The Observation Deck

Lakewood Mayor Michael Summers was one of three guests this morning, Tuesday March 19, 2013 (along with former Ohio Tax Commissioner Thomas M. Zaino and Kent Scarrett of the Ohio Municipal League) on WCPN's "The Sound of Ideas" program. The program discussed recent efforts to make municipal tax rules uniform across all communities, and why a group of local mayors are opposed to such plans.

Following this link http://www.ideastream.org/soi/entry/52684# to WCPN website where you can download and listen to the broadcast.

And ... be sure to stay tuned to the The Observation Deck for news on our next LOKOL Public Forum Series program (late-April, date tbd), where Mayor Summers will lead a presentation on Ohio House Bill 5 which has started snaking its way around State House down in Columbus, and how the most influential corporate-funded political force most of us has never heard of -- ALEC, the American Legislative Exchange Council plays the role of invisible puppet master hands controlling an effort aimed at increased corporate profits at public expense without public knowledge. Yep, they are intertwined! Drama! Conspiracy!! Intrigue!!!

Peter Grossetti wrote:And ... be sure to stay tuned to the The Observation Deck for news on our next LOKOL Public Forum Series program (late-April, date tbd), where Mayor Summers will lead a presentation on Ohio House Bill 5 which has started snaking its way around State House down in Columbus, and how the most influential corporate-funded political force most of us has never heard of -- ALEC, the American Legislative Exchange Council plays the role of invisible puppet master hands controlling an effort aimed at increased corporate profits at public expense without public knowledge. Yep, they are intertwined! Drama! Conspiracy!! Intrigue!!!

Peter,

Will The Lakewood Observer require both sides to be present during the Mayor's bully pulpit ... or is that only required for Bill Call? See http://lakewoodobserver.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=11264&start=75.

I would hope that the Mayor finds Issue 14 - the school levy - to be more important than HB 5 ... since he actually chairs the school levy committee.

Support Issue 14 -The School Levy!

Matt

Matthew John Markling wrote:Will The Lakewood Observer require both sides to be present during the Mayor's bully pulpit ... or is that only required for Bill Call? See http://lakewoodobserver.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=11264&start=75

Support Issue 14 -The School Levy!

Matt

Matt

I hope you understand my amazement that a person that is a solid as you are behind the
levy, according to so many of your recent posts would indicate, is so desperate to get
anyone to debate Bill Call on the levy.

Let's be honest I like both you and Bill, but this would be like sending a champion knife
fighter into a knife fight with a suicide bomber. As far as I can see Bill is one disgruntled
Lakewoodite who has never been happy with anything resembling spending or rate
increases with the exception of the year he was running for school board, and wanted
everyone to know just how pro-schools he was.

Perhaps, it would be fairer to have suicide bomber meet suicide bomber in the Matt Markling
Ring of Death? I am pro-levy, and even though it was pointed out at lunch today how I
have lost my edge, perhaps a pro levy person like myself could meet with this Bill Call
you tout so highly? Suicide vest to suicide vest, Matt Markling moderating in a pool of
gasoline, with road flares all around. Bill and I throwing barbs, jabs, sticks of C4 at each
other sprinkled with "nearly the truth" type comments.

But I think this, and the post above would best be back in the SOS thread, eh?

Bill handing out literature? Is he a PAC now?

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Jim,

I got lost in your post.

So, the answer is, "no" ...?

Different rules for different LOKOL political forums?

I'm not afraid to defend my support of the levy.

I'm amused that you don't think levy supporters can out "discuss" Bill Call.

Matt

Hi Matt,

The LOKOL Forum over this past weekend that was so informative and encouraging was Ian Andrews, talking about today's LakewoodAlive, what they are attempting to do, how they are involving more of the city, how they are working their heads off, with very little money, and could use more publicity and more support.

That was it. A forum about LakewoodAlive. The "forum" part was the discussion afterward, where everyone who wanted to participated and asked questions and tossed back and forth different ideas.

Ian Andrews was quite clearly pro-LakewoodAlive, there was no-one there officially representing an anti-LakewoodAlive position. If someone had had a bone to pick with the organization or Ian Andrews, it was open to the pubic, anyone could attend and comment.

In terms of Mayor Summers leading a presentation on Ohio House Bill 5, he wants to get the word out and explain and discuss it. If there is someone in the audience who takes issue with the Mayor's explanation, that's what the discussion period is for.

As much as I think I would pay to witness whatever Jim is talking about-- "Matt Markling's Rind of Death"? I had to point out that every forum isn't a debate.

Betsy Voinovich

Matthew John Markling wrote:Jim,

I got lost in your post.

So, the answer is, "no" ...?

Different rules for different LOKOL political forums?

I'm not afraid to defend my support of the levy.

I'm amused that you don't think levy supporters can out "discuss" Bill Call.

Matt

Matt

I would think that many LOKOL programs might have different rules and regulations,
but not sure it is Peter's deal we are just putting them on with his help and guidance.

Maybe you should debate Bill then, two private citizens debating the levy.

I NEVER said they can't out discuss, I merely offered myself as cannon fodder so that
Bill and I guess you can work through this.

I cannot believe that you think Bill cannot out talk me on this?

I watched as Bill and Bret were able to defeat and dazzle two juniors in high school.

I would think that would make me, how do they say, chump change.

FWIW

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Betsy Voinovich wrote:I had to point out that every forum isn't a debate.

Betsy,

I'm not sure any LOKOL forum is going to be a "debate."

