Good Neighbors Light The Night!

[Jim O'Bryan]

Wow....talk about Henny Penny.

All is well, these things are nothing new and Lakewood will keep moving forward.

J Hrlec

Not Henny Penny the thought that haaas come out of conference after conference I have
attended. I am working on projects all over with all sorts of scenarios. Once you sit at the
table, away from the lights. The truth gets pretty ugly pretty fast.

I have learned very little impact globally, nationally, even on state and county levels, but
here at home, at least people have a chance to make a difference. But they really need to
know the facts. The media is not telling us the facts. The media is doing a worse job of
this than they did with Iraq.

I am curious, what scenario can you build that gives this country recovery in the
next 20 years?

It would be the first I have seen.

But with all of that said, Lakewood is perfect for right where we are right now. Walkable,
sustainable, not dependent on chains or factories, and we have invested in schools. Sitting
on Lake Erie will also help, as long as we do not screw it all up.

.

[Rhonda loje]

Some great people too!

[Valerie Molinski]

Seconded. I barely check in here anymore because it seems like every thread is all cloak and dagger/ wink wink nod nod inside jokes or private conversations. And usually when you ask for some clarification or explanation, it's met with silence.

Valerie

How shocking that you find something I do wrong.

Don't make this personal. Because, really, it isnt. It's just something that I've noticed here again and again over time here. And it gets tiring for those of us not 'in the know.'

It's not just about this particular thread. There's been other topics on here where there's all this alluding to this or that where a few people only seem to 'get it.' And those of us not in the loop can ask for some explanation or clarification and get ignored. I know it's been said before that it seems like the same few people on here chatting. Perhaps it's because the rest of us can't keep up...

What do I report or say that would have made you happy?

Give me a hint?

You did in your second post.. you said, 'hey folks, there's been some break in's lately. Let's all be extra vigilant, watch out for your neighbors, etc...' That's all it takes. Your first post was just weirdly cryptic (or dramatic?) for whatever reason.


I'm sorry I even said anything because it turns into this personal criticism when it's really not.

[john crino]

I don't understand vague and cryptic messages like this. If there is something to be warned about, wouldn't it be better just to be specific about what it is? Messages like these only make me paranoid and uneasy.

Like I said what hell are you talking about............

[Jim O'Bryan]

Valerie

What starts with personal criticism, then turns into personal criticism. I will admit I
tend to amplify a thread back.

Go back and read your post.

No matter we can all move on here.

The problem is with me, Bill Call, and many, many others that post here. We get information
from sources that do not want to be quoted. The other day at the Police stand-off, if that is
the correct term, one of my friends on the force said, "I cannot say anything to you, the
Chief would have my hide." This is very typical in cities and on police forces. The Chief or
Mayor wants, no feels the need, to control the flow of information for spin sake. This is what
the country has become. Again the other day I asked a parking policeman if I could take
a photo of the new ticket devices. He said, "I have gotten in enough trouble over you,
turned and covered it up while we spoke."

Now lets talk about the sensitivity of the times right now. This happened I think the day
after Lakewood was deemed "cool." So I was also sensitive to viewers from outside the
city, as well as my detractors inside who would claim I am just raining on the parade. So
I was really looking for a non-confrontational way to tell neighbors to be vigilant.

Did I mess up, possibly. Still I thought with the way it was said to me, that something
needed to be out there and there was nothing coming from city hall or the police. But
not a single person I talked with about this knew anything more than "homes broken
into, and would project a number that I hope is not normal for this town.

While I am sure the the message could have been crafted better, anyone that knows me
knows the english language is not my forte.

What always amazes me, is why the outcry wouldn't have been on those not talking instead
of those trying to say something. Last week Matt Markling posted a notice about a school
meeting, and when you read some of the responses, they read like Matt is part of some
cabal to hide meetings, when he is the only one reaching out to the city telling us when
special meetings are. Again the outcry should be, why isn't the board reaching out through
every means at their disposal to publicize when meetings are.

My frustration, and it is huge, that this city always seems to question the messenger
instead of the people that should be the messenger.

Valerie, thanks as always for the dialog. Any dialog can be a tool for learning and yours
usually provides me with a moment to sit and think, and wonder how I could do better. For
that I am thankful. We have mutual friends that will tell you how seriously I take every
comment here, and said to me.

