The Observation Deck

Bryan

I agree that ALL politicians have their own self-interest at heart.

However, I see the fact that Fitzgerald would leave prior to fulfilling his term as a slap in the face to all those who supported him, both with their votes and their dollars.

Don't YOU feel cheated?

Ryan Patrick Demro wrote: I don't disagree with the notion that we didn't know Ed was going to run for higher office, but I didn't think it would be so soon. It is still too early to say that the City is stable (financially or in terms or crime) by any means. Politically it is a good time to get out. If it is going to hit the fan, escape to the county trough where nobody pays any attention to the billions of dollars floating around that place. I think if he was elected he would do some good there, but the question at hand is how could he leave the City to which he said he was so committed? He said it was important for his children's future.

Holy heck, I agree with Mr. Demro on this one.

I heard Dan Brady was also thinking of running for Auditor.

Might be interesting.

OOHHH

Dan Brady would walk all over Ed.

I have heard he is also thinking about running for Rep. Skindell's seat. He is all over the place.

Tom Bullock is also thinking of running for Skindell's seat. This should be fun.

This is what we call a FRAGO in the Army, additional information. After being linked to the PD article which states,

"Lakewood Mayor Ed FitzGerald, a Democrat who was elected in 2007, also wants to reform government starting with Russo's office. That's why the former FBI agent is openly running for his seat.

FitzGerald met recently with Russo to tell him of his plans. If Russo seeks re-election, he will face FitzGerald in the Democratic primary in May of 2010.

But FitzGerald, who has worked on wide-ranging political corruption investigations in Chicago, is really betting that Russo will be forced from office before the primary."

Fitz's term as mayor is from January 2008-December 31, 2011. If elected in November 2010, he would skip out a year early.

FitzGerald says party members are encouraged by his pedigree and promise to bring reform.

His pedigree - OMG.

WOW!

Thanks to the lack of a edit button (JIM), I accidentally cut/pasted the PD article improperly. This resulted in that ridiculous sentence about Fitz's pedigree below my comments. Those are PD comments.

Also, count on Nickie Antonio to run for Skindell's seat. She and Bullock would be an interesting showdown.

So wait just a second...

People who have sworn to us residents, that Lakewood is not just a stepping stone are look at stepping out?

Bryan, I would expect many politicians to seek higher office. I do not think this is out of the ordinary. However when politicians tell you they will not, then do, not even completing their term, I can see where it would be frustrating.

Now I will admit that Mayor FitzGerald running for Russo's seat makes enough sense that it is palatable.

But...



.

There's an honest aspect to all of this that bears looking at.

The salaries that Lakewood pays its Mayor and part-time Council are relatively low, when compared to other communities. Very low.

Just as with any other economic situations that all of us have to face in life, politicians have to consider these things as they map their careers and futures.

I recall when a certain school district's (not named here) salaries dropped substantially below the norm, that quite a few staff jumped ship to other districts. That's a fact of economic life.

Agree or disagree with the Mayor and Council regarding pit bulls, rubbish removal, or whatever, they have to put up with quite a bit of grief for what we pay them.

Retention of quality people involves compen$ation.

Bryan, I would expect many politicians to seek higher office. I do not think this is out of the ordinary. However when politicians tell you they will not, then do, not even completing their term, I can see where it would be frustrating.

kind of like Kucinich?

Either he does or he doesn't, my first concern would be for Lakewood, I'm a fan of Fitz, but how about instead of debating the uncontrollable, lets start compiling names for a possible replacement.

Bret Callentine wrote:kind of like Kucinich?

if he did, then yes.

can you refresh my mind.

I am sure you are not speaking of his run for president? That was all
about taking an anti-war message to the American people.

He went into the Demcratic caucaus, they decided to not argue the war.
Congressman Kucinich saw it as the biggest problem facing America.
That it would bankrupt and destroy America, so ran.

He did not think he was leaving office, and I believe rarely missed a vote,
and represented the tenth district strongly.

.

Gary Rice wrote:There's an honest aspect to all of this that bears looking at.

The salaries that Lakewood pays its Mayor and part-time Council are relatively low, when compared to other communities. Very low.

Just as with any other economic situations that all of us have to face in life, politicians have to consider these things as they map their careers and futures.


Agree or disagree with the Mayor and Council regarding pit bulls, rubbish removal, or whatever, they have to put up with quite a bit of grief for what we pay them.

Retention of quality people involves compen$ation.

They knew this going in. No one forced these people to run and many people have spent thousands for these positions, esteemed or no, to make a difference or just a political resume pad.... whatever the motivation.

I don't know many part time jobs that give you health care either...like this one does.

I will give you that it is an often thankless job, where pay is not commensurate with what you put in. A lot of professions are like that which are also full of good people.