ANNOUNCEMENT: New Logo for Downtown Lakewood

[Jim O'Bryan]

I would love to take a chance to remind all that this thread went south when more than one Lakewoodites dared to ask some questions. These were the same Lakewoodites that were asked to donate before Christmas. The same that own businesses in downtown and in the city. The same that have accounts at local banks, go to The Lakewood Hospital, and other Lakewood Businesses.

Simple questions about:

How much it would cost for everything?

Where was the money coming from?

Why the CDC of Lakewood was in such a hurry to go outside?

If they have even read their Mission Statement?

How much was made at Spooky Pooch?

How did the city spend on their program?

The answer was attacks, insults and now a deafening silence.

I would hope that the board takes a very hard and long look at these
questions and finds someone to come back with the answers.

For the two that came in I would hope do not represent them.


FWIW


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[Gary Rice]

It does make one wonder though...

..just to continue the cackling, to keep this "fowl" metaphor going for just a moment...

The amoeba-like split up of what seems to have been one of the 'Deck's most popular threads into two....

Makes me wonder whether there really are any real "chickens" around here?

One way or another, at least this whole sign thing does remind me of laying an egg...

[stephen davis]

How much it would cost for everything?

Where was the money coming from?

Why the CDC of Lakewood was in such a hurry to go outside?

If they have even read their Mission Statement?

How much was made at Spooky Pooch?

How did the city spend on their program?

If public money is involved, these questions sure seem legitimate to me.


Steve

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[Jim O'Bryan]

Gary

I split this thread for the third time, as it got sidetracked in a very serious issue. This issue is every bit as serious and as troubling as garbage trucks, which i just had a great discussion with one of our council people over.

He asked what my real issue was, and my answer was simple.

mediocrity.

I think Ed FitzGerald is making tough choices and making very many tough decisions, as he sees them.

That said, it would seem that others...

I am outraged that any group would ask residents for money right before Christmas when Lakewood Christian Services was desperately trying to raise funds for people in need?!

But to then insult and ignore those same people over simple questions?

Gary, I am shocked you do not sense the outraqe.

Imagine the business that have in good faith supported these efforts, now having to see the lack of respect for their customers.

I am very disappointed in one person I have always supported.


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[Gary Rice]

Outrage?

Oh Yeah Jim, I am outraged.

Frankness time.

In case you were thinking that my chicken allusion applied to you...

...it did not.

The people who have posted with their concerns here were courageous...

visionary...

concerned....

...like you are:

You; a person who is literally rising from a sick bed to try to put this horrid wreck of a humpty-dumpty together in some resolute way.

There are indeed chickens here, and they're not you.

Like the early patriots of this country, there are people here pledging their lives, fortunes and sacred honor, and just as importantly....

...putting their real names forth right here,

...asking simple questions.

...that remain unanswered...

Whether with special diabetic sharps needle disposal questions in the new trash model, or why the choice of sign colors were offered that were apparently not in sufficient contrast....

Questions remain unanswered ...

Why Why Why Why Why.....?

[Gary Rice]

In an attempt to move a bit more towards that hypothetical Kumbayah moment, I'd like to advance the following observation:

As a member of the Community Development Block Grant Committee, I was in on the presentations about how and why some of these Lakewood non-profit groups were developing, and to many of us, a good deal of what they were proposing, made sense for the greater good of the city.

In fact, our CDBG group suggested the allocation of Federal public dollars into some of these proposals.

Where this all seems to be going south would seem to me to rest with an improved public presentation of some of these programs, their reason for being, and their future plans.

As a committee member, you may rest assured when the committee reconvenes, that there will be a great many questions to be answered from my own corner.

In fairness, I honestly would give these groups good marks for intentions. That said, I think that the public would benefit from a bit more clarity here.

[Jim O'Bryan]

As a committee member, you may rest assured when the committee reconvenes, that there will be a great many questions to be answered from my own corner.

