Is Ed FitzGerald leaving Lakewood politics?

[Jim Sage]

Ryan Demro

Will you run again?

[Ryan Patrick Demro]

Mr. Sage,

I assume you mean for mayor. The answer is that I had not planned on it in the near future. It is quite the task. I had something else in mind and the city manager issue has intrigued me for years.

I might rephrase the question to say, "If we keep the current form of government, would you run in the future?" The answer is probably. I think I am well qualified to serve (not hold) in that capacity. The important point to keep in mind is that several people who are equally or better qualified will be dissuaded/disqualified by the salary. That is why I worked to raise the salary of the mayor when I was on city council. In the whole scheme of the budget another $30K is minimal, but it could have a tremendous impact on governance. Again it is all in the eye of the beholder though. I think Madeline Cain did a far better job than Tom George for the same salary.

[William George]

We need good people at all levels of Government. If Ed becomes the County Auditor, so be it. There is so much corruption, it is sickening.

Now I have a question for you (the readers of this post). Would it be better to elect a non-politico to the office? Someone with no aspirations to leave or “climb the ladderâ€

[stephen davis]

Ryan,

I think I am well qualified to serve (not hold) in that capacity.

Hmmm.

(not hold)

What does THAT mean?

The important point to keep in mind is that several people who are equally or better qualified will be dissuaded/disqualified by the salary. That is why I worked to raise the salary of the mayor when I was on city council. In the whole scheme of the budget another $30K is minimal, but it could have a tremendous impact on governance.

You and I are in total agreement on this one.

I worked on this issue through two charter reviews, two mayors before this one, and city council. Those two mayors made the low salary work for them, and against the better interest of Lakewood's future governance. Council finally used a recommendation from the last charter commission to change the mechanics of salary increases for those positions (Through a city-wide vote on a charter amendment.), only to have, as I understand, our Civil Service Commission back out of their responsibilities to make it happen. If, as I have heard, those commissioners did not complete their task to make appropriate salary recommendations, as assigned by the charter, they should have been removed from their positions.

Steve

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[Jim Sage]

Ryan Demro,

If I may ask, what makes you not only qualified but "well qualified" to be mayor?

[Ryan Patrick Demro]

Mr. Sage,

I guess the qualifications necessary to be a Mayor lie in the eye of the beholder. I would make the case that my experience in public policy at the local, state, and national level is a positive aspect. I think my proven ability to connect with residents and solve problems is helpful. My second and primary career as a teacher has helped me to understand a whole new arena of public policy from the frontlines. I think that my new career as a soldier has provided me with an entirely new skill set and perspective on the operations of organizations. I also think my legislative record speaks for itself. I was the only member of the minority party, but worked hard and was able to achieve concrete successes and raise critical issues. I think success is the measure that really matters. Why else do we hire leaders? We want them to bring change and the hope that comes along with it.

[Thealexa Becker]

I guess the qualifications necessary to be a Mayor lie in the eye of the beholder. I would make the case that my experience in public policy at the local, state, and national level is a positive aspect. I think my proven ability to connect with residents and solve problems is helpful. My second and primary career as a teacher has helped me to understand a whole new arena of public policy from the frontlines. I think that my new career as a soldier has provided me with an entirely new skill set and perspective on the operations of organizations. I also think my legislative record speaks for itself. I was the only member of the minority party, but worked hard and was able to achieve concrete successes and raise critical issues. I think success is the measure that really matters. Why else do we hire leaders? We want them to bring change and the hope that comes along with it.

Mr. Demro,
I have been reading several threads that you have been posting on recently, trying to "figure you out" so to speak. And while you seem to be quite verbose, it is an extremely difficult task.

So far all I know about you is that you are a soldier, a teacher, and have done some political work which you describe as being significant. The first two are self explanatory, but other than saying that you have done a lot, what have you done in the political arena? I mean specifically. Legislative experience is a broad term.

Thanks

[Bryan Schwegler]

The first two are self explanatory, but other than saying that you have done a lot, what have you done in the political arena? I mean specifically. Legislative experience is a broad term.

Thanks

Hi Thealexa,
Ryan was a member of Lakewood City Council. During that time he sponsored many legislative items and ballot initiatives. I'm sure he'll post back on the details.

IMHO, and I'm a Democrat to throw that out there, Ryan was on of the most responsive and effective members of council that I've seen in Lakewood in quite some time. While some may be annoyed at times by his passion on topics, I would take that over the complete dispassion displayed my many council members over the years.

[sharon kinsella]

I agree that Ryan did a lot on council. He is a very hard worker and I would vouch for that any day of the week.

However, he is not the only hard working member of Council. Nickie does more than you would ever imagine. It's done one on one with constituents, she writes a lot of the legislation that gets presented, she works tirelessly as the Chair of Public Works and the Citizens Advisory Committee and that's just what I know for sure.

I don't know about other members and there is probably a lot of other things going on that aren't reported in the paper or announcement made about who was responsible at the Council meetings.

[Dan Shields]

Folks...you saw it here first, back in February. But what happened to my original post? Hmm. Anyway, this is a good time to reference to Steve Davis, as to what happens next. Dan Shields

[dl meckes]

FYI.

SECTION 8. ACTING MAYOR.
(A) If the Mayor’s office becomes vacant, the following individuals shall succeed to the office in the following order: Director of Law, Director of Finance,

Didn't the Beach Boys have a song, "Wouldn't it be Nice"?

[dl meckes]

Dan, some posts got misplaced when I upgraded. I'm still trying to restore stuff as I have time...

[stephen davis]

Folks...you saw it here first, back in February. But what happened to my original post? Hmm. Anyway, this is a good time to reference to Steve Davis, as to what happens next. Dan Shields

I guess we just wait and see. Ed Fitzgerald is a talented guy. He may move on. All I can do is wish him luck.

Earlier in this thread, I posted the order of succession to select an acting mayor.

There are other qualifications that come into play that can trump the succession order.

SECTION 2. RESIDENCY, TERM AND QUALIFICATIONS OF MAYOR.
The Mayor shall be elected for a term of four (4) years, commencing on the first day of January next following his or her election, shall have been for at least one (1) year immediately prior to the date of taking office both a resident of the City and a qualified elector of the City, and shall continue as both a resident and qualified elector of the City during his or her term of office.

Of course, as you move through the order of succession and determine eligibility based on residency, etc., someone would actually have to accept the position. It will be interesting to see how far down the list they will go to find a qualified person who will actually want, and can afford, to take the job of mayor?

After Director of Law, Director of Finance, Director of Public Works, and President of Council, it is wide open for an elector of the City chosen by Council. That could be almost anybody.

It could get interesting.

.

[Jim O'Bryan]

I guess we just wait and see. Ed Fitzgerald is a talented guy. He may move on. All I can do is wish him luck.

And more to the point...

I believe the mayor has always been open about wanting that seat should it should become
available and or run for it at some point.

However with Tom Bullock and Nickie Anotnio going for Skindell's seat it also
gives the residents of Lakewood a reason to ask, "Will you serve your full term?"


.

[Christopher Bindel]

The Mayor is talented and I think could do well in positions out of the city. However I think, depending on his ambitions, it speaks more to his ability if he finishes a successful term (or two) as Mayor, especially turning our city around as he is in the process of doing, as apposed to serving as County Auditor. But that’s just my take on things.