The City Priorities

[Lynn Farris]

I'm a little confused. When the new administration ran for office, I got the impression that we were all pretty clear on the issues facing the city.

1) Economy - It does appear that Mayor Fitzgerald has addressed the short term issues quickly and decisively, but the longer term issues remain.

2) Safety - Again we have done a lot of work with other agencies - but a lot of work needs to be done to insure people that this is once again a safe place to live and bring up children. I have to admit while the campaigns were in full gear, I heard numbers of people mention problems with crime - but not dogs.

3) Infrastructure - Roads, Sewers etc. Lake Rd. work has begun!!! But there are many other streets that need work.

4) Akin to the Economy issue was what we can do in terms of smart, responsible development to get the city moving again. Filling empty store fronts, filling the doubles, filling the empty apartments.

Maybe there are more issues that are critical - but I think we need to keep focused on our priorities and not let our council get sidetracked into media provoking controversial issues.

Last session or the session before last it was the grocery carts - not a hot button issue on anyone's list that I knew. This took up way too much time and effort. I see now instead of keeping food prices low, Giant Eagle has equiped their carts with devices that won't allow them to roll if they go over a painted strip. Sillyness run amok.

Now let's not get off the great track we have started on to fix what really needs to be fixed in our city by talking about pit bulls. (There are no Republicans to blame anymore.

[Jim DeVito]

There is always a Republican some ware to blame.

[Jim O'Bryan]

Lynn

I would be happy with clean and safe.

I cannot fault them with economy, or even empty storefronts.

But the increase litter, parks, graffitti


safe and clean would be an excellent start.


FWIW



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[Lynn Farris]

Just so we are clear Jim,

When you say safe, is your concern pit bulls attacking or people selling crack cocaine?

I agree about the litter and that is one good way to get people to move to the city to have nice clean parks.

[Jim O'Bryan]

Just so we are clear Jim,

When you say safe, is your concern pit bulls attacking or people selling crack cocaine?

I agree about the litter and that is one good way to get people to move to the city to have nice clean parks.

Lynn

It is not just the parks.

I was speaking with a councilman last week who told me, the problem was always here that there was no graffitti law.

Well there was and or is a 24 hour graffitti law. 24 hours to remove graffitti from your property at the cost of the owner. The building and service department could help with elephant snot or suggestions but you had 24 hours to remove it.

The litter on the streets seems much worse as well.

SAFE, my definition would be people feel free to walk the streets. You can add anything you want into that description. Pit Bulls, crack dealers, bums panhandling, gangs roving the streets at 3am, you name it.

I do not feel threatened but I know some that do. It is perception and the perception is not going away.

Real or not. I know friends that have conceal carry, and they now carry.

Lakewood police are working hard, very hard, harder then they should have to work.

Now let's walk on eggs. While I am against the PitBull ban, I love the tough talk all over the region about Lakewood. Again perception is everything.

We have 12 months to get this done. Clean Safe.

We must get rental property up to snuff and up to real rates.

or...



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[Lynn Farris]

There is a graffiti law. The day we moved into our building, graffiti appeared and we were given 24 hours to get rid of it. We did. The reason for this law as I understand it is 2 fold. One, it discourages the graffti artists (term loosely applied) as their work is quickly removed and they can go somewhere else where it will last longer, it also keeps our city beautiful. We also removed it from elderly home owners who had the back of their garage painted.

But then I noticed when graffiti was on the city stop sign, the city wasn't as quick to remove it. I called and bugged them until they did. The city needs to set the standard in my humble opinion. Likewise, AT&T needs to be held to the same standards when it is on their huge boxes.

But perception does take time to change. We need to be vigillant. But we need to keep our eye on the prize - safe, clean cost effective.

I have heard lots of complaints about the city from people looking to buy homes in Lakewood versus elsewhere recently. People were worried about crime and the schools - I kept mentioning that they were virtually brand new schools (another perception problem perhaps).

Not a soul mentioned pit bulls or even grocery carts for that matter.

[lisa shaffer-gill]

I just need to chime in to add that though it may seem a small thing to some, the administration's support of  community gardens across the city has positively impacted us in a big way.  Litter clean up in the parks, safety, neighborly and civil behavior among those who meet there, the greenness of the city; community gardens are organic,and lower food prices are all real results of the gardens in Lakewood.  Many of us have already harvested lettuce and giant zucchini, for the mere cost of seeds! Those of us who visit our garden plots have met new people, picked up litter just because (watered the city's grass seed, because it's the neighborly thing to do) and had conversations with all kinds of people who support the idea of the gardens and love that they exist even if they don't have one themselves.  Just having more people out and about builds community.  The more people that know one another the more people there are who can look out for one another and share stuff.So, kudos to the Fitzgerald administration for seeing the bigger picture of investing in community gardens!  If you're interested in knowing more or planting your own giant Zucchini, contact LEAF.

[Jim DeVito]

The more people that know one another the more people there are who can look out for one another and share stuff.

