Welcome to Pottersville

[Michael Deneen]

The annual showing of the "It's a Wonderful Life" had a ironic twist this year.

In the movie, the community banded together to save George Bailey the Building and Loan from the scheming Mr. Potter.
The film had an inspirational message about the importance of community and the dignity of everyday people.

However, led by City Hall and "Build Lakewood", this year the City of Lakewood decided to the opposite.
We decided to turn our backs on our neighbors and embrace the "exciting development opportunities" of Pottersville.
We decided that Big Business should rule and that money is king.

In the real world of Lakewood, it is NOT a wonderful life.

[Corey Rossen]

In my understanding of the election this year, the community did vote and was represented. As it turns out, the vote favored the majority of Lakewood neighbors and was opposed by less than the majority vote showed.

Apparently, even a Judge was not opposed to the matter in which the circumstances ended.

Though I understand that in a place of "majority wins" some are not always pleased with the results. In the case of Lakewood, whether you are for or against the hospital closure, a vote was taken and a winner was named. The City is representing was its community, and neighbors, voted for.

Corey

[christopher dan]

from my understanding 52000 live in the city only about 18k voted? thats not the majority...just saying

[Corey Rossen]

from my understanding 52000 live in the city only about 18k voted? thats not the majority...just saying

So...had the vote gone the other way would you not be claiming victory because of the voter turnout?

[Bill Call]

Though I understand that in a place of "majority wins" some are not always pleased with the results. In the case of Lakewood, whether you are for or against the hospital closure, a vote was taken and a winner was named. The City is representing was its community, and neighbors, voted for.
Corey

That's an accurate statement. The voters have spoken and they did not support Mike Skindell or issue 64. It's not unreasonable for people to think that the other 45% of the people should just keep quiet and give up. But that's not going to happen for a number of reasons.

1. Save Lakewood Hospital was outspent 10 to 1. The Cleveland Clinic, The Lakewood Hospital Association, The Lakewood Hospital Foundation and other groups had a vested interest in closing down Lakewood Hospital. It's hard to compete with billion dollar institutions. Is only natural for the supporters of quality health care in Lakewood to believe that the results of the election were more about money than truth.

2. The Mayor and his supporters lied repeatedly about the Letter of Intent, the economics of health care, the financial condition of the Hospital, the existence of other offers, the request for proposals and more. How legitimate is a electoral victory based on lies?

3. The opponents of Lakewood Hospital included regional institutions, media outlets, universities and the political leadership in Cuyahoga and Lorain Counties. Opponents of Lakewood Hospital might think that that level of support indicates that their position is the correct one. Maybe so, but why were so many people and institutions interested in the destruction of community health care in Lakewood? Are you even a little curious?

4. The media blackout during the campaign certainly hurt Save Lakewood Hospital. Why was the media so intent on burying the issue?

5. No matter what the electoral outcome it's difficult to simply accept the level of corruption in this town evidenced by the behavior of the Mayor and his supporters. The use of police to silence the political opposition is one example.

The City parking garage is another. The revenue of a $10 million City asset was diverted by the Cleveland Clinic for other purposes. The garage was allowed to deteriorate to the extend that the Mayor says it must be demolished. Then, the Mayor agrees to spend millions to pay for and maintain a new parking platform for the Cleveland Clinic. How much sense does that make? Who made the decision to NOT MAINTAIN THE GARAGE?

When Mayor Ed Koch was defeated for re-election he said, "The people have spoken and now the people must be punished".

Please excuse the supporters of community health care if we just don't roll over and accept our punishment.

How can major media outlets ignore corruption? Food for thought:

http://clevelandmagazinepolitics.blogsp ... ounty.html

To paraphrase John Harrington:
“Corruption doth never prosper, what's the reason?
For if it prosper, none dare call it corruption.”

[Matthew Lee]

What was the media blackout? Leading up to the vote, there were many articles in the Plain Dealer / cleveland.com as well as stories on NPR. Was there something specific to the blackout that I missed? i don't watch local TV news so maybe that was the blackout? Thanks!

[Michael Deneen]

What was the media blackout? Leading up to the vote, there were many articles in the Plain Dealer / cleveland.com as well as stories on NPR. Was there something specific to the blackout that I missed? i don't watch local TV news so maybe that was the blackout? Thanks!

The PD didn't do any reporting, it printed City Hall press releases. Submissive corporate media is another factor turning Lakewood into "Pottersville". More frigteningly, the decimation of investigative media is endangering democracy at all levels (see current presidential campaign).

In any case, I think some of the responses to my original post prove my point. Many folks choose not to stand up to corruption, but to rationalize and accept it.

[Matthew Lee]

The PD didn't do any reporting, it printed City Hall press releases.

In all fairness, this is your opinion and not a fact. Below is one of the articles I read leading up to election day and it doesn't read like a press release:

http://www.cleveland.com/lakewood/index ... uci_1.html

[Michael Deneen]

In all fairness, this is your opinion and not a fact.

