A few notes, many perhaps of general interest for Lakewood:
The club elected a slate of officers for 2017-18 consisting of: Grant MacKay, Kristine Pagsuyoin, Erik Meinhardt, Maureen Dostal and Chuck Shaughnessy. (It was another big turnout, with 115 ballots cast.) Most candidates stressed related themes of a bigger and better group, so the moment may be at hand for anyone who has thought about participating. Next meeting is Jan. 26.
There was no other formal program, but while votes were counted we heard some noteworthy announcements.
Judge Carroll may have had the most broadly interesting. Apparently Lakewood's court will be among a handful appearing on an upcoming episode of Tavis Smiley's program. I wish I had written down more details, but I imagine that some information will be online sooner or later.
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/tavissmiley/
For anyone else who got a letter about FirstEnergy parting company with NOPEC, the mayor announced that the parties worked out a several-month extension, during which the NOPEC rates will essentially continue… with the intent that some new ongoing arrangement will be found by the end of that time. (I will add that you can also look at options on your own, if you feel like it.
http://energychoice.ohio.gov/)
City Council members advised us to anticipate a "robust discussion" of budget, as well as "a continued discussion" of the city's planned health foundation. Council's president also encouraged people to apply for a number of appointed positions which will be selected in the near future. I'm not sure what these are, but this may be a place to begin:
http://www.onelakewood.com/apply-regist ... mmissions/ "We need to continue to cast a wide net," attendees heard.
Finally, we heard about a demonstration planned for Friday afternoon in Public Square. Those with objections to the president-elect's agenda can join in beginning at 5. (For those with less enthusiasm for your progressive neighbors, I can report that this is intended as a peaceful event, which has an appropriate permit and should not be e.g. closing down anyone's route home from work.)
Again, no December meeting, so this is
probably it for Dem Club excitement for 2016. Happy Thanksgiving!
