The Observation Deck

Sage - you have contributed nothing of value since you got here.

I looked back at your posts and nope, not a one. Keep up the good work.

Ms. Kinsella,

Why do you hurt me so? I will try harder. I'll come in on weekends, work holidays. Perhaps you can take me under your wing and teach me the ropes and what it takes to produce quality blog entries that have value.

Jim

(I hope you didn't take offense at the pitbull comment, it was meant to pay you a compliment)

Jim Sage wrote:Ms. Hurd,

Do you own a pitbull? (a real one not like Ms. Kinsella) I'm trying to figure out why you are so negative.

Just for giggles would you provide facts to support your rabid opinions? I am really interested.

Thanks.

Jim

Mr. Sage

No, I do not own a pit bull. But oddly I think tasering "any" dog just because it is loose is wrong. And before we get into an exchange over "that" incident, please watch and listen to the raw video.

And as for facts behind my opinion of your friend and his Lemmings, before we start rehashing all that...oh lord please give me the strength to resist the lure... how about you tell me what you think he did FOR the city and I will address each issue as you do?

And just let me say thank you in advance for that opportunity.
Oh yes, really truly thank you Mr. Sage. I can tell, you sir will be a gift that keeps on giving.

Shelley

I'm not sure it is such a bad thing that our elected officials aspire to a higher office. Michael Skindell, Bryan Flannery, Tony Sinagra (though I doubt he aspired to jail) and many others have launched careers - some successful and some not so - from Lakewood.

I do think it would be nice if our elected officials would at least complete a term or two before they start running off to other pastures. Nickie Antonio and Ed Fitzgerald have at least spent time serving the citizens of Lakewood before they looked elsewhere. Tom Bullock just got here and he's already running for his next office.

I'm surprised to see that Ryan Demro is involved in this argument. After all Ryan, you've run for State Rep and Mayor - do you no longer aspire to those or any other offices? Are you saying you'd never want to represent Lakewood in the US or Ohio House? Ever? Would you say that you never want to run for County Council, should Issue 6 pass? Ryan, you're a smart guy who cares about Lakewood, stop worrying about stolen yard signs and whining about what others say about you. Tell us why you deserve to be returned to the council you left - for higher office. Stick to the issues, you might come out ahead.

As far as the Mayor's mud piece. I think the candidates that agreed to it made a mistake - hopefully one they will not repeat again. The positive nature of it was ruined by the nonsense at the bottom. It was an unnecessary slam that took away from the true nature of the three candidates represented on it. It was a bad idea. Again, stick to the issues folks.

John Farina wrote:I'm not sure it is such a bad thing that our elected officials aspire to a higher office. Michael Skindell, Bryan Flannery, Tony Sinagra (though I doubt he aspired to jail) and many others have launched careers - some successful and some not so - from Lakewood.

Seems like something is very much inherently wrong with aspirating to higher office before you even finish one year of a 4 yr commitment you made to voters.

Seems like in a situation like that your loyalties, motivations and actions could easily come into question. Are decisions based on what is in the interest of your current position? Or rather are decisions made and actions taken meant to appease others, find favor else where and create opportunities else where? After all. What’s in the best intrest for Lakewood is not necessarily best for a county, a company a contractor … a politician.

Also where’s the accountability for anything done? This is none. Nada. Zero. He does not care if he angers the people, goes against what voters want or ignores what residents need and expect a Mayor of Lakewood to do. He will be gone. LONG gone to better & bigger things.

So yes, yes there is something wrong with anyone having absolute power with no consequences for their actions. Yes there most certainly is.

So, let me get this straight... there is a Lakewood mayor that certain people didn't want and also "warned" others about during election. As well, stating that this mayor has not done much during his term and now that this mayor is moving on/leaving before his term they don't like that either. Is this correct?

J Hrlec,
You read my mind!

Fox news watchers? Try to deflect and argue a non point and it makes reality go away?
Cute, but no thank you.

So now argue how Ablsout power does not corrupt

And please inform those of us who have no clue how actions without consequences is a good thing for politicians.

Educate us please

Shelley, I'm not sure how you got 'absolute power with no accountability' from my suggestion that it isn't a bad thing for our elected officials to aspire to higher office. However, I do agree with you that you should at least finish a full term before you run off to something else.