FACT: The PD never investigated the numerous inconsistencies and lies put out by Team Summers. For examples, see Bill's list.
FACT: The PD has cut staff from over 300 members to fewer than 75, using non-union NEOMG to pick up some of the slack. Reporters lack the time and resources to properly follow up and investigate even basic stories, let alone one as complex as this.
FACT: It was the Observer that brought substantial evidence from court discovery to the public, not the PD.
FACT: The PD has a history of firing reporters that criticize major Cleveland area institutions. Cleveland Orchestra and the Cleveland Browns are two examples.

OPINION: I bet Nixon wishes he were president nowadays!

In any case, Matthew and Corey's responses pretty much prove my point.

[Corey Rossen]

Though I understand that in a place of "majority wins" some are not always pleased with the results. In the case of Lakewood, whether you are for or against the hospital closure, a vote was taken and a winner was named. The City is representing was its community, and neighbors, voted for.
Corey

That's an accurate statement. The voters have spoken and they did not support Mike Skindell or issue 64. It's not unreasonable for people to think that the other 45% of the people should just keep quiet and give up. But that's not going to happen for a number of reasons.

1. Save Lakewood Hospital was outspent 10 to 1. The Cleveland Clinic, The Lakewood Hospital Association, The Lakewood Hospital Foundation and other groups had a vested interest in closing down Lakewood Hospital. It's hard to compete with billion dollar institutions. Is only natural for the supporters of quality health care in Lakewood to believe that the results of the election were more about money than truth.
Understood, but aren't most Presidential elections determined by height? There are always reasons for a win or loss.

2. The Mayor and his supporters lied repeatedly about the Letter of Intent, the economics of health care, the financial condition of the Hospital, the existence of other offers, the request for proposals and more. How legitimate is a electoral victory based on lies?
Didn't the Judge throw out the case against the Mayor for similar reasons?

3. The opponents of Lakewood Hospital included regional institutions, media outlets, universities and the political leadership in Cuyahoga and Lorain Counties. Opponents of Lakewood Hospital might think that that level of support indicates that their position is the correct one. Maybe so, but why were so many people and institutions interested in the destruction of community health care in Lakewood? Are you even a little curious?
It could be viewed either way. Why are so many interested in a way to save the community from future destruction by acting now?

4. The media blackout during the campaign certainly hurt Save Lakewood Hospital. Why was the media so intent on burying the issue?
I am not familiar with this.

5. No matter what the electoral outcome it's difficult to simply accept the level of corruption in this town evidenced by the behavior of the Mayor and his supporters. The use of police to silence the political opposition is one example.
I am not familiar with this.

The City parking garage is another. The revenue of a $10 million City asset was diverted by the Cleveland Clinic for other purposes. The garage was allowed to deteriorate to the extend that the Mayor says it must be demolished. Then, the Mayor agrees to spend millions to pay for and maintain a new parking platform for the Cleveland Clinic. How much sense does that make? Who made the decision to NOT MAINTAIN THE GARAGE?
Good question. Who?

When Mayor Ed Koch was defeated for re-election he said, "The people have spoken and now the people must be punished".

Please excuse the supporters of community health care if we just don't roll over and accept our punishment.

How can major media outlets ignore corruption? Food for thought:

http://clevelandmagazinepolitics.blogsp ... ounty.html

To paraphrase John Harrington:
“Corruption doth never prosper, what's the reason?
For if it prosper, none dare call it corruption.”

[Corey Rossen]

In all fairness, this is your opinion and not a fact.

FACT: The PD never investigated the numerous inconsistencies and lies put out by Team Summers. For examples, see Bill's list.
FACT: The PD has cut staff from over 300 members to fewer than 75, using non-union NEOMG to pick up some of the slack. Reporters lack the time and resources to properly follow up and investigate even basic stories, let alone one as complex as this.
FACT: It was the Observer that brought substantial evidence from court discovery to the public, not the PD.
FACT: The PD has a history of firing reporters that criticize major Cleveland area institutions. Cleveland Orchestra and the Cleveland Browns are two examples.

OPINION: I bet Nixon wishes he were president nowadays!

In any case, Matthew and Corey's responses pretty much prove my point.

So...the Sour Grapes Tour continues? Blame everyone for the fact that your individual stance did not come out victorious?

[Matthew Lee]

In any case, Matthew and Corey's responses pretty much prove my point.

Please enlighten me. What, pray tell, was the point you proved? I'm extremely curious as my views are not on here, only the refutation of a logical fallacy : just because your disagree with that the PD did, that does NOT mean there was a blackout of the media.

[christopher dan]

not at all .....but less then half the city voted that all im saying.....its very squed

[christopher dan]

not at all .....but less then half the city voted that all im saying.....its very squed regardless who won...wish more of the city voted.....people who dont vote its like voting for the other ooponet

[Corey Rossen]

not at all .....but less then half the city voted that all im saying.....its very squed regardless who won...wish more of the city voted.....people who dont vote its like voting for the other ooponet

Agreed.