A lightning rod criticized for infighting, his exit will create a sudden, meaningful change to the board’s dynamics.

Source: https://glendalecherrycreek.com/2023/07/campus-violence-headlines-compel-school-board-change/

"Davey's obviously a bit of a lightning rod for opinion," Harris told reporters on Sunday.

Source: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/australias-harris-expects-warner-play-old-trafford-3632416?cid=cna_flip_070214

Diane Heath, who lives at the lightkeeper’s house, said the lightning hit the lightning rod, frying the light, foghorn and all associated circuits.

Source: https://www.bangordailynews.com/2023/08/14/news/midcoast/maine-marshall-point-lighthouse-repairs/

“Due to a myriad of minor licensing and structural issues, it has become a lightning rod for city interference with our operations, and threatening our various existence,” Loftis wrote in his GoFundMe appeal.

Source: https://chicagoreader.com/music/gossip-wolf/house-veteran-craig-loftis-needs-help-to-keep-the-music-going-at-the-lodge/

He became a lightning rod for supporters and his departure is perhaps an admission that it would be futile to even attempt to win them over.

Source: https://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/23451804.jumped-pushed-ross-wilson-leave-rangers/?ref=rss

In practical terms, the rooster on top of the church tower is just a lightning rod.

Source: https://www.thewestonforum.com/rebuilding-notre-dame-a-golden-rooster-symbolizes-the-resurrection-of-notre-dame-news/

Like their southern counterparts, the company's dominance over the region's high food prices makes them a lightning rod for criticism.

Source: https://www.nationalobserver.com/2023/03/23/news/food-prices-north-are-astronomical-despite-subsidies

Neil Doncaster's interpretation of the Chief Executive role has made it essentially a highly-paid lightning rod for criticism with no actual power so don't expect anything more than bland corporate idioms to come from him.

Source: https://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/23918647.sporting-integrity-dictates-plastic-pitches-must-go---wont/?ref=rss

Sometimes that means being unpopular, but Snyder understands that her role often makes her a lightning rod for public rage.

Source: https://www.pressherald.com/2023/12/04/portland-mayor-kate-snyder-reflects-on-a-tumultuous-and-rewarding-term/

"The emergency department ends up effectively as the lightning rod for every failing elsewhere in the health system.

Source: https://www.9news.com.au/national/strengthening-medicare-taskforce-report-federal-health-minister-mark-butler-general-practitioner-shortage/4cb0ef33-cdf1-4d77-8926-9b51efd9ee7b

The now popular Frenchies have become the lightning rod for the debate around the ethics of breeding "designer dogs" — though this is not a new trend.

Source: https://www.denver7.com/news/national/designer-dog-breeds-are-everywhere-but-they-might-be-hurting

“We want to be really thoughtful and deliberate because this has the potential to be a real lightning rod policy,” Erika Lea, a school board member and member of the board’s policy committee, said.

Source: https://vtdigger.org/2023/09/17/champlain-valley-school-district-crafts-transgender-guidelines/