John

To be honest, who knows what is being done. With the way I heard it I cannot see this
person(s) hanging around any single area for more than a day/night. The message should
always be from the city, and your local block club that I am sure you will call for your
once every three year meeting. SECURITY is not a bad thing. VIGILANCE is not a bad
thing. COCKTAILS/COFFEE on your front porch is not a bad thing. Walking in this walkable
city is not a bad thing.

For those on facebook it would read like this.

Thinking of coffee, be safe, and watch out for strangers.

For those on twitter.

be careful


to all, peace


.

[john crino]

i stop by the deck to see what is going on in the city and i agree some of what is said in the name of commincation is cryptic and confusing. so then the deck becomes frustrating and useless to me as a source of info on my community.....no disrespect bro

[Jim O'Bryan]

i stop by the deck to see what is going on in the city and i agree some of what is said in the name of commincation is cryptic and confusing. so then the deck becomes frustrating and useless to me as a source of info on my community.....no disrespect bro

John

I understand the problems and it is noted bro.

I guess I have a different view of life than many, well most.

I take life like a single malt scotch, took me decades to understand them. I did not feel
left out when people around me spoke of regions, tastes, etc. Again in motor racing, it
took me years to understand the lingo, and while it was painful to sit in meetings having
to ask, soon it flowed like another language.

Again to Val, John and others that somehow feel like outsiders on this some discussions
here. I am sorry and will take measures in the future to correct my dialogue. I do not want
anyone to feel an outsider.

HOWEVER, all one has to do is ask, or channel a message to the Board or LOCAL (Lakewood Observer Community Advisory League) or join us at a meeting, drop a note
in a suggestion box, or stop by the office. If this does not work for the community we
have failed.

WE all make mistakes, I am just better than many at making them publicly.

.

[Richard Cole]

Maybe sit on your porches too into the early morning or early before dawn.

Maybe have a cell phone handy.

Just saying.


.

Piss poor

[Betsy Voinovich]

Richard--

I have a locally famous father around this area. My whole life I've been hearing about-- along with all the accolades--how much he sucks. Sometimes it's as simply put as, "he's a Republican."

My favorite criticism was from another very locally famous person who told me, "I don't think your father is a bad person, I just think he has made bad choices."

Fair enough.

My dad is a hero to me because of the way he lives. If he had a "point" to make, he would say, "Tell me what you're for."

You are saying, "Piss poor."

Fair enough.

What is not "piss poor"?

How would you do it? There's been a bunch of break ins in Lakewood, North of Lake and along the river. If you say it outright, to the extent that people demand "proof", you will have every official person shrugging their shoulders and shaking their heads and saying it's not "their area" because no-one want to be the bearer of bad news, especially in this, an election year. But we need to know. So we can take care of each other.

Piss poor.

Dude.

Explain. How you would do it?

Tell us how. Tell us what you're for.


Betsy Voinovich

[Richard Cole]

"If something is described as being "piss poor" it means it is an extremely poor attempt at something."

Betsy - nothing to do with anything except expressing an opionion on JoB's attempt to either warn/scare local residents.

What am I for - certainly not innuendo.

[Jim O'Bryan]

"If something is described as being "piss poor" it means it is an extremely poor attempt at something."

Betsy - nothing to do with anything except expressing an opionion on JoB's attempt to either warn/scare local residents.

What am I for - certainly not innuendo.

Richard

The problem was not to scare, but "inform" was not really possible either in my scenario.

Betsy is right having watched this unfold. Had I posted the actual information. Someone
would have complained about raining on Lakewood's parade and scaring people off.

or

Would have complained that no names were given.

or

Would have said I was picking on nice districts

So, I was merely trying to make all, understand that some time on porches, and being
observant were at hand, and to report suspicious activity. Again my thought would have
been directed my at the city saying nothing, and the deafening silence from the block
watches makes me wonder if they still exist, or were they waiting for their quarterly meetings?

"Piss Poor," I suppose just a little less informing than my post but then again it is
a Twitter world we are now living in.