In fairness, I honestly would give these groups good marks for intentions. That said, I think that the public would benefit from a bit more clarity here.

Gary

I would demand full accountability, and nothing less.

We cannot afford another bank bailout!!!!!!!

Seriously, what bothered Steve and I and others at lunch a couple weeks ago, was the relative lack of transparency on some key players. This backed up with a near Haliburton Nightmare. You know, "How much, oh yeah we can do that..."

What does your group do?

er Teach the importance of Economic Development

er take credit for everything good but nothing bad

er rebuilding "downtown"

er did I say rebuilding I meant economic development

er did a I say ED I meant manage

er did I say manage, build skateparks

er did I say skateparks er schools

er schools I meant parades

er parades I mean santa

er santa I meant dog parades

er did I say dog parades er, libraries

er did I say libraries, I meant LEAF

er did I say LEAF,

ring, ring, ring, ring just one second

er the mayor has $1 million dollars for homes, yep that is what we do



I think is the point Steve was trying to make.

If you cannot honestly say how much Spooky Pooch Parade made

How on earth can you be trusted with $1 million,

politicians, are you reading this?


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[Gary Rice]

The way CDBG works, for example, different groups submit applications to the city for federal funds. The past several years have seen these funding packages in the neighborhood of 2 million dollars annually.

We in CDBG review the applications, hear the mayor's proposal as to how he wants to use the monies, and then we deliberate and send our report to Council.

I am not aware whether the 1 million that Jim is speaking of would be monies that would relate to the CDBG committee's particular sphere.

Regarding the CDBG funding, the place that a number of committee members, including myself like to zero in with, is with a submitting group's past accountability; even moreso than future plans. Those plans, sometimes by necessity need to be flexible. We do like to know more about HOW these groups performed in the past as a barometer of future performance.

You don't want to quash spontaneity, and sometimes community development can be a work-in-progress, as we've seen with the original request for sign input.

When something works well, the cheering starts. I think we do need to tone down the rhetoric and let the people at LakewoodAlive and some of the other nonprofits continue to develop and refine their plans. At the same time, they need to remind theirselves as to the importance of public perceptions during their ongoing deliberations.

Remember that certain people who may or may not be members of such a group are not necessarily the public spokespeople for those groups. There is a difference.

[sharon kinsella]

I read the LA website - it took ten minutes.

It speaks of economic development. I was excited, well good, maybe they're doing something, went to look - uh no, nothing initiated by them, no proposals for keeping small businesses, helping them open, materials for highlighting said businesses, etc.

I saw there was also housing initiative - couldn't find it.

I was hoping that we had figured out how to help homeowners about to tip into a raise in their mortgage by ARMS, or improving existing stock and helping people keep up their property. Didn't see it.

I see a lot of what is going on and has gone on with Detroit Shoreway. I've done projects, back in the 90's with Citizens to Bring Back Broadway which has joined with a Slavik Village group, and other CDC's around the city and country.

Frankly I'm as underwhelmed as Stephen Davis. There are so many amazing people in Lakewood that could help bring these things into fruition and we're doing second-rate signs.

I can't even ask questions without being ignored or verbally slapped, as have been others. I've never experienced anything like this and I hope it gets resolved, but I will find out what I want to know.

This whole debacle could have easily been avoided.

Of course, what would any of us know, we just live here.

[Jim O'Bryan]

When something works well, the cheering starts. I think we do need to tone down the rhetoric and let the people at LakewoodAlive and some of the other nonprofits continue to develop and refine their plans. At the same time, they need to remind theirselves as to the importance of public perceptions during their ongoing deliberations.

Remember that certain people who may or may not be members of such a group are not necessarily the public spokespeople for those groups. There is a difference.

Gary

I would defy you to find anything negative from me about "Mainstreet" since
it was taken over in now what resembles a coup de tait. I was assured that
"Mainstreet" was a good plan and that now it would accomplish miracles. Well?

