In your opinion,what is wrong with Lakewood?

[Bret Callentine]

Outsiders coming in telling us there is something wrong with Lakewood

...or lifelong residents who use the term "outsiders".

the location from which the opinion is voiced does not necessarily make it any more or less valid.

[Ivor Karabatkovic]

Bret,

If you lived across the street from me, would you know how my life at home is?

[Charyn Compeau]

Mike:

Welcome to the global marketplace

[Bret Callentine]

Ivor, if you knew of another city that was thriving, would you assume we could learn nothing from them?

And yes, if you lived across the street from me, I would hope to know much more about you and your family. But only as much as you were willing to share. I'm open to everyone, but admittedly, it's taking me a little time to work my way around the city.

[Jim O'Bryan]

Ok folks....here is your chance to let it all out. Be truthful and honest now. What do you feel is wrong with this city and why. We pay higher taxes than Bay Village and our schools are not top notch. Why???? Why are our streets so poor? Again....such high taxes and little improvement. Do you think section 8 was a bad idea? What is your soap box about Lakewood?

Outsiders coming in telling us there is something wrong with Lakewood.

I live here and have for some time now

Julie

I met you here in Lakewood.

I know you are in Lakewood.

My answer is still the same.

There has been a rash of really nice snake oil salespeople for years coming through Lakewood telling us what we are missing.

Just getting tired of that.

Lakewood needs very little, it would address all the problems and help to move the city forward.

Safe, clean.

The past couple months I have been working with different groups of "economic city saviors" felt cleaner and safer with junkies or zombies.

Personal problem I suppose.

Gang, I am sure you can meet Julie Saturday. She will be a nice addition the the Observer. Take my word for it, those on the left, sharpen your skills. When the right cried unfair, the call went out and Julie Mosher answered and she is in da house and in da wood.


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[Ivor Karabatkovic]

What works well in Westlake, Bay, etc etc. might not work well here in Lakewood. Those cities are too one-sided and plain.

Lakewood's a melting pot. What works for one family doesn't for another. It's what makes lakewood so unique, and that's what makes it so hard for our politicians to figure out what's best for the majority of our residents.

you can't make everyone happy all the time.

If I was a man of my word, I'd run for school board since I'm now eligible and don't like whats going on with our schools at the moment. But, I'm afraid I'd have to sell my soul to the devil before I'd do that....

[Jim O'Bryan]

Outsiders coming in telling us there is something wrong with Lakewood

...or lifelong residents who use the term "outsiders".

the location from which the opinion is voiced does not necessarily make it any more or less valid.

Bret

Completely untrue.

Let's meet and we can talk.

Do a search for "wash ashore" probably bring up some vile stuff I wrote.

This is not to say turn a deaf ear. Last week I was working with a guy trying to rebuild East Cleveland, he said "well like Lakewood..." We went through the scenerios, nothing like Lakewood.

Lakewood is so weird and so unique, urban planners cannot understand it. Believe me I have spoken to too many of them in the past year.

A very rare mix, a very rare design, a very rare community.

Just the same old line makes it rare. Same density of LA?

Yet the feel of Mayberry RFD?

We are freaking people out.



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[Charyn Compeau]

When the right cried unfair, the call went out and Julie Mosher answered and she is in da house and in da wood.

Welcome Julie -

I am glad to hear there are diverse views joining the discussion.

And it is with sincerity that I say I look forward to hearing the points of both sides as we examine Lakewood. I certainly hope that as we really start to look at issues through various lenses that we focus on the issues and the facts that support or contradict the points made and avoid any wild rhetoric that may cloud the issues.

We already have one person committed to the RCP (rhetoric control program) - now we need to focus on prevention before more succumb to the disease.



Charyn

[Julie Mosher]

Ok folks....here is your chance to let it all out. Be truthful and honest now. What do you feel is wrong with this city and why. We pay higher taxes than Bay Village and our schools are not top notch. Why???? Why are our streets so poor? Again....such high taxes and little improvement. Do you think section 8 was a bad idea? What is your soap box about Lakewood?

Outsiders coming in telling us there is something wrong with Lakewood.

I live here and have for some time now

Julie

I met you here in Lakewood.

I know you are in Lakewood.

My answer is still the same.

There has been a rash of really nice snake oil salespeople for years coming through Lakewood telling us what we are missing.

Just getting tired of that.

Lakewood needs very little, it would address all the problems and help to move the city forward.

Safe, clean.

The past couple months I have been working with different groups of "economic city saviors" felt cleaner and safer with junkies or zombies.

Personal problem I suppose.

Gang, I am sure you can meet Julie Saturday. She will be a nice addition the the Observer. Take my word for it, those on the left, sharpen your skills. When the right cried unfair, the call went out and Julie Mosher answered and she is in da house and in da wood.


.

Thanks Jim! You are truly the best! I am here for fair, honest and open debate. A different perspective may be refreshing to alot of you. This is one of the blessings of living in America, we can have freedom of speech and not have to feel afraid. Hope you will enjoy my articles and if nothing else, make you think.

