Mission statement

[Shawn Juris]

Mission Statement
The mission of the Lakewood Observer is to attract, articulate, and amplify civic intelligence and community good will in the city of Lakewood and beyond.

Our goal is to help Lakewood residents and neighbors learn as much as possible about the city. In its efforts to know Lakewood par excellence, the Lakewood Observer will illuminate the many facets of culture, arts, business, education, religion, and lifestyle this diverse city has to offer.

The Lakewood Observer will capture Lakewood life in the present, imagine its promising future, and celebrate its rich urban history.

The Lakewood Observer shall provide a sounding board for charities, institutions, schools, children, families, events, and City Hall. We intend to open a space for long running dialogue with everyone who works, lives, or plays in the great city of Lakewood.

In this twenty-first century urban experiment, the Lakewood Observer will strive to construct for the city an open and unbiased ensemble of white papers for mapping community solutions, advancing responsible economic development and sustainability strategies, and tracking results.

Finally, the Lakewood Observer will invite the entire community to celebrate the vibrant mosaic of culture, nature, history, and personality we call Lakewood.

[Jim O'Bryan]

Shawn

As always thank you for posting the Mission Statement.

.

[Jim O'Bryan]

Shawn

A little background on the Mission Statement, as you always seemed fascinated by it.

It was put together by the core group of people working on launching the Observer,
At the time we represented all parts of Lakewood and we were all talking and drilling down
with civic leaders about what Lakewood needed.

You must remember it was at a period in time with a healthy Plain Dealer, and healthy
Sun Papers, a healthy WestLife, ad healthy Free Times and a healthy Scene. The Observer
was not really put together to simply get "news out." Actually we knew at the time, that
a site that only did that, would not be a true advocate for Lakewood, and it has proven to
be true. We 5 sites relying on news, it is like a scarry beacon on Google for anyone
wanting to see about Lakewood.

You have to remember, this program in part came out of the lies, civic leaders and elected
officials, and residents hiding behind faux names were throwing around over the WestEnd
Project. After the city was nearly destroyed by what even some of the pro-leaders now call
a debacle. While it did not rise directly out of that project, when it was built we knew that
we needed a way to bring the facts and the rumors with anything Lakewood and discuss
them. That way at least residents understood them. Working hand in hand with elected
officials and civic leaders on setting this up. At the time Tom George was mayor, a very
open and resilient mayor. We had Michael Dever, Robert Seelie, Ryan Patrick Demro, Mary
Louise Madigan on council, another group that was very open to public discourse at the time,
and thought it would be great for all. We never thought that in the future so many would
be so thinned skin that they would actually hide from public discussions in a very FREE,
but very BALANCED forum that they in fact helped to design.

But that is for another discussion.

Shawn, think of it as family. Sometimes, some pretty nasty things get aired out over the
dinner table. That is usually good in the long run for the entire family. Even very tough
intervention can be accomplished if all are willing to sit down and openly discuss. Then even
the dirtiest laundry can be aired. Which is always far better then doing it the front yard.

You my friend have been more than willing to jump in and I admire that about you. You
even feel strong enough to lecture at times, me and others. This is good. It is refreshing
to read some of the things you think, and over the years I understand you much better,
And I am sure even the casual reader, can get a better feeling for you and me. If not they
can go back and look at the 9 years of our conversations, and understand even more.

That is a good thing, a healthy thing, and why this project was created.

hawn, the other day I was talking with someone who could not believe that two more
burger places are coming to the Detroit Avenue Chow Line. I laughed and said, "Yeah,
anything but another burger place!" He laughed.

Later that day I got sent a link to your conversation with me from 4 years ago about
wanting a pants store in Lakewood. His note read, "See Shawn was right."

I smiled knowing, the project works for those willing to do two simple things, 1) Take
5 minutes to post. 2) Put their name on their words and ideas at a table where everyone
is equal. Everyone has one real seat.

Final version of LO Mission Statement was done by Vincent O'Keefe, writer for LO and
a finalist for Poet Laureate of Lakewood.


.

[David Brainard]

I really hate 'Mission Statements'!

What's the point? If you're doing things the way you think they should be done, why bother with all that pedantic mush?
I'll figure it out.

-30-
Dave

[Jim O'Bryan]

I really hate 'Mission Statements'!

