The Observation Deck

The debate tonight at Harrison school was really quite good. It was all substance- no cheap shots, no nastiness. It's traditional after a debate to name the winners and losers, so here is my take:

Winners- the parishioners of Sts. Cyril and Methodius who were the organizers. They were professional and organized, and it took some courage to put this on when there was pressure for them to cancel it entirely. They really pulled it off under difficult circumstances.

Winners- the residents of that part of Lakewood. To have the first debate take place in Birdtown, addressing the tough issues, is a statement in and of itself. Over 100 people attended, and they asked great questions.

Loser- This one is too easy. But all I can say is that the mayor- who has dodged proposed debates and forums sponsored by LakewoodAlive, the Lakewood Buzz, the Gold Coast condominium associations, as well as St Cyril's, is really missing an opportunity to lead here. It's not about arguing with Councilman Demro and myself; its about communicating with the residents who care enough to attend these events.

Ed FitzGerald wrote:The debate tonight at Harrison school was really quite good. It was all substance- no cheap shots, no nastiness.

You and councilman Demro provided the audience of 100 plus people with a good overview of the problems facing the City. From parks, to parking from section 8 to streets, the discussion was wide ranging, passionate and well reasoned.

I look forward to the next debate.

Mr. Fitzgerald,
No offense but didn't the mayor say that night was never good for him and didn't he agree to the LO debate? I am not biased as I have NO idea whom I am voting for yet and am looking forward to hearing the LO debate, but aren't the groups you mentioned above to hold the debates all anti Mayor George?

What specifically got addressed with the parks since I heard this council cut funds to keep them up? I have heard nothing negative about you and your campaign incidentally so please don't feel like I am attacking when I say this but people are all out talking about these issues.

Thank you.

Ed,

My concerns about the mechanics of last night's debate, and the fact that I missed the beginning notwithstanding, I think you did a very good job illuminating your rich experience and concerns/solutions for Lakewood.

Steve

Justine-

I've never heard that the LakewoodBuzz, which endorsed the mayor last time and where he advertises, is against the mayor- they certainly have never been in my corner. I've never heard that the Gold Coast is against Mayor George, or for any candidate, for that matter. The same goes for LakewoodAlive. These groups are not part of some vast conspiracy to schedule events when the mayor isn't available. In their own way, they are all part of the Lakewood equation which is necessary for progress to take place.

The discussion about parks, in my remarks, centered around establishing accountability standards for park management. Council did not slash park maintenance- performance has been sliding for several years, and is rooted in management failure.

Thank you for your reply. So I was misinformed and the council had nothing to do with slashing the park funds?

Now just a minute Ed...

Let's set this record straight...

Do I understand that you are saying that you and council DID NOT vote to cut park funds, and thereby resultantly potentially cut back on, or eliminate several park employees or services?

And now, I understand that you are saying that the parks are not managed well?

Am I mistaken?

As Council votes are a matter of public record, I'm sure someone can help with this question, if perhaps, you do not recall whether or when this might have come up as an issue.

No matter who I support, as a citizen, I want the truth here.

I understand your wanting to put responsibility on management, but that pig doesn't fly very far with me. I KNOW Tony Beno and a number of the guys who keep our parks together, and it just ain't so that they're not doing the best they can with what they have, as are the police who monitor the parks..

These guys are good. I'm proud to have them working for us.

I question your premise entirely. Perhaps you can straighten me out?

Ed,
your post speaks in volumes.

It is the great civic source like the LO and it's Deck that gives a city an opportunity to learn and educate ourselves through the thoughts and opinions of our neighbors.

"I'm a reflection of the community." the great poet and artist Tupac Shakur once said. We all are a reflection of OUR community!

Gary-

Yes, I think there are management problems at City Hall. If someone's offended by that, I'm sorry.

Council has been told by Tony Beno dozens of times that his department is "down" several full-time employees. That's because of employee positions who were not filled under the budgets submitted to City Council, which the mayor has taken credit for; it wasn't because City Council eliminated funding for full-time employees. Insisting on more effective management of our employee resources is not an insult to current employees- many of the ones I know acknowledge improvements must be made.

Regarding your other post about the mayor's absence from debates, yes, I "own" my comments. He continually claims to be unavailable for most public forums. That's his right. It's my right to say it's a pattern, which it is. He's made a conscious decision not to participate- and if he'd like to defend it, or explain it, or blame the sponsors of all these events, then let him say it- in his own words.

Ed,

Thanks, as always, for your prompt response to citizen concerns in general, and my own in particular today.

That is a real strength with you.

As to your positions and opinions? They are, of course yours, as is it your right to express them.

I really want to be scrupulously fair with you, Ryan, and Tom. At the same time, the ethical journalist in me demands that I ask hard questions when I need to, or make tough but critical and fair observations when they need to be made.

Again, thanks for your response.