At the same time, I appreciate everything that Mary Anne has tried to do.
She has been a huge part of my learning process, much to the dismay of
many I stood with on the WestEnd Project. They cringe when I easily can
explain that Eminent Domain is a legitimate tool to use, but only as a last
resort for very extreme cases. I could name three in this city right now.

When I see Mary Anne out working the street, she is filled with energy in
a job that has to be trying and hard at the best of times. One cannot help
but support her based on effort alone. But after two years, one also has
to wonder about impact and moving the city forward. Like college, easy to
remember the good parties, but it was the classes that in the end made the difference.

I agree with you and with Stephen, and others in this city. As we move into
dangerous times in this economy, we must watch our pennies more closely
than ever before, and we must examine closely what has been working and
what has not been working. We also need to look very closely at what and who
has traction and what seems to be spinning its wheels.

As I look back at LakewoodAlive, its mission statement, and its meetings, which
I believe I have only missed one. I am seeing clearly the mission drift that
Stephen has mentioned. But I also see the same old tired thinking that
big box stores will save their city. Even as the economy stutters to a stop
and big box stores close with ZERO attachment to a community.

I sat through meeting after meeting where the punch line was always
we suck, we need to bring in malls and big box businesses. The punch line
for the arts districts was, "If we create art districts, we can attract big
box stores, that will force out the artists and then we can eat cheesecake."
What trouble me most of that meeting was they missed the true substance.
That Tremont, The Flats, The Warehouse District and all the cool associated
with them was started by Lakewoodites! Maybe, we should get them a
copy of the Wizard of Oz, maybe they need another session with Lakewood's
Wizard of Oz, before he retires. Would they listen, would they care?

Indeed, it would seem that maybe we have hired the band from the Titanic
far easier to play, and do what they know, then to learn and grow. Many
see that band as brave, I wonder if that is true. I think it might have been
braver to help people into lifeboats that were half empty.

This analogy has followed me the past months. While some are bailing for
all, they are worth, others, seems to be decorating the boat that is sinking.
Are we in fact frosting a cake, that is not even baked.

Well, today started with me listening to Elmore James, and Buddy Guy,
maybe that has set the tone.

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[Jeff Endress]

I have been following this discussion, lurking if you will. And, without addressing the issues which has evolved, what I find truly incredible is that evolution process. Something unique, something connected.

This all started with a simple announcement:

“LakewoodAlive announces the adoption of a new logo for its revitalization program, Downtown Lakewood. The logo was designed by the Cleveland based branding consultancy and environmental graphic design firm Studio Graphique, with oversight from the Downtown Lakewood Signage & Wayfinding Design sub-committeeâ€￾.

In other cities, neighborhoods, many would never even see such an announcement, much less take the time to discuss, what seems on its face, pretty innocuous. One day, they would walk down the street, see some new signs and say,â€￾ Gee, when did that happen?â€￾
But in this community, by and large as a result of this project in civic awareness something quite extraordinary occurred. People began asking how this happened, at what cost, with what input and for what reason. People with a vested interest in their community were involved. If not in the process that led to the announcement, at least in the process of examining it.

What this thread demonstrates are several interesting points. First of all, and without question, one can readily see the effectiveness of this communication tool. Anyone can “get the word outâ€￾, whether the issue is signage or garbage pickup. It serves to educate and inform those who are most affected by the issues.

And, perhaps more importantly, it also demonstrates that those presenting information may well have to discuss, or perhaps defend the process leading up to their decisions. Sometimes dealing with a populace that is empowered is a difficult thing to do. But, transparency in the process not only builds the confidence of that populace in those exercising control, but also tends to make the decision makers more responsive by being able to identify and address concerns raised during the process.

