Bullock Wins Endorsement from Former Rival Gallagher, Teams Up on Neighborhood Safety

“We Need to Take Safety More Seriously, and Bullock Tackles It Head On,” says Gallagher

Ward 2 candidate Tom Bullock recently won the endorsement of former opponent Tom Gallagher for Lakewood City Council.

Lakewood, Ohio--Ward 2 candidate Tom Bullock recently won the endorsement of former rival Tom Gallagher for Lakewood City Council. Gallagher, who ran to represent Ward 2 during the recent October primary, said he supported Bullock because they agreed that neighborhood safety is a crucial issue that Lakewood’s leaders must deal with directly, not brush aside.

"We need to take neighborhood safety more seriously, and Bullock tackles it head on,” said Gallagher. “It’s not helpful to brush a problem under the rug, as some people running for office have done--that just makes it bigger. I’m endorsing Tom Bullock because we agree that safety should be our first priority.”

“I’m honored to accept Mr. Gallagher’s endorsement and happier still to be working with him on solutions to keep our neighborhoods safe, clean, and family friendly,” said Bullock.

Gallagher and Bullock have agreed to collaborate on tackling neighborhood problems such as crime, noise, trash, speeding traffic, and absentee landlords. Bullock is setting up Block Watches and “Good Neighbor Groups” across Ward 2. Bullock is the only Council candidate to author a comprehensive neighborhood safety plan.

Gallagher said Lakewood is at a crossroads and needs to crack down on problem landlords.

“Compared to fifteen years ago, Lakewood is going in the wrong direction. There are some landlords today abusing the system and making a business out renting to problem tenants who become chronic nuisances in our neighborhoods,” said Gallagher.

Gallagher said he decided to support Bullock after getting to know him over lunch after the primary and from talking with volunteers during Primary Day at the polls.

“Bullock’s supporters were very friendly. We greeted voters together, shared donuts and coffee, and had a nice time talking about issues,” said Gallagher. “We were neighborly, even though we were running against each other. That’s the way it should be in Lakewood.”

Bullock said bridge-building was important and that reaching out to pull people together was central to his work style.

“Whether we’re two candidates or whether we have two different opinions, we can still work together,” said Bullock. “The best way to resolve neighborhood problems is to pull together and work as a team. That’s the approach we’re using for Block Watches, and for any city issue.”

Bullock said he is running to bring new leadership to Lakewood, which faces rising safety challenges, home foreclosures, and budget deficits. Bullock is organizing neighbors to pull together to face these challenges. He invited all Lakewood residents to join him by signing up at his website, www.TomBullockforLakewood.com.