The Observation Deck

From Ed

Dear Friends:

I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all who have assisted and encouraged me in
running for Mayor of Lakewood. Your kind words and efforts have reinforced what it means to have and value true friends.

Life is full of those times when we must decide where and when to go. This is one of those times for me and I have decided not to continue the run for Mayor. My decision is based on personal and family considerations.

I will continue to serve on the Board of Education and will be seeking other opportunities to work for Lakewood.

Again, thank you for your support and friendship.

Ed Favre

Ed Favre has been a friend of mine since I started this project. He has been a supporter of
the project, and a supporter, good friend, and mentor for me. I have met with him and
his wonderful family many times over the past couple months while he was considering
a run for Mayor. Ed had/has a lot to offer because of his insight into many aspects of the
police, the schools, the community, and family life. He could have made a good run of it,
and I was hoping he would run. He would be great for the conversation about Lakewood.

It was nearly a year ago when he told me over lunch he was running for mayor. This was
before Mike Summers was appointed. After Mike was appointed, Ed told me he was sure
he was going to run. When I asked him about running against his former School Board
member, fellow Grow Lakewood Committee partner, and his friend Mike Summers, his
answer was every bit as classy, as Ed the man and father. "I would not have a hard time
losing to Mike Summers, he is a good man, we just see subtle differences."

As I have mentioned before it would have been interesting seeing two or three people that
love Lakewood running for office. Two or three people that do not feel the need to tear the
city or their opponents down to make their case why they should be considered for mayor.
I believe it would have been good for Lakewood and good for politics in the region. It
would have been a fun summer and fall.

I also know how hard this decision was for both Ed and his family. It was marvelous seeing
the Favre/Neumann clan around the table figuring out who was doing and what and many
of the ideas that came out of those discussions. Last Friday he called and we spoke of many
aspects of the up coming political season, and many things going on in his personal life.
As he was headed out of town to visit his daughter and grand daughter in Chicago, I
had told him to use the time to talk with the family, and search his soul on why he was
running. Yesterday, I go a call from Ed, where he requested face time. Over the table we
had met many times talking about his plans, he strained to tell me, he had decided not
to run at this time, and with good reason.

Ed Favre is a good man, and has been a great public servant. I wish him well in whatever
he chooses to do this summer which includes a trip to the UK and the dream of his lifetime
coming home on the QEII, a real ocean liner.

To Ed, thank you for being a friend.To Gladys, Ashley, Leslie, Stephany, Brian and Jeff,
thank you for the friendship and becoming part of my extended family. I love you all.

Good luck in whatever you chose.


.

I hope everything is okay.

There's no question that Ed and his family are good people who are wonderful Lakewoodites.

Jim O'Bryan wrote:From Ed

Dear Friends:

I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all who have assisted and encouraged me in
running for Mayor of Lakewood. Your kind words and efforts have reinforced what it means to have and value true friends.

Life is full of those times when we must decide where and when to go. This is one of those times for me and I have decided not to continue the run for Mayor. My decision is based on personal and family considerations.

I will continue to serve on the Board of Education and will be seeking other opportunities to work for Lakewood.

Again, thank you for your support and friendship.

Ed Favre

Ed Favre has been a friend of mine since I started this project. He has been a supporter of
the project, and a supporter, good friend, and mentor for me. I have met with him and
his wonderful family many times over the past couple months while he was considering
a run for Mayor. Ed had/has a lot to offer because of his insight into many aspects of the
police, the schools, the community, and family life. He could have made a good run of it,
and I was hoping he would run. He would be great for the conversation about Lakewood.

It was nearly a year ago when he told me over lunch he was running for mayor. This was
before Mike Summers was appointed. After Mike was appointed, Ed told me he was sure
he was going to run. When I asked him about running against his former School Board
member, fellow Grow Lakewood Committee partner, and his friend Mike Summers, he
answer was every bit as classy, as Ed the man and father. "I would not have a hard time
losing to Mike Summers, he is a good man, we just see subtle differences."