We can’t do everything by plebiscite. That creates an impossible burden resulting in absolute stagnation. And for every proposed action, there will be a number of well intentioned persons who are opposed to it. You simply can’t please everyone. But, in a city with an engaged population, an INFORMED population with a forum to vet and discuss, this thread makes it abundantly clear that those affected want to be involved (and are involved) and need to know that those working on their behalf have reason and rational for actions taken. And of course the best way to do that is through transparency in the process.

I’m not sure what has gone on with the signage “issueâ€￾. To me the most important sign we could erect would be at the eastern border of Lakewood, in Green and white, that read “Highlandâ€￾. But, I’m really pumped over what this Observer tool can do for civic involvement. Now, if we can channel all this energy and concern into some kind of FOCUSED direction we could well accomplish something. Sniping won’t do it, but open doors and forthright communication will.

Okay. I’ve had my say. Back to lurking. Please carry on.

Jeff

[Jim O'Bryan]

Jeff

Where to start. Of course you are much more eloquent than I. This is probably due to the fact that you actually attended your classes, where I always thought of them as a obstacle or at best a social exercise.

There are many issues which flow out of this thread, and you are correct, in most cities the sign would have just been put up. Even then, the city would have to answer at least why? Why does a city need to label "Downtown" much larger more complex cities have gotten by without the need. However when a city is cutting back service after service and rightly asking resident to "do their fair share" the question of COST and NEED is paramount. When the group that has decided that the unwashed masses are lost and cannot find their way home is publicly funded, every question is legitimate and NEEDS to be answered. It is the law.

So first one would wonder why the founder, and the director would come in and belittle the residents, the citizens and the process. Do they really believe that they are the high and mighty? Is this the "shadow government" that has set themselves up to run our city without answering to the residents every two or four years? For lack of a better term an Aristocratic Government? As was once mentioned to me, "The gifted shall find like minded gifted thinking people..."? Who are these gifted people one resident spoke of? What makes them gifted? WHAT IS THEIR TRACK RECORD OF SUCCESS AND FAILURES?

It reminds me of dealing with people who describe themselves as artists! My pat answer is, you paint, you sculpt, you photograph, you create with something. Describe yourself in those terms, and let the rest of the world judge if you are an artist, or gifted.

I remember how lucky we were with the gifted few that were trying to run the WestEnd "debacle" down our collective throats. Millions spent in sewers, road work, legal fees, that left the collective consciousness of Lakewood much the same as the north and south after the civil war. Families and friends divided for decades. What always bothered me most was the secret dealings behind the scenes, the deal making with the developers and the "loose use of the truth." I used to ask the mayor, what was Phase 2, and she would always answer, "there is no Phase 2 on my desk." Which always made me answer, "What is it called, and where do you keep it?" Later I would learn at least one part of "Part Deux was called the Cliffs*, by the Foran Group. All paperwork signed by Mayor Cain, though it would be 4 years later for it to see the light of day. Hmmmmm about the same amount of time it would have taken to build, the strip mall, in a failing economy.

No matter, the one thing I know is the city could not afford another massive failure of thinking, or another war.

Another thing I am always amazed over. Why do some groups NEED to make the residents think they came up with the plan? Is it because of low self esteem? a self loathing? Hardly! So why, why create the illusion of openness and inclusion, when it is the last hing they want, possibly even fear? Why the trickery, do they simply not trust the very people they turn to for funding. possibly thinking we are idiots? Or do they as my friend said believe, "the gifted will find like minded gifted people..." I do not have the answers, but I think we can all agree the questions are fair.

While the lack of forthcoming seems sinister, maybe it is, and maybe it is just a fear. A fear of months of hard work being derailed, by the ungifted, or the politicians, or those funding those efforts, or all three and more. This is one of the problems with trains, trolleys, and big ships. Even when trouble is seen, and you try to steer, the response is so slow, and so dull, the momentum just keeps it going until it hits the bump, or the iceberg.

