The Observation Deck

ONe of the Ward 2 council candidates recently placed a very large number of yard signs throughout the ward.
Many considered this odd, since the candidate is not well known.

The explanation has surfaced.....yard signs were placed without consent.
In a very odd move, the candidate sent this letter to his "volunteers".
I apologize for the cropped photo...perhaps someone can share a full copy of the letter. There are lots of them out there, and lots of people that got unwanted signs.

If people actually asked for those signs, then why was this letter sent?

So they’ve used an “opt out” strategy!

You must opt out of getting a sign rather than the traditional, time honored method of actually asking for a yard sign to be placed on your property!

Talk about hubris!

Sounds like this guy is in the same mold of Fitzgerald/Summers/O’Leary.

That alone tells me to RUN the other way!

Hi Mike, I started speaking with people back in March, so we left the letters about pickup in the event that residents moved, changed their minds, or there was a mistake. In a couple of situations, we found that a roommate or spouse requested a sign and the other residents in the home were unaware. Overall, we've received a lot of positive feedback about the letters that we left for residents. Here's a photo of the full letter if you'd like to see it.

Thanks.

-Jason

Bridget Conant wrote:So they’ve used an “opt out” strategy!

You must opt out of getting a sign rather than the traditional, time honored method of actually asking for a yard sign to be placed on your property!

Talk about hubris!

Sounds like this guy is in the same mold of Fitzgerald/Summers/O’Leary.

That alone tells me to RUN the other way!

You guessed it Bridget, Jason is fully endorsed by the existing administration. Watching carefully during the 4th of July parade I saw none other than Tom Bullock wearing his shirt and walking in his parade entourage.

That's a definite "NO" vote from me. I do not want anyone on council to have any part of those jackasses!

Sorry Jason, you should have known better.

Brad Presutto for Ward 2!

Bridget Conant wrote:So they’ve used an “opt out” strategy! You must opt out of getting a sign rather than the traditional, time honored method of actually asking for a yard sign to be placed on your property!

Talk about hubris!

Sounds like this guy is in the same mold of Fitzgerald/Summers/O’Leary. That alone tells me to RUN the other way!

What hubris! Laughably clumsy. May it backfire. But hey, at least Mr. Schachner joined the LO Deck today to reply.

Jason,
While you are here, I'd like to know what you specifically think about Ward 2 apart from citywide concerns. Issues, challenges, promises?

I don't think that's a trick or gotcha question.

Jason Shachner wrote:Hi Mike, I started speaking with people back in March, so we left the letters about pickup in the event that residents moved, changed their minds, or there was a mistake. In a couple of situations, we found that a roommate or spouse requested a sign and the other residents in the home were unaware. Overall, we've received a lot of positive feedback about the letters that we left for residents. Here's a photo of the full letter if you'd like to see it.

Thanks.

-Jason

Welcome to the Observation Deck, Jason.

Thank you for posting the letter and providing an explanation.

Hi Dan,

Happy to answer questions. In terms of hyper-local Ward 2 concerns, below are few of the issues, in no particular order, of what I am hearing from residents:

1. Most people on Woodward have said that the McDonald's on Detroit/Woodward has been a good neighbor. However, residents are frustrated by customers that illegally park near the McDonald's during morning rush hour making it difficult to turn onto Detroit. Although there are signs marking where parking is prohibited, enforcement is hit or miss. I would work to increase enforcement so that people can enter Detroit safely from Woodward.

2. Residents of some of the longer streets (i.e. Northland, Orchard Grove, Westwood, and Arthur) have expressed an interest in addressing speeders. I would work with the residents to gather the signatures necessary to implement a speed table to determine whether this would alleviate the speeding issues.

3. There are a number of popular restaurants and bars on Madison between Westwood and Mars. However, the nearest crosswalks to cross Madison are on Westwood and Revelry, which are more than a quarter mile apart. To add to the issue, there is a public lot between Lakeland and Little Arthur, which causes people to cross Madison where there is no crosswalk. I would work with the City Planners to add a crosswalk near the public lot.

4. Resident on Warren are interested in having a block party. Currently the City does not permit the following streets to be barricaded because they are considered to be main or secondary main streets: Madison, Franklin, Hilliard, Detroit, Clifton, Bunts, and Warren. I see two ways to solve this problem. The first is to work with the City to see if there is a way to block off Warren with minimal traffic disruption. The other, and more likely option, is to hold a joint block party on a neighboring street.

5. Residents on several streets have inquired about having the powerlines moved underground for aesthetic purposes. This would require a petition with the neighbors on the street because each resident would be assessed a portion of the cost. I am willing to assist residents that want to accomplish this process by hosting meetings with neighbors and gathering signatures.

6. Residents on Mars, south of Madison, would like a 4-way stop at the intersection of Mars and Athens because of a high rate of accidents.

