The Observation Deck

LO Volume 15, Issue 19 features our Candidates' Questions sent in by residents and answers from all of the candidates for Mayor, City Council and the School Board who agreed to take part in our Candidates' Forum. The printed version of the paper contains and equal cross section of Q & A, and we have a pdf document that will appear online in text form of ALL of the question and answers.

LO’s Readers Candidate Q & A 2019: http://media.lakewoodobserver.com/media ... 124016.pdf

I want to thank Betsy Voinovich for her effort in putting the Q & A together and working with all of the candidates, thank you to the candidates who sat down and gave some thought to your questions and thank you to the  readers who took the time to send in the questions.

We are also kicking off our 2019 LO Halloween Throwdown where we are looking for spectacular, fun, different Halloween decorations and neighborhoods. This year we have over $300 in prizes to be awarded to the top homes. Thanks to 6 of the top restaurants in Lakewood for helping on this, including; Woodstock BBQ, Melt, India Garden, West End Tavern, Rood Food and Pie for coming up with some great prizes!

You can see it all and much much more by stopping by over 100 locations and picking up the printed copy.

Or you can click here and download our electronic version: http://media.lakewoodobserver.com/issue ... sue_19.pdf

Thank you to all of the advertisers, especially the new ones, welcome!

Thank you to all of the volunteers, editors, photographers, writers, artists, and supporters for the continued support, still growing after 15 years!

Let’s make this fall the best ever in Lakewood!

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I really hope everyone reads the candidates’ Q&A.

I think there is a stark contrast between Meghan George and Sam O’Leary.

Sam’s responses sound totally canned. He starts each answer with virtually the same line “as Council president and a prosecutor,” Did someone write these for him? Honestly, he sounds like a broken record and so boring.

He brings up his alleged prosecutor role each time!

And the biggest hoot? Asked about the hospital closure he states:

One of the first crises I faced on Council was the potential closure of Lakewood Hospital. I am proud of the fact that I did not rubberstamp the recommendations of the Hospital Association.

So did you not agree with the LHA recommendations, Sam?

Bridget Conant wrote:So did you not agree with the LHA recommendations, Sam?

Bridget

I had a fascinating conversation with Sam last week as part of requirements of the LO Q & A. I brought up that very question and he pointed out that he was not a big fan of the "Letter of Intent" for the first part of 2015. I went back and looked, he was not a BIG supporter, but remained non-committed.

I was a little shocked as I did not remember it like that.

Then the election happened, and he became publicly the hammer in the nail in the coffin.

As for Sam and "Prosecutor" roll. As far as anyone can see, he has been a prosecutor since late August. While you can comment on his experience the use of the term is correct as it stands. I would imagine anyone that received a new job or commission would start using it the second it happened.

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Jim O'Bryan wrote:

Bridget Conant wrote:So did you not agree with the LHA recommendations, Sam?

Bridget

I had a fascinating conversation with Sam last week as part of requirements of the LO Q & A. I brought up that very question and he pointed out that he was not a big fan of the "Letter of Intent" for the first part of 2015. I went back and looked, he was not a BIG supporter, but remained non-committed.

I was a little shocked as I did not remember it like that.

Then the election happened, and he became publicly the hammer in the nail in the coffin.

As for Sam and "Prosecutor" roll. As far as anyone can see, he has been a prosecutor since late August. While you can comment on his experience the use of the term is correct as it stands. I would imagine anyone that received a new job or commission would start using it the second it happened.

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If I understand correctly, Sam is/was a small "p" prosecutor and for a relatively short time. So yes he has the right to claim the experience, but others, like us, have the right to point out the shortcomings of the claim.

First, I want to thank Jim and the Observer for utilizing this platform with the various candidates to make their positions on the topics known.

However, I did find questions #5 and #6 to be leading in nature. I would have preferred it if inherent bias would have been left out.

Amy Martin wrote:First, I want to thank Jim and the Observer for utilizing this platform with the various candidates to make their positions on the topics known.

However, I did find questions #5 and #6 to be leading in nature. I would have preferred it if inherent bias would have been left out.

"When you are trying to catch snakes, sometimes you have to get down or your belly and slither." W. Wilson Caldwell

Amy Martin wrote:First, I want to thank Jim and the Observer for utilizing this platform with the various candidates to make their positions on the topics known.

However, I did find questions #5 and #6 to be leading in nature. I would have preferred it if inherent bias would have been left out.

Amy

With over 30 questions to chose from we wanted something that was both edgy, and a little bit of a push.

The name Lakewood Observer was not an accident. Those on the Deck understand observations are important but so are observing the ripples that come with the action. Notice not the answers but the lack of answers and from where.

The single biggest problem in this city is lack of transparency. Doubt it, read the answers from incumbents.

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On a non-political note, props to Tim Liston for his piece about Katie.
She's an assistant soccer coach at Oberlin College. It's always great to see local athletes move on to the next level.
Go Yeomen!