The Observation Deck

I had the pleasure of spending the “Republican Presidential Primary Debate” evening with many Republicans from Lakewood.

What was one of the main topics of discussion?

Surprisingly, we spent a lot of time discussing how we know that Senator Michael J. Skindell can save Lakewood and restore honest, transparent, and accountable leadership to City Hall.

The Team Summers and Build Lakewood gang have spent a great deal of time ignoring the lengthy and undisputed history Mike Skindell has of fighting for every Lakewoodite – regardless of party affiliation - as a resident, city councilperson, state representative, and state senator.

While driving home last night, I recalled just one of the many times that Senator Skindell would take time out of his busy schedule to meet and speak with me to discuss very important issues facing public education when I was on the Lakewood School Board.

Here is a photo of Senator Skindell and me discussing public education in April of 2011:





Throughout the night, the common theme among my Republican friends was that, while Mike Skindell didn’t always agree with them, Mike Skindell always treated them with respect and dignity … and he never lied to them, ever.

Mike Summers … not so much.

I have come to know Mike Skindell over the past 5 months interacting with him on complex matters involving the hospital matter. He is very smart , thoughtful and has the skill set perfectly suited for Lakewood Mayor. He is sincere, hardworking and honest. He has spent a lot of time with me when I know he was also very busy tending to his leadership role in Columbus. Without Mike Sknidell's information, support, resources and wisdom, I would not be nearly as knowledgeable about the hospital matter as I am today.

Mike Skindell is not an "opportunist" as Team Summers claims.
I have come to learn that Mike Skindell has many times in his career stood alone --not always following the party line. That's true leadership.

He may not be as "slick" as Summers and other elected officials, but that's one of many things that I like about the guy---he is down to earth.

Mike Skindell is genuine and possesses the TRUE CHARACTER of LEADER.

The hospital issue has brought a new political alignment to the forefront.

It is no longer the traditional "Democrats" vs. "Republicans" model.
It is now "Insiders" vs. "Outsiders".

The NEO Democratic machine, including our pathetic little "Lakewood Democratic Club", has sold its soul to the "insiders" for the sake of backing incumbency.
It doesn't matter to those people that Summers is a lifelong Republican, or that the Hospital Plan represents the COMPLETE OPPOSITE of traditional Democratic values.
This sort of blindness and ignorance caused them to back previous disasters like Jimmy Dimora and Ed FitzGerald.
These folks comprise a small but wealthy and powerful band of "insiders"...they currently enjoy the power, and will go to any length to keep it.

Real Democrats -- the ones that care about jobs, fairness, the disabled, the elderly, worker's rights, and healthcare -- are now on the "outside".
They are joined by what is left of the old Lakewood GOP, which recognizes that this Hospital deal is a DISASTROUS business deal that will destroy our tax base. Many of these Republicans know Summers from his GOP days, and know that he can't be trusted.

Luckily, there are far more "outsiders" than "insiders". If we properly mobilize the city, this will be reflected on Election Day.

Mike,

Great post. I completely agree with you.

The traditional democratic base in Lakewood has been on the outskirts for the last decade or so. It has been replaced by country clubbers from the same Lakewood neighborhood. There are a few current council members who are "democrats". Many of our current and past council members have been out of touch with their constituency.

How any democrat in this city can support a deal that:

1. Bleeds 1,100 jobs from this city,
2. Erodes the tax base,
3. Puts vulnerable residents at risk, and
4. Helps privatize a publicly owned asset ...

... is beyond me.

I have to ask the "Bleed Lakewood" folks, "How do you plan on replacing those jobs?" The county is losing people every single year.

So ... you build another shopping development in the heart of downtown ... who can afford to support it?

As a classic new deal democrat, I have to ask myself, "Why do I agree with 95% of what Matt Markling and Bill Call have posted on this issue and others?"

During his tenure on the school board, Markling fought the closing of Grant Elementary school, brought transparency to the school board, and helped to build bridges between Lakewood residents and the schools. The fact that Markling is shunned is incredible.

Finally, one of the major problems I see is the inbred nature of politics in the 'Wood.

Year after year we get the same candidates with similar pedigrees and schooling.

Our most recent flop was the 30 point loss in the governors race, a lot of us saw that coming a few years ago ... because we have forgotten the importance of electing people who will fight for us ... not political parties and their corner of the city.