The Observation Deck

Matt - you may want to double check your address with the Board of Elections. It is my understanding and believe I've worked off of numerous lists for these things, that they are run offs from the Board.

sharon kinsella wrote:Matt - you may want to double check your address with the Board of Elections. It is my understanding and believe I've worked off of numerous lists for these things, that they are run offs from the Board.

Sharon,

The Board of Elections should have my correct address. I get my elected school board official notices from the Board of Elections. I also just received my change of polling location postcard from the Board of Elections as well. But, you never can tell so I will give the Board of Elections a call. Thanks for the suggestion.

Matt

I will be working to arrange another forum in a centrally located spot for the general. It will again be town-hall style and all candidates will be invited by mail and online.

Other candidates used the fact that this was not "hosted" by a neutral third party to dodge it. I would hardly consider Stan Austin "neutral" politically. He is a Democrat and worked hard for Mayor George. Yet, I had no problem with him being the moderator/timekeeper and he did a good job. I fail to understand how a candidate arranging for a room and invtiing others to show up is a "dog and pony show" or slanted event. What I do know is those are excuses to avoid the voters.

Ryan your language is, as always, inflammatory.

If someone used the phrase dodge with me in this circumstance I would tell you to visit a lower region in the Christian world.

Matthew John Markling wrote:

sharon kinsella wrote:Matt - you may want to double check your address with the Board of Elections. It is my understanding and believe I've worked off of numerous lists for these things, that they are run offs from the Board.

Sharon,

The Board of Elections should have my correct address. I get my elected school board official notices from the Board of Elections. I also just received my change of polling location postcard from the Board of Elections as well. But, you never can tell so I will give the Board of Elections a call. Thanks for the suggestion.

Matt

Sharon,

I took your advice. And the Board of Elections does have my home address listed properly. Again, thanks for the suggestion as one never knows when and/or where mistakes can happen.

Matt

I have a no soliciting sign on my house so no one comes to my door. (it keeps the dogs at bay) BUT I do welcome these guys to come to my house(rescue), meet me, talk to me, maybe get to know me and see that I am not the crazy dog lady they think I am.
I have not received one flyer or anything on anyone. I might just end up writing myself in at the end of the day just because, well, I know me!!! (little joke....lol)
I dont think I want my questions reviewed before someone answers them, then they can stage their answer and I hate that. I want to catch you off guard, ask my questions and see how you handle yourself and what you have to say without "thinking" (or having someone else think for you).
My questions are not just about dogs or animals, but about schools too. Having a special needs child in the school system, and 1 just starting in the school system, I am very interested in how it will be. Mainly the special needs aspect of things.

Missy Limkemann wrote:I have a no soliciting sign on my house so no one comes to my door. (it keeps the dogs at bay) ...

When I first read this, I was wondering if you had dogs reading your sign .

I should have said "it keeps the dogs at bay without the constant knocking on my door" !!! Too bad it doesnt keep the dogs from coming to my house. Another new one came in. AUGHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Missy Limkemann wrote:I should have said "it keeps the dogs at bay without the constant knocking on my door" !!! Too bad it doesnt keep the dogs from coming to my house. Another new one came in. AUGHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If I was an internet savvy dog, I would come to your house.

Jim knows that the pets, everybody's dogs and cats will, in fact, surpass us. They'll be online for info, and treats.

But the larger question remains----------- is there an election coming up??

Do any of you candidates know what it takes to get elected or even run a campaign?

If you don't, you don't even qualify for civic service.

Stan Austin

Sharon, and all:

Just a quick response. The forum held last night at the Library was not Ryan's, or mine for that matter. I see this election as a job interview, and I am surprised that many in Lakewood are not demanding a face to face interview before making their decision. Would you hire someone based on their resume alone, that you received in the mail?

(By the way, I am trying to do as many meetings, and as much door to door as possible. I have knocked on thousands of doors. If I missed you, call me and I'll be glad to drop by.)

When challenged on the 'Deck, I responded that I would be glad to appear at a candidates forum, just tell me when and where. Ryan and Anthony Davis responded as well. I asked on this forum and others for anyone who would want to set up such an event. There were no takers. So I did it myself. Those who did not attend claimed that I could not be "neutral", that the Library was not a "neutral" site, etc. etc. Fine, we went ahead anyway, doing the only candidate forum that will be held before the Primary.

It went well. We did it without a moderator, at the public library in our town. Four people who would like to be council representatives made the time to show up so that several dozen residents who wanted to meet and ask questions of these "applicants" could get answers. All the candidates fielded questions on the spot. We were respectful of each other and our respective views. The questions were wide-ranging and meaningful. The four candidates in attendance were myself, Ryan Demro, Anthony Davis, and Edward McCartney. It was an engaging and hopefully, informative, night.

So, six people will get through the primary next Tuesday. Three will not. This town hall meeting gave each candidate who wanted the chance to be heard at least one opportunity. There will be a month before absentee voting begins for the November election. I believe there should be at least four more public forums, one a week until voting starts.

Is there a neutral person who would be willing to set up a candidate forum at a neutral site at an acceptable time? Feel free to run with this.

Stan Austin wrote:what it takes to get elected or even run a campaign?
Stan Austin

Stan

It is just like everything else in this town. Keep quiet, play the numbers behind the scenes,
avoid any contact where tough questions could be asked, and the "network" will take care
of you. If not this time, pretty soon.

.

Thanks Dan for not being dismissive of other people and explaining yourself so well.

Would that some others did the same.

Having a Political Science degree, I would suggest that there is nothing, NOTHING that beats the personal connection in a campaign.

I love to tell the story from many years ago when Candidate Dennis Kucinich knocked on my door. Already a Cleveland legend, he had canvassed Heaven-knows how many streets by the time he knocked on that door of ours.

Being friendly and engaging, he and I had a great conversation. When I expressed regret that the rest of the family was not there to meet him, he promised to be back at a given time that night to meet them, if that would be all right?

Certainly.

On the dot, later that evening, there was Dennis; with surely just as much energy and enthusiasm as when he started that day's journey.

Now, that's how to campaign!

Thanks Ryan Demro, as well, for leaving that personal note for Dad and I the other day when you canvassed, even though you knew that I had been a George supporter. You care so much about Lakewood! I don't think that anyone could possibly care more for this city than you and Dan Shields do. (OK- Brian Powers and Nicki Antonio would be right up there too!) I'm sure that the others probably do too, although I do not know them as well.

The personal connection...it works.

Back to the banjo...

I was also at the forum last night. It was great to see something so informal come together. I can’t think of any site more neutral than the main library.

I appreciate the hour Mr. Demro, Mr. Shields, Mr. McCartney and Mr. Davis spent to field questions. The questions were not provided to candidates prior to the event and ranged from support of the schools to dogs to economic development to taxes to the balancing 2010 budget. After the hour was over, candidates stuck around to chat with everyone (except for Mr. Davis who hightailed it out of there pretty quickly).

It truly was a wasted opportunity for the other candidates.

Stan, good job keeping the time!