The Observation Deck

It's less than 9 months until Mayor and Council elections. So far, there has been very little discussion about them. What do you hope for?

What issues do you want discussed by candidates?

How do you want these issues to be discussed, and in what venues?

What issues should be kept out of our political arena?

We don't know all of the candidates yet, but do you think any of them can make a difference? Who could? Why? Maybe you want to draft someone?

I assume that most of you have an opinion about where Lakewood is, where it's headed, and where you would like it to go. Is this election important to you and your vision of Lakewood?

Any desired outcomes? Are you satisfied with your current representation?

Let's hear about it. This is not a test. Your own answers, and questions, are okay.

Steve:

I am generally satisfied. Council is a largely thankless job. The rep takes hard knocks, of the kind that builds a code of silent suffering not likely to be disrupted by ripples from the LO peanut gallery where visionaries play at seeing beyond the vale of tears, while gnashing their teeth over dead flowers.

My first question to council candidates hinges on a reframe of the old Jack Kennedy chestnut, bouncing through the code of silence back to the Chatty Cathy citizens like you and me:

"Ask not what your council can do for you but what you can do for your council."

In short - tell us what you want us to do - as informed citizens, in unison, in action - in your representation of us.

De-claw the Lakewood Observer?

Nothing?

Satisfy yourselves with managed decline and a slightly bumpier ride?

Raise taxes?

Residency incentives?

Support a bold privatization plan to slay the Cushman and hire a city manager?

Vote a reform slate (to reform what?)?

Etc.

I've asked; now I'll wait to be told.

As the Four Seasons put it to us, circa '64, flip side of Rag Doll - "Silence is Golden."

Kenneth Warren

Kenneth Warren wrote:Steve:

My first question to council candidates hinges on a reframe of the old Jack Kennedy chestnut, bouncing through the code of silence back to the Chatty Cathy citizens like you and me:

"Ask not what your council can do for you but what you can do for your council."

In short - tell us what you want us to do - as informed citizens, in unison, in action - in your representation of us.

As the Four Seasons put it to us, circa '64, flip side of Rag Doll - "Silence is Golden."

Kenneth Warren

Ken

Nice post, great recollection on the Four Seasons or did you have your Barbie and Ken record player out?

Council is a thankless task. At best you can hope that 51% of the constituents are happy. Much like what Obama is going through these good citizens/council people go through everyday. Make a stand on smoking, lose some support, make a stand on AT&T boxes lose some support, make a stand on garbage, taxes, parks, even resolutions and lose some support. It has to be hell. I know what it is like at the Observer office. Wednesday - Friday after the paper... "How could you print insert name" Only the fun fluff pieces are spared the death threats.

But the one thing I would love to see is All of council, city hall to embrace the mayor's lead in open civic dialog here on the Deck.

As you Steve, and the rest of the Advisory Board sit around and discuss the city, we know no one is always right. We know council is human. We know that council will not always vote the way we hope. But we also know we are but a small group that rarely agrees with ourselves anyway.

But to drag them into the 21st Century, to see them embrace the technology, and to even use it for themselves as they see fit, would be my one hope for council and or the next group through the door. i have to agree with Ken, a good group now, but...

Almost daily now I see on MSNBC, FOX, CNN stories about this coming election and the winners will be those that take full advantage of the Internet, and the losers will be those that avoid it. Tim Carroll is a perfect example of embracing the net.

Of course we want to know about visions for this city. Last night I was at the Democratic Club meeting. The topic was Urban Sprawl and what should Lakewood do? What a great discussion. What was even more fascinating was the members that did not live in Lakewood, but loved coming to Lakewood, and even thinking of moving here from Cleveland Heights, Ohio City, Bay Village and Westlake.

What they loved about Lakewood was everything they did not have. small shops instead of the same store found in every mall. The little restaurants, the walk-ability, the people. Boy did they love the people of Lakewood, and the small community feeling. The open discussions that we are not afraid to have at incredible levels.

We are not that far off where we need to be.

This year let's hear how they plan to fine tune the program.

This will be the best election cycle in this town in years. Bring on the discussion, bring on the ideas, we are all ears, er eyes.

.

I have to say that I am quite pleased with Kevin Butler - my rep here. He is very responsive to our questions and concerns and I truly believes that he focuses (successfully) on accurately reflectig the needs and concerns of his ward as well as the city at large.

Always,
Charyn

" Support a bold privatization plan to slay the Cushman and hire a city manager? "


Just curious Ken - do you consider the city schools and library to be "privatized" due to their reliance on a professional manager and a citizen board?

Suzanne:

Simple answer: No.

I was being flip in yoking the two.

Neither the schools nor the library as currently governed and operating could be construed to be privatized simply because the boards hire a professional manager.

Typically privatization of local government functions entails an outsourcing of a function often with a significant labor component in order to reduce legacy costs and protections public sector employees enjoy.

Kenneth Warren

Ken,

And couldn't, indeed hasn't, privatization happened with an elected mayor? Aren't those policy decisions much better considered by a board and action directed to a professional than having it be just another political hot potato to be tossed back and forth?

