Not only is neighborhood life uniquely possible in Lakewood (dense population, front porches, walkable community--versus, say, Parma), but the solutions to many of the challenges we face in Lakewood may begin with neighbors working effectively with neighbors--in partnership with the City.
Brett Callentine's story in this week's Observer speaks very clearly to this:
http://lakewoodobserver.com/read/opinio ... ighborhood
Bret makes very good points--worth further consideration by us all.Fixing up your own house is only the tip of the iceberg. If you want your property value to really go up, it’ll take a team effort. In this sense, being a good neighbor will pay off literally. If your block looks messy, clean it up. If you’ve got junk in the street, have it removed. If you know of a neighbor who needs help with the garden, or can’t prune their bushes, make an effort to lend a hand. Looks count. Appearance matters. And, finding ways to help is infinitely more rewarding than finding fault and doing nothing.
Likewise, if you need help, don’t be afraid to ask. There are far too many caring and generous people out there. Take advantage of the resources around you and trade skills if you can. I can’t grow flowers to save my life, but I can fix a broken railing. Building value is easier when it’s done as a team. And, it’s a game where just agreeing to play means that everybody wins.
When neighbors help neighbors, the value of all Lakewood homes goes up. But, even better, when neighbors help neighbors, the value of Lakewood as a community becomes truly priceless.