"

[kate e parker]

didn't I see a post from jim obryan about the feds looking into something or other about the hospital issue? about someone being told to call the cops about harassment? something about "stay tuned"? it's supposed to be a bombshell. names and everything. what happened to that post?

too soon?

[kate e parker]

this place is a joke anymore.

all caps and innuendo.

[Amy Martin]

Sounds like more smoke and mirrors from Mr. O'Bryan.

[Jim O'Bryan]

Sounds like more smoke and mirrors from Mr. O'Bryan.

Smoke and mirrors from mister O'Bryan?

Really?

Postal Inspectors, federal agency, Sheriff's Department, State Attorney General people spending time in Lakewood, along with other agencies.

All looking at various things from POTENTIAL crimes, misrepresentation.

Again Lakewood Police looked into one of them, and found enough evidence to pass on to Lakewood Prosecutor, who decided not to prosecute.

My post was more about the overall actions of City Hall, removing our "cool" than any thing else.

The Mayor, and potentially Kevin Butler are the only Lakewoodites that know what is actually going on in real time. Everyone else is building on facts uncovered years later, with large gaps, filled in by conversation, and supposition. The Mayor on day one could have explained very quickly to the entire city exactly what was going on but instead, they chose to put up barricades to record requests, hide behind closed door meetings, and even went as far as releasing misinformation in a "neighborhood paper" planned in part by our Law Director to confuse, and change the vote for not just their own jobs, but the ability continue on and fight the facts coming out. To add threats, intimidation, and out right creepiness to the list, ads up to a city, many would think twice about coming here.

It is senseless getting involved in any investigation while they are investigating.

.

[Amy Martin]

The fox is guarding the hen house, so nothing of substance will come of this so-called "investigation"

[Jim O'Bryan]

The fox is guarding the hen house, so nothing of substance will come of this so-called "investigation"

Amy

I am not involved in any of the investigations or possible charges, I have no idea, but I believe they went to sheriff and postal inspectors to get it out of the so called "hen house."

.

[Lori Allen _]

Jim,
I trust you. I know when there is something to post, you will bring it to the Deck. Thanks for letting all of us post here. It is the only place in Lakewood where you can find real news. Maybe the Plain Dealer won't write against Summers or the county because I heard that the county was giving them tax breaks because their business is on thin ice. It wouldn't surprise me!

[Jim O'Bryan]

Jim,
I trust you. I know when there is something to post, you will bring it to the Deck. Thanks for letting all of us post here. It is the only place in Lakewood where you can find real news. Maybe the Plain Dealer won't write against Summers or the county because I heard that the county was giving them tax breaks because their business is on thin ice. It wouldn't surprise me!

Lori

I can't judge the others, have no interest. Again I was posting more as yet another, What is City Hall thinking? I know a lot of people at City Hall, I know a lot of really good hard working people at City Hall. I have known most of the key players for over a decade if not most of my life, I am amazed at how they have all "covered-up" but they all believe they are making the best of a bad situation, but we have a right to know.

As I have said from Day 1 of this. I believe Mayor Summers, thought in his mind he was doing the right thing for Lakewood. I do not believe he is in for this any deeper than friendships. He certainly doesn't need the money, and the rumors of retirement do not have him running for higher office. I do not believe that Mayor Summers and Wendy Summers are "criminals" it just doesn't fit them.

This is really a train wreck of a deal.

The problem with some of these things, bandied about are what we will call the fringe. People who go well and truly beyond the norms of common decency. And some that go way too far. Another metaphor I have used is a quote from Chris Rock about the verdict from the OJ Simpson Trial, "Some people too happy, some people too mad." Which brings me back to my actual post, the longer this continues, the worse it is for Lakewood's property values. An actual mark of what interest is in a community. As more and more stupid BS, let's not call it criminal, that comes out the stupider we all look. NOW, would be a great time for City Hall to actually explain what went on, and throw themselves on the residents mercy. No elections, no bad side effects and at least 2 years for everyone to move on.

Who would want to live in a city where officials lie, mislead, burn money on bad deals, raises taxes, and engage in state sponsored terrorism of residents?

I am thinking not many.

FWIW

.

[cmager]

Mr. O'Bryan,
You imply that the only consequence for their behavior is a confessional. I disagree.

Otherwise good people can and do become corrupted for whatever reason. Public corruption is especially insidious because it affects the greater good, sets a bad example for the (future, expected, tolerated) behavior of others, and often has generational consequences. I believe that we cannot accept, cannot tolerate, that behavior in our communities. The criminal code exists for those who otherwise lack the character, or have a character flaw or a weakness, that prevents their behavior within societal norms.

Let there be truth, and let there be consequences.

Regards, b

[Dan Alaimo]

...the longer this continues, the worse it is for Lakewood's property values. An actual mark of what interest is in a community. As more and more stupid BS, let's not call it criminal, that comes out the stupider we all look. NOW, would be a great time for City Hall to actually explain what went on, and throw themselves on the residents mercy. No elections, no bad side effects and at least 2 years for everyone to move on.
.

There were many bothersome things about Council's lack of action on the referendum, but to me the biggest irritation is that it stretches this divisive, sorry episode out until much later in the year when it could have been at least partially resolved in March. So we keep fighting, repeating the same talking points, and maybe coming up with some new ones.

I agree that if City Hall were to produce an explanation I could believe - and if it made sense - I would be less vehement in my opposition to the deal. But that's a couple of big ifs that I doubt will happen, and chances are any such explanation won't make the deal any less bad in most people's eyes.

Also there are those - like the military industrial complex - who are at this point more invested in the fight than any resolution, unlikely as that may be.

[Jim O'Bryan]

Mr. O'Bryan,
You imply that the only consequence for their behavior is a confessional. I disagree.

Otherwise good people can and do become corrupted for whatever reason. Public corruption is especially insidious because it affects the greater good, sets a bad example for the (future, expected, tolerated) behavior of others, and often has generational consequences. I believe that we cannot accept, cannot tolerate, that behavior in our communities. The criminal code exists for those who otherwise lack the character, or have a character flaw or a weakness, that prevents their behavior within societal norms.

Let there be truth, and let there be consequences.

Regards, b

I believe you might have read me wrong.

I believe one of the biggest problems in America right now is we never understood the true depth of illegality with Watergate, The Pueblo Incident, Iraq 1 and 2, and the fleecing of Lakewood residents in the Hospital money laundering scheme.

However, before we can get anywhere lets hear the truth.

.