The Observation Deck

This is good to hear. Many people had hoped that Ward 4 Councilman Dan O'Malley would run for Mayor. He stayed out of that.

His reasons were good, but best reason was he thought his time was best spent as Ward 4 Councilman, and working with the city that way.

O'Malley would make a perfect Council President.


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It Is Starting To Look Like A Brand New Day...

I think there is a real opportunity for this. For Lakewood government in 2020 to accomplish a number of commendable things, to the benefit of the community, and potentially to the credit of every elected person at city hall.

That's only an opportunity at most, and even at best, I can't imagine perfection. There are significant challenges confronting us, and I don't assume our local government even can solve all of them. Also people and systems are fallible, and failings are inevitable.

But within that context I still believe that an opportunity exists for local elected representatives in 2020.

I'm ready to work with and recognize—to my little power—anyone who wants to pursue that opportunity.

I think Dan O'Malley's announcement in broad daylight instead of behind closed doors is a step in the right direction.

mjkuhns wrote:

It Is Starting To Look Like A Brand New Day...

I think there is a real opportunity for this. For Lakewood government in 2020 to accomplish a number of commendable things, to the benefit of the community, and potentially to the credit of every elected person at city hall.

That's only an opportunity at most, and even at best, I can't imagine perfection. There are significant challenges confronting us, and I don't assume our local government even can solve all of them. Also people and systems are fallible, and failings are inevitable.

But within that context I still believe that an opportunity exists for local elected representatives in 2020.

I'm ready to work with and recognize—to my little power—anyone who wants to pursue that opportunity.

Matt

I believe the community can accomplish nearly anything, with elected officials leading the way into the light of day.

Make decisions with us, great. Make them on their own, great, just let us double check the paper work.

Elected officials that lead us by educating us, and bringing us along with them is what this city lacked for three administrations.

Make a mistake, hell we all do, just bring us along, and together we will try to fix them.

You can actually feel the lack of tensions in city wide discussions.

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Council's choice for Meghan Georges council seat will tell us if its a new day or a false dawn.

O'Malley seems to have the inside track on the position.

It should be noted that as of January, Tom Bullock has more experience than the rest of his colleagues COMBINED.
Despite multiple attempts to achieve higher office, he has been languishing on Council for 12 years.
Litten (4), O'Malley (4), and Rader (2) only have ten years combined. The other three members will all be new.

Bullock lost the council presidency to O'Leary four years ago..... and will likely be passed over again.
The more people get to know Bullock, the less they like him.
That's an amazing statement about his failed leadership.

O'Malley was on his way to the meeting to choose O'Leary as council president when Bonnie Sikes and I bumped into him at Panera Breads and he would not sign our petition to put the hospital referendum on the ballot so that the public could decide whether they could vote on the hospital or let council have total control.

Again, would not even put his signature on the petition. He had just been elected and would not for some reason, consider helping voters have a say. I have signed many petitions for people who want to run for an office and knowing that I would not be voting for them BUT.. I feel they have the right to run. Bonnie and e weren't asking him to vote our way, only to give the voters a chance to decide who should vote on this issue.

I am not convinced that Mr O'Malley is anything more than a politician, standard edition , with his primary motivation to promote his political future. My example above us not the only one I can use but it is the situation that I believe speaks loudly about his mindset.

I hope I feel differently in the future.

Michael Deneen wrote:O'Malley seems to have the inside track on the position.

It should be noted that as of January, Tom Bullock has more experience than the rest of his colleagues COMBINED.
Despite multiple attempts to achieve higher office, he has been languishing on Council for 12 years.
Litten (4), O'Malley (4), and Rader (2) only have ten years combined. The other three members will all be new.

Bullock lost the council presidency to O'Leary four years ago..... and will likely be passed over again.
The more people get to know Bullock, the less they like him.
That's an amazing statement about his failed leadership.

O'Leary became Council President because everyone else on Council didn't want Tom to be Council President, Anderson and O'Malley did not want the position as neither thought they would have both the time and background. That's right and it was reported here at the time.

Funny, if Mayor Elect George stepped down from Council this group would have voted for the replacement. In that scenario, Sam gets Meghan's seat. But with it happening after the first of the year, it could turn the other way. It might not work out the same way.

Elections have consequences.

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