The Observation Deck

Diane Helbig wrote:So, what is the problem if council had Brian in mind for the position? Seems like he is the best person for the job. Personally, as someone involved in the process, I appreciate the fact that council interviewed all those interested in the position to be sure they were selecting the best person.

My concern is that someone on council, perhaps more than one, had some vested interest in deliberately making the Observer look bad. I cant believe someone as smart as Mr O'Bryan would post not one but two unequivocal statements putting not only his own, but all of councils, credibility on the line.

Whether Mr. O'Bryan overstated his sources comment, or whether the source deliberately tried to throw him off the track, this isnt a good way for council and the media to gain trust with the rest of us, who rely on people like the Observer insiders for our information.
PS, I dont know Mr. Powers from Mr. Peanut so its no reflection him or his appointment. I wish him the best.

Sharon my dear father used to say that the most worthwhile things are the hardest to achieve. You don't get to great without effort - and belief.

Ryan Patrick Demro wrote, on another thread:

This should have been no surprise to anyone. Brian played a huge role in Ed's campaign and it was expected by those "in the know" that he would be appointed. It was as much of a "done deal" as was Pat Corrigan.

This now gives the Mayor a governing majority and no excuse to fail when it comes to the implementation of his agenda. The question is can Powers handle the calls from those who come from outside Clifton Park. Much of the job of a councilman is spent solving the little stuff while sweating the big stuff. I think given the tension of the last election this will be even more critical in the coming years.

The "done deal" part is what is bothersome. Why waste good people's time and energy when everyone knew who was getting the job. Why the charade?

In addition, we all saw what a disaster the Corrigan appointment was. He really didn't even want the job from all appearances. He never returned calls or showed any enthusiasm whatsoever for the job. From what I understand, Mr. Powers is a busy man. How will he enjoy the calls about the barking dogs, speeding cars, and dog poop on the lawn?

Grace O'Malley wrote: In addition, we all saw what a disaster the Corrigan appointment was. He really didn't even want the job from all appearances. He never returned calls or showed any enthusiasm whatsoever for the job. From what I understand, Mr. Powers is a busy man. How will he enjoy the calls about the barking dogs, speeding cars, and dog poop on the lawn?

The real sad thing is that there are not only sometimes appointed councilmen that display this but also even those sometimes elected. I would certainly hope that anyone, appointed or elected, that seeks a council seat understands their first responsibility is to their constituents.

Dee

My statements stand.

I want it understood, I do not feel used or abused.

In the end, these are the cards we are dealt.

These are the cards we play.

This city has to move forward, it has to.

Thank god the political season is finally over.

My promise to you was a party when it is over.

Tomorrow, we party and let it go.

We simply have to.


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We aren't talking about the past, Jim, we're talking about the present.


We were promised a new way of doing business and a change from the cronyism of the past, yet I fail to see where this latest appointment, of the new mayor's campaign manager, is anything but cronyism. .

Grace O'Malley wrote:We aren't talking about the past, Jim, we're talking about the present.


We were promised a new way of doing business and a change from the cronyism of the past, yet I fail to see where this latest appointment, of the new mayor's campaign manager, is anything but cronyism. .

How can it be cronyism when the Mayor has no say in who's selected? It's the current city council that fills the seat right? Unless I've got this wrong which could be the case...

Grace O'Malley wrote:We aren't talking about the past, Jim, we're talking about the present.

Grace

I am not a fool, and I know the talk and the frustration. I see it building in this thread and others.

Where will this go?,

What is the next logical step?

I stand by early statements. Council made the choice, based on their criteria, whatever that was.

I spoke to two council people during their interviews. Both had volumes of notes and questions to ask of the potential candidates.

The mayor had nothing to do in the selection process, and if he did, then council allowed it. I would expect the mayor to want people he can work with.

Council, and Mike Summers, and Tom Bullock know Brian Powers, and they know Ed FitzGerald. In the end if the decision was to give the mayor what he needs to take Lakewood forward what is the problem?

You will find this right in-line with remarks about Bob Seelie, who was accused of always voting the way the Mayor wanted him to. This caused the coup attempt. The fact is that was Bob's vote, he could use it as he wanted, and the citizens in his ward were really the only ones that could complain. I spoke to Bob about this, and he had reasons, he was not told, he had reasons.

I would like to believe that each council person had a reason to nominate Brian Powers. In the end it is all proper.

These are the cards we have been dealt...

Time to move on.



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Bryan

You are correct in that the mayor does not vote for the replacement. However, he has every right to lobby for a particular individual.

If you think he had nothing to do with Brian Powers being selected, I'd have to say I disagree with you.

Grace O'Malley wrote:Bryan

You are correct in that the mayor does not vote for the replacement. However, he has every right to lobby for a particular individual.

Grace

And council has every right to consider that effort, and use it as criteria.

In the end, Ryan is right. If council, and the mayor work closely together, as it appears they are ready to do, then they have no excuse for not moving the city forward.

I do not know Brian Powers, but what I do know, he didn't do it for the money.

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Grace O'Malley wrote:Bryan

You are correct in that the mayor does not vote for the replacement. However, he has every right to lobby for a particular individual.

If you think he had nothing to do with Brian Powers being selected, I'd have to say I disagree with you.

I'm not saying he didn't lobby, but he didn't have any direct ability to give Brian the position. I agree with JOB, if council chose him, they had a reason. Remember, all their butts are on the line here also.

The Mayor can and should lobby council, IMHO that's part of his job. I would hate to see the next four years spent constantly critiquing every move the new Mayor makes without even giving him a chance.

For all we know Brian may turn out to be the best councilman ever in the history of Lakewood.

I think all of Lakewood needs to help make this a better place, whether our candidate won or not. Pointing fingers doesn't move us forward. But that's just my opinion.

Once again - I reiterate - no one is saying anything bad about Brian Powers.

Powers is a Harvard educated lawyer that has been involved in a number of Lakewood (and Greater Cleveland) issues, including the Grow Lakewood committee and is, until his appointment, a member of the Planning Commission.

There was an embarrassment of riches of potential candidates and Powers appointment should not be dismissed because he has a relationship with the Mayor.

deleted

Of course Grace is right, there was some "cronyism" involved. If we look at all the appointments of both the school board and the council for as long as I've lived in Lakewood there has been aspects of cronyism.

But DL is right too. There were many great candidates. I particularly thought that Steve Hoffert would bring a new perspective to council. But, Brian is an intelligent man who has been involved in Lakewood. Sometimes cronyism produces someone who is totally unqualified for the position and you are left shaking your head. This is one where you have to say okay, this could work out.

I have no concerns that Brian will bring some new ideas to council and is intelligent. My concerns about Brian are two-fold and I hope he works on them. One is responsiveness to all the citizens of Lakewood that he will be representing. The other is to respect the property rights of all the citizens of Lakewood. If he can do the last two, I think he could be a great asset.

I say we give him the benefit of the doubt and assume that he will do a great job. Lakewood needs him, the Mayor and all of the council as well as all of the citizens to do a great job for us.