The Observation Deck

The local Firefighters union (Local 382) has disavowed a video posted by SLH claiming they're opposed to the Lakewood Hospital closure.

Looking forward to the vote tally Tuesday night.

A vote for Summers is a vote for Fitzgerald!

The fire fighters (paramedics?) never said they were against the closure. They only spoke about the effects on their performance as paramedics if the hospital were to close. Pure and honest, experienced discourse. That scares those who would rather work behind closed doors and in the shadows.

Paul

You post heading is an outright lie.

It was not an SLH video.

Team Summers is desperate to use our firefighters for political gain

Do you have any proof of your claim?

Check their Facebook page.

And though I have a Summers sign in my yard, I'm hardly a member of a team, or a plant, or someone who's been given marching orders by a campaign.

I'm just a Lakewood resident turned off by the rhetoric and actions of SLH who will be glad when this whole campaign is done and over with.

I'm going to try to attach a screen shot of the union's Facebook post regarding the video, which is my 'proof.'

See you after the election.

Paul,

Thanks for sharing.

That post says that they don't support Save Lakewood Hospital or Build Lakewood or any position. Right?

It also says that they are up to whatever challenges they may face. Right?

It also says it was a Kent State student video. Right?

I believe Brian's point is that calling it a SLH video is incorrect.

But Brian can speak for himself.

Again, thanks for sharing.

Matt

Paul

Thanks for proving the thread title is a lie. It is not a SLH video and the firefighters do not condemn the statements made by their own on the video. And SLH did not alter the video.

It is clear that the three firefighters were upset about what has happened at the hospital.
So Paul, you have made a false and misleading post.

It is noted that it was a 'video posted by Save Lakewood Hospital' in the post.

I suppose it's splitting hairs to say it's an SLH video or a video posted by SLH -- maybe it's most appropriate to call it a video posted by SLH as part of their 'political agenda.'

I'm not out to lie; just out to say that SLH posted a video that is being disavowed by those in the video.

That's cool, just continue the personal attacks, Essi. Add me to your list.

That's the kind of stuff that has turned me off about the stuff you and other Savers post.

It needn't be personal, but you guys make it so.

And it's tearing our* fair city apart.

I'm out until after the votes are tallied.

* edited for a spelling error

Mark Kinsley once said that a gaffe is when you accidentally tell the truth.

In the eyes of City Hall, those firefighters committed a gaffe.

Mr. Porter sorry to see you go. There's always room on The Deck for that steady repetition of the " professional victim mantra" by Build Lakewood. Honestly that never gets old. I know it's too late now, but I'd be curious on your thoughts concerning Mr. Kenny's description of political thought as " cancerous" and his commitment to eradicating it. Also it would have been great to hear from you on Ms. Beebe and her compatriots at Build Lakewood contacting the police in a blatant attempt to intimidate Mr. Essi and step all over his political expression. See you after the election.

Paul Porter wrote:That's cool, just continue the personal attacks, Essi. Add me to your list.

That's the kind of stuff that has turned me off about the stuff you and other Savers post.

It needn't be personal, but you guys make it so.

And it's tearing our* fair city apart.

I'm out until after the votes are tallied.

* edited for a spelling error

Paul

Telling the truth is not a personal attack

Lying about a group is a personal attack

Saying you are a victim of a personal attack when you are not being personally attached is actually a personal attack.

what is tearing our city apart is a group of thug liars that want to run over the most vulnerable among.

That is very personal Paul.

The FB and the video prove the firefighters are not for or against Saving the hospital and you are using them for your personal political gain.

Shame on you.

Call the Police like the rest of the thugs.

Once again, may I point out:

Team Summers rhetoric: "Nobody reads the Deck"
Team Summers practice: "We want to smear SLH, so let's put a thread on the Deck where lots of people will see it"

I don't know how to make this any clearer: I am an individual stating my own opinions solely because of the actions of folks pushing the SLH cause.

Sure, you can lump me in with 'Team Summers' if it makes it easier for you than thinking there are plenty of free-thinking individuals in Lakewood who read the venom posted on here and cringe.

Thing is, most of them have the good sense not to get involved in an unwinnable debate on The Deck. I guess I had a momentary lapse by posting this thread. Maybe I've just had enough of the utter BS being peddled as 'FACTS!!!' on The Deck.

I realize just how futile it was for me to make this thread indicating that a video posted by SLH was disavowed by those in the video. I should've known the response would be to attack the messenger.

But when you do so, please do it realizing that I don't represent 'Team Summers.' I do it representing myself and my own ideas about the future of Lakewood, which should really damage your rhetoric that the BL campaign is just some sham idea orchestrated by city hall.

It's everyday folks, just like SLH. I just don't like being accused of being part of a Groupthink BL 'gang of thugs.' I'm my own person, and I didn't think my post was thuggish and all.

However, maybe that's the best argument you guys have? That there's just some huuuuuge gang of thugs acting together to destroy SLH in a coordinated effort.

Perhaps that's certainly easier than realizing there are individuals out there who think the SLH rhetoric and the personal conduct of some members of this forum is despicable, and are willing to call out this BS, regardless of the impact of doing so on their own political aspirations.

If you insist on labeling me, just refer to me as an individual opposed to the behavior of some folks supporting SLH. I know it's a mouthful. You could also add that I'm generally opposed to the single-issue campaign state Sen. Skindell is running. My son got a pumpkin at the solstice steps opening last night before I could decline it, and that card for electing Skindell had 'Save Lakewood Hospital' written on it. This may be the largest issue in the campaign, but it's far from the only issue facing our city, and I've been disappointed from jump that he's chosen to pin his electoral hopes on that one issue.

That's a lot to identify me as, but before you insist that I'm on Team Summers, remember this -- I didn't call to request a Summers yard sign until I read some of the venom directed at folks supporting BL that was spewed on this forum.

If anything, Mike and Brian pushed me to put up a Summers sign by posting their venom on here.

I guess I owe you a thanks? But I really do want to get out of here, because there will never be a 'win' with you guys. I should've just stayed away. Maybe I'm just young and naive.

Mr. Porter,

Thank you for your response.

I would only submit that there are many folks "officially" and "unofficially" on Team Summers and Build Lakewood who have used Facebook and other forums to post vile comments about folks on the Deck and are greeted with resounding "likes" and "shares" ... but then they get really upset when we post those venomous and degrading comments over here.

I only speak for myself.

I don't intend to attack you.

I value your opinion even if I don't agree with it.

I would, however, submit that Brian Essi and Mike Deneen are not running for mayor.

I would also submit that NOBODY has ever argued - on either Team Summers or Build Lakewood - that Michael J. Skindell is anything other than honest, transparent, and accountable. That - to me - says a great deal about Senator Skindell - even his critics agree that he is an honest man.

Again, as I stated before, thank you for posting here.

My only personal exception with your most recent post above is the perception that folks on Team Summers and Build Lakewood are eligible for sainthood.

Lots of folks on both sides - including me - have wrestled in the mud from time-to-time.

Matt