Ian wasn't using LOKOL as a bully pulpit. Is there a vote anywhere on any LakewoodAlive issue? Thank you, Ian, by the way.

Mike Summers is using LOKOL as a bully pulpit. This is a political issue. But there is no interest in both sides being represented in that "forum." That's a shame.

I just find it curious that LOKOL requires that both "points of view" need to be represented to discuss Issue 14, but not H.B. 5.

While I support Issue 14, I don't understand why LOKOL is so afraid of what Bill Call will say. Especially since Issue 14 has a whole levy committee behind it. Bill Call is, well, Bill Call.

Again, to be clear, I support Issue 14! I also support a lively discussion about life in and around Lakewood - and not just over the digital fence.

Matt

Jim O'Bryan wrote:I NEVER said they can't out discuss, I merely offered myself as cannon fodder so that Bill and I guess you can work through this.

Peter,

It now sounds like we have a LOKOL "discussion" on Issue 14 with Jim and Bill representing both "points of view."

Matt

Matthew John Markling wrote:
I just find it curious that LOKOL requires that both "points of view" need to be represented to discuss Issue 14, but not H.B. 5.

While I support Issue 14, I don't understand why LOKOL is so afraid of what Bill Call will say. Especially since Issue 14 has a whole levy committee behind it. Bill Call is, well, Bill Call.

Again, to be clear, I support Issue 14! I also support a lively discussion about life in and around Lakewood - and not just over the digital fence.

Matt

Bill er Matt, err Matt and Bill

Whatever, I said I am glad to discuss this with Bill, or debate Bill on this issue.

As for the format of LOKOL series, they are what they are and will be what they are.

Perhaps you would like to bring a debate series to life, with our help.

Afraid of Bill? I like the guy and look forward to this discussion, perhaps over drinks.

For the record I have no connection to the pro-levy or the anti-levy group. I just think
educated kids are a plus in a community.

I am pretty solid in my beliefs, and would have preferred them asking for a 9 mill levy,
as I like educated kids, and I guess Bill prefers the state kicking money to the
Republicans or letting the little crumb grabbers fend for themselves.



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Matt,

Thank you for posting that link to the previous discussion. I did miss this comment from Peter the first time I read it.

" I will not present a LOKOL Public Forum unless both sides are represented"

It can't be that peter doesn't want a one sided negative meeting, because that is what he is providing for the mayor. I wonder what the litmus test is? Is it partisan bias?

Thanks again for pointing this out Matt.

Ryan

Ryan Salo wrote:Matt,

Thank you for posting that link to the previous discussion. I did miss this comment from Peter the first time I read it.

" I will not present a LOKOL Public Forum unless both sides are represented"

It can't be that peter doesn't want a one sided negative meeting, because that is what he is providing for the mayor. I wonder what the litmus test is? Is it partisan bias?

Thanks again for pointing this out Matt.

Ryan

Ryan

Thank you for coming on and pointing out what Matt has pointed out.

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You are welcome.

"I will not present a LOKOL Public Forum unless both sides are represented" means: there will never be a LOKOL Public Forum without a method for opposing views to be presented. That means always including an Q&A and discussion period.

(and frankly, in hindsight, I should have not said "both sides" ... as we all know that complex issues such as this often have innumerous "sides.")

The LOKOL Public Forum Series was never intended to be a formal debate series. Nowhere in my posts will you see me use the word "debate" to describe the LOKOL Public Forum Series. However, as it has been pointed out previously in this thread, anyone who wants to start a Debate Series is certainly welcomed to do so.

Peter Grossetti
Associate Editor for Community Engagement
The Lakewood Observer Project
petergrossetti@lakewoodobserver.com

Jim O'Bryan wrote:As far as I can see Bill is one disgruntled
Lakewoodite who has never been happy with anything resembling spending or rate
increases with the exception of the year he was running for school board, and wanted
everyone to know just how pro-schools he was.

That's not accurate.

I supported the last levy.

I supported (and continue to support) the bond issue for school construction.

I support a .25% temporary increase in the income tax dedicated to development and a housing replacement program in Lakewood.

However, I do not support:

a continuing series of tax increases to fund another round of raises,
pension bonus payments,
no deductible and no co-pay health insurance,
15 minute lunch hours
teacher centered schools

I do support:

Defined contribution plans
Health Savings Account (HSA's)
Time for recess and a decent lunch
Student centered schools.
The eight hour day properly supervised and properly supported.

Lakewood Schools spend about $250,000 to maintain a classroom. Cleveland Heights spends about $420,000 per class room. Is that where we are headed? If so, what evidence is there that increasing spending to that level would improve the performance of the student?

I'm still amazed about the outrage generated by the simple question:

Can we do better?

Peter Grossetti wrote:The LOKOL Public Forum Series was never intended to be a formal debate series. Nowhere in my posts will you see me use the word "debate" to describe the LOKOL Public Forum Series. However, as it has been pointed out previously in this thread, anyone who wants to start a Debate Series is certainly welcomed to do so.

Peter

Jesus Christ, what was the first thing I told you? "Never let the jackals see you limping! They
will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience and or shear numbers. Leave
the street fight to the 'Great Kabuki Street Warriors" that can muster up far greater phantoms
than even corporate media can muster in what has been called in publications "jihad for the
other guy," a "mosh pit of word jazz" designed to put the average Lakewoodite or citizen on
equal footing to the big bad corporate media that has come to monetize our news and control
our city.




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