Time for new leadership at the Observer

[todd heckeler]

[
think he has done himself quite a bit of harm allowing the SLH to take control of it.

Todd

When did I control what you said? When did I keep BL, you or anyone from posting their thoughts, and facts?

Just curious how Save Lakewood Hospital took control?

Could you explain?

Or are you just mean spirited? Tiger?

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You don't have to pretend now Jim the election is over.

There you go Todd--you broke your word in less than an hour---you are everything I always thought you were.

You guys are having a tough time reading today.

My quote:

I know after today I won't be back to the Deck

[Amy Martin]

I bet $50 that Todd will NEVER be able to stay away from the Observer/Deck . . anyone want to sweeten the pot with me?

He thrives on the bullshit that he posts here on an hourly basis. It's like crack to him.

[Jim O'Bryan]

Again, sorry about the ad, my mistake and own up to it. Want to own up to anything?

Todd and I dropped it, others continued. Each time I mentioned you had corrected it.

Want to give me a hint?

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[todd heckeler]

[Jeff Dreger]

.
"allowing the SLH to take control of it"

OK, so who exactly is behind the curtain and why have they allowed Todd to post more than 125 times?

SLH, why are you continuing to allow Pasquale and Todd and others to post if you are in control?

It's almost as if anyone can say anything and the only censorship is self-censorship with some people choosing not to engage with folks having different viewpoints.

[Betsy Voinovich]

A hint:



Betsy Voinovich

[Dan Alaimo]

how can the Lakewood Observer survive another four years under Jim O'Byran's leadership? Answer: it can't.

Anyone else? Ideas?

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Google "Pasquale Manno". Add "Lakewood Ohio" to narrow the results. See the first result. Ask some basic questions.
http://communityrecognition-25.org/news ... -Ohio.html

[Missy Limkemann]

isn't the observer a "community paper" ...so basically you are saying we need a "new community"?
i like the observer. i like the deck. does everyone hold hands and get along? hell no!!! but do we all respect each other for standing up for what we believe in. hell yeah. we may fight and we may get angry, but we are free to post what we want. i like that. mind you i don't post nearly that much and everyone who knows me would be frightened to know what is going on in my mind. (trust me..it is scary and all y'all would change your opinion of me quickly...lol..I'm really not that nice)

[Meg Ostrowski]

It's not a newspaper it's a personal blog on paper from various writers, and Jim is not a journalist. I've learned a great deal about the LO over the last few months that I didn't know before. I used to hit the Donut Pantry and grab one to read later, the only time I'll pick one up now is to use it to start my camp fires. Let Jim have his blog and phpbb forum, I think he has done himself quite a bit of harm allowing the SLH to take control of it. I know after today I won't be back to the Deck and never bother with another "Issue", hopefully you (and the advertisers) will be as well. Karma will bite him in the ass down the road.

Todd,

I have been a participant in The Lakewood Observer community project for many years. It is not a traditional newspaper but it is full of news from the city, schools, library and non-profits. It also includes opinions which are clearly placed under an appropriate header. I value being able to get all my local news in one package, I value the opinions of my neighbors whether I agree or not and appreciate the opportunity to be heard. The Observation Deck is often “good neighbors talking over the digital fence…,” although this election cycle certainly deteriorated that sentiment at times. While you may not like everyone here or their thoughts and ideas, there is no place else like it in Lakewood and there is no controlling it. I hope someday you’ll try it again, encourage others and have a better experience. It is a priceless resource for understanding the community we live in and the people that participate.

[Brian Essi]

Well said Meg.

No worries Todd--we understand you'll be watching and learning with the rest who "don't read the deck."

[Peter Grossetti]

With its vicious hostility toward the Mayor Mike Summers administration, how can the Lakewood Observer survive another four years under Jim O'Byran's leadership? Answer: it can't.

The Battle for Lakewood Hospital is over. Build Lakewood has won. It's time to begin a period of healing and reconciliation. This can can only happen with new leadership at the Observer.