As I have mentioned before it would have been interesting seeing two or three people that
love Lakewood running for office. Two or three people that do not feel the need to tear the
city or their opponents down to make their case why they should be considered for mayor.
I believe it would have been good for Lakewood and good for politics in the region. It
would have been a fun summer and fall.

I also know how hard this decision was for both Ed and his family. It was marvelous seeing
the Favre/Neumann clan around the table figuring out who was doing and what and many
of the ideas that came out of those discussions. Last Friday he called and we spoke of many
aspects of the up coming political season, and many things going on in his personal life.
As he was headed out of town to visit his daughter and grand daughter in Chicago, I
had told him to use the time to talk with the family, and search his soul on why he was
running. Yesterday, I go a call from Ed, where he requested face time. Over the table we
had met many times talking about his plans, he strained to tell me, he had decided not
to run at this time, and with good reason.

Ed Favre is a good man, and has been a great public servant. I wish him well in whatever
he chooses to do this summer which includes a trip to the UK and the dream of his lifetime
coming home on the QEII, a real ocean liner.

To Ed, thank you for being a friend, to Gladys, Ashley, Leslie, Stephany, Brian and Jeff,
thank you for the friendship and being one of my extended family. I love you all.

Good luck in whatever you chose.


.

Most Disappointing! I would have loved for Ed Favre to enter the race. I would agree that his variety of insights would have added a great deal to the community discussion and direction. I have a great deal of respect for his time on the police force and the time invested on other public service endeavors in our community. The best of health and happiness as he continues to pursue his dreams and desires.

I'm still hopeful that we'll have a strong mayoral contest this year. I do believe a contested election would bear more fruit for the city... instead of a victory by default.
IMHO

Scott Meeson

*** One element of a strong mayoral contest: contestant enters race in a timely manner... in order to provide a realistic opportunity for victory.

Scott Meeson wrote:Most Disappointing! I would have loved for Ed Favre to enter the race. I would agree that his variety of insights would have added a great deal to the community discussion and direction. I have a great deal of respect for his time on the police force and the time invested on other public service endeavors in our community. The best of health and happiness as he continues to pursue his dreams and desires.

I'm with you, Scott. Though in my interactions with the School Board I've not always been on the same side as Ed, I think the perspective and devotion he would bring to this city and its families would have been very valuable, though I am sure he will continue to contribute to this city in many ways.

Scott Meeson wrote:I'm still hopeful that we'll have a strong mayoral contest this year. I do believe a contested election would bear more fruit for the city... instead of a victory by default.
IMHO

Scott Meeson

*** One element of a strong mayoral contest: contestant enters race in a timely manner... in order to provide a realistic opportunity for victory.

Okay I'll do it.

Jim, I double dog dare you. If the Apocalypse does not arrive this weekend, I will withdraw the double dog designation of the dare.

Though Scott I do have to say, in many cases when you don't know for sure who the candidates are going to be, you have to wait for them to speak, to figure out how they feel about different issues. This is not the case with this potential candidate.

Betsy Voinovich

Betsy Voinovich wrote:Okay I'll do it.

Jim, I double dog dare you. If the Apocalypse does not arrive this weekend, I will withdraw the double dog designation of the dare.

Though Scott I do have to say, in many cases when you don't know for sure who the candidates are going to be, you have to wait for them to speak, to figure out how they feel about different issues. This is not the case with this potential candidate.

Betsy Voinovich

Betsy

You have sat through enough business meetings with me to realize, that while I like to
have fun, and often treat things will an irrelevant style. At work, and at the business
table, I take things very, very seriously.

While I realize it puts some off, I see no reason why a person cannot enjoy whatever they
are doing, and hopefully others can too.

