The Observation Deck

All week people were talking about the Democratic Club of Lakewood calling a vote to support or not support the Referendum on Hospital. This group was going to stack the deck, another was...

As the meeting got underway, it was setting up to be a barn burner, with special actions being taken for the voting, when the meeting got out of control, the Chair had no idea what to do, with the motions on the floor.

When such a commotion broke out, the Lakewood Police were called.

Stay tuned, more coming with photos.


photos from Dan Alaimo



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Police settled down waring parties, and Senator Skindell motion to table the decision and it passed.

Stay tuned.

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Will the photos show Bullock with messed up hair and tears in his eyes?

Thankfully, the police didn't have far to go since they were stationed outside the Women's Club pavilion the whole time in anticipation of the chaos that ensued.

See you next month!

Brian Essi wrote:Will the photos show Bullock with messed up hair and tears in his eyes?

Please, not needed.


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cameron karslake wrote:Thankfully, the police didn't have far to go since they were stationed outside the Women's Club pavilion the whole time in anticipation of the chaos that ensued.

See you next month!

A call went out for help at Lakewood Park.


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Who called?

Cameron, were you there? How about a synopsis?

This is the type of nonsense you get when a club has no core principles or values.
As I've said for years, the so-called "Lakewood Democratic Club" is just a cynical device for buying endorsements...the club does nothing to promote actual progressive values.
It reached the tipping point last year when they endorsed a Republican over a lifelong Democrat for Mayor.

Jim O'Bryan wrote: As the meeting got underway, it was setting up to be a barn burner, with special actions being taken for the voting, when the meeting got out of control, the Chair had no idea what to do, with the motions on the floor.

When such a commotion broke out, the Lakewood Police were called

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Lakewood has become a broken and divided city. We are at war with each other. The man most responsible for all of this hate, Mike Summers, hasn't a clue about reconciliation. He divides. He doesn't lead.
If Lakewood is to become whole again Mr. Summers must resign.

Solstice steps!

Michael Deneen wrote: endorsed a Republican

Really?

Michael Deneen wrote:This is the type of nonsense you get when a club has no core principles or values.
As I've said for years, the so-called "Lakewood Democratic Club" is just a cynical device for buying endorsements...the club does nothing to promote actual progressive values.

I was planning on attending this meeting and joining the club again until I found out there would be an endorsement vote and I knew I wouldn't be able to weigh in. I was progressively (pun kind of intended) unable to stomach the club over the years and the rise of faux dems like Summers and Butler made the club even more insufferable.

I hope those that unthinkingly go along without an objective appraisal of what has transpired will step up and look at what is there regarding the hospital (decanting plan, Metro proposals, etc) and what isn't there (any RFPs for a hospital and/or family health center). The process is corrupt. I don't see any evidence to the contrary.

Ryan Salo wrote:

Michael Deneen wrote: endorsed a Republican

Really?

Yes, really.

My sources report that Republican Summers, along with his accomplices Bullock, O'Leary, and Marx, are all VERY unhappy.

I was there, for the whole… well, I would say that the meeting went about two hours, although it started half an hour late.

I have notes on the whole thing. But I think Mr. Ed Favre's remarks during the second half of the meeting were the most succinct commentary on the whole evening. I hope he will not mind my summarizing them.

Mr. Favre made an observation on the overall confusion being a first in his experience with the group, then recommended 1) improved communication of endorsement meeting dates to members (which was a point of contention through much of the evening), as well as 2) inviting a disinterested expert to manage parliamentary procedure at future such meetings.

I think the second suggestion was particularly relevant, for reasons with which I am actually rather sympathetic. Over time, people have created systems such as Robert's Rules of Order to enable activity amid disagreement, but having such rules in theory, and having a group of people who are familiar with them and practiced at using them, are not necessarily the same thing. (I will guess that what was a first in Mr. Favre's experience was a first in much of the membership's experience.)

In all honestly, under the circumstances I think the club muddled through well enough to merit some measured respect. If the experience results in improved procedures in future, even better. Like it or not—and I'm definitely not saying anyone has to—this organization has become nearly a branch of government in Lakewood, or at least a department.

I think that Lakewood policy-making could use more spaces in which open disagreement plays out and is not regarded as completely unthinkable.

As a 26 year resident of Lakewood, how sad and heartbreaking to see what this city has become. The cause was what I believe was the shady and improper giveaway of Lakewood Hospital by our City Council and Mayor. These are the people that are supposed to protect us, keep us financially sound, and safe. It appears they cared more about their friends at CCF and making them happy instead of we tax payers. I can't help but believe that the council and the mayor must have received a nice reward for giving our hospital to CCF.

Lakewood Hospital was owned by the citizens of Lakewood and was a public asset. Legally, it should have been up for sale via open bidding, and not behind closed doors to one entity, CCF.

I believe tonight was the cause of a seemingly out of control, authoritarian mayor who controls every aspect of this city and all the media outlets. No police press releases because.... I heard the mayor says no! Summers has finally come face to face with some brave, caring and honest people, people who are not like him, who have had enough and don't want any more. Any democrats in Lakewood, who want to save the hospital or at least have it sold legally, I encourage you to join the Lakewood democratic Club immediately. The actions of these culprits have to be stopped before they incur more damage to our beautiful, but declining, city.