Matt Markling withdraws from School Board race
Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2011 5:17 pm
Hi all,
It is with a heavy heart that I post the news that's in the paper, though I fully support Matt.
Here is his letter to all of us from today's Lakewood Observer, from the president of the School Board, but also from a fellow neighbor, and a fellow parent.
Dear Lakewood,
My family needs me, and I need my family. This simple sentence explains why I am not seeking re-election to the Lakewood City School District Board of Education. My decision has not been made in haste, but rather after earnest consultation with my wife and with the best interest of my family in mind.
During my term on the school board, I have been trying to balance my obligations to the Lakewood City Schools and my state-wide legal practice with the educational and parental needs of my three sons, as well as my desire to spend more and more time with my best friend and wife, Katie. One of my children also has extraordinary medical needs which I have now determined require additional personal attention from me. I am simply unable to dedicate the time that I feel is necessary to effectively serve another four-year term on the Lakewood Board of Education.
I have had the honor and privilege of working alongside five seasoned and respected board members in Chas Geiger, Linda Beebe, Betsy Shaughnessy, Ed Favre, and John Kamkutis. And I am very proud of the work my school board colleagues have done to collaborate with parents, faculty, staff, administrators, and community stakeholders to maintain an excellent system of public education for all of Lakewood’s families. But now is the time for me to focus on the needs of my family.
These are the golden years of parenting. I want to cherish every moment with my wife and our three young sons. While Katie and I will continue to be supportive of the Lakewood City Schools as active parents, my family deserves my undivided attention at home. Frankly, Katie has been a saint over these past four years.
Yesterday, July 11, 2011, I shared both my family obligations and decision to not seek re-election with the Lakewood Board of Education and Administration. While I am fulfilling my commitment to the Citizens of Lakewood by serving my full-term, I am hoping that my formal announcement will encourage school board candidates to throw their hats into the ring and dedicate themselves to putting pupils ahead of politics.
It has been an honor and privilege to represent the Citizens of Lakewood as President of the Lakewood Board of Education. And I am extremely thankful for the broad, heartfelt, nonpartisan support I have received from Lakewoodites throughout my school board tenure. I hope you will understand and support my need to put family ahead of politics.
Sincerely,
Matt Markling
Husband and Father
I think Jim stated pretty eloquently how I feel in his article, so I'm posting that here as well:
Last week I received a call from Matt Markling, he wanted to sit down and talk about some things. So we went down to the WestEnd Tavern where we have had so many lunches over the years. During our conversation he told me that he has decided not to run for re-election in 2011. After many months of working towards this goal, he could no longer put his life as a father and as one of the top school lawyers in the state on hold anymore. His wife and family meant more to him than anything else.
Having gone through a similar process of self-reflection myself recently, I understood. We agreed that sometimes holding public office is not the way to go forward.
I have always admired Matt because of his no-nonsense style, his keen eye to the law and most of all, his determination that children come first. During his time on the Board, with this as his guiding principal, Matt brought his knowledge of the law and his fearlessness in applying it, to Lakewood’s children, examining each issue before him with the understanding that getting it right in one situation, for one school year, meant guaranteeing it for children who haven’t even been born yet.
Matt held safeguarding the future of Lakewood’s children above and beyond all other things, including personal agendas, friendships, politics and even his own best interest. I was amazed that Matt was willing to allow his own law firm to take a very big financial hit when he was elected to the Board, as they could no longer represent Lakewood Schools. He has been a true leader, and has set the bar high for Board members to come.
Matt-- you are one in a million and you will be missed.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well, there's nothing left to do but say thank you at this point.
Matt-- Thank you so much for your strong, steadfast, tireless leadership. It is true that you have set the bar high, and you have shown the way---- you brought out the sunshine, and the sun is up in Lakewood and it has so much to do with you-- your constant message that Lakewood deserves leaders who truly represent the city, who are accountable for their decisions, who are transparent with their reasons and their resources.
Your legacy is one of respect and trust in the citizens of Lakewood, and is a twenty-first century model for good government, and empowered residents. The citizens need to know and participate, not to micro-manage their government, but to take good care of their city and make sure that their elected officials represent them. And our elected officials need to know that we know who they are, we are paying attention, and we will support and work with them to move the city forward. Matt, you are a great example, and you held that light high. Thank you so very much for the great care you have taken of my children.
