The jumping off discussion area for the rest of the Deck. All things Lakewood.
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With the year’s end just days away, I thought it might be a good time to take a look back at 2015 activity on The Observation Deck and share some of our favorite posts. Whether thought provoking, clever or outrageous, they are all a reflection of the community we share.
I’ll get us started with one that inspired me.
Brian Essi wrote:Jim, the LO, the Deck will continue to lead Lakewood in the search for the truth on all important issues while having fun too.
Keep the posts coming, but remember "resentment is the poison we drink hoping the other person gets sick."
We need you to stay healthy if we are to become "The Healthiest City in America!!!"
The LO and the Deck are clearly key to the mental health of our City.
Doctor Jim,
Thanks for all you do for Lakewood!
“There could be anywhere from 1 to over 50,000 Lakewoods at any time. I’m good with any of those numbers, as long as it’s just not 2 Lakewoods.” -Stephen Davis
Anything posted by Alex Belisle. Alex was a breath of fresh air from the moment I met him. With his background in English, teaching, and religion combined with his years in New York it made him a fascinating person to talk to, and be with. Over the past 12 months it is been fascinating and heart wrenching watching him walk through the walkable city with camera in hand. His reactions are real, are tempered, and insightful. Many of us who grew up here, do not appreciate what we have.
This cannot really be labeled a favorite post. However, it was really thought-provoking for me. A lot of people on here (myself included) complain about how the city administration and CCF appear to have no care or compassion. More than once, I have mentioned and provided evidence of numerous rapes and other sex crimes that have reportedly happened in the city that our city officials appeared not to care to warn the public about. As far as I can tell, no charges have been filed against any alleged perpetrators in any of these incidents. What was really thought-provoking for me was the fact that there was no comment of concern or sorrow for the victims of these crimes from anyone on this forum.
I just thought it was ironic that everyone on this forum complains about CCF and the city not showing any care or compassion by taking away the hospital. On the other hand, nobody appeared to have any care or compassion for these victims.
Just a thought. FWIW.
Hi Mark,
Thanks. You are spot on. It appears that there is still a rapist, or two rapists loose in Lakewood. We will probably never know for sure, since Summers apparently likes to keep it hidden. Below is the PDF file listing all the rapes that have apparently been covered up. Please take a moment to digest this and think about the victims.
Let us not forget also that a police report was apparently pulled from the city website where a two year-old was reportedly sexually molested outside of Pepper's Restaurant. Another rape happened on Halstead a little over a month ago that was apparently also pulled from the city website.
The lives of these victims will never be the same. It is bad enough that this happened. When you don't warn the public of potential danger, it makes the problem much worse. In my opinion, it is an insult to the victims.
My choice is Brian Essi. After working with editors at the Newscorp Group of NYC newspapers (WSJournal, NYPost, Bronx Times et al) I appreciate the dedicated research and tenacious attitude about getting to the truth. His many articles of evidence clearly display his investigative skills and desire to get to the truth. Readers of his posts voiced their interpretations which is an essential piece of our democracy but at least the evidence was put forth, for all to read.
In speaking with him and others, I warned him that much of his work would be in vain, since cognitive dissonance is the engine that drives opinions in social media these days.
Although his rhetoric and syntax was vociferous and strident at times, I admire his steadfast passion for his calling.
"The desire to win is meaningless without the discipline to prepare."
Alex,
Brian posted a lot of evidence here for people to see. With what I have read and seen, I can't believe that the two judges in Cuyahoga County ruled the way they did. I still think it appears there is more to this than meets the eye.
I appreciated Gary Rice's thoughtful post on Christmas Day. Noting Lori's comment that "there is more to this than meets the eye," I reference Gary's comment: "Contrary to the opinions of some, I do believe that our present community leadership group was probably boxed in to making the decision that they made. It is my strong belief that normally good, decent, people were forced into this decision by circumstances beyond their control. As such, they may likely attempt to disclaim personal responsibility for outcomes arising from their decision. Quite possibly too, they will be correct."
For all the talk, all the posts, all the insults, there is something here that remains inexplicable. Hopefully it will come out sooner than later.
I heard today from an excellent source that Metro may buy the large HealthSpan (nee Kaiser Ohio) outpatient facility on Snow Road in Parma this spring, or maybe it's all of HealthSpan. I can only wonder, "what if?"
