The Observation Deck

Jason Shachner stopped by the house the other day and had a short conversation with my wife. One the comments he made was something along the lines of, “So, this is about the past?”

That’s an interesting question. In some sense this election is about the past. Our City Council and Mayor implemented a plan to close our City Hospital and transfer its assets to the Cleveland Clinic and private foundations. They lied about the plan, they lied about the disposition of the assets, they violated court orders and they used the power of the police to silence the opposition.
In my opinion anyone who is associated with that plan or who engaged in that conduct should never again hold elected office.

Is that making the election about the past? Yes, I suppose it is. However, the past is prologue.

We need elected officials who are honest.

We need elected officials who will protect the City and its assets.

We need elected officials who will support the release of the public documents related to the transfer of the City’s assets to third parties.

We need elected officials who will support the disclosure of secret side agreements related to on-going subsidies for One Lakewood.

We need public officials who will protect the interests of the City of Lakewood during the upcoming decisions regarding regionalization. If the regionalization of Lakewood Hospital is an example of what we can expect then Lakewood can expect nothing positive from regionalization.

We need elected officials who fight for the City and not the region. Remember: One City official stated that it doesn’t matter that Lakewood will lose all those Hospital jobs because the region won’t lose anything. Can you imagine the Mayor of Westlake saying that it didn't matter where American Greetings builds its headquarters?

We need public officials who will exert pressure on the private foundations. Foundations who will have nearly $70 million in City money.

This election is about the past. The misdeeds and secret dealing, the dishonesty, the wasting of public assets, the misuse of police power and more. This election is also about the future. If we reward the incumbent’s and their supporters, we are guaranteed to get more of the same.

The past is prologue.

P.S. If anyone out there running for office wants to win their race it’s time to work a lot harder. Stop the complaints about the other guy putting out signs and contacting voters before the customary time and get to work.

Bill Call wrote:
This election is about the past. The misdeeds and secret dealing, the dishonesty, the wasting of public assets, the misuse of police power and more. This election is also about the future. If we reward the incumbent’s and their supporters, we are guaranteed to get more of the same.

The past is prologue.

And for whatever reason, Jason has decided to align himself with the past.

Jason has hung his star on the past - the old Dem machine.

Russo, Dimora, Futzy, Budish, Summers.

Good luck with that.

Aside from mayor, this election is for ward coucil seats. The candidates need a good understanding of citywide issues, but they also need to be laser focused on the need to advaocate for their wards. I've been saying this for awhile and will keep saying it. It's easy to lose sight of.

Dan Alaimo wrote:Aside from mayor, this election is for ward coucil seats. The candidates need a good understanding of citywide issues, but they also need to be laser focused on the need to advaocate for their wards. I've been saying this for awhile and will keep saying it. It's easy to lose sight of.

That's an important point.

This post is not about Mr. Schachner. I shouldn't have put the comment in quotes. The comment was more along the lines of what questions do you have about the past, what questions do you have about the future.

My point is that you cannot talk about the future without talking about the past.

I don't know what Mr. Schachner thinks about the Hospital debacle, but then I don't really know what the rest of the candidates think either.

Jason lost me at "sexual preference" . . . .

Bill, I have a couple of thoughts on your post.

As you know, I support Brad Presutto for Ward 2. Brad has done a fantastic job of getting out to talk to voters whether it is on their doorstep, at a forum, a block party, or the many other ways people engage. He’s out there listening! He earns one vote at a time and doesn’t take support for granted. I think he has also done a good job of demonstrating that he understands the issues of the past and how he wants to make positive changes. For example, he talks about being the responsive candidate. For too long, Ward 2 has been ignored by Sam O’Leary. Brad has not only got out to listen, but is already helping to solve problems. He has been sharing that information for months in various ways along with his many ideas for Ward 2 which is now being co-opted by his opponent, the candidate who has been “chosen” by O’Leary to be his successor.

He also talks about trust and transparency because he is keenly aware that in the past City Council has lost trust with residents and purposely destroyed Lakewood Hospital. I’ve heard him answer questions regarding the hospital and how important it is moving forward that Lakewood create sustainable growth with good paying jobs. In addition, he has put a plan out for curtailing the cost of the sewer upgrades that the City wants to put on the back of its residents.

As far as yard signs. Well, this is what I will say. Brad’s campaign didn’t make a fuss, but others were offended. I think it showed that his opponent is not tuned-in to the community, and it doesn’t show good form to plant a sign without asking first. Again, a candidate running for office is interviewing for the position and should be showing how they can be trusted. The yard sign issue violates a trust, in my opinion. It isn’t the end of the word, but it is piece of the whole picture along with other issues that a voter will weigh into their decision. Brad has work to do. He stays in his lane and focuses on what is important. New leadership that will bring an independent voice when needed to Council is the goal. His opponent believes that only the current “establishment” is best equipped to protect Lakewood’s assets or to move the City forward. I disagree.

Brad is out in Ward 2 every single day. If he misses someone he personally meets with them. He can be reached by all of the usual ways and will be at The Root on Monday, September 16th at 6pm if anyone wants to stop by and chat. This Sunday is a Volunteer Rally starting at 12pm at Caffeine. Come by!

Bridget Conant wrote:Jason has hung his star on the past - the old Dem machine.

Russo, Dimora, Futzy, Budish, Summers.

Good luck with that.

I had a conversation with Brad Presutto earlier in the Spring before I knew he would be a candidate.

I was favorably impressed.

Our town needs fresh ideas and a commitment to work on behalf of citizens in an honest, open, and accountable manner.

Something that many of us have found missing over recent years.

I look forward to meeting all of the candidates running for office this season.

Aside from Brad P. and Laura R-C, the other council candidates could not differentiate themselves from the "mush" in their lavishly printed materials and insider endorsements.

For most of us, an "endorsement" from the Cuyahoga Democratic Party is a high negative. That's a local party that won't even endorse its superior candidates, like Skindell or Antonio.

I would be interesting in talking with Mr. Schachner, but our paths have not crossed.

There are no more hospitals to liquidate.
So you can trust incumbents to not liquidate hospitals again.

ryan costa wrote:There are no more hospitals to liquidate.
So you can trust incumbents to not liquidate hospitals again.

What evidence is there that you can you trust the incumbent candidates?

Bill Call wrote:

ryan costa wrote:There are no more hospitals to liquidate.
So you can trust incumbents to not liquidate hospitals again.

What evidence is there that you can you trust the incumbent candidates?

I don't think you can trust them, except about liquidating the hospital. It's now a pile of rubble. Nothing left to liquidate.