It is still more than 30 days from where I would say anything, about anything. I still would
like to talk with others including Ed FitzGerald and Mike Summers, two people that I enjoy
talking about Lakewood and Lakewood's future with. I have been pouring over Lakewood's
books, and plans from the past, and have been looking at what is needed. I have been
going door to door and business to business discussing many things about Lakewood and
what the people of Lakewood believe is needed. If in the end I think I can add to the city,
through City Hall, I will run, and you know that is being readied. If I think I can add or do
more for the city and people I love from outside of City Hall, then quite possibly I will not
run. If there is one thing I would hope everyone realizes, I take Lakewood very seriously.

No, Double or triple dog dares will not do it. Nor will other people's timelines or their
campaigns. I think the city deserves more than a mayor that answers to anything other
than the needs of residents and businesses of Lakewood.

For the record as it might come up Ed Favre and his team, knew at some point I would be
running against them. Ed offers a different view of many things than I do. Ed's expertise
is far different than mine. I would say the same is true for Mike. At our first lunch he asked
if I would be open to talking with him, and sharing ideas, and was I going to run against
him. My answer was yes to the first to and maybe to the third. Again, I like Mike, he has
done many good things for Lakewood. And while we agree on many things, in the end, 5,
10, 20 years down the road. The Lakewood we envision is different, and very different in
some very key areas. This is the discussion Lakewood needs to hear.

But for now, let's enjoy the spring, the summer, Memorial Day Weekend, our friends and
family, and the city we all live in.

.

Scott Meeson wrote:I'm still hopeful that we'll have a strong mayoral contest this year. I do believe a contested election would bear more fruit for the city... instead of a victory by default.
IMHO

Scott Meeson

*** One element of a strong mayoral contest: contestant enters race in a timely manner... in order to provide a realistic opportunity for victory.

Don't count on it.

The Democratic Party, elected officials and labor unions told Ed he would not be getting money or support. He made the right decision. The City would have benefited from an election campaign that focused on the future, that confronted City problems head on and offered detailed programs and ideas for discussion and debate.

Now all we will get is a coronation.

Are we witnessing the end of Lakewoods Spring and the Return of the Combine? It's really impossible to confront and challenge vested interests and bureaucratic intertia but sometimes it is still worth a try.

Why are so many people so negative on Mike Summer's campaign using terms like "coronation", etc as if he's undeserving. Am I missing something? Is he unqualified? Is it his fault no one else is choosing to run or is he secretly trying to prevent them from running? I just don't quite understand.

FWIW, I don't really have anything against Mike. He was my councilman, and a much better councilman for me than the one before. He seems to be doing ok as mayor right now. But knowing that Lakewood politics rarely, if ever, produces credible contested elections, I'm not going to hold it against him or blame some vast machine conspiracy if no one else chooses to run. We usually have the same candidates with the same names who get elected over and over again. I'm not exactly sure it's their fault.

I would have love to see Ed run, but I understand his decision not to do so. I'm with Betsy, while I didn't agree with much of the work our school board did, there's a passion in Ed that would have been good to see in an election, and potentially as Mayor.

Bryan Schwegler wrote:is he secretly trying to prevent them from running?

See Bill's comment.

Bill Call wrote:The Democratic Party, elected officials and labor unions told Ed he would not be getting money or support.

I have heard this as well. Not saying there is anything wrong with using a position of power to help someone you "handpicked"

This is typical politics, it is just a pity that Ed, the lifelong solid democrat who would be great to see in this election process, was left standing alone at the starting line.

Jim O'Bryan wrote:

Betsy Voinovich wrote:Okay I'll do it.

Jim, I double dog dare you. If the Apocalypse does not arrive this weekend, I will withdraw the double dog designation of the dare.

Though Scott I do have to say, in many cases when you don't know for sure who the candidates are going to be, you have to wait for them to speak, to figure out how they feel about different issues. This is not the case with this potential candidate.

Betsy Voinovich

Betsy

You have sat through enough business meetings with me to realize, that while I like to
have fun, and often treat things will an irrelevant style. At work, and at the business
table, I take things very, very seriously.