[Julie Mosher]

Who is the woman named "Julie Mosher" that is Editor of the GOP USA Michigan website?

Is this someone else? If so, why does your profile link to this person?

If you are this person and you live in Lakewood, why do you work for a Michigan website?

http://www.gopusa.com/michigan/editor.shtml

I write and edit for them. I live here in Lakewood though.

[Bill Call]

What is wrong with Lakewood? In no particular order:

1. High taxes. Lakewood has some of the highest taxes in the country. People can save thousands of dollars by moving 10 miles West. Those high taxes discourage immigration into town and encourage outward migration. Giving the City's up coming bankruptcy, that problem will only get worse.

2. Poor services. I think we have all noticed the decline in those services. The parks are a disgrace, the streets are in poor condition, crime is up, etc. City employees have noticed this decline in services, that is why they have moved out of town.

3. Lack of vision. Rockport is left to its own devices, Rosewood has done everything right and stands empty, the Cliffs are still fighting various government agencies just to be able to break ground. The Library and the YMCA have shown what can be done with a little vision, a sense of urgency and a plan of action. The City lacks all three,

4. No planning. The City does not prepare long range budget forecasts. Next years budget will show a substantial deficit. The following year's budget is a mystery wrapped in an enigma.

5. No accountability. The City doesn't know how many vehicles it has or where they are. When asked about development possibilities the person responsible points to the phone and states: "It's not ringing". When the person responsible for the parks is told about the condition of the parks he says: "No one told me". Millions of dollars spent as a result of overtime and sick time abuse? Don't ask.

6. No loyalty. Most City employees have voted with their feet. They say they love the City. Right. They love the City like a child loves his piggy bank and they won't hesitate to break it apart to get at the money.

7. Lakewood is a multi-level colony. Very few of the tax dollars we send to the State or County are spent here.

8. An arrogant school board. The school board has operated the system for the benefit of its employees and to the detriment of the citizens of the City. The board has given a blank check to teacher unions, broken promises about the elementary schools and embarked on expensive building program without thought to what happens in the buildings.

9. No management by walking around.

[Jim O'Bryan]

What is wrong with Lakewood? In no particular order:

3. Lack of vision. Rockport is left to its own devices, Rosewood has done everything right and stands empty, the Cliffs are still fighting various government agencies just to be able to break ground.

Bill

Interesting list,

first, Rosewood does not even have walls up and has sold three units. I have heard of at least three plans for people coming into the storefronts.

Cliffs was being held up because of the state(1 person) not releasing about 60' of driveway for them to get trucks down. Then broke ground months ago to see if wroking from the top was feasable. I believe it added way to much to the project cost. Real ground breaking is April 15th I believe.

Rockport is moving ahead as they are finally developing the Western Edge. This will make the entire project look nicer. I think we are all happier with Forest City taking over the project.

How are we bringing taxes down again?

I hear the complaints, but how are you cutting and how much?

I would agree loyalty is another massive problem. But with residency requirements illegal, it will be tough.

Random thoughts.


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[Bryan Schwegler]

I would agree loyalty is another massive problem. But with residency requirements illegal, it will be tough.

What about residency incentives? That seems like a way around residency requirements.

As for requirements, I don't think the book is closed yet on the legality of them. Isn't Cleveland fighting it in court right now? If Cleveland wins, doesn't that open the door for Lakewood to look at that again?

[Joe Ott]

the baseball home opener was today and the Rangers whacked the Avon Lake Eagles by a score of 15-5. Senior Taylor Kraus hit a monster home run into the parking lot. Beautiful day for baseball!

Good news for sure Ivor, but don't get too hung up on ball sports (yawn) there are many other sports going on at the High School that (often do better and) need better coverage.

The track team starts their season this weekend at Ed's. Their first home meet is next Wednesday the 4th.

Sorry, that's not what this thread is about. I'm leaving now...

[Rick Uldricks]

Taxes are too high. I've heard people within the city say that people don't really leave due to taxes but unfortunately I've spoken to many friends that say if taxes are raised anymore they will leave. Add to that, that many properties are in horrid shape, I'd like to know why code violations aren't being enforced. The streets are in poor condition and very few of them get repaired in a season. Water rates are too high. The city is dirty. The parks are embarrassing. I'd like to be able to take my children to a park that is clean and in good repair. That is my main complaint list. I do love this city. I really enjoy living here but I am worried about the direction it has been headed while being led by the current administration.

I agree with every one of your points, Danielle, including the part about "I really enjoy living here but I am worried about the direction it has been headed..."

In addition, I frequently hear "Lakewood is unique." "What works for some cities, won't work in Lakewood." I think we may have a case of terminal uniqueness.

While Lakewood is unique in many ways, I can't help but wonder what the best practices are that other successful cities are implementing and why we can't use them in Lakewood? Are we really that different?