What's the point? If you're doing things the way you think they should be done, why bother with all that pedantic mush?
I'll figure it out.

-30-
Dave

David

To be honest I am with you. I have set so many "Mission Statements" for companies that I
doubt ever read theirs. I will not screw over customers, I will treat employees like humans...

Utter crap.

However ours was put together by a very dedicated group of founders, and it did help us.
We did not throw this thing together overnight. The project that is. This part of the
discussion board went up pretty fast with open source.

But the essence of the project, is what we put in over two years of planning with
professionals from all walks of life. Taking ideas and trying them out, throwing them away
and going in other directions. Back and forth, until we think we had a pretty good idea
on how to heal a city that was very troubled at the time.

Our biggest mistake, or over calculations was that leaders and elected officials could
actually put up. So many of the elected officials said, "We are so tired of answering the
same question again and again on phone calls and in person." Compare that to the elected
officials now who prefer one on one where they can craft their answer, and target each
caller, so as they do not ask again or talk about the answers.

So backward, but yes walk into a place with a mission statement on the wall, and be
prepared to get beat with it.

I did not post this, Shawn did, I guess agreeing with it.

.

[Jim O'Bryan]

I really hate 'Mission Statements'!

What's the point? If you're doing things the way you think they should be done, why bother with all that pedantic mush?
I'll figure it out.

-30-
Dave

David

To be honest I am with you. I have set so many "Mission Statements" for companies that I
doubt ever read theirs. I will not screw over customers, I will treat employees like humans...

Utter crap.

However ours was put together by a very dedicated group of founders, and it did help us.
We did not throw this thing together overnight. The project that is. This part of the
discussion board went up pretty fast with open source.

But the essence of the project, is what we put in over two years of planning with
professionals from all walks of life. Taking ideas and trying them out, throwing them away
and going in other directions. Back and forth, until we think we had a pretty good idea
on how to heal a city that was very troubled at the time.

Our biggest mistake, or over calculations was that leaders and elected officials could
actually put up. So many of the elected officials said, "We are so tired of answering the
same question again and again on phone calls and in person." Compare that to the elected
officials now who prefer one on one where they can craft their answer, and target each
caller, so as they do not ask again or talk about the answers.

So backward, but yes walk into a place with a mission statement on the wall, and be
prepared to get beat with it.

I did not post this, Shawn did, I guess agreeing with it.

.

Shawn

You keep bumping this to the top, maybe you should read it sometime instead of the single
sentence you dwell on.

Maybe you could do the same at council, and for the city of Lakewood.

It would be nice to see you give Lakewood back its two parks.


.

[Shawn Juris]

I bumped it because it seemed clear that you had forgotten already. Once you get the first sentence down pat, maybe I and others can start focusing on the other stuff (like the white papers that haven't happened or knowing the city par excellence). Maybe if the first sentence was executed well more people would actually want to engage in the discussion. Just looking to make one last effort to help your business before people start to go to www.theciviccommons.com to discuss Lakewood issues.
It was my understanding that this was a "community owned" thing and as the true owner I'm sure that you'll take this under consideration, reflect on it, and do the right thing. I look forward to more accurate claims and positions which show a bit of research. Can't wait to see some of the corrections and retractions to follow.
Enjoy your day and stay positive about Lakewood.

[Meg Ostrowski]

I bumped it because it seemed clear that you had forgotten already. Once you get the first sentence down pat, maybe I and others can start focusing on the other stuff (like the white papers that haven't happened or knowing the city par excellence). Maybe if the first sentence was executed well more people would actually want to engage in the discussion. Just looking to make one last effort to help your business before people start to go to http://www.theciviccommons.com to discuss Lakewood issues.
It was my understanding that this was a "community owned" thing and as the true owner I'm sure that you'll take this under consideration, reflect on it, and do the right thing. I look forward to more accurate claims and positions which show a bit of research. Can't wait to see some of the corrections and retractions to follow.
Enjoy your day and stay positive about Lakewood.

Shawn,

You obviously are not a fan of the project (or Jim) but I am grateful for its presence in our community. The Mission Statement is ambitious. I assume the goals are meant as objectives. I know that resources and volunteer hours are limited. It is not perfect but still it functions and serves us all if we embrace it.

Although I have never been paid, I feel a sense of ownership for my participation.

