North Ridgeville?

Will you support a new interchange at W117th street to open up abandonced industrial areas to commercial development?

Will you support the building of a department store in Lakewood?

Why should I care what you think about social security?

Why should I care who endorses you?

[stephen davis]

The Establishment is what holds this community back. It is the resistance to new ideas, new people, and new energy. It resists because it is threatened. It does this at a great personal price to all of us.

What voters should be wary of most in this election is the Establishment and the Elite. I found out hard that the elite care not about political parties nor do they care about change. They only seek that which benefits them most with as little change as possible. Neither is in the best interest of this city right now.

A vote for the establishment is a vote for continued decay, continued brain drain, and continued despair. Should we even wonder why people are leaving Lakewood and Ohio? We often say in teaching that there are no stupid questions. I am beginning to believe that this is one of them.

More political science.

[Jim O'Bryan]

Since my public support for a candidate will hurt that candidate I will either not announce my preference or endorse the candidate I want to lose or endorse the candidate I want to win under the assumption that people will think I am endorsing him because I want him to lose when I really want him to win.

Bill


Bless you.

People thought I was delusional.

But you have once again set the bar high.


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