Coup d'etat in Lakewood?

DougHuntingdon · Post by **DougHuntingdon** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 7:32 pm

Yes and then retire from council to pitch us Lightspeed ):

I heard Hillary Rodham Clinton of all people on the radio early this morning lambasting politicians who became hucksters to their constituency as soon as they are out of office. She said this should be illegal. I found a link here:

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/04/ ... -House.php

Locally, hopefully things will get straightened out after Councilman Seelie gets back from Texas. Hopefully the true colors of everyone will show, and the voters will be informed when voting next time for council and mayor.

I'm not on anyone's "side" or in anyone's "camp," btw, and don't know if Councilman Seelie is the victim or the villian, or if the whole group needs to be thrown out (which is very likely).

Doug

David Lay · Post by **David Lay** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 7:41 pm

Something tells me that the meeting Monday is gonna be a packed house...

Ivor Karabatkovic · Post by **Ivor Karabatkovic** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 7:45 pm

I'll most likely be in attendance monday night and snapping away.

Last meeting I attended, Councilman Fitzgerald, Butler and Dever all hid in their chairs (jokingly of course) when they saw the camera pointed towards them.

I thought I was silent!

Councilman Seelie is my representative for my ward. I actually had to email Councilman Butler because the city fixed a pipe in front of my house last fall and dug up half of my tree lawn and driveway while doing it. Now the end of my driveway is so far off the street (since they dug the hole in front of my driveway and didn't pave it back evenly) and Councilman Butler listened to my complains.

is it me or is it somewhat strange that citizens of my ward have to go to another ward's representative to be heard...

Now, I go to Councilman Butler for questions or concerns with anything that has to do with city hall and the city of Lakewood. He always gives me prompt responses. If he doesn't know the answer, he always provides me with the right phone number to call and find out the answer.

I'm looking forward to tomorrow. I hope to see some of you at city hall as well.

Hopefully it doesn't end up like one of those chinese parliament meetings where they brawl!

Oh, and for those who might not know who their representative is, here is a .pdf from the city's website that shows you!

http://www.ci.lakewood.oh.us/pdf/2007_Ward_Map.pdf

David Lay · Post by **David Lay** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 7:49 pm

Ivor Karabatkovic wrote:I'll most likely be in attendance monday night and snapping away.

I'll probably be joining you...

DougHuntingdon · Post by **DougHuntingdon** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 8:06 pm

Ivor and David - please be sure to get good camera shots if any WWE-like maneuvers are used by anyone.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid ... ty+council

Doug

David Lay · Post by **David Lay** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 8:07 pm

Well, between Ivor & I, and probably Jim, we'll get plenty of good ones.

Charyn Compeau · Post by **Charyn Compeau** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 10:32 pm

Danielle,

Thanks!

I saw that post, but I was hoping for a little better clarification (did they find out in their morning email, when they got to the meeting, etc.?) beucase there seems to be some conflicting stories about this part of the issue.

I would also be curious as to the protocol (official and unofficial) for calling these special meetings (for example - did anyone ASK if everyone would be present before assuming that any old Friday night would be a good choice for a meeting) as well as the reason for the cancellation that I understand occurred earlier in the week.

I can envision a number of scenarios where this was handled as well as could be expected and just as many that fall into the "should have been done better" pile.

I appreciate your taking the time to answer and I hope more information comes out tomorrow. Please, Stan or whoever, post some feedback for those of us who are unable to attend.

Thank you!!
Charyn

Jim O'Bryan · Post by **Jim O'Bryan** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 5:40 am

Charyn Compeau wrote:I appreciate your taking the time to answer and I hope more information comes out tomorrow. Please, Stan or whoever, post some feedback for those of us who are unable to attend.

Thank you!!
Charyn

Charyn

While I think you grab one of many inconsistencies, I do not think it is the smoking gun.

The Sun Papers had to be notified by Tuesday at 4:15 when they go to press. All parties were well aware of the "coup" as they called it first.

When did Bob's cousin plan his son's "confirmation"? That Tuesday at 4:00pm. Or was it tied in to something else, like this coup? "Hey Bro, you have any kids we can get confirmed? Thank God! What is his name again?" I doubt it.

I think if we go back to the Cain Administration council members have been talking of Council President Seelie wanting to work with the mayor, not against the mayor.

One thing that bothered me most was calling Robert Seelie and Brian Corrigan out for their support. While Bob's vote's were called "Working for the mayor" Brian's reading of the law was, "Reading the law in favor of the mayor." After the meeting I asked Brian to see the law, and he gave me the book, and it read exactly as he read it.

Is there not at least one chance that Councilman Seelie agrees with the mayor a large percentage of the time? What if the mayor is actually agreeing with Council President Seelie? In the end those are Bob's votes and he has to live with them. I have this idd feeling that we might find a couple on council who majority of votes go against the mayor? Certainly lately.

I was speaking with another mover and shaker last night. I said Councilman Seelie has to be doing something right, I have heard ever member complain about him. The answer was, "Look at this council, they need someone strong who will not put up with any BS. It's like Iraq. Blink and they will try to overthrow you for one small project that has been put off for one year because of the budget!

