Are Lakewood's Non Partisan Elections Racist?

[Bill Call]

The Obama Justice department has found non-partisan elections to be racist:

http://www.kinston.com/news/department- ... iting.html

If a practice is racist in one locality is it racist everywhere?

Of course showing up at polling places with guns drawn and intimidating voters is ok.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/electio ... latestnews

Change we can believe in!

[Jim O'Bryan]

Bill

I am missing the "racist" comment, and the comment on Obama's Justice
department wanting people to to take guns to the polls?

But outside of that another classic post.

I would say Lakewood's nonpartisan elections are no longer needed as many Republicans
in this town have flopped to be "Democrats" to get elected.

Besides we have a 3rdParty in this town that has seized power, and plotted the future,
complete with "retirements" and appointments for years to come.

FWIW


.

[sharon kinsella]

On that subject, how long till Mrs. Shaughnessy retires after getting re-elected to the school board?

[Bill Call]

Bill

I am missing the "racist" comment, and the comment on Obama's Justice
department wanting people to to take guns to the polls?

This is a multipurpose post!

Non-partisan elections are held all over the country at all governmental levels. Are they discriminatory ? The Obama Justice department thinks so. Their reasoning is that some people will vote for the wrong candidate if the word Democrat isn't listed by their name.

Local governments all have to walk on egg shells on many issues because of the politicalization of the Justice Department. A recent issue comes to mind....

Several Black Panthers appeared outside a voting location brandishing weapons and threatening people who entered the voting booths. The Obama Justice Department decided they did nothing wrong. If the guys brandishing the weapons were wearing sheets would the Justice Department have made the same decision? If they did would the media be as silent? The behavior of the media is quite suspicious.

Besides we have a 3rdParty in this town that has seized power, and plotted the future,
complete with "retirements" and appointments for years to come.

I happen to think that the current members of council are a good group. However, I'm not sure why someone would vote for a candidate who has announced an intention to seek higher office next year. Do they know they are voting for a mystery candidate?

It wouldn't hurt to have a couple of outsiders on the council.

And anyway who took my signs?

[Ivor Karabatkovic]

Sharon,

Don't you know that those who are elected to the Lakewood Board of Education serve a life term?

You know, like the Supreme Court judges.

[Stan Austin]

Bill--- dad gummit--- I thought you were referring to the Tea Baggers taking AK47s into public meetings! Sooooooooo glad you clarified your observation.
Stan

[Justine Cooper]

Sharon,
This is a concern. When you keep hearing bits of information you are not sure what to believe. But if it is true that another member of the school board is planning on running only to retire and put into place a designated person of HER choice, not the taxpayers, that is an alarming and disturbing situation on so many levels.

I just attended a Hayes Open House to a full house of involved parents, a gorgeous school decorated with colorful and impressive artwork on every wall, smiling and dedicated staff, gift baskets and raffles that took hours/days of dedication of the PTA to raise money for breast cancer awareness (among other work of the PTA), progressive technology that included the children's faces on the large boards with messages to mom and dad......

Why does this matter? Because Lakewood is blessed with active and involved parents-you could barely walk through some halls it was so crowded. Parents who not only pay taxes but go the extra mile in many cases. IF they are being decieved by voting in one candidate only to be lied to and it given to another who they did NOT vote in, that is serious.

No I don't know what all to believe with all that is going on and I sure wouldn't care what one group in Lakewood is doing, EXCEPT it looks like this one group has one agenda that is not everyone's agenda AND they are "putting" their people into highly important positions, such as council and school board. As if the voters and taxpayers don't matter and many don't know.

That is disturbing if true. I pray it is not true.

[Ryan Patrick Demro]

We will see this same thing occur if/when Nickie Antonio wins her race for State representative, which is quite likely. Beware of the City Hall shuffle, elect candidates who intend to stay the full four years at City Hall.

Ms. Antonio announced that she will be pursuing this race at the League of Women Voters forum this past week.

[Kristine Pagsuyoin]

Sharon,

Don't you know that those who are elected to the Lakewood Board of Education serve a life term?

You know, like the Supreme Court judges.

Sharon,

I, along with many others, have discussed the issue of term limits for school board members. I am not sure how to get the issue on a ballot or if we even can. However, to me it isn't good to have individuals serving for 10, 15, 20 + years...even if they are doing a great job. Education can get in a rut and I feel like it is important to keep ideas fresh and have fresh perspectives. Of course, when a board member isn't up to par than the students suffer. I just don't think families and students ought to be subjected during their entire time in school with one group of elected leaders and without new leadership from time to time.

Kristine

[Kristine Pagsuyoin]

[quote]This is a concern. When you keep hearing bits of information you are not sure what to believe. But if it is true that another member of the school board is planning on running only to retire and put into place a designated person of HER choice, not the taxpayers, that is an alarming and disturbing situation on so many levels.


Hi Justine,

Well, we just had about a year ago another very well-timed retirement of a board member. The good that came out of that situation is that so many spoke up to prevent what they felt was a bad deal ready to go down. Of course, this November that appointed Board members is up for election and if anyone thinks that appointment shouldn't have happened that they can speak with their non-vote. I am not implying at all that people shouldn't vote for the appointed Board member I am just saying voters do have an opportunity to send a message with their vote.

I was at the BOE meeting on 10/19 in which the Board moved the public comment section to the place in the meeting it was before. However, I think the Board can do more by bringing back the Committee of the Whole meetings. These meetings allowed the public to sit on the discussions and have been discontinued since February. Executive meetings are for discussions regarding personnel decisions. I attended Committee of the Whole meetings as much as I could and gained a better understanding of our BOE and the touch decisions that they have to make. It also allowed for transparency that I feel is so needed right now. Now, when you attend a BOE meeting on a Monday night there is barely any discussions and seemingly all of the decisions have been made beforehand.

PS) Saw the article in the LO on the new middle school. Congrats on your position with the school.

Kristine

[Kevin Butler]

I hope those considering Ryan's bid for at-large council are reading his posts carefully:

Beware of the City Hall shuffle, elect candidates who intend to stay the full four years at City Hall.

and

What I can guarantee is that, if elected, I will serve as an elected official in this city for the next four years. I am not looking to go outside of Lakewood like my opponent Nickie Antonio.

(Link)

What's all this mean? It means Ryan is not committing to spending the next four years as an at-large councilman. (Frankly, it means he's acknowledging he could run for mayor again in two years.) Strange for a guy who scorns, as he does, the "City Hall shuffle."

[sharon kinsella]

Well the word "strange" and Ryan do seem to go together, don't they?

[Justine Cooper]

You know Sharon,
Ryan is not affiliated with any group so would therefore not be obligated to be steered in a certain direction. It might be good to have one on council who could be a devil's advocate for certain project that might otherwise get pushed through based on a small group's agenda.

I am very weary now of that in this town. This town has to keep the town's agenda in place first, not get pushed around by a few.

If some of the "conspiracy" theories are true, and time will tell, then we are in danger of paying high taxes and then not having a voice in this town because certain people connected to one group will be pushed through to council and school board without a popular vote. That is scary. And unfair. Like bait and switch which is illegal in the consumer world, and in this case the consumer is the taxpayer and the product is our city. Our city. Our schools. Our kids. Everything.

[Jim O'Bryan]

Bill

Racist no

Snippy yes


.

[Ryan Patrick Demro]

Kevin, let me clarify for you. I am committed to serving my full four-year term as an At-Large Councilman if elected. Quit being so cynical. Plus, why would I wanna get in the way of somebody like you who is rumored to be next in the line of succession? Isn't that how we do it in Lakewood these days?