traitors are not victims, but accomplices.” George Orwell
You make pick up a copy of the Lakewood Observer at over 100 places around town, or you can download a digital copy here:
http://media.lakewoodobserver.com/issue ... sue_18.pdf
You know as we are getting closer and closer to the election, Lakewood gets squirrely and squirrelier especially the politicians, those running and supporting the campaigns, and even those paying big money to get their candidates in. Over the last three elections it has gotten ridiculous, including political pieces by FitzGerald, designed to look like a community paper, paid for by donations to political campaigns. Completely false statements to either disguise the truth, or completely lie about the truth. Be prepared this election season. We will be working to expose any mis-truths that could appear.
The Lakewood Observer has reached a simple agreement with most candidates to give them space to make statements, answer questions, and clear up any and all misconceptions going into this election. No matter what, residents deserve facts to base their discussions and votes on.
From day one of the project we have never backed a candidate, nor has the paper endorsed any candidates. This year we looked at endorsing candidates, but after talking about it with members, founders, advertisers and candidates, it was decided to keep to a no endorsements policy in 2019. Our founding thought still holds up: “Lakewood is made up of a beautiful patchwork of people from every religion, economic sphere, race and belief. Married and unmarried, young with kids, old and on retirement. To make endorsements for everyone is a fool's errand.
HOWEVER, I would like to underline, as I have done for the past 9 years, City Hall is having trouble with transparency, honesty and accountability. I would say this is the single largest issue in Lakewood, and Lakewood politics. Do not just vote for people you like, but people you know who will be responsive to you. Not just for good ideas, but for people with good ideas willing to develop them in the open.
Stay smart, and don’t get played this election season.
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