The Political
Roundhouse
(440) 668-0887
cobbeldick@comcast.net.
Putting People Before Pride
Dear Bay Village Resident:
First, let me say that I know that this race will equate to me sticking my head into a hornet's nest. I am aware of what I'm up against, and so be it. There are two quotes that I like to read whenever I meet up with someone who is with the Sutherland Camp, all gung-ho to beat me in November 2005:
The instinct of nearly all societies is to lock up anybody who is truly free. First, society begins by trying to beat you up. If this fails, they try to poison you. If this fails too, they finish by loading honors on your head. - Jean Cocteau
All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident. - Arthur Schopenhauer
There Is a Train Coming Around the Bend
and the Name of the Train Is Democracy
I believe the best leaders create a "safe and welcoming atmosphere" for all, and they know how to create a true Learning Organization, implementing solid and respected Organizational Development and Training techniques that are in keeping with today's Best Practices - not the "ol' turn red, stomp your feet and invoke fear" style of management.
A leader of the Republican Party here in Bay has said, "Debbie doesn't belong to the Republican Party; Debbie belongs to the Debbie Sutherland Party." Bay business owners have told me "they were crushed to have to learn from reading in the newspaper about City Hall's plans that would be impacting their business and livelihoods," and they're "anxious for a change at City Hall." Folks, those are their words - not mine. But they ought to cause anyone to stop and take pause for a moment. This is a race where people will come forth and talk openly about their pain and frustrations with this Administration. I won't need to make empty allegations or unsubstantiated charges. My opponent has shot herself in the foot. Truth be told, I can remember when I was a business owner and I first met Debbie Sutherland. I left City Hall saying, "someone has to stop her." And that was long before I ran for U.S. Congress, let alone mayor.
I get a kick out of people, once elected to Public Office, who see things that are wrong, but do not take a strong stance against wrongdoing. Sure, they'll whisper behind closed doors and say things that identify problem behavior, but it's always in the safety of shadows, off the record, followed shortly thereafter by "selective memory loss", or a stern advisory, "but do not quote me on that!"
It's like that fable, The Emperor Who Had No Clothes, by Hans Christian Anderson, (everyone knew the Emperor had no clothes, but were too unwilling to profess what their eyes plainly could see!)
I've done a fair amount of Executive Coaching and Organizational Development work, and it's my opinion that the most unhealthy organizations are the ones incapable of producing people to step forth and say what's on their mind. If an entity has a culture where people think in terms of their surviving the backlash from reprisals rather than focus on purpose and what is reality, very little progress is ever possible.
In the Marines, what would happen if a scout came back and told a Battalion's Colonel what he simply wanted to hear? I've been advised not to use big words. I've been advised not to discuss more than two or three topics. I've been advised to keep it at a third or fourth grade education level. To me, voters are being insulted and robbed of what is due them: the truth.
Funny, I come from the school of leadership that says stand up and take a stand - if you notice something that is worth challenging, challenge it - not to just rock the boat - but if you stand opposed to someone or some idea, speak up!
True, I ran for US Congress, but that doesn't make me your typical politician. I know how the game is supposed to be played. I know about "doing the dance, etc." Like I said, I am not your typical politician. Personally, I am miffed that a councilman who observes things or reaches certain conclusions wouldn't step forth and take a stand. But therein lies the problem! The people never learn what's going on behind the scenes because of some hush-hush, unspoken code of loyalty to fellow politicians. I assume he thinks he needs to maintain his "power base" and not jeopardize his position with the mayor.
Do you see who the loser is when that kind of stuff goes on? It's the taxpayer. The Legislative Branch of Government exists as a checks and balances system to the Executive and Judicial Branches. If a councilman sees issues, but insists on remaining quiet about them, why even bother being a councilman? As for any notion about protecting his power base, that's a mirage he's chasing. Why? Because if he would just see that his true power base is with the people, he could always speak up, always call 'em like he sees 'em and always provide that needed checks and balance system to truly serve the interests of the people! But when you're beholden to your peers and associates, and the profession is politics, the constituents - the residents - the families - the breadwinners - the taxpayers are the ones hurt.
