The Observation Deck

Dimora's done Erica end of issue, that horse is dead, it's a non-issue.

Say something more interesting. I have a lot more where all that came from. I Tom pretty well, that's why I walked away from him during his council race. I found out about his DUI that magically went away, I saw his piece for the council race that stated that we need to protect our borders. I accused him to his face of being a racist for making a statement like that.

Look back to two years ago when he first ran and see what I said about him then.

Nickies lived in Lakewood a long time and been a very active volunteer and community organizer here. She's been on and headed up committee after committee. She has worked hard to get the experience that she has, she's also done the studying and had more hands on experience than you think.

He came here 3 1/2 years ago, ran for office and has been campaigning for the District 13 seat since he started that. He hasn't taken the time to get to know Lakewood let alone our region and our state.

I knew him when he was still married and wasn't working, couldn't manage to hold a job.

I've managed to find out a lot and I don't like what I see.

Were you specifically asked to come on here and speak for him? I've never seen you on this board before I posted about him. Are you a ringer?

I don't ever function as a ringer, don't let anyone do that to you, you seem too intelligent for that.

I know a lot of people in this town and region and frankly on a national level who work in organizing and standing for women and children. That's how I got to know Nickie. I met Tom through the Democratic Club - when he first got here. He has no long history here, so I only know what I've experienced of him since he moved here not much to write home about.

Erica - Nickie has never been dishonest about her intentions. She may not have said she was running for State Rep, but she hasn't denied it either. Nickie has always been completely honest about where she plans to go and what she plans to do. I believe she specifically said she had not made a formal decision about the race. Tom, on the other hand, told many folks - including many on this forum - that he planned to stay for at least one full term before he ran for future office. Within a year, he was running for State Rep. Tom is no villain for running for State Rep, Tom is the 'villain' for taking the race down to the lowest common denominator when his opponent never did that.

I will write 500 words, or even 5,000 words to defend the candidate that I think is right. Tom has nothing to offer except distortions and deception. Nickie has been honest and up front from day one. I'll take Nickie over Tom any day.

Talking about Jimmy Dimora is a distraction. Move on. Chose your candidate (as I think you already have) based on the issues and forget this nonsense that Tom claims is important.

Why not have a candidate forum?

Maybe this will encourage a climate to restore the collegiality of this race and get beyond the clap-trap of mean-spirited, misguided and opinionated monologues.

I think that we have two first rate candidates here. Both have an excellent grasp on the issues confronting our community. Both have various levels of experience and expertise that they bring to the table.

Frankly I think that it would be a real pleasure to hear what the candidates have to say in a well organized forum so that voters can hear how the issues shape up during a debate.

Unfortunately, for me, unless I can see them together, I'm missing half the picture.

I think that it is simply a parlor trick to debase a candidate with reference to their tenure in the community. On one hand they may not have depth of lifetime experience; but, on the other they may fall victim to the paternalism of comfort. I think that ascribing a candidates run to 'self-interest' is just plain simplistic.

I've always seen Councilman Bullock act in the best interests of the community he's serving, present himself in a professional, well informed, and thoughtful manner. Sadly, I don't have the same background with Councilwoman Antonio since I haven't been exposed to the same extent to her viewpoints.

It sure would help to have a well rounded interchange.

Patrick, you are probably right. A real, issues based forum might be the best way to highlight the differences and similarities of both candidates. If a legitimate, unbiased third party chooses to organize such a forum (League of Women Voters?), then I hope that both candidates will participate. As of right now, that hasn't happened - which means the campaign will continue as it has.

Well played, Pat. I think “mean-spirited” and “misguided” is a very polite and accurate description of some of the things said thus far. Thanks for pointing out the highroad; I think I’ll try to take it.

We do have two solid candidates. I live in Tom’s ward and he has been a very responsive councilperson. I have found him to be a creative thinker with a real concern for the people in Ward 2.

The first time I met Councilperson Antonio was when she introduced my then two year-old son to Santa at a raucous holiday event at Lakewood Park. Over the years, I’ve seen first hand that her hearts in the right place.

So right-on, a forum covering a wide range of issues would benefit the entire west side community and more importantly would allow me to go back to ignoring my junk mail.