Jim--

Good morning. Day one of the Apocalypse is going pretty good so far.

One of the things I enjoy about your communication style is that you use words like "irrelevant", instead of "irreverent." If you were mayor, and you were as open and communicative as you have always been, I think it would become a favorite pastime of people in the city, catching their mayor using the wrong word-- because in his desire to communicate exactly how he's feeling, he just puts it out there to get the discussion going when it is at its most relevant and he is so eager to have public input.

My point after double dog daring you-- which I said I would withdraw if we can't tell whether there's an Apocalypse or not today-- (a friend who says he was raised Pentecostal said that when the Apocalypse is coming, we will KNOW, no-one will have any doubt whatsoever. None of these wimpy little signs like earthquakes, floods, full-planet radiation poisoning or Cheney being "elected" vice president-- but I digress.)

My point is that you need not declare anything specific about the mayor's race for people to know how you feel about Lakewood, or what direction your reforms or let's just call them celebrations, might lie.

Maybe Scott is just alluding to how great it would be to have that much fun. To have you as an actual candidate. I don't think anyone doubts how serious you are about Lakewood.

And you could start a full blown discussion about let's say, "regionalism" whether you were a candidate or not. In fact, that paper you helped start could launch that discussion without you, because of the commitment you and the Observer founders had to this project. Anyone could start everyone talking.

For example. REGIONALISM

What is regionalism? Is there a plan to turn sweet self-sustaining safe Lakewood into "West Cleveland" where the city gets money to house traumatized veterans, under-aged violent felons, and refugee groups from all ends of the earth, as a large portion of our population? The halfway house for Northeast Ohio, because we're so nice here? Is this a good way to increase our population? Is this "Growth"? Or does it scare away people who live here, or would potentially move here? Does the city have a policy of recruiting these groups here? If so why don't more people know about it? Do we get a say in how we want our housing, streets, resources, used?

Will we get the big county prison? Will our police and fire serve the entire West side of Northeast Ohio instead of us being allowed to keep the tremendous local police and fire we have now? I believe Ed Favre would have had something to say about that.

Will we give our libraries over to the county? Will our former mayor, now our County Executive, protect his hometown or "promote" us as his first example of "regionalism"? Especially a former mayor who "handpicked" our current mayor. Yeah that's unsettling and much of it is going on under our noses right now. But you don't have to be mayor for us to talk about it, or know about it.

But how great for it to be a legitimate issue in this campaign. For that to happen we'd need a candidate. Or, it would be a lot easier if there was a candidate.

And the overall vision thing. We've been talking and talking about it-- Detroit theater as a McDonalds? The mayor is a big fan of this. Does this encourage movement of residents on to those residential streets where the Drive Thru wil be? Does this build the image of Lakewood as unique, fun, interesting, livable? Across the street from me right now I'm looking at Burger King, Caribou, Huntington and Verizon. Corporate row. Only relieved by my view through the compelling design of the Root's windows. But I go to that Burger King all the time. The people behind the counter at that Caribou are really nice, their coffee is good, and they're open 365 days a year, and early. There is space for a mixture of businesses but without some kind of vision, there is an unsettling haphazardness about how Lakewood is heading into the future. The same group that invites potential residents Downtown! to consider buying homes close to the center of the city advocates getting rid of the school that would serve the children of those potential buyers. Schizophrenia? Where's the plan? What's the plan?

Anyway. Jim doesn't have to be a candidate for us to talk about this stuff either. Or to ask it of every and any candidate before we vote for them.

I like Mike Summers too. He's been very responsive so far, and he's a nice guy, accessible and easy to talk to. A neighbor and a dad. I haven't lived here my whole life, and haven't known him since third grade but anyone who is listening, who cares, who wants to be elected, can be engaged in a positive discussion of who and what we could be as a city, if there is what David Anderson calls an "informed" and active and engaged electorate.

I don't see talking about this stuff as campaigning-- and I don't think talking about it stops us from enjoying this gorgeous day, or Memorial Day Weekend. Or the Apocalypse for that matter.

