SPECIAL PHASE III BOARD MEETING DEC. 3

[marklingm]

The Board of Education is set to meet again in a special session to continue to examine and discuss the Phase III Steering Committee Report. The meeting will be held on Thursday, Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. in Hayes Elementary's Cafetorium. Public comments will be welcome at this session.

[marklingm]

As an aside, the website for the Lakewood City Schools has a "Google Translate" feature which allows the information on each page to be translated from English to various languages.

[Meg Ostrowski]

Matt,

Do you know if the November 16th Work Session is being broadcast on Cox Channel 74?

I checked the LCS website but the schedule posted is "as of November 9" and does not include the Novemeber 16th meeting.

[marklingm]

Matt,

Do you know if the November 16th Work Session is being broadcast on Cox Channel 74?

I checked the LCS website but the schedule posted is "as of November 9" and does not include the Novemeber 16th meeting.

No, Meg, I do not know. And, I do not get COX Channel 74.

Matt

[Ken Wilder]

I cannot find the original thread. It has been some time since I posted, but I felt the need to speak up. My wife and I have been looking for homes outside of Lakewood. After moving here to raise our family it has finally occurred to us that the city is not interested in families but only development.

The school board has zero leadership, especially as highlighted by Phase Three. My wife still has not gotten over the last minute change to best development, instead of what is best for the students and families. If you believe what you read and hear, the school board ran off the last superintendent. My neighbor told us he was responsible for so many of the good programs and ideas that interested us in Lakewood in the first place. Now in an effort to get things passed they have decided to make no decisions about the school until the levy passes. Disingenuous at best, not very honest to voters at worst.

The amount of empty storefronts and businesses wanting to leave, is only outpaced by the politicians trying to get out The mayor, has not even spent a full term and is campaigning to get out, and now "Lakewood's two openly gay council people" according to the Scene magazine are vying for the state seat to get out of town.

While the property values will make it much harder for us to buy in Westlake or Bay Village. There are some homes that will suit our needs for now, and they certainly seem more stable then what is going on here in Lakewood. Speaking with real estate agents, they all directed us out of Lakewood, even the ones that lived in Lakewood.

This city could be so nice, even perfect, but it needs a major overhaul at city hall, in the school board, in leadership, and in the minds of the residents. As one of you always post. "You do not know what you had until it is gone."

“We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the vitriolic words and actions of the bad people, but for the appalling silence of the good people.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

[Gary Rice]

Ken,

On the one hand, I love some of your points, but whether or not you could find another community within eyesight or earshot of ours having less problems that we have, would be quite doubtful to me.

You apparently live here, so you seem to know more about Lakewood. Move elsewhere and I would suggest that you'll probably find out more about their problems.

By the way, the current School Superintendent has been here before. His interest in Lakewood is well known.

Remember too, that even with all of the current challenges, Lakewood Schools rate an "Excellent". We've been keeping up with things "educational" just fine around here.

The whole Phase III issue involves multiple dynamics, and several choices that will not be easy to make. The more people know about the whole thing, however, the more they can at least appreciate how challenging those decisions will be.

Again the point- Is there another place in America that is not experiencing some reaction to the current state of political, or economic affairs?

I respectfully think not.

People have been predicting that Lakewood was falling apart ever since our family moved here in the late '50's. Not only has it NOT fallen apart, but it continues to be one of the most dynamic, cosmopolitan, and downright PLEASANT places to live that I've ever seen.

Back to the banjo...

[michael gill]

Ken,

Just for the record, can you show me where this ( "Lakewood's two openly gay council people") appears in Scene?

Of course two of our council people are competing for the state rep seat that includes Lakewood.

And Scene did have this, in a story this week about politicians to watch:

"Lakewood Councilwoman Nickie Antonio

Lakewood's rainbow politician looks to ride a formidable wave of LGBT support into the Ohio house district 13 seat, where she would become Ohio's first openly gay legislator. Antonio is a former educator, nonprofit administrator and recent past chair of the Cuyahoga Democratic Women's Caucus. She won a council at-large seat in 2005."

But I'm unable to figure where the statement you attribute to us appeared.

[Stan Austin]

Ken--- you say

Speaking with real estate agents, they all directed us out of Lakewood, even the ones that lived in Lakewood.

Does this mean that your particular housing desires caused the agents to have you look outside of Lakewood to meet your requirements? Or are you implying that ALL real estate agents are steering you (and by extension, others) out of Lakewood?

Stan Austin

[Ken Wilder]

Mr. Gill
Are you the guy with the Freetimes and the Scene, really? I am honored, this is really cool. I glanced at the Scene and must have read it wrong or got confused. I guess that Ms? Mrs? Antonio is the only openly gay candidate from Lakewood City Council then. Not really sure why it should matter if one is openly gay and the other is not anyway.