7. Although Kauffman Park is not slated for improvements for a couple of years, residents are already coming up with excellent ideas of what to add to this park. One great suggestion is adding a space for teenagers to congregate on the opposite end of the park from where the young children's equipment is located. Some ideas are large boulder-like structures for them to hangout on.

Again, this is not an exhaustive list, and does not include concerns and ideas that more generally affect Lakewood.

I knocked on your door on June 1st and left my literature with a note. If you happened to miss it and would still like to talk more about Ward 2, I'm happy to stop by again. You can also reach me on my cell phone at (216) 714-2150 or by email at shachnerforlakewood@gmail.com.

Thanks,

Jason

Thank you Meg for the warm welcome.

Best,

Jason

Back to the yard sign issue...

...funny, why you don't see any other candidate's signs (besides yours Jason) out for the general election, only for the primary election on September 10th?

Any idea why that is? Well, in Lakewood, it's been tradition to NOT put out signs until 30 days before the election itself. Did you know that Jason?

As it stands, your signs for the general election will be up for over 60 days! Not exactly following the tradition here in Lakewood...

Judging from the company you keep, it's not surprising that you don't care about these traditions here in Lakewood. Politics is a dirty business here after all and anything that gives you a leg up is worth it, correct Jason?

Brad Presutto for Ward 2!

Just for the record, multiple candidates in Ward 1 have had signs up all over the ward for at least a month now. I am not aware of anything like a 30 day tradition. When seats are competitive, people compete. This is not to say anything about one candidate or the other.

michael gill wrote:Just for the record, multiple candidates in Ward 1 have had signs up all over the ward for at least a month now. I am not aware of anything like a 30 day tradition. When seats are competitive, people compete. This is not to say anything about one candidate or the other.

Ward 1 candidates have signs out because they have a primary on September 9. None of the other wards have primaries and the only non-ward 1 signs I have seen around town have been Jason's. I believe there used to be a law restricting political signs to 30 days before an election but it was found to be unconstitutional but most candidates continue to follow the tradition that was the spirit of the law.

I guess I am ignorant as to campaigning tradition.

Putting up signs a couple months out doesn't seem like a big deal, though
I'm all for a shorter political season.

Jason Shachner wrote:Hi Dan,

Happy to answer questions. In terms of hyper-local Ward 2 concerns, below are few of the issues, in no particular order, of what I am hearing from residents:

1. Most people on Woodward have said that the McDonald's on Detroit/Woodward has been a good neighbor. However, residents are frustrated by customers that illegally park near the McDonald's during morning rush hour making it difficult to turn onto Detroit. Although there are signs marking where parking is prohibited, enforcement is hit or miss. I would work to increase enforcement so that people can enter Detroit safely from Woodward.

2. Residents of some of the longer streets (i.e. Northland, Orchard Grove, Westwood, and Arthur) have expressed an interest in addressing speeders. I would work with the residents to gather the signatures necessary to implement a speed table to determine whether this would alleviate the speeding issues.

3. There are a number of popular restaurants and bars on Madison between Westwood and Mars. However, the nearest crosswalks to cross Madison are on Westwood and Revelry, which are more than a quarter mile apart. To add to the issue, there is a public lot between Lakeland and Little Arthur, which causes people to cross Madison where there is no crosswalk. I would work with the City Planners to add a crosswalk near the public lot.

4. Resident on Warren are interested in having a block party. Currently the City does not permit the following streets to be barricaded because they are considered to be main or secondary main streets: Madison, Franklin, Hilliard, Detroit, Clifton, Bunts, and Warren. I see two ways to solve this problem. The first is to work with the City to see if there is a way to block off Warren with minimal traffic disruption. The other, and more likely option, is to hold a joint block party on a neighboring street.

5. Residents on several streets have inquired about having the powerlines moved underground for aesthetic purposes. This would require a petition with the neighbors on the street because each resident would be assessed a portion of the cost. I am willing to assist residents that want to accomplish this process by hosting meetings with neighbors and gathering signatures.

6. Residents on Mars, south of Madison, would like a 4-way stop at the intersection of Mars and Athens because of a high rate of accidents.

7. Although Kauffman Park is not slated for improvements for a couple of years, residents are already coming up with excellent ideas of what to add to this park. One great suggestion is adding a space for teenagers to congregate on the opposite end of the park from where the young children's equipment is located. Some ideas are large boulder-like structures for them to hangout on.

Again, this is not an exhaustive list, and does not include concerns and ideas that more generally affect Lakewood.

I knocked on your door on June 1st and left my literature with a note. If you happened to miss it and would still like to talk more about Ward 2, I'm happy to stop by again. You can also reach me on my cell phone at (216) 714-2150 or by email at shachnerforlakewood@gmail.com.

Thanks,

Jason

Jason,
Sorry to not acknowledge sooner. Thanks for your thorough response. I'll be in touch.

You shouldn't accept the City's word on Kauffman Park so quickly. It's based largely on a personal vendetta by the mayor, not on what's good for the city. A master plan for improvements has existed for many years. We need someone who will advocate for us.