Build Lakewood Gives Up On "Healing" Ploy After Less Than A Day

[Michael Deneen]

Perhaps I missed it published somewhere ... who are the two leaders? Did SLH members elect a full slate of officers (if so, who comprises that)? Is SLH a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization? Was/is there "membership dues?"

Back in the early stages of SLH, Marguerite Harkness was voted Chair and Tom Monahan was voted Co-Chair by the SLH members in attendance at an open meeting.
They have served very, very, very long and hard hours for betterment of our city.
Everyone owes a debt of gratitude for them....they have served at tremendous personal cost.
They've done their best not only to fight the city, but also to keep the scores of SLH members happy....unfortunately it's impossible to please everybody, so some folks like Lori feel they were treated poorly.

There are no dues to be part of SLH, and our meetings are held regularly on Sunday afternoons at the Library.

BL, on the other hand, has NEVER had an open, publicly announced meeting. They only invite the public to "dog and pony" shows.

[james fitzgibbons]

TKM,

I left the group because of the refusal of the two leaders to listen to some of the members and take their suggestions.

Perhaps I missed it published somewhere ... who are the two leaders? Did SLH members elect a full slate of officers (if so, who comprises that)? Is SLH a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization? Was/is there "membership dues?"

Ditto for BL.

I have to admit, respectfully speaking I have heard Lori's song one too many times.

[Brian Essi]

Jim Kenny wrote:
"Brian: I will pray for you. Please accept my apology. Like many here, I’ve been amused how you’ve selectively pulled quotes, facts and data points to give these another context, even when targeted at me. Over time, however, your commentary, interpretations and conclusions have been untethered, imbalanced and unsettling. At best we can call these extreme, yet at their worst these border on pathological. I don’t want you to cross that line, as a return can be horribly difficult. I now feel guilty that I ever experienced pleasure when reading your rants. For this, I apologize and will pray for you. I do not want to be a contributor to your suffering. Godspeed."

Jim Kenny wrote:
"Brian: I’m uncertain what your latest rant is asking me. If it’s a plea for more prayers said on your behalf, please know it’s granted."

Mr. Kenny, what a thrill it is to catch you in the dual roles of "thought oncologist" and High priest of Build Lakewood. It's absolutely dizzying. First you're praying for us and in the next sentence you're denouncing us as pathological extremists. This is real Fire and Brimstone stuff. Bravo. Not to sound ungrateful (because really, who doesn't need prayers from Jim Kenny) but is there any chance you'll be handing out Indulgences on the side, maybe slip in a couple between rants against your neighbors? Make no mistake, you Deck Deviationists, you Pathological Extremists, prayers are fine, but Jim Kenny-sanctioned Indulgences, that's where it's at. That's the fast track to Build Lakewood Heaven and Salvation for us all.

Price Tag For Build Lakewood's Campaign: The Loss of a $120M 108 year old institution.

A few lines from Mr. Buckley: Priceless!

Based upon the number of texts I received last night in response to Mr. Buckley's post (including the words "I'm in tears") I nominate Mr. Buckley's post for the Deck's "2016 Funniest Satire Post of the Year"--and its only March.

Forget moving City Hall to downtown, the Wreck Center, the First Federal of Lakewood Office Tower or the Juris Micro-tel as possible land uses for the "empty building" former hospital site.

As one of the leaders of the "Infidel Pathological Extremists" may I now suggest the highest and best use for the land is the new "Summers Build Lakewood Mosque-Cathedral" A new and innovative "Thought Oncology Clinic" to promote health and wellness and "convert" us to the "Healthiest City In America" The "Build" faithful will emerge glassy-eyed ready for crusade-style jihad to wage a holy war on "cancerous thoughts" that resist the ideology of "economic revitalization of downtown."

Squadrons of "Conformity Thought Police" could be dispatched instantly and the Infidels spreading cancerous dissent could be brought back to the Thought Oncology Clinic straight away--no need to go to Fairview. Pope Fitzgerald's newspapers will be dropped from life-flight copters overhead. The new healthcare Clinic--a symbol of unity and healing designed to avoid "more damage to the fabric of Lakewood."

As I laid my head on the pillow last night, my last thoughts were the images of Cardinal Jim Kenny kneeing beside and Imam Jay Carson on the floor bowing to the east praying to for my soul as the misguided radical infidel--I could hear Jay chanting "convert, convert, convert"--he's left his front porch light on for me---and Jim whispering "repent, repent repent".

Oh what a warm feeling of neighborly healing I felt as I drifted off into sound peaceful sleep.

[Lori Allen _]

There you have it folks, the mean spirited members of SLH who have to bully and insult anyone here on the Deck who doesn't agree with them. Mr. Essi claims he is not a member of SLH. However, he speaks on their behalf, is featured on their Facebook page, and I believe is one of the groups attorneys. I do not agree with Build Lakewood's vision for our city, but I will not deny them the right to feel the way they do. I never hear Jay Carson, Pam Smith or other BL members here on the Deck denouncing me for my research, facts or thoughts.

I was told about the group's behavior many times when I was out all summer going door to door. I was told that when they were shot down and embarrassed in front of the group at SLH meetings by leadership for their suggestions, they never came back. During the last drive to get signatures for the referendum, I quit before it was over. Pam Wetula of SLH is a wonderful kind hearted woman who has done all the work and I thank her and Bonnie. She is the one that was apologizing to me for the treatment I received from the leadership. How sad when leadership cannot admit they were wrong or apologize. It was then when Pam called me three times and asked me to quit posting because I was "killing" SLH. She then informed me that they did not have enough people. I am happy that it appears they have a few more recruits, for now.