If someone aspires to a higher office that shouldn't mean they are not accountable, nor should it mean they are disinterested in what they are currently doing. Hopefully they are doing the very best they can so that they can move on to something bigger and better - and eventually be an advocate for Lakewood at a higher level. Does the bank teller who wants to be the branch manager have any less accountability than the teller who likes being just a teller? Does the little local newspaper that aspires to grow beyond its one community and share its unique presence in another community have any less accountability to the community where it began? Aspirations are OK, abuse of power is not.

I'm willing to cut Mayor Fitzgerald a little more slack than Tom Bullock only because he has been serving Lakewood for several years already. Sure, I'd like him to stick around in the Mayor's office and finish the job he started. Tom appeared from nowhere and became a councilman over someone with far more experience in town than he and now he wants to jump to the statehouse already? Sorry, I won't support that. Nickie Antonio may have her eye on a higher office, but at least she will have completed a full term on council before doing so.

John Farina wrote:If someone aspires to a higher office that shouldn't mean they are not accountable, nor should it mean they are disinterested in what they are currently doing. Hopefully they are doing the very best they can so that they can move on to something bigger and better - and eventually be an advocate for Lakewood at a higher level. Does the bank teller who wants to be the branch manager have any less accountability than the teller who likes being just a teller? Does the little local newspaper that aspires to grow beyond its one community and share its unique presence in another community have any less accountability to the community where it began? Aspirations are OK, abuse of power is not.

Bank tellers can not dictate how bank money is allocated, spent nor invested. Bank tellers do not award contracts, make purchases, hire or fire,….. Nor can they change the policies, practices and characteristic of their place of employment. Mayor’s can and do however.

And on another note


I actually honestly belive Mr. Fitzgerald would make a most excellent Auditor.
Mayor...no

Auditor yes

If an officeholder decides to seek another office, the terms of that individual's departure is grist for the mill of an opponent's campaign.
If the issue gets traction, it's valid in that context. If an opponent doesn't have the means or skill to exploit the issue, too bad.
Siding with Mr. Farina, I would take ambition any day over inertness.
Stan Austin

John Farina wrote:I'm willing to cut Mayor Fitzgerald a little more slack than Tom Bullock only because he has been serving Lakewood for several years already.

John

I would even go further and say that the mayor has never hidden from me or anyone that
asked the fact that he was looking to either move on or run for the Auditor's position. From
day one he has always thought and said that he was probably a one term mayor, because
of some of the tough choices he has made.

He has done a good job on the budget here, and could take those skills to the county.

With that said, I am not sure Lakewood needs a monarchy, where everything is laid
out by succession. I like being able to vote for my representatives.

FWIW


.

John, I am not denying that I have run or will run for higher office. The difference is, as has been pointed out, I finished my term. Nickie is running for another term with full knowledge that she is going to jump into the State Rep race. So if she wins, which I doubt she will, we will have yet another appointee on City Council. The right thing to do is to step aside and run for State Rep.

We sure expect a lot from our Mayors and Councilpersons in this town, as we should, but let’s be realistic.

Jim O'Bryan wrote:…I am not sure Lakewood needs a monarchy, where everything is laid out by succession. I like being able to vote for my representatives.

Jim,

Monarchy?

You’re going to have to get over it. You DO get to vote, but sometimes a seat is going to open up. The rules for succession and appointments are spelled out in our citizen created, and voter approved, City Charter.

Ryan Patrick Demro wrote:John, I am not denying that I have run or will run for higher office. The difference is, as has been pointed out, I finished my term. Nickie is running for another term with full knowledge that she is going to jump into the State Rep race. So if she wins, which I doubt she will, we will have yet another appointee on City Council. The right thing to do is to step aside and run for State Rep.

Ryan,

I read recently on the Observation Deck that you think Council just appoints a “crony” to an empty seat. That is blatant demagoguery. Do you honestly think that Council would prefer to appoint someone that they CAN’T work with?

At the Candidate Forum tonight, you talked about your fighting on Council. Powers said Council is a team sport. Quite a contrast.

Even a natural born cynic and recalcitrant like me can go along with the team sport concept in government if the game plan includes respectful, rational, and informed debate to reach consensus. Passion and disagreement are fine, but fighting usually wastes our time.

The Council appointments, that I remember, have worked out fine. Unscientifically, I might suggest that, given the percentages, Council appointees may have better performance records than those initially voted in by the public.

Oh, and by what authority do you have the moral high ground to decide for others what is “the right thing to do”?



This thread is awful.


Steve

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