While the printed paper may not be a formal "white paper," it does strive to map community solutions, advance responsible economic development and sustainability strategies, and track results. More importantly it gives everyone a voice.

As for The Civic Commons you mention, it is a regional (rather than local) approach. I like having multiple perspectives on the issues, so for me it is not an "either/or" but a "both" strategy when gathering information.

I hope you will come to see The LO's value in the process of moving Lakewood forward in a positive direction. Sometimes that means considering others' points of view.

Meg

[Jim O'Bryan]

I bumped it because it seemed clear that you had forgotten already. Once you get the first sentence down pat, maybe I and others can start focusing on the other stuff (like the white papers that haven't happened or knowing the city par excellence). Maybe if the first sentence was executed well more people would actually want to engage in the discussion. Just looking to make one last effort to help your business before people start to go to http://www.theciviccommons.com to discuss Lakewood issues.
It was my understanding that this was a "community owned" thing and as the true owner I'm sure that you'll take this under consideration, reflect on it, and do the right thing. I look forward to more accurate claims and positions which show a bit of research. Can't wait to see some of the corrections and retractions to follow.
Enjoy your day and stay positive about Lakewood.

The White papers have happened. i rarely find fault with the city, but often find
management completely underwhelming if not down right incompetent at times.
What has come out of the LO whitepapers is, LEAF, Bike Lakewood, Lakewood Is Art,
Cafe University (UA), Spooky Pooch, the Observer paper and many more things.

The project is community owned, ie owned by members of the community. On top of it
it is also community managed and run in its entirety. If you have any proof of anything
else quit talking and put it out there. The feeling was that the Sun and the PD could not
really represent Lakewood, as they were not from the city and missed many of the little
things that make a city whole. So that the paper would have to be owned from someone
in the community. Not owned by the community. This is true for everywhere we start a
paper and media project. The motorsports paper is owned by racers in Indy. The Heights
owned by people in the Heights. They also sign on to an open policy that allows the
community equality in the paper. Nothing has changed about that, it still makes us unique.

Civic Commons, and call Dan Multhrop on this is an offshoot, of the Observer project and
we consulted in it. However, as they were more set on grants and not on sustainability
we continued on with our papers, and Dan with CC, of which all Observers support. I meet
with Dan often and his mother is an editor of the Heights Observer. You can go through the
photo archives and see many photos of me, and Dan, and Noelle and Betsy talking about
Observers and Civic Commons.

You complete misunderstanding of this project from day one, parallels your
lack of understanding of Lakewood, and its residents.

FWIW

.

[J Hrlec]

Sometimes that means considering others' points of view.

We could say this for most people on this forum

[Shawn Juris]

Meg,
I am not a fan of Jim because he regularly violates the mission. The idea of a local forum to discuss local issues is a valuable one. But if it is ever going to live up to it's billing there needs to be something more than people spreading gossip and misinformed opinion as fact. Sure, having an opinion is valid. But when I see the owner of a media outlet being dishonest about something that I was involved in, making false comments about me personally and others that I work with, repeating bad information repeatedly after it was called out, then it's a problem that should be addressed. I tried to address it with him personally on a private message and instead he took the course of singling me out. Jim's a jerk and always has been, doesn't mean that the Observation Deck can't be good for others as long as they can ignore his antics and move it forward in spite of him.

There have been suggestions in the past of rules of engagement. I recommended Civic Commons because they seem to be able to have bigger discussions without the bully of the board shouting down differing opinions.

[Meg Ostrowski]

Sometimes that means considering others' points of view.

We could say this for most people on this forum

Yes, I suppose this is true.

Although I was addressing Shawn when I wrote it, I meant it as a general statement. I have certainly taken my lumps and learned through this project that many of my ideas and opinions were nearly mine alone.

I am not a fan of Jim because he regularly violates the mission. The idea of a local forum to discuss local issues is a valuable one. But if it is ever going to live up to it's billing there needs to be something more than people spreading gossip and misinformed opinion as fact. Sure, having an opinion is valid. But when I see the owner of a media outlet being dishonest about something that I was involved in, making false comments about me personally and others that I work with, repeating bad information repeatedly after it was called out, then it's a problem that should be addressed. I tried to address it with him personally on a private message and instead he took the course of singling me out. Jim's a jerk and always has been, doesn't mean that the Observation Deck can't be good for others as long as they can ignore his antics and move it forward in spite of him.