Betsy Voinovich

Ryan Salo wrote:

Bryan Schwegler wrote:is he secretly trying to prevent them from running?

See Bill's comment.

Bill Call wrote:The Democratic Party, elected officials and labor unions told Ed he would not be getting money or support.

I have heard this as well. Not saying there is anything wrong with using a position of power to help someone you "handpicked"

This is typical politics, it is just a pity that Ed, the lifelong solid democrat who would be great to see in this election process, was left standing alone at the starting line.

This is Lakewood, a suburb. The "machine" isn't going to stop anyone from running if they really wanted to run. It's a bunch of hogwash and excuses. Let alone, how is the "machine" going to stop an independent or Republican from running?

Bryan Schwegler wrote:Let alone, how is the "machine" going to stop an independent or Republican from running?

Funny thing here is that the "machine" is stopping the true democrat from running. As a Republican I am very happy with Mike, he was a Republican and currently leads as one so no complaints from me on that front.

My concern is the potential abuse of power from our county executive that ran on change.

Ryan Salo wrote:

Bryan Schwegler wrote:Let alone, how is the "machine" going to stop an independent or Republican from running?

Funny thing here is that the "machine" is stopping the true democrat from running. As a Republican I am very happy with Mike, he was a Republican and currently leads as one so no complaints from me on that front.

My concern is the potential abuse of power from our county executive that ran on change.

I attended a Fitzgerald fund raiser before he was running for Mayor. He talked to me for about 5 minutes and said "I am not a Republican" at least three times. I thought he protested to much.

My nagging fear is that to prove his bonyfidies he is going to embrace the Combine and the regional agenda. I see his name on street improvements in the new cafe district in Rocky River but I don't see anything happening here. He has also signed on to a new $100 million dollar County slush fund.

For the record, I think Mike Summers is doing a fine job, is a good man and would be a good Mayor.

I just think the City could benefit from an open discussion about problems confronting the City. I also think the region would benefit from an open discussion about the behavior of our County institutions like Tri-C, Mental Health Services, CSU, etc. Personally I think its time to talk about cutting off their funding. Why the hell should be paying to build the new Tri-C campus in Westlake? Why the hell should we pay to move Cleveland's homeless to Lakewood? Why the hell should we fund programs that compete with Beck Center?

Such discussions usually end up upsetting people but I think that is a good thing. People should be upset.

If I decide to run for school board I expect to propose a lot of things that will upset some people. At the last school board meeting twice in the first twenty minutes I heard "teachers work more than a seven hour day". I'm sure that was for my benefit.

To give you some idea of what we are in for my thought was: That's wonderful news! We have reached common ground! If teachers already work more than seven hours per day then there could be no objection to adding the eight hour day to the LTA contract.

I just want to say that I think it is utter silliness to discuss "party politics" on a local level.

I mean I understand it is important as far as fundraising and all that goes, but in the end, when you are dealing with a small community, with issues that really do not come down to "republican or democrat" why is there such a heavy emphasis on this?

I get turned off as soon as I hear anyone hemming and hawing about parties for the city government. It's just a way to cloud the issues. Especially since most of the "party" issues are so national it doesn't even matter.

And before anyone goes to start telling me that I am wrong, and that parties DO matter in the local government, they will need to tell me what issues SPECIFICALLY have distinct party lines. Do dems and republicans differ on whether or not we need more businesses in Lakewood? Is there a party distinction between whether or not there needs to be attention to crime in the city?

Let's face it, a vast majority of the party issues are national. It's not like Lakewood can have anything to say about abortion or gay marriage or defense spending or medicare or social security or any of these other hot button issues that make the parties what they are.

I actually think that talking about candidates in terms of what party they represent often times robs a better candidate of a chance to be taken seriously. I know of one candidate running for County Council who I feel suffered directly from it, and I am sorry that people in a suburb are so obsessed with this.