Bingo

[Mary Anne Crampton]

The more people that know one another the more people there are who can look out for one another and share stuff.

Double bingo. I will add my kudos to the administration for support of community building events like Band2gether and Walk+Roll on Main Street and figuring out ways to keep 4th of July traditions alive in the face of serious economic challenges. Its not quite the same as gardening together (loved your description, Lisa), yet in a similar vein, sharing positive community experiences has a significant impact on our collective efforts to protect and enhance our quality of life.

[Jim O'Bryan]

The more people that know one another the more people there are who can look out for one another and share stuff.

Mary Anne

Kudos to you and the members of various groups, that are constantly reaching out for community support and involvement.

As each little snowball starts rolling it gathers new people and gives more and more people ownership in the projects, the successes, the fun, and in the end THEIR CITY.

I too will give kudos to Ed FitzGerald in doing the hard work of cutting the budget and keeping the city solvent. I would also give kudos to the police that are doing a wonderful job.

Still, I would think a major effort should be made to keep Detroit (Mainstreet) and Madison spotless.

We can beat Crocker Park, and the new developments at their own game. It is not that hard. In turn we all win, all of us, everyone.

LEAF is gold, and a very good movement for too many reasons to list. The biggest is involving a whole knew group of people, and serving the community across all divides. It is a beautiful thing, those Thursday nights, as is Band2gether and Ruthies tribe of hard workers.

Thanks you all again for your hard work.

I love it and appreciate it.


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[Missy Limkemann]

Yes thank you for the hard work.
I will say a couple years ago (2 summers ago) my oldest son ran away. I was in the ER for a cat attack but my inlaws were here and he ran away. When I got home my father in law was frantic looking for my son. I called 911 and I wasnt even done describing my son and police were everywhere. In what seemed like hours (almost days) he was found in minutes. I am still grateful to the police for that. They found my son, got him home safe to me and I am forever in their debt.
they do a great job. we get people that park in front of our driveway on a weekly basis. we call, they come and ticket, chat with us for a bit, (i think they know my driving skills...lol) but THANK YOU to the police.
And to the city for the wonderful things they put on. Meet the Trucks so far has been my favorite venue. I look forward to more!!!!
(crocker park is too "rich" for my taste....well for my husbands taste..)

[Jim DeVito]

Mary, A double Bingo... you're killing me

As long as we are sharing stories. I lived in an apartment for a time across from street from some of the more rowdy element. Now do not get me wrong I am a Live and let live kind of guy. Sometimes it got a bit out of hand. When I had to call police they not once did I have to wait until I got off the phone for them to show up.

With the pending arrival of the new baby things have been kind of hectic. I will however make it a point to go to more of thease critical events. I will triple Kudos all the good that people are doing in the city!!

Have Fun All!!

[Jim O'Bryan]

Mary, A double Bingo... you're killing me

As long as we are sharing stories. I lived in an apartment for a time across from street from some of the more rowdy element. Now do not get me wrong I am a Live and let live kind of guy. Sometimes it got a bit out of hand. When I had to call police they not once did I have to wait until I got off the phone for them to show up.

With the pending arrival of the new baby things have been kind of hectic. I will however make it a point to go to more of thease critical events. I will triple Kudos all the good that people are doing in the city!!

Have Fun All!!

Jim

Kudos to you for moving to Lakewood, renting in Lakewood (not far from one last summer's standoff) and buying a home in Lakewood.



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[Bill Call]

1) Economy - It does appear that Mayor Fitzgerald has addressed the short term issues quickly and decisively, but the longer term issues remain.

A few years ago a young out of towner told me she heard that Lakewood was the place for young transplants like her. She eventually found a place but told me that much of the rental housing she looked at was "disappointing".

Just yesterday I noticed a young man at the library holding his skateboard. When I asked him if he rode his skateboard to the library he said yes. He also added that he moved to Lakewood because everything was so close and convenient. He added that with the price of gas he thought this town was ready to "explode" with growth. Hopefully he won't be disapointed.

Actions taken by the council and Mayor so far have laid the foundation for that explosive growth, but only the foundations. Balancing the budget, increasing productivity and improving the response to quality of life issues are a good start. But only a start.

Their job would be a lot easier if they had some cooperation from the government unions but there isn't any and there won't be any.

Their job would be a lot easier if they had some cooperation from County officials or the Port Authority or other local agencies but there isn't any and there won't be any.

We are on our own.

The hard part comes when the real fight is engaged with government unions and out of town landlords. As Ireland was to England Lakewood is to Rocky River. Is the administration willing to engage them in a war of survival and independence or will it rest on its foundations?

[Jim O'Bryan]

As Ireland was to England Lakewood is to Rocky River. Is the administration willing to engage them in a war of survival and independence or will it rest on its foundations?

Bill

I am proud that you were able to refrain from a "Sullivan's Pub soon with patio" plgg, that normally follows any mention of Ireland with you.

Rocky River is not who we are fighting.

Wait till you see what is coming east of us.

We are in a fight for sure. While the old run far West, the young...


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