The Lakewood Sunpost's Idiotic Editorial On Council

[Bill Call]

The editorial writers of the Lakewood Sun Post know as much about Lakewood as the paper's reporters know about Lakewood. Not much.

Ryan Demro, Kevin Butler, Ed Fitzgerald and Michael Dever are probably the most responsive, concerned and active members of council. It was that concern that caused them to seek the replacement of Robert Seelie as Council President.

Given the inert, unresponsive, and unimaginative leadership exhibited by the Council President, the actions of those four councilmen was appropriate and long overdue.

Given the fiscal crisis facing Lakewood the City can ill afford the rubber stamp mentality of the current council president. Seeking a change of leadership in a time of crisis was and is quite appropriate.

In it's criticism of the "Gang of Four" the Post failed to mention the fiscal crisis facing the City and the reasons these members of council felt compelled to take action. The Post did have time to accuse councilman Butler of supporting this action because he was running for Mayor. Did the people who wrote this editorial even talk to members of council or is digging for news too old fashioned an enterprise?

[Mike Deneen]

Hey, isn't it Demro's job to do the name calling?

[Danielle Masters]

You peeked my curiosity so I read the editorial. First point in the second paragraph the writer states "By the way, Demro and Butler plan to challenge Mayor Tom George for his seat later this year." How can I take someone seriously if the don't even have their facts straight? Last I checked Butler wasn't running for mayor. It's a poorly written editorial and very one sided. Honestly not even worth reading. I don't know why they felt the need to not mention the fiscal crisis. Also they state that "Seelie is a capable councilmen..", they obviously don't live in ward three. Enough said, not worth the paper it's written on.

[Bill Call]

I don't know why they felt the need to not mention the fiscal crisis. Also they state that "Seelie is a capable councilmen..", they obviously don't live in ward three. Enough said, not worth the paper it's written on.

It is very frustrating to read an editorial like this. If you depended on the Lakewood Sunpost for your news on Lakewood you would never know that the Ctiy is facing bankruptcy. I guess it's not news.

[Gary Rice]

I do not for a moment believe that the city is anywhere near facing bankruptcy. Those types of dire predictions have been going on for years, particularly during election years.

Things always seem to work themselves out. My perception is that we'll be fine, as usual. A look at our city's history, I believe, will bear this out.

I believe that, while political ambitions are a necessary part of the dynamics of elected life, the interests of our city are best served by low key, carefully considered, quietly effective leadership.

Consensus building and win-win are both keys to attracting partnerships, whereby the city will continue to be an attractive location for business and homeowners.

The Mayor and Council working together in the past, seem to have collaborated well to establish and maintain those partnerships. Since things seem to have cooled down a bit from last week, I am confident that this process will continue in the best interests of Lakewood.

[Bryan Schwegler]

I believe that, while political ambitions are a necessary part of the dynamics of elected life, the interests of our city are best served by low key, carefully considered, quietly effective leadership.

I disagree. I don't look for "low key, carefully considered, quietly effective" in a leader. I look for that in their staff and advisors. What I want from a leader is someone who is inspirational, who exhibits enthusiasm, who makes me feel good about where I am and where we're going.

A quiet, low-key leader is not a leader in my eyes. Look at some of the most effective Presidents of all time, they certainly didn't get that way by being low-key and quiet.

[Ryan Patrick Demro]

Gary,

Here are the facts:

1) During 2007 budget presentations the Director of Finance revealed figures to City Council that reflect that the City will be $2.5 million in deficit at the end of 2008.

2) The Grow Lakewood Committee concurs with that estimate and has recommended a review of all city functions to define "core" services.

I think this might help inform the discussion.

[Gary Rice]

Ryan,

First of all, thanks for your response! It is appreciated.

Regarding your points, I may be mistaken, but wasn't that budget projection predicated on certain factors?

It is well that you, and others, are considering more effective ways to operate our government.

Hopefully, this process will continue. I would certainly encourage you, Council, and the Administration to continue to explore creative and viable solutions to our many needs here in Lakewood.

Still, I am concerned about things that some people say on the one hand, and what they do, on the other.

The next few months will really tell the tale, as to who is really standing up for our city.

Bryan,

We all admire differing leadership styles. The question is whether a leader gets the job done. In our country, we know very well, by looking to our history, what kind of a mess can come out of agenda-driven confrontational leadership styles.

A great deal has been been accomplished through this Administration, and with this Council. Many people are continuing to look closely at our city to see whether we can respectfully agree to politically disagree, yet still move forward with the best agenda for Lakewood.

I honestly don't know. Time will tell.

Maybe Jim's right. It might not quite be time for "Kumbayah" yet.