Yes, you have to live to fight another day. And yes, better to lose a battle than lose the entire war, but at what point does a spine get so double-jointed from being so flexible that it actually goes limp? I believe one must stand for something or one will fall for anything.
I do not aspire to upset the apple cart or make waves. There is no value in shaking the tree needlessly. But when the people vote someone into office, I think the voters are the Hiring Authority. I'm pretty sure constituents are the boss. Or at least they should be!
That's at the very essence of why a soldier makes a good champion for the citizens. Soldiers don't "dance." They don't kow-tow. Soldiers are trained to offer reality-based briefings. Soldiers know the consequences of sugar-coating the news. And a soldier is enough of a Romantic to do the right thing - even if it means to fly in the face of what is popular or causing oneself to be in harm's way.
I'm running as a soldier. I'm a foot soldier for Tax Relief and Accountability. I'm not going to name names and I'm not out to burn anyone. To me, someone else does not have to lose just so I can feel like I have won.
But this business of me being told to talk to people at a 4th Grade Level, or to keep my Platform down to three issues... That's beneath the intelligence of the people here in my home town of Bay Village. And it's high time the people got themselves a mayor who is an advocate of their agendas - a mayoral candidate who is beholden to the people - not The Old Guard and not some Kingmaker or Cronie of someone who's got lots of juice (power)... No, the time has come for a new era.
My campaign will seek to open up the doors, shed light on the subjects, allow for debate, and reward courage. I believe in my heart that is what the People want too. You can get the same old, same old. However, your vote does entitle you to make a change. My thought is this: Wouldn't it be revolutionary to put a taxpayer and a soldier in the role of chief executive officer for our city? (Someone who doesn't underestimate the people's comprehension - or the people's ability to consider more than two or three issues at the same time!)
I will run this campaign from the perspective that the people are my "power base.". If I can affect better accountability, increase savings, bolster efficiency, or open up how we communicate with the citizenry, then my measuring stick will be based on those things - not how well I've managed to schmooze with a Political Boss or raise money from contractors who reside out of this county! There might be a million dollars and a million yard signs, all earmarked for Deborah Sutherland, but I am placing my trust in the people - that come election time, when they get in that voting booth, they will vote their conscience and do what their heart says is right. We'll raise money and have yard signs up too, but in me, you will see a candidate who spends his time mastering the art of learning what is important to the people - not mastering the mechanics of how to conduct a political campaign. I plan to be at Java Bay and the Bay Bowling Alley on Saturdays. Once a month, I will deliver speeches like this one, and I will begin my door to door campaign walking the streets of Bay. That's pretty much it. If you want to send a donation, I will put it to very good use.
You'll be supporting: The Sunshine Law, an end to Elitism, Tax Relief, better communication style and fair disciplinary actions, as well as City Council Meeting Minutes that no longer are edited, and a mayor who will reign in the spending and bring forth talent and innovation. We will seek to be more friendly, courteous and helpful in our words and deeds. You will get a leader - not a manger - a statesman - not a politician. Thank you.
Very respectfully,
Bruce Cobbeldick
Cobbeldick for Mayor
Bruce Cobbeldick, a native of Bay Village, is running for mayor, and he recently conducted an Open House for Bay business owners, talking about his plans for reigning in the spending, fighting for Tax Relief, and protecting Bay Village from being turned into another Westlake just to keep up with the Jones'.
Cobbeldick, who ran for US Congress last year while spending only $1,700.00 on his campaign, lost the county-wide election by just 4,000 votes. In Bay Village, he actually beat out Republican nominee, Ed Herman. According to Cobbeldick, the message of Fiscal Conservatism, reduced spending, and lower property taxes has the community's residents excited. read more...