The Observation Deck

Bill Call wrote:

Matthew John Markling wrote:Mike,

I'm on the Bill Call for Ward 2 bandwagon. See http://www.lakewoodobserver.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=12265.

It's likely that Council has already made the decision and I'm pretty sure I'm not on their list.

As a group they get along well with each other and with the Mayor. They are of one mind and speak with one tongue. If I WAS on Council I suppose I'd be the odd man out.

Under the circumstances I think that they have all done a fine job. Northeast Ohio is an economic dead zone so there is only so much a City Council can do. Even if our Council and Mayor do everything right they have to contend with regional institutions that are doing everything wrong.

Cuyahoga County government, NOACCA, the City of Cleveland, RTA, Tri-C, CSU, the Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals and other taxpayer funded organizations are engaged in policies that undermine cities like Lakewood, weaken the economic vitality of Cuyahoga County and drive away people and businesses.

One local mayor voiced some mild opposition to the policies of the above institutions but his comments were quickly "disappeared". Apparently there is only one mind and one tongue allowed in the County.

If I were on Lakewood City Council I would challenge those institutions and their policies. Publically, frequently, loudly and on an on going bases. I could do so because their polices undermine all that a City like Lakewood is trying to accomplish.

The Praxis Strategy Group is reporting that the Cleveland area will rank 48th in job growth over the next few years. It is clear that this region will continue to lose population and economic vitality. Unless Council is willing to challenge the regional institutions that are holding us down there is nothing a Council can do to build us up.

When I ran for School Board I told people that we could do better and that we needed to do better. The people disagreed. I suppose the outcome would be the same if I ran for council.

People are comfortable in the status quo and nervous about challenges to that status quo. Personally, I think doing the same thing over and over again hoping for a different result is crazy.

Bill Call wrote:This was probably a mistake:

City of Lakewood
Clerk of Council
12650 Detroit Road
Lakewood, OH 44107

VIA EMAIL: Council@lakewoodoh.net

To Whom It May Concern:
I have attached my resume for your consideration for the Ward 2 open council seat.
I am interested in serving on council because:
• I have a family, a home and investments in Lakewood. I care about the City and its future and I think that future is at risk.
• While council and the Mayor have done a fine job in managing City finances there needs to be more strategic thinking. What I mean by strategic thinking is more coordination between cities to challenge the State of Ohio, its mandates and its budget priorities and to challenge the crony capitalist policies of our County government. It’s time for cities to unify their efforts and get some control over their own destinies.
• The recent “reform” movement in Cuyahoga County has failed to address the problems facing the region. Its downtown only development strategy does not increase economic activity it simply moves it around. The Counties development strategy is doing great damage to cities like Lakewood. If appointed to Lakewood Council I would speak out often against those polices because those policies are bad for the region and bad for the City.
• Lakewood Hospital is being drained of its people and its resources. It’s time for City Council to demand that the Hospital Board be more than a rubber stamp for the Clinic. The Hospital needs to fight for business in the market place. The only job growth in the region is in the medical field and the Cleveland Clinic is moving those jobs out of Lakewood and to Lorain County. We need to challenge that policy.
• The City of Lakewood and other cities in Cuyahoga County need to challenge Tri-C, Cleveland State, NOACCA, RTA and other County institutions. Tri-C is rated as one of the worst community colleges in the country. It fails its students and it fails the taxpayers. Independent analysts have given the college a success rating of 14%. We need to demand more from them and others. http://money.cnn.com/pf/college/community-colleges/
• City Councils should take the lead in challenging the management of those County institutions because the institutions themselves are incapable of changing and our new County government isn’t interested.
• The City of Lakewood is poised to achieve great things if we can seize control of our own destiny. However, all the things you are doing to build up the City are being undone by our local institutions. Unless Cuyahoga County city governments are willing to take the lead to reform those institutions all that you do will be undone.
• The Northeast Ohio leads the nation in job losses http://www.cleveland.com/business/index ... re_jo.html
• Northeast Ohio is 44th in STEM job creation behind such cities as Buffalo. http://www.newgeography.com/content/004 ... -tech-jobs
• Lakewood City Council needs to take a leadership role in Cuyahoga County because no one else will.
Thanks for your consideration. If you think I would be a good fit for Lakewood City Council I’d be happy to discuss these issues in person. If you think I would not be a good fit there is no need to waste your time or mine in an interview.

Respectfully,

Bill Call

Scott Meeson wrote:Bill,

Are you sure you shouldn't have your sights on an elected position on Cuyahoga County Council?
http://council.cuyahogacounty.us/en-US/district-2.aspx

Scott Meeson

Jim O'Bryan wrote:I spoke with Councilman for Ward 1, David Anderson, and Ward 4, Mary Louise Madigan, this afternoon. Both assured me that no decision will be announced on Monday, after all, the submission is not over until Monday.

Matthew John Markling wrote:

Jim O'Bryan wrote:I spoke with Councilman for Ward 1, David Anderson, and Ward 4, Mary Louise Madigan, this afternoon. Both assured me that no decision will be announced on Monday, after all, the submission is not over until Monday.

So, why is it even on the agenda for a vote tomorrow night, Jim?

It seems pretty clear that the plan was to cast votes tomorrow as it's on the agenda.

What other items are mere faux agenda items for tomorrow, Jim?

I also note that you state that your City Hall friends simply said that no decision will be announced tomorrow.

Your pals don't deny that the decision has already been made but they just aren't announcing it yet.

Matt

Scott Meeson wrote:From: Meeson,Scott
Sent: Monday, January 06, 2014 7:31 p.m.

Dear Prospective Councilperson,

Your potential application was denied on 11/6/2013 at 12:01 a.m. Though you didn't officially submit your application at that time, your name was floated about for consideration...we then gave you due consideration and proceeded to move forward with a preferred candidate.

We thank you for showing interest in helping our city move forward in this dynamic time of revival. We are hopeful that you continue to share your energy and ideas in a manner that makes us more familiar with what exactly you're bringing to the table. I'm sure you would agree that political cohesion has never been more important in the process of moving our city forward.

*** Just for being considered and denied, we'll be sending you a gift card to a local eatery.

Sincerely,


Scott Meeson
Selection Committee of Ward 2.
scott.meeson@selectioncommitteeward2.net

This gift card does not apply to any establishment that has received a tax abatement or tax increment financing agreement from City Hall or is even located within the boundaries of the City of Lakewood, Ohio. Due to City Hall's enthusiastic support of Cuyahoga County’s anti-poaching protocols, we encourage you to take your business outside of Lakewood. Again, thank you for your interest in giving your time to our community, we just aren’t interested in even speaking with you, at all.