“Never let a good crisis go to waste." - Winston Churchill (Quote later appropriated by Rahm Emanuel)
Dan,
Do you REALLY still believe that our city leaders were "boxed in" to making their decision about the hospital? Some people need to wake up and face reality. Every time I drive by City Hall I believe what I smell is the smell of corruption! Once again, I will stand by and await my tongue lashing.
Lori Allen _ wrote:Dan,
Do you REALLY still believe that our city leaders were "boxed in" to making their decision about the hospital? Some people need to wake up and face reality. Every time I drive by City Hall I believe what I smell is the smell of corruption! Once again, I will stand by and await my tongue lashing.
s
Lori, No tongue lashing from me on this. I can understand your conclusion, but until I see evidence of corruption, I prefer to hold my fire. It's a strong accusation. Gary used "boxed in" and that is as good a conclusion as any given the lack of information. "Inexplicable" is my word for it for now. Going back to the beginning, I'd like the RFP process detailed - it never was. All we got was the Palinesque "we contacted everybody." Why this seemingly blind commitment to CCF to the detriment of the city?
“Never let a good crisis go to waste." - Winston Churchill (Quote later appropriated by Rahm Emanuel)
With all due respect, I feel that there is a good amount of evidence.
1. CCF and the city have been fighting the discovery process all along in court. If there is nothing dubious or potentially incriminating, why are they not turning paperwork over?
2. Why was everything held in executive session regarding this deal? Possibly to hide anything dubious or incriminating?
3. There is the issue of Fitz's fake newspaper. This was turned over to the proper agencies as a potential election law violation. Why did this appear to be swept under the rug?
4. There is also the issue of alleged mayoral campaign material being included in July's water bill. I believe several people turned this over to several agencies for investigation. Although no violations may have been found, why did this appear to be swept under the rug?
5. There is also the issue of the "secret" meeting between LHA/city officials where armed CCF cops were guarding the door. Could there have been dubious activity being discussed?
6. There is the decanting plan that LHA and Summers created.
7. The contents of campaign finance reports (although this is circumstantial).
I think the most telling posts on the Observation Deck in 2015 are the ones that have not been made. The posts that went unwritten from people due to antics on the Observation Deck stand out as the Deck's largest symbol in 2015.
Corey Rossen
"I have neither aligned myself with SLH, nor BL." ~ Jim O'Bryan
Best Posts: This one goes to Meg for her thoughtful insights on the Hospital situation
Investigator of the Year: Brian Essi, for the hundreds of hours of research to bring countless facts to the hospital discussion.
Prophecy Award: To Bill Call, who predicted the hospital heist.
Rookie of the Year: Alex Belisle, for all the wonderful photos
Lifetime Achievement Award: Gary Rice, Keeper of the Banjo
Troll of the Year: Corey Rossen. Noone has done a better job embodying the Team Summers mentality. Like Team Summers, he says noone reads the Deck....yet reads it multiple times per day.
Most Efficient Award: For your post following the December 21st unanimous vote supporting the Master Agreement.
Michael Deneen wrote:City Hall has a Christmas message for the poor, sick and elderly: "No room at the inn."
“There could be anywhere from 1 to over 50,000 Lakewoods at any time. I’m good with any of those numbers, as long as it’s just not 2 Lakewoods.” -Stephen Davis
I also enjoy Alex's photo threads and your thread "Clouds Got In The Way". It is really refreshing to look at after a stressful day.
I feel bad that I have been posting in Jim's Cloud photo thread. I wish someone had said something earlier. I feel like such a Buttinsky.
"So, let's make the most of this beautiful day.
Since we're together we might as well say:
Would you be mine? Could you be mine?
Won't you be my neighbor?"
Corey Rossen wrote:I think the most telling posts on the Observation Deck in 2015 are the ones that have not been made. The posts that went unwritten from people due to antics on the Observation Deck stand out as the Deck's largest symbol in 2015.
I'm thinking those posts (the ones not made here) were made at other discussions boards and social media sites under faux names.
Gotta appreciate folks Corey who are not afraid to use their real identities and express their views.
"So, let's make the most of this beautiful day.
Since we're together we might as well say:
Would you be mine? Could you be mine?
Won't you be my neighbor?"
