The Observation Deck

m buckley wrote:

Bridget Conant wrote:Jason disappeared!

I'm sure he's out there somewhere, walking (not canvassing) alongside " the man who wasn't there."

From what I hear from Ward 2 residents, “the man who wasn’t there” is a good description of Sam in his role as a councilperson.

Meanwhile, Jason Shachner cannot answer a simple question.

A resident on Onandaga said Shachner was going to at least some homes with Sam O’Leary because she saw them.

Now Jason, why can’t you respond to that?

If you can’t handle a yes or no question like this, I seriously doubt your ability to sit on council, interact with your constituents, or discuss serious issues with other council members.

Bridget, I have answered your question several times. I was not with Sam while canvassing Onandaga. I did see his lit on doors, but did not see him at any point. Your friends are mistaken or perhaps have me mixed up with Mark Schneider, who often goes door-to-door with Sam and I am often mistaken for.

Jason

Thank you for responding.

It’s important to know who candidates are aligned with and who they support, and that is why it was important to know the answer here.

perhaps have me mixed up with Mark Schneider, who often goes door-to-door with Sam and I am often mistaken for.

Is Mark Schneider running for anything? Is there a reason he’d go door to door with Sam? Seems odd.

Why would Mark Schneider, who lost a previous council campaign and is not currently running for anything, be out canvassing with Sam O’Leary?

I realize the similarities in the name, Shachner and Schneider, but one is running and one is not.

If I may interject. I've been in contact with Jason lately and I know that between campaigning and work, he's been busy. Whenever I see candidates or office holders, I advocate that they come on the Deck, but I understand when they can't. And in January, there will be one less reason not to.

Jason Shachner wrote:Bridget, I have answered your question several times. I was not with Sam while canvassing Onandaga. I did see his lit on doors, but did not see him at any point. Your friends are mistaken or perhaps have me mixed up with Mark Schneider, who often goes door-to-door with Sam and I am often mistaken for.

It is possible that my neighbors were confused by the similarity in names.

I just looked up pictures of the two: not disimilar in appearance. This thing is kind of crazy.

I’m inclined to assume it was a mistaken identity.

Thank you, Jason, for responding in each instance.

Given "that group's" penchant for not posting to (but closely monitoring) The Deck, I'm of the belief that Mr. Shachner is probably not officially associated with "that group." At least not yet.

So, the Ward 2 candidates, through the LO, have provided many more facts about their positions:
http://media.lakewoodobserver.com/media ... 124016.pdf

Mr. Shachner provided the following response to the hospital question:

JS: The decision to close the hospital was difficult
for the members of Council and I believe that the
councilmembers did what they believed was in the
best interest of Lakewood. Based on my conversations with Ward 2 residents, I believe that the decision-making process should have been more
transparent and more time should have been spent
involving and engaging residents in the process.
Without knowing all the facts available to Council at
the time, I cannot determine how I would have voted. I can promise that I will diligently research and
review all proposals that are brought before Council
and engage you in the process. I will be able and willing to provide a rationale for every vote and will be
completely transparent in my decision-making process. You deserve forthright and honest representation, and I pledge that my votes will be guided by our
shared interests and values.

Mr. Presutto provided the following response to the same question:

BP: Based on what we know, I would not have supported the Master Agreement had I been on City
Council during that vote. I do not think any person
should be pleased about losing Lakewood’s largest
employer, especially when New York Life (second
largest employer) was known to be leaving Lakewood.
With little interest shown in MetroHealth as a potential solution, a lot of residents felt that their city government worked deals in closed door meetings, were not upfront, and that residents were not being heard
by their representatives. I can be trusted to put the
residents’ needs before any other motivation or outside interests. I strongly encourage ethics and campaign finance reform to reduce conflicts of interest
and mistrust.

Despite Mr. Shachner's pledge of "forthright and honest representation", I find his answer to be less than forthright and even apprehensive.

By contrast, Mr. Presutto was direct and to the point.

Brian Essi wrote:By contrast, Mr. Presutto was direct and to the point.

That's Brad.