Like a African dictator or South American strongman, Jim O'Bryan won't go without an ugly fight. It's up to the Observer's readers and advertisers to make it clear. We need new leadership here, for the good of the city.

Pasquale -

To my knowledge,the Lakewood Observer printed every pro-Summers, anti-64, pro-BL article, commentary, letter and opinion piece submitted.

To my knowledge,The Observation Deck deleted not a single pro-Summers, anti-64, pro-BL post.

To my knowledge,the Lakewood Observer FaceBook page did not delete a single pro-Summers, anti-64, pro-BL post.

I think that's pretty awesome leadership.

[Corey Rossen]

I do not think there needs to be a change in leadership.

I do think the Project as a whole could be reviewed, separated and categorized as Paper, Deck and others (whatever other endeavors that may be).

I also think that members of the Establishment should have different logins for whatever role they are playing while typing (for example: Stan Austin appears as Stan Austin, Contributor). Maybe there could be Jim O'Bryan, Citizen and Jim O'Bryan, Editor and so on. This will help the audience as well as keep the Establishment's point of view understandable (and in check).

There seems to be a lot of cross over and confusion when referring to the Deck and the Paper by both sides, the Establishment and the audience. Without that confusion of roles between what is the Paper and what is the Deck (along with the point of view or role of the poster), I think each has its own place that works within the community.

I think that the Paper's image could be damaged by the perception of the Deck recently and the Paper does not deserve the bad press. The Paper, as a a for-profit publication, could be affected by being grouped in with the Deck's new perception.

[Michael Deneen]

The folks that are spreading the anti-Observer propaganda want to eliminate the ENTIRE project.
Even though they use the paper, they would prefer it be gone.

If the Observer is eliminated, then there is no watchdog for City Hall.
City Hall directly controls "Lakewood Citizen", and it knows that NEOMG lacks the will and resources to investigate any potential City Hall problems.

[Jim O'Bryan]

I do not think there needs to be a change in leadership.

I do think the Project as a whole could be reviewed, separated and categorized as Paper, Deck and others (whatever other endeavors that may be).

Corey,

Look at other media sources. They put comments under the story, we do not. By choice, we want people to take that extra second and go through the extra effort to make a comment. They are only separated in the minds of people that can't see that.

As for the I do not align with either, but I am not neutral. I know this is another strange thing for you to try to wrap your head around. There were many in this town that felt the same way. Not sure on hospital or building but I was sure I didn't like the lies and misstatements coming from City Hall. I do not have the ability to understand hospitals or building, but I know we need honest and transparent government.

For many thinking people, it was not black or white. Or even about hospitals and building. It was expecting honesty from City Hall.

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[Corey Rossen]

The folks that are spreading the anti-Observer propaganda want to eliminate the ENTIRE project.
Even though they use the paper, they would prefer it be gone.

If the Observer is eliminated, then there is no watchdog for City Hall.
City Hall directly controls "Lakewood Citizen", and it knows that NEOMG lacks the will and resources to investigate any potential City Hall problems.

The "people who want it gone" is exactly why I think it would be beneficial to eliminate the confusion and lumping together the Paper and the Deck. As you stated, they still use the Paper (but am guessing are not please with the Deck). I can understand why the confusion exists when both are referred to as the Observer.

I understand you hate the "Lakewood Citizen" but isn't the Deck just Jim's version of the "Lakewood Citizen" controlled (or not controlled as Jim calls it) by Jim. Jim wants to post on the Deck, he does. Lakewood Citizen wants to post on his site, he does. It just matters what side of the fence you are on as to whether you like one site over the other. I have never been on the "Lakewood Citizen" or any other Lakewood born site, just this one (also shows why I don't always catch on when there is carry over from another site). I take that back, there was another site around just after the Deck started but I do not recall the name - I tried that for a total of 3 or less visits.

I think it would be beneficial to eliminate the confusion and stop grouping the Paper and Deck as the Observer.