MissyMissy Limkemann wrote: Or if anyone wants to "interview" me since I suck at writing I can do that too. LOL. I was on my school's newspaper (a million and 5 years ago) but I mostly did poems, art work and kept scores of the wrestling team.
If the story is Lakewoodcentric the LO wants it. Our pledge is all Lakewoodcentric stories get published in print or online. To my knowledge since we started only 4 stories never made it to the public eyes. Three because the writers no longer wanted them out there, and one that was written so poorly, that even when working with and editor no sense could be made of it.
What the Observer does, as the 2,000+ Lakewoodites that have taken part in the paper have learned, is get you to write the story and put your name on it, as proof of ownership. We can help edit it, correct it, fact check it, run it by lawyers, assign photographers and/or illustrators and get it out. At the same time we offer the same to anyone willing to write the op-ed piece.
This is why when some say the Observer is one sided, they are so wrong it is laughable. When they say we have a secret agenda, they are wrong and foolish as well. Our only agenda is to inform all what is going on in Lakewood. Now, in the past and in the future. The Lakewood Observer is here to serve the people, City Hall, the Schools, Civic groups, and then others.
The LO was never created to make money, and to be honest I could have made more money starting a crack habit instead of a paper. Everyone on our Advisory Board has given time, effort and money to keep this going. i cannot underline that enough. All have families, and all have given up that precious time to move this forward. That is one reason, "part time" and "no time" falls on deaf ears at the Lakewood Observer. All we have ever asked from anyone is, what little time they can afford, and not one second more.
To be honest there is really no reason for public people and groups not to take part. The Observer was in design for almost a year before it went public. During that time we asked the schools, the library, City Hall, and non-profits what they needed to get their information out to everyone. their answers along with some innovated thinking is the Lakewood Observer.
Many then followed through and kept their word. Most notably the Lakewood Public Library, and for that I am most thankful. To date the Library has received nearly $250,000 in space and other support through the paper and this project. It could not go to a better institution. Recently Ed FitzGerald and some council members have taken up and open their doors with support. Not financial, but moral and with stories. At a time when the city is trying to save money, it is a very good and welcome sign. As I said to Ed FitzGerald once. "Tom George opened the doors to a very dark Lakewood City Hall. You are now the one that has turned on the lights."
This is my single biggest frustration. When civic groups need websites, we provide them for free. When civic groups need the story out, we do it for free. When the police and city hall need information out, we do it for free. All without censorship or control on the part of the Observer in any way. The very serious belief of the board, this is Lakewood's tool, not the tool of the board. When this is misunderstood, my frustration builds. When people work against this project, instead of putting it up, frustration builds. I could understand if it was about control, or $$$$$$$$$$$$, but we have completely removed that from the table. When the schools took our hard earned tax-dollars and spent large sums to do what we had offered for free like "Conversations With Dr. Estrop." All we could do was shake our heads and think of the programs that could have been funded with that money. in the end, the problem was we would not edit or control the questions asked.
Many think the LO is evil, and infact even those on the board ofteen laugh calling it Lakewood's Pandora's Box. Because when you offer anything a person needs for FREE, they have no excuse not to take part. But we see many shrink from the opportunity to move this city forward in the light of day under the scrutiny of all.
Please send in the story to the member center, or contact Dan Slife, I can assure you we would all love your stories, to go along with those of others, as the Lakewood Observer charts and keeps the history of the good deeds, and deeds of Lakewood and Lakewoodites.
Stepping off my soapbox, as I am late for work and have to put a sign on a truck. Yes i too have a real job, actually two of them.
peace
PS - The Lakewood Observer could use poems, illustrations and wrestling scores. You have no excuse now.
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