The Observation Deck

I took my son to the event last night and was very impressed with what I heard. The event was very well run and had a good crowd. There were a couple times during the question and answer period that some hard hitting questions were asked.

1. Nickie Antonio was asked if she would run for state rep next year. She answered that she was focused on this years race, she was approached by people asking her to consider a run for state rep, and she told them she was interested. I was glad to hear that answer. I think she is well qualified for that position and it is good for the voters to know ahead of time that her spot, if she were to win the council seat, may be vacant if she beats out Tom Bullock.

2. Someone from the crowd asked the candidates to raise their hands if they felt that dogs should be allowed in the parks. All but Brian Powers raised their hands.

3. My son's favorite, probably because he knows Demro the best, was when he was asked about issues 5 & 6 and he said to vote for six and to "throw the bums out".

I was very impressed that Judge Carroll, Betsy Shaughnessy and Ed Favre all participated and were willing to give speeches and answer questions. They are truly public servants, taking time away from family and other events to come and talk even when they are all running unopposed.

Thank you to those that worked to put on the event and thank you to the candidates that all participated. My son and I had a good time.

I think the answers to one question were very telling:

"Where do you stand on Issues 5 and 6?"

Antonio: YES on 5, NO on 6
Demro: NO on 5, YES on 6
Powers: NO on 5, YES on 6
Shapiro: NO on 5, YES on 6
Shields: YES on 5, NO on 6
Smith: Doesn't know where she stands on the issue.

Polls reflect that Lakewood voters overwhelmingly SUPPORT ISSUE 6. It's time for reform.

Issue 6 is ENDORSED by the League of Women Voters and the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Ryan Salo wrote:3. My son's favorite, probably because he knows Demro the best, was when he was asked about issues 5 & 6 and he said to vote for six and to "throw the bums out".

That is the over-simplified response that I would expect from Ryan Demro.

Not that there aren’t bums to throw out, there certainly are, but a charter/constitution change should be a comprehensive and deliberative process that emerges from leaders AND public participation. It should be a little more of-the-people/organic than, “They hashed out ideas in marathon sessions and came up with a charter, written by the attorney…”, as reported in the Plain Dealer.

(See the Plain Dealer, October 24th article, Issues 5 and 6: Experts sort out competing proposals for Cuyahoga County government reform at, http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/10/post_85.html)

Here is a quote:

Laura Johnston of the Plain Dealer on cleveland.com wrote:Issue 6 reflects two reform ideas that combined and congealed in April, when local leaders, including Parma Heights Mayor Martin Zanotti and county Prosecutor Bill Mason, began meeting. They hashed out ideas in marathon sessions and came up with a charter, written by the attorney who drew up Summit County's executive structure in 1979. After more than 81,000 people signed petitions, and more than 53,000 of them were verified, the county Board of Elections placed the charter on the ballot.

In Lakewood, a Charter Commission is given the task to review the Lakewood Charter for six months every ten years. Even with many hours a week of work for six months, there is barely enough time to address the issues that city officials and the public ask for. There are parts of the Charter that should be addressed, but there is just never enough time.

The Issue 6 group started in April. I saw petitioners on the 4th of July. I'm sure they were out before then. Not a lot of time invested in this change-of-government proposal.

By the way, I had to ask the petitioner at Lakewood’s 4th of July parade to read the petition document. I was curious because he was telling people to, “Sign this petition to lower your taxes, and keep Cleveland jobs from going to Seattle”. That is dishonest, no matter how far you want to stretch the possible outcomes. Just think, 81,000 people fell for it. They signed without reading. How many more would have signed if he'd yelled, “Sign this to throw the bums out!”?

I read 6. It is not devoid of good ideas, but did Ryan Demro tell you how Lakewood fits into this new plan? Did he mention that we aren’t included with the other western suburbs for County representation? Did he mention that we are grouped with Cleveland for our representation? Should we lose our place at the table in our hurry to “throw the bums out”?

I think 5 will take longer, but has the potential to serve us much better over the long haul. We have the luxury of time because the "bums" will probably be in jail while a new charter is written.

It is election season. I know the jackals are trying to separate the considered weak wildebeest from the pack, but I'll defend Monique Smith’s ambivalence on 5 & 6. Thoughtful people are not always rigid or flip about issues.

Politically expedient actions and comments are not always the best fix for a problem. Ryan Demro’s impulsive “Throw the bums out”, and his gratuitous mention of sexual predators in his self-introduction at a previous candidates’ night, demonstrate why many of us are not interested in his presence on council again. There is no time for silly politicking when there is so much important work to be done.

Maybe Ryan Demro is just interested in this part of the story:

Laura Johnston of the Plain Dealer on cleveland.com wrote:What do the issues mean for Republicans?
The districts created by Issue 6 would give Republicans a chance to win one, and as many as three, suburban council spots, according to a Plain Dealer analysis. That would give voice to the repressed opposition party.

Is he feeling repressed?

Ryan Patrick Demro, on October 24th wrote:Polls reflect that Lakewood voters overwhelmingly SUPPORT ISSUE 6.

Laura Johnston of the Plain Dealer, on October 24th wrote:No polling results have been made public.

Hmmm.

One more thing:

Ryan Salo wrote:I took my son to the event last night...

Ryan Salo wrote: My son's favorite, probably because he knows Demro the best…

Is your son voting for Ryan Demro? Is he even old enough to vote? I’m always interested in the age demographic of Ryan Demro’s fans.

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Ryan Patrick Demro wrote:I think the answers to one question were very telling:

"Where do you stand on Issues 5 and 6?"

Antonio: YES on 5, NO on 6
Demro: NO on 5, YES on 6
Powers: NO on 5, YES on 6
Shapiro: NO on 5, YES on 6
Shields: YES on 5, NO on 6
Smith: Doesn't know where she stands on the issue.

Just to set the record straight - I stated NO on 5, NO on 6, and that's how I am voting.

stephen davis wrote:That is the over-simplified response that I would expect from Ryan Demro.

Actually, had you attended, you would have known that we were all asked to give a quick response, no explanation.

stephen davis wrote:It is election season. I know the jackals are trying to separate the considered weak wildebeest from the pack, but I'll defend Monique Smith’s ambivalence on 5 & 6. Thoughtful people are not always rigid or flip about issues.

Defend away; however, this was a direct question involving one of the biggest, if not the biggest, issues facing Cuyahoga County voters. It was presented at a public forum, unscripted and unrehearsed, where none of us had the luxury of time or reflection. We are running for a position that requires us to make firm decisions on important political issues... so take a stand. I think it is very telling that she could not formulate a response, and demonstrates that she is not ready for council.

stephen davis wrote:Is your son voting for Ryan Demro? Is he even old enough to vote? I’m always interested in the age demographic of Ryan Demro’s fans.

Republican or Democrat (or Independent), that's a low blow. I hope it was made in jest. I applaud Ryan for bringing his son, he said he wanted to teach him a civics lesson. That's exactly how you bring up the next generation. Anyway, I'm sure you were just kidding on that one.

Dan, my apologies for misstating your position. I did my best from memory. Good luck in the coming days.

Ryan -

No apology necessary. I have tried to let all of my answers and/or positions be known, so I thought I would clarify this one. Best of luck to you as well as we head down the home stretch.

Dan you have an amazing amount of signs around town. Good job guy.