The Observation Deck

Bill - Do you want to state your views on the question you pose?

I don't know a lot Ohio state law concerning political announcements in a taxpayer funded website, at the very least it's inappropriate. The Ohio Attorney General would have to demine if it's illegal use of public funds.

If it's not illegal, I would assume the other candidates will have the same opportunity for the same billing as the two incumbents took.

Is what we see/read on the website an "announcement", an "advertisement", or "news"?

Richard Baker wrote:I don't know a lot Ohio state law concerning political announcements in a taxpayer funded website, at the very least it's inappropriate. .

I agree. While I support Ed Favre's running I did happen to leave him a message asking him about this post last night. I am surprised it was there. Then again the city is using tax dollars to promote a school levy and the mayor is leading the charge. There are definitely some questionable things happening in Lakewood now...

I guess as long as the majority agree with the message the method doesn't matter, which is a shame. That principle can potentially do a lot of harm in the future. Our foundations slip inch by inch.

Richard Baker wrote:I don't know a lot Ohio state law concerning political announcements in a taxpayer funded website, at the very least it's inappropriate. The Ohio Attorney General would have to demine if it's illegal use of public funds.

If it's not illegal, I would assume the other candidates will have the same opportunity for the same billing as the two incumbents took.

I agree.

There is a broader issue here as well.

Lakewood politics is a closed eco system. Is that healthy?

There is more here than meets the eye.

Who do our elected representatives represent?

What is the purpose of a public web site maintained by public dollars?

If school board members or other elected representatives are dependent on a government pension or government pay check how likely is it that they will challenge the status quo if they depend on that status quo?

Cui bono?

Ryan Salo wrote:I guess as long as the majority agree with the message the method doesn't matter, which is a shame. That principle can potentially do a lot of harm in the future. Our foundations slip inch by inch.

Ryan (and others) - Any suggested solutions? Discuss!

Bill Call wrote:Lakewood politics is a closed eco system. Is that healthy?

Who do our elected representatives represent?

What is the purpose of a public web site maintained by public dollars?

If school board members or other elected representatives are dependent on a government pension or government pay check how likely is it that they will challenge the status quo if they depend on that status quo?

Cui bono?

More (good) questions!

C'mon, folks ... answers? (rather than than implied stances)

Good stuff!

I read the story on the school website. It says both have taken out petitions to run for re-election with a couple quotes that don't even discuss re-election. The story doesn't say vote for Ed and Betsy. As a voter and parent, I like to be informed of who's running or not running for office. As a tax payer, I would hope the schools would put up an announcement if others have taken out petitions to run for school board. So, at this point I'd have to say school dollars are not funding either campaign.

Ryan Salo wrote:Then again the city is using tax dollars to promote a school levy and the mayor is leading the charge. There are definitely some questionable things happening in Lakewood now...

How are city tax dollars promoting the school levy? How many dollars?

What do you see wrong with the Mayor being co-chair of the levy committee?

What are the other questionable things happening in Lakewood now? What do you mean by questionable?

Bill Call wrote:Lakewood politics is a closed eco system. Is that healthy?

I don't think Lakewood politics is a closed eco system. You have to have name recognition. That was evident in the last election where one candidate for school board won 8 more precincts but lost in total votes to another candidate running on coattails. The precincts where there were noticeable deficits were 1H, 1J, 2A, 2C and 3A. These are all on the north side of town.

If I were to advise any new people running for office, I'd tell them to hit these precincts heavily door-to-door personally. Let them see you and talk to them!

I think it is GREAT that the Mayor is co-chair of the levy campaign. One of the criticisms I often hear is that the school and the city are not on the same page. I find it refreshing to see this collaboration.

Heidi Hilty wrote:One of the criticisms I often hear is that the school and the city are not on the same page. I find it refreshing to see this collaboration.

Heidi,

I am hoping that everyone at City Hall endorses Issue 14.

So far, I'm not sure anyone from City Hall has put their official endorsement on the school levy as they have in the past. See http://www.lakewoodobserver.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=11264&p=85677#p85677.

I would hope that everyone at City Hall understands how important Issue 14 is to our Community as a whole.

Matt