Suzanne

Suzanne:

Whether one governs from Private Idaho with a mayor and council or the people's republic with a city manager and council, the political hot potatoes never stop growing. Nor do the personalities in the root cellars that will deep fry whatever structure of government comes down the pipe.

Sometimes it/they work; sometimes it/they don't.

Ideals and political perceptions shape the hot or cool actions people take moving toward or against these structures.

Ideals always look elevated in comparison to the grit of the real. That has been my entire point throughout our parries over city manager.

Kenneth Warren

Ken,

I would understand the "grit of the real" concern more if we didn't already have community models that reflect the "ideal" and yet are operating in the "grit of the real". In that respect, I believe that Lakewood has a real advantage as a petri dish of public management. What's working, what's not?

Suzanne

Suzanne:

I don't buy the overgeneralization of the community model to three discrete institutions. No real grit there.

Don't forget library trustees are not elected.

And we've been down that road before: a school system is a school; a public library is a public library; a city hall is a city hall.

Is anybody actually running a campaign on the city manager promise?


Kenneth Warren

Ken,

I'm not sure I grasp your point. So a city hall is a city hall....and?

As for library trustees not being elected, that's a function of the library's structure, not the community's interest, the importance of the job, or the committment of the community to the best possible administration of a valuable community asset. I'm happy to stand for election. It's a job I'm committed to and one I believe I'm qualified to have. However, in spite of that the board works to develop qualified and committed trustees that can stand the scrutiny of anyone who might be interested in how the board functions so efficiently and effectively without the public's vote. And of course, voting in favor of bond issues and operating levies is to some extent a vote of confidence not just in the professional manager but in the board providing oversite.

As for the campaign for city manager, I'm pleased to report that as fall looms and the candidates come forth, grass roots interest is gaining speed. As committed as I am to the notion of a qualified professional at the helm of Lakewood's City Hall, it's just my silly notion, and not one I'm prepared to ram down the community's throat. However, with a little help from my friends, we'll see what spring brings besides tulips.

I have this impossible dream that my Library Director, my School Superintendent and my City Manager (all qualified professionals) might someday sit together, focused on the immense amount of tax dollars and capital assests they are responsible for and how they can best work TOGETHER to maximize those assets in the best interest of the citizens they serve.

Suzanne

ok maybe for convenience's sake we need to post the names of all the council members along with addresses (city hall is fine) so that we can all send them a thank you card, a teddy bear, and a care package.

http://www.ci.lakewood.oh.us/citygovern ... mbers.html

Has any Lakewood council member ever resigned from this "thankless" job since 1911, except for health reasons or a stepping stone to higher political office?

The people of Lakewood get exactly what they deserve.

JOB and everyone involved, you do a great service by making this message board avialable. I really need to quit spending time on it though as it just makes me mad. Oh well at least I can go to the fastER bettER cleanER Lakewood Hospital emergency room if need be.

Doug

Disclaimer I am not jealous of anyone on city council. I would not want to be elected or appointed to a position when 80% of my constitutents (and 99% of the LO) disagree with me.

DougHuntingdon wrote:The people of Lakewood get exactly what they deserve.

JOB and everyone involved, you do a great service by making this message board avialable. I really need to quit spending time on it though as it just makes me mad. Oh well at least I can go to the fastER bettER cleanER Lakewood Hospital emergency room if need be.

Doug

Disclaimer I am not jealous of anyone on city council. I would not want to be elected or appointed to a position when 80% of my constitutents (and 99% of the LO) disagree with me.

Doug

I would like to point out that it is Lakewood Hospital and our advertisers, support from the library, city hall, and the schools, partnered with DL, Heidi, Ken that make all of this possible.

While the Lakewood Observer and our purpose is possibly the most missunderstood thing in Lakewood, it is nice to see it growing in the direction we had hoped for in the beginning.

As for council, when you make a stand or a vote, you will win praise and scorn. It is a thankless task, especially given the limitations of actually being able to do things. I know I speak for the board, when I say we appreciate everyone that gives time and thought to the city of Lakewood.

Look at your post, while you appreciate JOB's efforts, I am not delusional that anyone here supports me 100% of the time. The last thing any of us wants is Jimmyville, especially me.

.

I would hope that the community could create events with real dialogue. There needs to be an exchange of ideas between the candidates. We have ZERO true debates during the election season in this city. This is kind of frustrating, because when you have true debate you can often more clearly identify what candidate might be the best choice for you.

Another idea that I had might be a Candidate Fair. This could take place in a school gym, cafeteria, auditorium, or any other large space within the city. Each candidate could have a display and an area with chairs set up. The event could begin at a certain time and people could rotate through candidate areas until the event ends. This would give candidates a one on one opportunity to interact with voters in a more intimate setting. The candidate could give a 2 minute address and then take questions in small groups of 15-20.

This would be a great project for the Observer to undertake as opposed to a long drawn out battle over endorsements. Education provides the light!