That said, I find no reason why I shouldn't revisit a topic that has been "out in the open" for nearly a decade, and add my own views to the record.
This 2009 post collected the following statements from several citizen voices, a number of them still active.
“I thought the answer was that we regular moms and dads and residents make sure that everyone is registered to vote, and then make sure that everyone does vote. But if the people we elect are going to step down and appoint more insiders, with their narrow vision of what is "good" for the city, what are we supposed to do?
Betsy Voinovich”
As diverse as Lakewood is, I'm not sure our elected officials (as a group) are equally as diverse in their attitudes. The trouble comes in when everyone in power thinks the same and opposing opinions are disregarded, then the vision does not reflect that of the entire community.
Meg Ostrowski
Even more troubling is all of the talk about appointments, long running programs of stepping down, and moving along. Candidates with little experience getting large amounts of votes even though they have never been to my door or to the doors of our friends in the city. Almost like a machine is running the entire process on all levels. Candidates remaining silent and having other politicians coming in to speak for them!
Ken Wilder
“I hope the rumors are wrong about one getting in unopposed and retiring to allow someone different to step in. Again. Because that would be wrong no matter how the charter is written.
Justine Cooper
Iwas under the impression it was a public process to appoint a successor? Posted here on the Deck as Matt Markling stated. Are you saying there was another list that was intended to subvert the process? And this is the first time the general public is hearing about it. If the public knew sooner, there might be challengers to the unopposed. Too late now.
Charlie Page
Who will be the secret replacement if she wins? Who will be Councilman Bullocks replacement if he wins? Who will replace the Mayor if he seeks appointment next year to Countywide office? Those unanswered questions make it more important than ever to have one or two independent voices on council.
Bill Call
Vote for whomever you please.
But something is WAY not right here, at least in my opinion.
Gary Rice
I would like to add that in my capacity as a humble, private citizen of Lakewood, I think that the practice of appointed incumbency should end. I believe that it is, at best, open to abuse. At worst it invites cynical manipulation for the purpose of thwarting a fair, equally open to all democratic process. There should only be one, front, door to elected office. So long as side and back doors exist, meanwhile, any occasion of their use should be subject to intense scrutiny.