There have been suggestions in the past of rules of engagement. I recommended Civic Commons because they seem to be able to have bigger discussions without the bully of the board shouting down differing opinions.

I agree, the value of this project/forum is that everyone has an opportunity to present, challenge, vet and move ideas forward, influence and evolve opinions.

In my experience it is much more than "people spreading gossip and misinformed opinion as fact" but yes, there is some of that. One must always consider the source and do their own research.

As for "rules of engagement," there is an expectation that public figures, you and Jim included, should lead by example. I'd like to suggest NO NAME CALLING or PERSONAL ATTACKS.

I hope we can get back to the notion of improving, rather than abandoning, the project and all its potential to grow our understanding of Lakewood through its Mission Statement.

[Jim O'Bryan]

Meg,
I am not a fan of Jim because he regularly violates the mission. The idea of a local forum to discuss local issues is a valuable one. But if it is ever going to live up to it's billing there needs to be something more than people spreading gossip and misinformed opinion as fact. Sure, having an opinion is valid. But when I see the owner of a media outlet being dishonest about something that I was involved in, making false comments about me personally and others that I work with, repeating bad information repeatedly after it was called out, then it's a problem that should be addressed. I tried to address it with him personally on a private message and instead he took the course of singling me out. Jim's a jerk and always has been, doesn't mean that the Observation Deck can't be good for others as long as they can ignore his antics and move it forward in spite of him.

There have been suggestions in the past of rules of engagement. I recommended Civic Commons because they seem to be able to have bigger discussions without the bully of the board shouting down differing opinions.

Bully? I am getting my butt kicked in the Taco Truck thread, the War on Lakewood thread.
A great vibrant discussion between adults that have wildly different opinions and
experiences. A war of business sense, against free enterprise, against I don't care I want
good tacos! I do not think Ryan Salo is a jerk for his opinion. I do not think Danielle
Masters is out of it, because she hasn't had good Mexican food since California. J Hrlec is
allowed to dedicate his entire life to the new pursuit of following taco trucks, and it is his
right to do that, and I respect his right to do it here. Hell, I respect your right to call me a
jerk here. Get it? You are a Lakewoodite, you have an opinion, "I am a Jerk" one
potentially shared by many. You post it, it becomes part of the public record, and the
discussion. Is that evil? Are you entitled to your opinion?

But this is a discussion board, let's have the discussion.

Instead of name calling and attacking the project, lay it out there, brother. What was I
dishonest about that you were involved in? What false comments did I make about you
and others that you work with? What bad information did I repeat? This is exactly what
the Deck is for, do your part.

The Lakewood Observer project goes left and goes right, it gets busy and it slows, it is
conservative and liberal, it is young and it is old. It is whatever and whoever is taking the
time to put up and share, thoughts, ideas, stories, images, and opinions.

Meg

What Shawn forgets, one reason the Observer project, was put out there is because we
found more fact in opinions on the streets than what was coming out of city hall or the
school board 15 years ago. That it was far better for the health of the community on the
whole to get the rumor out there and vetted, before serious harm was done with it.

I could run through the names of the various players and projects but why? It is pointless.
You yourself have dealt with reality as opposed to what you were told by officials. I know
that you have found much support help inspiration and need for thought and action from
rumors, innuendos, and over the digital fence conversations.

This is the heart of this project, residents, watching their own city and reporting on it.
Why not let the inmates guard the asylum? And, always make sure everyone has a
fair chance to vet, vent, recant, talk about it or clarify it.

.

[marklingm]

Shawn,

Please don’t take this the wrong way but, of course:

Jim's a jerk ....

I would not put your “observation” on the same level of Albert Einstein shaking the foundations of physics by taking on Sir Isaac Newton.

I just hope you hold your city/county/civic colleagues, leaders, and political bosses – elected, anointed, and otherwise – to the same low level of accountability you expect Jim to achieve.

In stealing from the “Scott Meeson Playbook,” perhaps the “Mission Statement” of both The Lakewood Observer and The Observation Deck should be changed to a sitcom theme song:




Matt

[Peter Grossetti]

I have to call 'em like I see 'em ... this is all so pathetically sad; on SO many levels!