The Observation Deck

Kevin Butler apparently has lots of time on his hands. Although a FULL TIME Law director in Lakewood, he has just taken a job as part time law director in Brooklyn.

He's replacing the former director, Scott Claussen, who was recently arrested on federal drug trafficking charges. Claussen was previously employed in the Lakewood law department under Fitzgerald.

You may recall the infamous Ohio Neighborhood News, a political mailer disguised as a community newspaper, underwritten and directed by Fitzgerald, which was distributed here in Lakewood to support the hospital deal, and in Brooklyn to support Claussen , who was running for mayor.

The connections between Fitzgerald, Claussen, and Butler run deep. Now Butler replaces Claussen in Brooklyn, collecting a $58,000 salary as a part-timer, all while STILL WORKING AS A FULL TIME LAKEWOOD EMPLOYEE.

Meanwhile, Butler is so busy he can't send off the referendum petitions to the BOE, yet he can take on an additional job as a law director.

Bridget Conant wrote:Meanwhile, Butler is so busy he can't send off the referendum petitions to the BOE, yet he can take on an additional job as a law director.

Apparently he is also too busy to respond to public records requests.

http://lakewoodobserver.com/forum/viewt ... =7&t=22616

Bridget Conant wrote:Although a FULL TIME Law director in Lakewood,

Bridget

I have not been able to find the term "full-time" as part of the Law Director description. I am still looking.

.

He is full time. This article contains a chart of law directors in the county, their status, and their pay as of 2014:

http://www.cleveland.com/lakewood/index ... a_few.html

The people of Brooklyn will be in my prayers.

I have recently learned that Mr. Butler is still the Director of Law however, it is now a part time position. We now have a Chief Assistant Law Director which is Ms. Jennifer Sparrow, who is a full time employee. If you check the City website, under the Budget for 2016 pg. 47 it gives the complete breakdown of the Law Dept. structure.

Therese K. Buckley

tkmbuckley wrote:I have recently learned that Mr. Butler is still the Director of Law however, it is now a part time position. We now have a Chief Assistant Law Director which is Ms. Jennifer Sparrow, who is a full time employee. If you check the City website, under the Budget for 2016 pg. 47 it gives the complete breakdown of the Law Dept. structure.

Therese K. Buckley

Then perhaps petitions and records requests are no longer his responsibility.

Kevin Butler, whether he was reduced to part time or not, is still the Law Director, not an assistant, and is responsible for that department's functions.

Was his Lakewood salary reduced?

Other than the designation "part time" was the substance of his job description changed?



The old expression "possession is nine tenths of the law" comes to mind.

Whether Butler is holding the documents hostage or is preoccupied with other gainful employment and ignoring them on his desk.

Also, Butler advised the City to enter an agreement that effectively required the City to fight the referendum that he/they knew was coming.

It seems to me that Mr. Butler will earn himself a notorious place in Lakewood History among law directors.

Let's not forget he is also the acting Mayor. I believe then perhaps it is time for Summers to hire another friend to add to the city payroll that ultimately comes out of our pockets!

Butler Fitzgerald Claussen...

...mysterious love triangle?

You all should read my post from yesterday about Fitzgerald and Budish. There appears to be a lot of players in this show. Was Claussen affiliated with the Bill Mason group? Why are the SLH lawyers not looking into the back ground stories that appear to possibly be related to the hospital? If you ask me, they are missing out on what could possibly be a big win!

...I meant to say "bizarre love triangle"...

...I meant to say "bizarre love triangle"...

I'm still slightly confused as to why the petitions got to Buter's desk in the first place. I was under the impression that they went to the clerk of council and then to the BOE.