The Observation Deck

Thanks to Dan Shields for organizing the successful candidate forum at Lakewood Library tonight. It was a fun town hall style event. Shame on the candidates who dodged it. Hopefully Mrs. Shields will post her photos. I look forward to the next event.

Sorry I missed it. I had/have questions. LOL. However today was Frankie's 5th birthday and my father in law's 69th birthday. (what a neat day....)
Hope to have someone fill me in....... *begs*

Their not showing up wasn't necessarily a dodge Ryan and your wording is unfortunate.

That debate was you and Dan's dog and pony show.

Sharon,

It would be convenient if that was the case; however, tell that to the citizens who did show and got to spend an hour asking any question they wanted to. I understand that candidates fear that atmosphere. It creates accountability.

sharon kinsella wrote:Their not showing up wasn't necessarily a dodge Ryan and your wording is unfortunate.

That debate was you and Dan's dog and pony show.

Sharon

I did not attend but from what I heard it had at least four of the candidates were there, all
taking questions from the audience, and from each other.

As you pointed out so quickly to me last week, candidates have different ways of reaching
out to the public. I took this to be Dan Shield's way, and he started it, as I believe he organized it.

As long as they are out there talking and answering questions I suppose it is a good thing.

Would you not agree?

.

It was a good forum. It made the candidates seem more personable and provided accessibility to the people who where there. I second Ryan's kudos to Mr. Shields for putting it on.

There were some quality questions posed buy the citizens and some good answers put forth by the four candidates that were there.

Some candidates go door to door, quite a bit actually.

As I stated before Jim and Ryan, no one sets the agenda for how candidates campaign except for the candidates and their campaign managers.

By the way, who was the moderator?

sharon kinsella wrote:As I stated before Jim and Ryan, no one sets the agenda for how candidates campaign except for the candidates and their campaign managers.

Sharon

I agree, so what made this a "dog and pony show" as opposed to the way, Dan and 3 other
candidates agreed to reach out and talk to voters.

This is what I do not understand. If 4 candidates decided to get together in a public meeting
and talk to residents, how is this a bad thing? All were invited, no one attacked for not being there.
To my knowledge no empty chairs with name tags on them.

As I said, I was not there but 4 people called and all said, it was a really good meeting.

I applaud all four for meeting together, and answering questions.

This city has really run away and hid from open discussions.

Look at the questions you yourself have asked, and NEVER received anything back.

This seems like a refreshing change.

.

Jim I never said it was bad thing, where did I say that, why are you trying to make it seem like I did. Are you lonesome for a phone call from me?

I'm glad some candidates used this forum to do outreach. Hopefully they are also knocking on doors and doing coffees. Nothing like that personal touch.

sharon kinsella wrote:By the way, who was the moderator?

Sharon,

There was no moderator, per se, but Stan Austin did volunteer to keep track of time. And all questions came directly from the audience.

Matt

Yay Stan.

Maybe he'll be my campaign manager.

Thanks Matt.

sharon kinsella wrote:Jim I never said it was bad thing, where did I say that, why are you trying to make it seem like I did. Are you lonesome for a phone call from me?

I'm glad some candidates used this forum to do outreach. Hopefully they are also knocking on doors and doing coffees. Nothing like that personal touch.

Sharon

You have every number I own, you my friend are welcome to call anytime.

I just thought Dog and Pony show was a little rough, though I understand why it might
have been used. Again from what I hear, it was not like the "debates" from the last election,
which you and I both opposed.

This city has to develop ... and learn that transparency is the best thing for ALL elected
officials, all non-profits, and everyone seeking public office and change.

Who cares how, just lets see it happen.

What do you really know about any of these candidates? Nickie is a proven product, with
a solid record to stand on. Ryan Patrick Demro, has a proven history on council. Dan Shields
has run and come close many times so he is pretty well known. But the rest?

I had the opportunity to speak to Monique Smith for about two hours, a couple months ago
and found it interesting, and refreshing. But was curious as to who was powering the bandwagon. I spoke with Mr. McCartney for almost two hours and while we agreed on
almost nothing, I found him to be lucid, friendly and dedicated to his very radical views.

Time to get politicians and civic groups in the light of day, and answering questions.

.

I know Monique from working the registration table for the Dems club supper and have known her though the Dems club. Of course I know Dan and Kathy pretty well. I sat and talked to Bartos and McCartney, well let's just say I have heard him speaking more times than I care to and find him to ramble on and on in a most bigoted fashion and don't care to hear any more from him.

Davis, I've read his lit and he has nothing to say that I'm interested in and of course I know Ryan.

I've put myself out there to meet and talk to the candidates. Anyone can do it. They don't hide under any rocks I can't find.

That's a joke son.

I attended the first hour of the forum last night. I appreciate the four candidates who made an effort to attend and answered each question posed from the audience; it was quite revealing.

While I understand that each candidate may campaign in their own fashion, my feeling is that this was a forum in a central location that every candidate should have attended. Please let me also clarify that NO CANDIDATE has stopped at my house to introduce, re-introduce, or otherwise engage me or my family. I have, however, received flyers that contain a few bullet points as well as letters asking for monetary support.

So, again, while I don't always agree (or in some cases, never agree) with the candidates at last night's forum, as far as I know it is the ONLY public forum that is/was scheduled to include all the candidates and as time is a precious commodity for some of us, it was, imho, a missed opportunity, especially for those candidates who are running for public office for the first time and with whom I've had no interaction.

I am disappointed by the no-shows and again, thank the four candidates who made themselves available for what was a candid and enlightening evening.

Heidi Hilty wrote:Please let me also clarify that NO CANDIDATE has stopped at my house to introduce, re-introduce, or otherwise engage me or my family. I have, however, received flyers that contain a few bullet points as well as letters asking for monetary support.

Heidi,

Throughout this campaign season, the only two candidates who have made any attempt - whatsoever - to communicate with me on the issues have been Ryan Demro and Dan Shields - door-to-door, telephone, e-mail, or otherwise. You are a step-ahead of me, however, because I have yet to personally receive even one flyer or mailer from any candidate. I just assume it is because I am not voting by absentee ballot. I should note that my wife is also not voting by absentee ballot but has received direct mailings. FWIW.

Matt