I was speaking with someone at Ed Favre's fundraiser about the sign. She mentioned that she loved the sign that the Deck came up with, as it would fit everywhere, and was a nice classic clean design. She also mentioned, she loved the process of openness on the Deck, and had the "sign committee" would have asked for ideas instead of focused studies, who knows what could have been accomplished. But she thought there was no stopping them from suing the designed they had paid for. The momentum was there and they had paid for it. I mentioned to her the last pack of Lucky Strikes I bought before quitting, it was never opened as it just seemed stupid. She smiled and said goodnight.

Many say that the Observer came out of the Debacle. Nothing could be farther from the truth. The Observer came out of a large handful of residents wanting to make sure, the trolley was always quick, and informed enough to avoid the dangers of looming debacles and wars. That it would be a way for ALL regardless of past experiences, and agendas, could judge and see what
a sampling of Lakewoodites thought, or could add to any discussion. The cross section on the Deck is quite staggering. Section8 to millionaires. Laborers to retired, educated to non-educated. A FREE TOOL without agenda, there for all that are wise enough to understand how to use it.

Jeff, you were one of those handfuls, and are now on the board. You see
the product, the discussion, and the sausage making.

Thank you for your kind words, and intelligent thoughts on this subject and the Observer. I too agree that the most important new sign in Lakewood is Green and White and says Highland Ave.

With that I leave the floor to put in some delicate screws into fine cabinetry.

Has anyone seen my hammer?

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[Donald Farris]

[Kenneth Warren]

Speaking personally, I think we miss the mark of the LO Mission (The mission of the Lakewood Observer is to attract, articulate, and amplify civic intelligence and community good will in the city of Lakewood and beyond) when we swell the LO Deck with antipathies, many rooted in unfinished business surrounding Issue 47. Yet that seems to be the drift here.

Given the present burn rate, I don’t believe the city possesses the talent, time and treasures to drain civic capacity, fry relationships and succeed beyond the bad blood that spills from the Kabuki Street Fight.

Having generated my share of unproductive heat from sharing personal beliefs and projections about how to move the city forward, I am concerned about the rising tide of antipathies evoked by electronic communication on the LO Deck and its effects on civic capacity, relationships and institutional agents.

All this points, I feel, to a fundamental incompatibility between the values and visions, images and traits that drive key players in both the LO and LA.

I am disheartened to recognize in this thread the fundamental incompatibility between the leadership of the two groups.

When relationships are not fun; they fail. When civic relationships fail, due to unnecessary roughness, amplifications of unfinished business designed to besmirch others and their efforts, the value of civic engagement on the LO Deck and the LO Deck, with its conceit of vetting ideas and changing the way institutional business is transacted, are diminished, at least in my estimation.

There may be no going back, of course, no heading down from the Texas Style Deathmatch of mutually assured destruction that grips too many incompatible people in present impasse.

While I have loyalties to both the LO and LA clans, it seems to me that, due to an incompatibility which neither sympathy and participation nor trust and respect are likely to transform, leadership personalities have marked with bad blood a civic impasse.

For the rest of us, I hope we can all get a better grip on our civic relationships and responsibility to engage differences in values and visions, images and traits, while going easy on the shadowy aspersions and projections we cast upon others so easily in cyberspace.

Bad blood on Main Street is something that neither project, nor the city itself, can afford to spill for very long.

Kenneth Warren

[Jim O'Bryan]

Mr. Warren

You are probably correct.

It was probably me being way over the top, thinking they really were
not reaching out, and I was just being paranoid. Secret meetings and all.

Wait!

This has to be a good omen. The new Lakewood Ohio Cartoon Map,
done by one of my friends who has been working months on this!

Hey, Gary get that Banjo ready...




Oh my an omen, look at this!


How funny!



A big expensive LakewoodAlive Blimp sailing over
the little Lakewood Observer Boat.(All I could afford)


Wait


Wait


Oh No!


another prophecy...


This was done weeks ago!





just kidding.


Gary, hey Gaaaaarrrrrrryyyy.

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