City of Rocky River Goes To Court Over Dog Park

[Jim O'Bryan]

First...love the amazing photos Joe.

Any word on how the trial is going?

Joe's work is amazing.

The trial is over!

Mayor Edward FitzGerald testified today for over an hour. He called and said the trial was over and
he really saw very little purpose in his testimony. Earlier this week Ex-Lakewood Law Director Brian
Corrigan stopped by and mentioned he had been subpoenaed, but then called their lawyer, a friend
of his, to explain that he could not testify as he had been an attorney of record in the case for
Lakewood.

While the mayor had a cautiously optimistic tone, he explained how Lakewood Dog Park users
would not hear any verdict until September. He felt the Lakewood team did a good job, and that
Rocky River really never made the case, though he would not rule out there might be some form of
compromise, or other solution from the courts or Rocky River could push for.

So until September...

[Kate McCarthy]

Thanks for the update Jim. I can't imagine that River could win this case and I hope a compromise is not in the offing since from what I have observed the park is operated in an appropriate way. I feel there has been a lot of money spent to appease a handful of cranks and I would like to see them pick up all of the city of Lakewood's court costs.

BTW...my house was built the same year the kitty hawk first took flight. Therefore all subsequent air traffic noise has diminished the quality of life of all people who have lived in my home since the home was built in an environment free of air traffic noise. Therefore I demand a shuttering of Cleveland Hopkins Airport and a no-fly zone above my home large enough to result in absolutely NO air craft noise polluting my home.

Reasonable demand?

[Missy Limkemann]

I swear there is still a part of me that wants form a small "parade" of us dog walkers and just walk up and down the street past this person's house. The sidewalk is public, so I wouldn't be breaking any laws. LOL. And you know what, I have extra dogs if anyone wants to join in....LOL.

I doubt Lakewood would lose this. There is just no merit to this case.

[David Anderson]

Was a decision expected in September?

Are there any updates?

[Kevin Butler]

Final briefing deadlines have been extended until November. Once the judge has all the briefs in hand, she'll rule. Just based on my experience (I'm not involved in the case), that could take a month or two.

[Stan Austin]

Kevin-- Thanks for the update. (I am a past Vice President of the Dog Park). Using this case as a segue to another current topic, I - as a legal layperson, find the time it takes for courts to arrive at decisions or even hear cases (next fall for Dimora) very discouraging.
Perhaps the legal community could address this basic problem of governmental efficiency.
Stan Austin

[Jim O'Bryan]

governmental efficiency.

Instantly "jumbo shrimp" come to mind.


Kevin

Thanks for the note.


.

[Bill Call]

governmental efficiency.

Instantly "jumbo shrimp" come to mind.


Kevin

Thanks for the note.


.

There is a general sense that as government has grown larger and more bureaucratic it gets less and less done. (that is also true of large corporations. the management of those corporation confuse profits driven by past momentum with good management. Management at GMAC had no idea the company was going bust until the day before it happened).

I go to Cleveland City Hall once a week or so. They are building a new enclosure at the rear enterance for a securiy check point between the two entrance doors. About 10 sheets of dry wall and 20 square feet. They have been working on it for 6 months.

The determination of whether a dog park located at the entrance of the sewage treatment plant is the source of the odor is apparently too difficult to determine in less than one year.

[Stan Austin]

Bill--- Once again, you and I are in unanimous agreement. (Can more than two be unanimous?)
Stan