Patrick and Stewart, welcome to the deck.

Nice to see so many new people here.

In order for there to be a legitimate forum, Tom needs to take a step back from his campaign tactics and go back to focusing on issues. When Tom stays on point, he has a lot to offer in the way of ideas and issues. He and Nickie could have a spirited and respectful conversation about how to move the district and the state forward as Nickie also has a wide range of strong ideas and issues. As long as Tom keeps up the negativity with his mailers, I don't think you'll see any forum any time soon. His attacks are unnecessary and unfair. They also don't bring anything important to the discussion. He claims to be a leader in reforming the party. If this is his idea of how the party should run campaigns, then I'll take a pass on Tom Bullock leading any party efforts.

I'm also quite disappointed to see Mike Summers lending his name to the piece that came in the mail today. Just to be clear - I'm not questioning his choice in the race, just his allowing himself to appear on a negative smear piece. I expected better from him.

To be clear, neither side of this race is innocent. It's all positioning. And this discussion, even after agreeing upon a higher road, continues to revert to positioning and framing for one candidate or the other. That's clear.

Organize the debate. End the baiting.

Move this into a constructive frame.

The tone was set by Bullock. No facts involved.

Everything I said is verifiable. If you want to claim the high road, you better be sure you were there.
If you weren't, be prepared for the TRUTH to set you free.

Posturing is ridiculous, childish and ineffective. Honesty and verifiable results are what get you where you want to be.

Remember when Tom Bullock took on Nickie Antonio:

Tom Bullock wrote:My record on reform is clear. I have fought since 2005 for reforms to change business as usual in politics. I am working now, and I will continue to work energetically in the future, to increase transparency and accountability at all levels of government.

***

It is our responsibility as public servants to directly address corruption and put real people first, even if it means engaging in uncomfortable conversations with powerful elected officials. Corruption can occur in either party. As Democrats, it is our responsibility to clean up any problems we find in our Party - right away.

Fast forward to 2015.

Tom Bullock - Will you work now, and continue to work energetically in the future, to increase transparency and accountability at all levels of City Hall - including the Lakewood Hospital matter?

Tom Bullock - Will you start engaging in uncomfortable conversations with Mayor Michael P. Summers and his friends as they encourage a boycott on The Lakewood Observer and public debate?

Tom Bullock - Will you to clean up the problems we find in City Hall - right away?

Matt

Man, what a difference 5 years makes!

We're four weeks from election day, so it's a good time to give this thread a bump.
Here's a throwback to 2010, the year when Bullock ran against Nickie Antonio for State Rep. He smeared Antonio as a cog in the evil Cuyahoga County Democratic Machine.

Well, here we are in 2018, and Tommy Boy is running again.
But guess what? This time he is proudly running as "The Endorsed Democrat"....the hand-picked candidate of the forementioned Cuyahoga County Party Machine.
Bullock and his double-dipping ally Martin Sweeney have teamed up to take on Mike Skindell and Antonio, respectively.

I remember that race and Bullck was as nasty as all get out. Mr Nice Guy? Right.

I believe the Scene Magazine called him out about his lies and nastiness towards Antonio.

Michael Deneen wrote:We're four weeks from election day, so it's a good time to give this thread a bump.
Here's a throwback to 2010, the year when Bullock ran against Nickie Antonio for State Rep. He smeared Antonio as a cog in the evil Cuyahoga County Democratic Machine.

Well, here we are in 2018, and Tommy Boy is running again.
But guess what? This time he is proudly running as "The Endorsed Democrat"....the hand-picked candidate of the forementioned Cuyahoga County Party Machine.
Bullock and his double-dipping ally Martin Sweeney have teamed up to take on Mike Skindell and Antonio, respectively.

bullockandsweeney.png

Take a good look.
Tom Bullock. Martin Sweeney. Political BFF's. In it together. Attached at the hip.
The Terror of Tiny Town and #MeToo. Grinning their way into the hearts and minds. Counting on a short memory. Counting on no memory.
If you're disturbed by one, and when it comes to that choice it's an embarrassment of riches, then you should be more than put off by the other.
Reject them.

Vote Skindell. Vote Antonio. They have served honorably.