Mr. Austin
No, we did admit frustration to living in a city that seemed consumed by development instead of residential housing, livability and our main concern, education. All were eager to agree with us that Lakewood was only for the artsy kids, and that Westlake and Bay Village might suit us better with young ones.

Bad enough going to work late but these roads are bad, maybe I should be thinking Florida!

“We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the vitriolic words and actions of the bad people, but for the appalling silence of the good people.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

[dl meckes]

...Not really sure why it should matter if one is openly gay and the other is not anyway.

...All were eager to agree with us that Lakewood was only for the artsy kids, and that Westlake and Bay Village might suit us better with young ones.

What in the world does this mean? What possible difference would it make that we may only have one gay person on council - or are you suggesting that other council members are closeted? Should we carefully examine the married members or just stick to speculating about the single council members?

How can you pick the artsy kids from the non-artsy kids and what does "artsy" mean? Are kids in the marching band "artsy"? How about kids in the choir - or other singing groups; artsy or not?

Don't they have art in Westlake or Bay?

[Jim O'Bryan]

Not a big fan of flowery goodbyes.

I generally view them as a mild form of suicide. An overly emotional way to reach out for help.

Ken

You can decide to run, move, go to Bay Village, or elsewhere, but Gary is right. The same
problems will follow you wherever, or you will find new ones. The only cities I know in the
area, that are not feeling severe pain might be Solon and Independence. But let's be
honest, they are Solon and Independence. I mean are they even choices?

I have learned long ago, that I cannot tell people what they need in their lives or families,
but I can relate to what I like and need, and what Lakewood has to offer. For me I would
rather stand and make the small issues better then run from them. And I am not saying
you are running.

As for the realtors. Could it be the higher commission rate? If you really mean what you
post, then why not stay and run for the School Board? I will admit it is pretty sad that no
one seems willing to step up to the plate. Then again a friend of mine always says, "Be
careful what you wish for."

As for Lakewood being for the artsy? I have zero talents, and I love it here.

If you do move, can I have your MLK quote? It fits Lakewood so perfectly.


.

[Gary Rice]

Arts are great, and I would agree with many that NOWHERE would there be any finer arts programs than the Lakewood Schools have.

By the way, Lakewood Project electric strings concert this month. It is not to be missed. Get tickets early if you can.

Academics are great too, and NOWHERE will you find a higher academic rating than "Excellent".

Our home prices are fantastic as far as value goes. too. You might need a sense of humor with your old Lakewood home, but...
well built?

Just TRY to drive a nail into a basement rafter of a 100 year-old Lakewood home. May as well try to drive a nail into a tank.

Artsy? As far as Jimmy goes, I even brought a banjo down to the Observer offices recently to try to teach him how to play it.

As much as he loves music, I can see him with a banjo, or a guitar.

Singing, with

Spiked green hair?

Peach jumpsuit, with sparkling ochre sequins galore?

Purple shoes?

C'mon Jimmy, all ya' gotta do is learn three chords.

I bet Michael Gill could even help you find a gig.

I think that he might even put you on the cover, looking like that.

I think I would.

Back to the Banjo.

Personal to Ken- Do you SERIOUSLY think that you would have this kind of conversation in any other community around here? (Smile)

[michael gill]

Ken,

I don't think it matters whether a councilperson is gay, whether openly so or not, except to the degree that the gay community and voters in general value their representation on council. I didn't bring it up.

My only reason for making the correction is that I don't want Scene attributed with errors we didn't actually make.

Best wishes . . .

[Jim O'Bryan]

Ken,

I don't think it matters whether a councilperson is gay, whether openly so or not, except to the degree that the gay community and voters in general value their representation on council. I didn't bring it up.

My only reason for making the correction is that I don't want Scene attributed with errors we didn't actually make.

Best wishes . . .

Michael

First, thanks for taking part. I realize that you are only speaking for yourself, and defending
the fine paper you work for.

However

If it does not matter, and I for one believe it does not. Why the emphasis or even the
mention? I mean as I see Nickie and Jean out and about I see two wonderful people that
obviously love and care for each other, and are very pro-Lakewood.

When I look at the coming race for Michael Skindell's seat, I look at the records, and the
long lists of their accomplishments, and what each bring to that job.

I suppose if one has decided that their lifestyle or lack of lifestyle is worth running on,
instead of, or in addition to the facts of their past, it gets really ugly quickly. I say that
because I have been repeatedly assured there is no "agenda" just a search for equality.
Which is something I would hope we can all agree on is a good thing.

To me it is nearly as offensive as saying those of color, only vote or should only vote for
those of color, women should only vote for women, etc.

FWIW


.

[michael gill]

Jim:

This: "Why the emphasis or even the mention?" is a question for Ken. I only made the correction.