[Danielle Masters]

A great deal has been been accomplished through this Administration

With a $2.5 million deficit I am going to have to disagree with you.

[David Anderson]

Gary, I had your question in my mind as well. Wasn't the projection made based on a certain set of factors? Maybe Mr. George, Mr. Ryan or others can inform us as to whether those factors remain unchanged since the projection was made.

I'm not saying there isn't a problem. I don't know the numbers and it seems to me that there is no political advantage for an incumbent mayor to predict a fiscal emergency then heroically come forward to present a solution. (The Bush administration is famous for predicting a $500 billion annual budget deficit then ends up patting itself on the back with the actual number comes in more like $220 billion.) Lakewood must balance its books every year so even predicting a deficit makes the administration look incompetent. No?

[Gary Rice]

David, your knowledge and understanding is awesome to me.

Were I a betting man, (and by the way, I do not believe in gambling) I would bet that this budget deficit projection will magically melt away like the snows of winter in due time.

My Poli Sci honors degree makes me comfortable saying that.

Danielle,

With due respect for your opinion, if you're going to pull out my quotation, please pull the whole sentence.

You left out "and with this Council"

It's fairly well known that I like Mayor George a lot. I graduated in 1969 with him, and I support him for re-election. I am NOT paid by him, however, and if I felt that Tom might be doing something better, I would take him to task, and have in fact, done so several times!

I also like the members of Council. They are hard working, dedicated, and I would hope, all of them want the best for our city.

When you think about the small salary they receive, for the grief they endure, they are special people, indeed.

I truly believe that the Mayor, AND Council, working together, have done much good for our City.

Whomever we choose to vote for in November, let's hope they all continue to do so.

[Danielle Masters]

Gary I left out and council because besides legislating there isn't much else they can do. Ultimately it is up to the mayor. Here is what the charter says about the mayor's duties:

SECTION 6. GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES OF MAYOR.
The Mayor shall be the chief conservator of the peace within the City; shall supervise the administration of the affairs of the City; shall see that all ordinances of the City are enforced; shall recommend to the Council for adoption such measures as the Mayor may deem necessary or expedient; shall keep Council advised of the financial condition and future needs of the City; shall prepare and submit to Council such reports as may be required by that body; and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as are conferred or required by this Charter, by ordinance or resolution of Council, or by general law.

Council duties are:

The legislative powers of the City, except as limited by this Charter, shall be vested in a Council consisting of seven (7) members, one (1) of whom shall be a resident of and elected from each of the four (4) wards in the City and three (3) of whom shall be elected at large. All members of Council shall serve for a term of four (4) years commencing on January 1 of the year following the date of the member’s election.

I am sorry that I didn't use your whole quote but the fact is council is the legislative branch of our city government, they cannot enact laws, they do not run this city on a daily basis, the mayor does. I hold our mayor (any mayor) to a higher standard than I do our councilmen. This isn't personal or political, I am just not happy with what I perceive as a decline in this city and I am not the only one who sees it that way.

That all being said I do want the mayor and council to work together, it can only benefit the city.

[Jeff Endress]

but the fact is council is the legislative branch of our city government, they cannot enact laws

And here I thought that an ordinance was a law, and that council was responsible for passing them.

Jeff

[Bryan Schwegler]

We all admire differing leadership styles. The question is whether a leader gets the job done. In our country, we know very well, by looking to our history, what kind of a mess can come out of agenda-driven confrontational leadership styles.

Well I fail to see how my desire to see a leader who is inspirational and exhibits enthusiasm equates to "agenda-driven" and "confrontational".

A great deal has been been accomplished through this Administration, and with this Council.

To be honest, I don't think the current Mayor is a good leader. He might be a capable administrator but he's not a leader. For example, why is it that he comes here to drop the names of endorsements, but won't jump into other discussions to let us know what he's doing for the city?

The current mayor might be doing a great job, but he does a horrible job of inspiring others or displaying enthusiasm in my book. He's too quiet, too reserved. He seems to want to fade into the background and that's not what I think of when I think of a strong leader.

In the end, I truly believe all here want what's best for Lakewood, we just have differing opinions on how to get there.

[Mike Deneen]

"The current mayor might be doing a great job, but he does a horrible job of inspiring others or displaying enthusiasm in my book. He's too quiet, too reserved. He seems to want to fade into the background and that's not what I think of when I think of a strong leader."

This is exactly the type of attitude that is damaging politics and government. This attitude treats politicians as entertainers, not as statesmen (or women). Nowadays people want politicians to put on a show, either through being slick (Clinton, Obama) or nasty, divisive and confrontational (the Karl Rove formula). In this paradigm, campaigning is perpetual and governing is only an afterthought.