The Observation Deck

I would like to thank Mayor FitzGerald for once again trusting the process, and helping
the Observer Project along. Three days ago, I realized I had forgotten to send Ed his
pack of questions for the upcoming special section on what his thoughts are on the County
Executive position.

The 11 Questions were put together by Euclid Observer contributor John Sheridan who has
been covering local politics for decades, and now retired has embraced Euclid's need
for a local paper, and style of coverage one can both find and contribute in a true
community owned publication. All of the other candidates had their questions for more time,
but every time I spoke with Ed the conversation turned to new business, the dog park trial,
hundreds of things and I kept forgetting. Finally on deadline I sent them over, and he was
completely accommodating to the procedure and turned them around in a day.

This was no real surprise for me. When the Lakewood Observer crafted our coverage for
Lakewood's Mayor's race, Ed was the only one to sign on without needing to know the rules.
He was willing to trust the process, and while one candidate had a campaign manager
that threatened to sue the Observer nearly every other day. Ed answered all questions
offered great ideas, and generally was a great person to deal with through the entire process.
I should note that Ed FitzGerald the candidate and Jim O'Bryan were not on best of terms
personally during that period because of comments I had made on the Deck. Still Ed took
the high road, and did everything he had agreed to do, and I think showed me and others
a side of Ed I had not known. The ability to get on with the task no matter who he was
working with.

Over the years AGS and The Observer Project has had many opportunities to expand and
grow into other areas, and other cities. Mayor FitzGerald was always there helping us along
with a letter, a phone call, or some suggestions. All of this with full knowledge that Ed and
I personally do not agree on all of the issues. We have no "friendship" outside of that of
a resident/businessman in the city of Lakewood trying to stay alive, and help to make the
city/county a little better, a little more informed, and provide a place for open conversation.

Ed has been one of the few elected officials who often wades into the mosh pit of word
jazz we call the Observation Deck. The others being Matt Markling, and Kevin Butler and
if you do a search for their names it has served them and the citizens well every time they
step in make a statement, clear up a misconception, then get back to work. I would like to
believe nearly every time they got back respect, and a worthwhile discussion.

I have no idea where this County reform of government will take us, but I think it has
a damn good chance of succeeding if Ed FitzGerald is at the head of the table.

From all of the Observers in all of the cities, and from myself - Ed thank you for trusting
the process and the project. Good luck in your run for County Executive.

Thank you to all of the candidates, politicians and civic leaders that have realized the
residents are not your enemy, they are the future, they need to be trusted and brought
into the discussion, and the larger community. Through open discussion and learning
we all are better off in the long run.

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