Thanks to all for taking part. Conversation is good, even piss poor conversation.
I mean that.


peace

[Jill Jusko]

Two comments:

1. Maybe you should simply run the police blotter. I know you did it for a few days back in February of 2008 or 2009, but it is one avenue to get the word out on crime.

2. About the cryptic or so-called cryptic messages. I don't think it is a case of people feeling left out, like you mentioned in one of your previous posts. I think it is a case of people not knowing what you are talking about and therefore being unwilling to weigh in. It unfortunately works against your very goal for this site: that is, to encourage conversation and discussion among residents. (Not to suggest you aren't getting plenty of conversation already, but it may be working against you getting even more.)

[Gary Rice]

Before pulling out my banjo and encouraging everybody to have that campfire sing-a-long once again, (How many times do I need to DO this? ) I would like to point out a few things.

As Jimmy just discovered, and as any person who deals with the public day-in and day-out can tell you, sometimes, whenever you make ANY public comment, you can get called out on it.

Lakewood has had crime since before this city was Lakewood, over a century ago. Let's face it, every city has crime. For those who are interested in statistics, they are regularly compiled and annually reported, and the stats generally tend to run more or less about the same from year to year. Crime is indeed horrible if you have been victimized by it, and yes, there are precautions that everyone needs to take, no matter where they live.

That said, not long ago there was a string of burglaries in the outer western 'burbs that was successfully addressed by the authorities. Here in Lakewood, authorities reportedly successfully addressed a recent string of vandalism crimes...

...and election year or not, public officials do not have the time to announce each and every new crime to the public. They do need to address the issue of crime, and I'm sure that is exactly what they are already doing.

As friends and neighbors, we DO need to remain vigilant for ourselves and for each other, but don't kid yourself into believing that moving out of here will lessen the chance that you will be a victim of crime.

Actually, in tightly packed areas like Lakewood, there are generally so many people around each other that crimes of opportunity can often be harder to perpetrate. At least that's what I've often heard, from those who should know.

Now, time for that banjo sing-a-long yet?

[Kirsten Reading]

Going back to the topic of break-ins, this reminds me of what happened to my sister in Wisconsin last year. They came home early from a vacation and interrupted a burgler in the middle of the day.
When the police came, they asked if there had been any roofing work in the neighborhood during the previous week. Apparently roofers were acting as scouts. A roofer would keep an eye on the neighboring houses and identify which families were going on vacation or which homes were always empty during the day. The info would be passed on to the burglers, but the break-ins would not take place until after the roofers were done in the neighborhood.

There has been a lot of roofing work in Lakewood this year - especially along the lake.

FWIW

[Jim O'Bryan]

Two comments:

1. Maybe you should simply run the police blotter. I know you did it for a few days back in February of 2008 or 2009, but it is one avenue to get the word out on crime.

Jill

When we had started this off we said no Police Blotter. We were hoping for something a little
more instant. Police reports can often lag behind the actual "spree or need for warning."
Both mayors and the police chief have been very helpful at getting us "wanted" information.

As for the police blotter, I was speaking with a clerk that pointed out making the copies was
actually a losing proposition for them. They charged less than the cost of copies, and their
time. So every three days the project was costing money and time. So like our libraries of
council and school board meetings sat pretty not viewed, as other sections near it had
pretty solid viewership. Effectively it was stopped when another site that publishes full
reports were sited in a couple crimes where friends of the criminals saw the victims names
and addressed and went over and basically terrorized them.

Maybe we should revisit it, or broadcasting the police scanner in digital, should they choose
to go that way.

2. About the cryptic or so-called cryptic messages. I don't think it is a case of people feeling left out, like you mentioned in one of your previous posts. I think it is a case of people not knowing what you are talking about and therefore being unwilling to weigh in. It unfortunately works against your very goal for this site: that is, to encourage conversation and discussion among residents. (Not to suggest you aren't getting plenty of conversation already, but it may be working against you getting even more.)

Jill

I understand what both you, Val, and I suppose John are saying. However, it does get
cumbersome to go back and revisit everything. I am willing to try anything to get people
talking about their city, its programs, pluses and minuses. However i would say there is
more pressure coming from other sources than merely not understanding.

As always I am available here, through email or online to explain any comment I have
made, or am responsible for. I am also always available for any ideas that can make this
project better, and more inclusive.

Thanks for the notes.

pece