Close involvement with the community should be local government’s best feature. We can find solutions through real, open conversations among people, without the barriers that tend to divide us otherwise. That’s how it should work, and as a candidate for Lakewood City Council At-large that’s what I’m committed to delivering. Let’s have open discussion, let’s …
Today is Democracy Day in Cleveland. City hall will host public hearings on the impact of money in politics, with regular citizens invited to testify. (My Progressive Caucus colleague Steve Holecko will be among those speaking.) In approving the observance, last December, Cleveland joined a growing number of communities adopting Democracy Day in support of …
Apparently, true grassroots campaigns aren’t discouraged by rain, they thrive in it. Today’s campaign kick-off made this clear. On a cold and rainy day in Lakewood, our campaign team set up everything to receive guests, and then watched the gray scene before us wondering if any would show up. A few showed up. Then a …
Lakewood takes pride in being an environmentally conscious community, as we should. Recycling rates are up; bike infrastructure promotes a healthy option for Lakewoodites and our environment. But there are other responsibilities where our practice has fallen behind our intentions. To honor Earth Day 2017, here are a few examples of what I believe Lakewood …
The Lakewood that I believe in wants our city to be a tolerant city. I believe that our community wants to be a place where people can feel welcomed, and find support, especially those who most need it. Offering support and understanding to victims of domestic violence, under the circumstances, seems like exactly the kind …
Nuisance Laws, Including Lakewood’s, Punish the Victim Read More »
One of our challenges in achieving people-driven reform is reaching people more often than every four years. Recently, someone asked me what I have been doing since the 2016 election. I’m happy to say that I have been part of a local, grassroots reawakening that is already changing communities for the better. As a leader …
Sunshine Week is a yearly opportunity to promote open government. Our Bill of Rights recognizes an informed public as crucial for democratic government, mentioning freedom of the press within the first 26 words. But good government actively supports an engaged public, as well as respecting an independent press. Transparent processes, open meetings, and accessible public …
Sunshine Week: A Time to Lead on Open Government Read More »
Since I started my campaign for Lakewood City Council this year, I have had the chance to speak with many current and former Lakewood residents. One of the major themes that keeps rising to the surface is Breed Specific Legislation [BSL]. This is the ordinance passed here in 2008 placing harsh limits on pit bull …
From Medicare to our local recycling and refuse services, the signs are abundant, what has historically been owned by the public, is slipping into the for-profit sector. The justifications are simple enough. Our leaders tell us, “either we raise your taxes, or we outsource this service or department.” This message isn’t crafted by local politicians …
After spending six months in a rural part of Northern Uganda then traveling down across the equator and around Lake Victoria, I learned a bit about life. Namely the similarities of our human experience and the differences in our lived realities. This helped me understand the nuance in concepts like poverty, peace, justice and forgiveness. …
