The Observation Deck

Personally I think everyone's opinion is relevant. You don't have to agree with someone to accept their opinion as relevant.

I don't think me slamming Ryan is unfounded.

Take up your argument with someone who cares Bryan and quit hovering for a chance to jump on anything I say.

sharon kinsella wrote:I don't think me slamming Ryan is unfounded.

Take up your argument with someone who cares Bryan and quit hovering for a chance to jump on anything I say.

Thanks for proving my point Sharon.

Personally I would hate to live with so much anger and hostility all the time towards people.

Darling I think you do

Sounds like Mr.Demro is STILL a bit bitter.

Nice seeing you at the Light Up Lakewood event Ryan, surprised you can't even return a wave and smile. My sincere Happy Holidays to you and yours.

Still,

Kevin Butler for council president. It seems pretty unanimous. Mike Summers wouldn't be a bad choice also if I say so myself. It's nice to see a council that's decked with good council members that know what they're doing.

It means our people will be represented well, and we'll have less people moaning and complaining on this forum.

Do us a favor and call your representative!

Ivor,

I can't seem to understand how your type operates, but let me explain how I see it. If you say nasty and demeaning things about people, then they probably aren't going to wave and smile the next time they see you.

Merry Christmas!

-Ryan

deleted

Ryan,

Thanks for the warm wishes.

I for one appreciate Ryan's observations - he has the history of knowing the ins and outs of council from every meeting. He knows the personalities in a way few of us do. I do think he is right. Facing a huge budget deficit, the president of council will have a tough job. Making cuts is never easy and never popular. There are members of council that will work to defend the status quo.

I like Kevin a lot - but I heard the same rumors that Grace did that he is to be our next Law Director and I think he would be great at that. I heard his denials - but I think he could be persuaded. He has fresh ideas.

I also really like Mary Louise. She truly cares about Lakewood and seems to get along with everyone. She is also at every event it seems like that Lakewood holds. While she may seem too sweet to be the City Council President - I have seen her in a gentle way stop arguments and move things along both with citizens and with her peers. There is nothing wrong with getting things done diplomatically instead of argumentatively. She has always questioned spending and has stood up against it. I'm not sure of her grasp of Roberts Rules - but I do think she could learn them.

Lynn-- the assertion "facing a huge budget deficit" requires attribution.
Stan

Stan,

Facing a huge budget deficit came from the transition web site.

A few days after the November 6th election, the current administration released a memo which estimates that Lakewood is now facing a budget deficit of approximately $4.3 million for 2008.

http://onelakewood.com/

If you don't believe this assertion or have information that the budget deficit is significantly less, that is terrific. But that is where I derived my comment.

Lynn

Stan Austin wrote:Lynn-- the assertion "facing a huge budget deficit" requires attribution.
Stan

According to the City finance department:

"It is highly unlikely that the City will experience General Fund structural balance (revenues exceeding expenditures) in 2007. The structural inbalance is estimated to be ($730,000)."

Also:

Based on preliminary estimates of revenue and expenditures the general fund will have a structural inbalance of ($4,360,000) in 2008.

Whether that is a huge deficit depends on your definition of huge.

The Mayor, finance department, the structural review committee and others have done a good job of explaining the financial challenges facing the City.

With all do respect to all those involved in that effort the hard part is doing something about the problem.

Fasten your seat belts, it's going to be a wild ride.

Bill,

great info.

Talking with a few police officers at the hockey game the other night they echoed my wishes of what the city needs.

instead of a jail that holds 8-12 (8 single bed cells, and 2 double bunked cells) criminals we should have one that holds about 20. A officer explained to me that there have been many times where they had to place inmates on floors because of overcrowding and they have days where the number reaches over 20 inmates.

so maybe 5 more cells and at least 5 more officers. Increasing the patrolling officer number would benefit everyone from the citizens to the officers themselves who can't be at four places at once instead they go one call to another with no guaranteed lunch or break in their 12 hour patrol shifts.


We have the schools, we're starting to get the streets, now lets get the criminals off the streets!

So--- Lynn and Bill--- that is your marker, starting point?

Anyone who'd like to learn of the city's 2008 financial forecast would be more than welcome to attend meetings tonight (at 5:30) and tomorrow night (at 7 p.m.) in city hall. Ask the guard at the front desk where to go.

Tonight's meeting will center on deficit projections released Nov. 15 and setting a decision-making timeline. Tomorrow's will center on a citizens' committee's suggestions for helping to eliminate the deficit. (One member of that committee is Ward 3 councilman-elect Mike Summers.)

Anyone wanting a snapshot of our financial situation should try to attend one or both meetings. Hope to see some of you there.

Kevin Butler
(Ward 1 Council)