I really do like members of council. Especially my council person Kevin Butler. I have been involved with Mike Dever, Mary Louise Madigan, Kevin Butler, Ryan Patrick Demro on a couple things and find them all good hard working people. I have to believe that Councilman Seelie gets good support in his ward, as he has been reelected.

I would like to think this was a one off bad night at council. In the end, it is just as Nicki Antonio said. "We still have 7 people that have to work together."

I hope this is not the summer of grandstanding, but the summer where people get things done.

Question to Danielle. This project puts the budget in the red over $80,000. Should we take that money from the parks, the police, the seniors, garbage collection every other week in July? No fireworks?

Random thoughts.

FWIW

.

David Lay · Post by **David Lay** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 6:35 am

Here's what's going on tonight:

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
Monday, April 16, 2007
7:00 PM

There will be a Public Works Committee Meeting Monday, April 16, 2007 at 7:00 PM in the Jury Room of Lakewood City Hall, 12650 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood, Ohio. The following topics will be discussed:

Communication from Finance Director Pae regarding Internet Auction
PROPOSED ORDINANCE NO. 38-07 - Internet Auction (1st Read 3/19/07, 2nd 4/2/07)

Communication from Finance Director Pae regarding Auction of Obsolete Equipment
PROPOSED ORDINANCE NO. 42-07 Auction of Obsolete Equipment (1st 4/2/07)

MICHAEL DEVER, CHAIR
Nickie J. Antonio, Ryan Demro; members
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
Monday, April 16, 2007
5:30 PM

There will be a Committee of the Whole Meeting Monday, April 16, 2007 at 5:30 PM in the Jury Room of Lakewood City Hall, 12650 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood, Ohio. The following topics will be discussed:

1. Communication from Planning & Development Director Jordan regarding Grow Lakewood Housing Fund. (referred 2/5/07)

2. PROPOSED ORDINANCE 17-07 participant agreements for Grow Lakewood Housing Program Not to exceed $150,000(1ST Read 2/5/07, 2nd Read 2/20/07)

3. PROPOSED ORDINANCE 18-07 Create Grow Lakewood Housing Program to assist owners in converting two-family homes into single-family homes. (1st Read 2/5/07, 2nd Read 2/20/07)

4. Communication from Councilmember FitzGerald regarding Creating Fiscal Reserve Fund

5 PROPOSED ORDINANCE 34-07 Create Fiscal Reserve Fund (1st Read 3/19/07, 2ND Read 3/26/07-Special Meeting)

6. Communication from Councilmember FitzGerald regarding Creating Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund

7. PROPOSED ORDINANCE 35-07 Create Economic Dev. Revolving LoanFund (1st READ 3/19/07, 2nd 3/26/07-Special Meeting)

8. Core Services

9. Council Agenda Review for 4/16/07 Council Meeting.

ROBERT M. SEELIE, CHAIR
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

Jim O'Bryan · Post by **Jim O'Bryan** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 6:42 am

David Lay wrote: COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
Monday, April 16, 2007
5:30 PM

3. PROPOSED ORDINANCE 18-07 Create Grow Lakewood Housing Program to assist owners in converting two-family homes into single-family homes. (1st Read 2/5/07, 2nd Read 2/20/07)

ROBERT M. SEELIE, CHAIR
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

Hey look!

At least half of Kevin's needed $100,000 for street repair.

Combine that with The $53,000 study of Hoggsback Road which we do not even own, and we can do Woodford!

Who even asked for that study?

Maybe I will run for council!

.

David Lay · Post by **David Lay** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 6:44 am

Jim O'Bryan wrote: Maybe I will run for council!

Are you announcing your campaign here? You've got my vote!

Jim O'Bryan · Post by **Jim O'Bryan** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 6:47 am

David Lay wrote:
Jim O'Bryan wrote: Maybe I will run for council!
Are you announcing your campaign here? You've got my vote!

David

Just kidding hope you are as well. Although someone did come up with a cmapaign for me to run for Council at Large and City Council President at the same time.

.

David Lay · Post by **David Lay** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 6:49 am

Yes, my tongue is firmly planted in my cheek, haha!

DougHuntingdon · Post by **DougHuntingdon** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 6:53 am

double conversion LOL - maybe this is why they are trying to through Councilman Seelie out?

Are we just trying to copy Cleveland Heights?

We already discussed this previously. All you have to do is change a couple locks, install/remove a door or two, and take down the second mailbox. Maybe call the Whirpool man to have him remove some duplicate kitchen appliances, then throw a bunch of cardboard boxes into one of the former kitchens and call it a storage area.

Doug

dl meckes · Post by **dl meckes** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 7:29 am

Danielle Masters wrote:
I bet they cover the same stuff at CCC.
Wow, that's rather rude. There are a lot of people that work all day and then try to better themselves by attending classes at Tri-C. Not everyone can afford to go off to Harvard and still be able to cash a check back home.

You're right, Danielle - That was rude and I apologize.

I have a problem when people are called out for taking educational opportunities but I didn't have to state it the way I did.