I am still fighting to save the hospital, however this ordeal appears to be much broader than just the hospital. It appears that we may have county and other organizations involved. This information would have or could have been a great asset for the SLH attorneys. Apparently some of them have friends or relatives at the county, so they think they are being treated "fairly". Really? Look at Judge O'Donnell's record. He does not appear to be the straightest arrow in the pack. He has granted no stay and claims he has not had time to read over the material. This BS excuse would not even fly on an episode of Law and Order! In the meantime, the city administration and CCF are happy as clams as they freely decant what is left of Lakewood Hospital. Fairview is already enjoying some of our art work.

In days past, the Deck was a place for those with all different thoughts and opinions to come and share regarding a variety of topics. It has now been taken over by SLH, who apparently cannot admit that there are also other people in the city that have knowledge and facts about issues.

I got over the fact that SLH does not read my posts or take them into consideration a long time ago. However, I post them for the community, not SLH.

FInally, I do not exactly appreciate comments relating the hospital ordeal to religion during this holy season.

Sheesh, talk about a PR nightmare!

[kate e parker]

mosh pit of word jazz indeed!

[tkmbuckley]

Lori,

The only reason I even responded to your post yesterday, was you mentioned the word bullying. I have been reading all the posts in the observer long before I signed up to be a member. What I have been noticing is your constant bullying of the SLH team. As my mother always told us as children, "If you don't have nothing nice to say, don't say anything". You need to move on. Also, yes I have done plenty of research but, will not make accusations without facts to back them up.

Therese K. Buckley

[Lori Allen _]

TKM,

You were given facts and evidence. Apparently you missed them. If you don't like my posts, don't read them. I will not be chased off the Deck by SLH . Thank you for proving my point!

[Brian Essi]

"Never argue with a fool; onlookers may not be able to tell the difference." —Mark Twain

"Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him." —Proverbs 26:4 (King James version)

[tkmbuckley]

Thank you, Brian. How right you are.

Therese K. Buckley

[Lori Allen _]

Thanks for proving my point about the behavior of SLH. This group, unfortunately has become even more mean spirited, which, unfortunately, does nothing to help their cause. No wonder they have lost so mush of their support. It looks like the hospital is lost also. If only this time could have been spent trying to save the hospital instead of taking over the Deck and throwing arrows at anyone who has a difference of opinion other than theirs. That's OK. I can take it. Keep it up. It only helps to prove my point and makes you all look more foolish than you already do!

[Brian Essi]

Perhaps I missed it published somewhere ... who are the two leaders? Did SLH members elect a full slate of officers (if so, who comprises that)? Is SLH a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization? Was/is there "membership dues?"

Back in the early stages of SLH, Marguerite Harkness was voted Chair and Tom Monahan was voted Co-Chair by the SLH members in attendance at an open meeting.
They have served very, very, very long and hard hours for betterment of our city.
Everyone owes a debt of gratitude for them....they have served at tremendous personal cost.
They've done their best not only to fight the city, but also to keep the scores of SLH members happy....unfortunately it's impossible to please everybody, so some folks like Lori feel they were treated poorly.

There are no dues to be part of SLH, and our meetings are held regularly on Sunday afternoons at the Library.

BL, on the other hand, has NEVER had an open, publicly announced meeting. They only invite the public to "dog and pony" shows.

Last June I received an inside tip from one of my sources inside City Hall about the first BL meeting at the Mahall's Bar. I went there asked employees where the meeting was--they replied "its in the basement, but it is a closed City Hall meeting." I sat at the bar. The proprietor, the City Hall PR guy Collin M. was greeting the BLers at the door and ushering them downstairs. There was a mob-like speakeasy quality and feel to it. After several trips downstairs Collin finally came to the bar and invited me to come into the cellar and join the meeting--by then it was nearly over. Vice Mayor Siley, Rebecca Patton, David Stein, Pam Smith, City Hall hack Rick Alltricks and Sam O'Leary were in attendance. I was never asked to another meeting.

I had a nice chat and a beer with Mr. Siley afterward and he pledged to continue our discussions, but he later did not respond to my effort at further discussions.

Perhaps secret hand shakes and passwords were issued to enter the subsequent meetings.

[Lori Allen _]

I don't think it is a secret any more about how Build Lakewood feels about saving the hospital. I'm sure any one who wanted to join their cause would have been welcome. It is not a crime to have a difference of opinion.

[Michael Deneen]

No wonder they have lost so mush of their support.

Just to clarify, SLH is as large as ever...if not larger. Many new folks have come on board since the election.
Our meetings still draw over 50 folks weekly, and our online numbers are higher than ever.
To be candid, I was pleasantly surprised by the fact that folks didn't give up after the election.

[Peter Grossetti]

No wonder they have lost so mush of their support.

Just to clarify, SLH is as large as ever...if not larger.

And I'm guessing BL has all but disbanded now that election season is over. BL was essentially a PAC.

[Michael Deneen]

And I'm guessing BL has all but disbanded now that election season is over. BL was essentially a PAC.

No it has not...contrary to their public rhetoric, they know that the issue is not over.
I'm sure they've met behind closed doors to develop their strategy.