Mark Kindt wrote:Laura Rodriguez-Carbone
Of those remaining on the list of potential appointees to the At-Large seat, Laura Rodriguez-Carbone is among the most qualified choices.
1. She made a clear commitment in writing to support improved ethics-in-government legislation for Lakewood;
2. Having just run for office, she knows the issues facing Lakewood directly from her conversations with voters; and,
3. From her published writing, she demonstrates a clear understanding of complicated issues like the impacts of tax abatement.
Mark
Out of who is left, Laura is as qualified as anyone, though there are some good names on the list. She checks off many boxes council members have.
Brian and all candidates deserved an interview, I feel council which is working towards transparency will come to regret it. Those that were cut, will not.
In defending their work, members of Congress love to repeat a quotation attributed to Otto von Bismarck: “If you like laws and sausages, you should never watch either one being made.” Google
I might also add picking to appoint a council person seems to be nearly the same, but with more issues.
I have spoken with most council people about this process, or did during the election, all have boxes to check off on what they are looking for, and make no mistake, this decision is the Council's and they are desperate to keep it that way. More than one has mentioned it would be tragic to let Meghan pick her replacement.
Do not fool your self, outside forces still at work in Lakewood and politics. Everything from building out Lakewood, to regionalism, crime, to appointments. Who ends up where has become huge investment for some. O'Leary campaign spending nearly $160,000+ means those that lean that way, also have a vested interest in keeping the wheels going. One of the reasons I thought the elections went well, was that the other forces had a couple friends on council to give them insight. Of course that is now growing to a fight for the very control of Lakewood City Council.
So it would seem that council people have check boxes, and they look at the applicants in regards to those boxes. And then it starts. What starts, look no farther than Sam O'Leary as council president. Sam was council president because of a deadlo0ck fight between Bullock and O'Malley, in the end they settled for Sam. FACT reported here as it happened.
So I would imagine that applicants will also be played, and kicked around much like Primary Night in Iowa Caucuses. Each member goes in with a first choice, second, thrid, fourth. They vote, kick it around and cut some people. Soon the pattern appears who is really pushing who, and who really has a chance. At the same time, no one gets everything they want, no one.
HOWEVER, looking at this appointment, we could see the most powerful person in recent council history getting appointed. I predict, however it is will break many tie votes, and steer the City. The right person coupled with the Mayor, could be as powerful as the days of FitzGerald and Summers. Hmmmmmmmmmmm
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