Betsy Voinovich
It is with a heavy heart that I post the news that's in the paper, though I fully support Matt.
Here is his letter to all of us from today's Lakewood Observer, from the president of the School Board, but also from a fellow neighbor, and a fellow parent.
Dear Lakewood,
My family needs me, and I need my family. This simple sentence explains why I am not seeking re-election to the Lakewood City School District Board of Education. My decision has not been made in haste, but rather after earnest consultation with my wife and with the best interest of my family in mind.
During my term on the school board, I have been trying to balance my obligations to the Lakewood City Schools and my state-wide legal practice with the educational and parental needs of my three sons, as well as my desire to spend more and more time with my best friend and wife, Katie. One of my children also has extraordinary medical needs which I have now determined require additional personal attention from me. I am simply unable to dedicate the time that I feel is necessary to effectively serve another four-year term on the Lakewood Board of Education.
I have had the honor and privilege of working alongside five seasoned and respected board members in Chas Geiger, Linda Beebe, Betsy Shaughnessy, Ed Favre, and John Kamkutis. And I am very proud of the work my school board colleagues have done to collaborate with parents, faculty, staff, administrators, and community stakeholders to maintain an excellent system of public education for all of Lakewood’s families. But now is the time for me to focus on the needs of my family.
These are the golden years of parenting. I want to cherish every moment with my wife and our three young sons. While Katie and I will continue to be supportive of the Lakewood City Schools as active parents, my family deserves my undivided attention at home. Frankly, Katie has been a saint over these past four years.
Yesterday, July 11, 2011, I shared both my family obligations and decision to not seek re-election with the Lakewood Board of Education and Administration. While I am fulfilling my commitment to the Citizens of Lakewood by serving my full-term, I am hoping that my formal announcement will encourage school board candidates to throw their hats into the ring and dedicate themselves to putting pupils ahead of politics.
It has been an honor and privilege to represent the Citizens of Lakewood as President of the Lakewood Board of Education. And I am extremely thankful for the broad, heartfelt, nonpartisan support I have received from Lakewoodites throughout my school board tenure. I hope you will understand and support my need to put family ahead of politics.
Sincerely,
Matt Markling
Husband and Father
I think Jim stated pretty eloquently how I feel in his article, so I'm posting that here as well:
Last week I received a call from Matt Markling, he wanted to sit down and talk about some things. So we went down to the WestEnd Tavern where we have had so many lunches over the years. During our conversation he told me that he has decided not to run for re-election in 2011. After many months of working towards this goal, he could no longer put his life as a father and as one of the top school lawyers in the state on hold anymore. His wife and family meant more to him than anything else.
Having gone through a similar process of self-reflection myself recently, I understood. We agreed that sometimes holding public office is not the way to go forward.
I have always admired Matt because of his no-nonsense style, his keen eye to the law and most of all, his determination that children come first. During his time on the Board, with this as his guiding principal, Matt brought his knowledge of the law and his fearlessness in applying it, to Lakewood’s children, examining each issue before him with the understanding that getting it right in one situation, for one school year, meant guaranteeing it for children who haven’t even been born yet.
Matt held safeguarding the future of Lakewood’s children above and beyond all other things, including personal agendas, friendships, politics and even his own best interest. I was amazed that Matt was willing to allow his own law firm to take a very big financial hit when he was elected to the Board, as they could no longer represent Lakewood Schools. He has been a true leader, and has set the bar high for Board members to come.
Matt-- you are one in a million and you will be missed.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well, there's nothing left to do but say thank you at this point.
Matt-- Thank you so much for your strong, steadfast, tireless leadership. It is true that you have set the bar high, and you have shown the way---- you brought out the sunshine, and the sun is up in Lakewood and it has so much to do with you-- your constant message that Lakewood deserves leaders who truly represent the city, who are accountable for their decisions, who are transparent with their reasons and their resources.
Your legacy is one of respect and trust in the citizens of Lakewood, and is a twenty-first century model for good government, and empowered residents. The citizens need to know and participate, not to micro-manage their government, but to take good care of their city and make sure that their elected officials represent them. And our elected officials need to know that we know who they are, we are paying attention, and we will support and work with them to move the city forward. Matt, you are a great example, and you held that light high. Thank you so very much for the great care you have taken of my children.
Betsy Voinovich
