The Observation Deck

Lakewood's Changing Political Landscape
by Councilman Kevin Butler

In the coming months the political profile at Lakewood City Hall may undergo major changes. Although several elected officials have the potential to become a part of this re-shuffling, one vacancy is already a known quantity, i.e. Councilwoman (soon to be State Representative) Nickie Antonio.

Councilwoman Nickie Antonio’s position as councilmember-at-large will become vacant on or about January 1, 2011, when her term as representative to the Ohio General Assembly begins. Qualifications for members of Council may be found in the Second Amended Charter, Article 3, Section 2, and Article 23, Section 3; and vacancies among councilmembers are governed by Article 3, Section 2 of the charter.

I would hope that because of the wide diversity of the City of Lakewood, that Nicki Antonio's position as councilmenber-at-large represents, that her vacated position would be filled by someone that will represent the entire City of Lakewood. We currently have an at-large council member that lives in Ward 1 along with our representative from Ward 1. I would hope that council would take that fact into consideration when appointing Nicki Antonio's replacement. A third council member from Ward 1 would not appear to represent all citizen's of Lakewood fairly.

I look forward to watching this process and I'm sure it will be a fair one.

(And for the record...I live in Ward 1)

Rhonda Loje