Mission statement

[Jim O'Bryan]

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

Peter

Such a wide statement.

Care to clarify?

As I go back over the mission statement, with Ken Warren one of the writers and founders
we are amazed at how well we have hit, what was basically a theory of where we hoped to
go with this project.

We knew when we sat down there would be unintended consequences, that is a fact of life.

.

[Peter Grossetti]

The "unintended consequences" are "pathetically sad."

Clear enough?

The Deck is a wonderful forum. And I am thrilled it is here.

(stopping to think and reflect for a moment ................................)

.... but, frankly and respectfully, I say to two people who I respect dearly for, ironically, the exact same reason (wanting to serve Our City), "grow the hell up!"

[Jim O'Bryan]

The "unintended consequences" are "pathetically sad."

Clear enough?

The Deck is a wonderful forum. And I am thrilled it is here.

(stopping to think and reflect for a moment ................................)

.... but, frankly and respectfully, I say to two people who I respect dearly for, ironically, the exact same reason (wanting to serve Our City), "grow the hell up!"

Peter

Part of my job, as publisher and caretaker of the project is to be an agent provocateur.

Shawn's job(s) is very different.

.

[Justine Cooper]

I don't really understand the intent of the thread. I see where the Lakewood Observer project has met and exceeds its mission statement.

When I took my kids bowling at Mahalls the other day I disovered there were new owners there, two young couples, refurbishing the place and kitchen/menu. It looked unbelievable and the menu will consist of fresh ingredients. A stage is being bullt for weekly bands. Why this matters on this thread is when I saw this, all I could think about was "I have to write an article to let people know about this!" It brought me right back to why I wrote the "Secret Shopper" and how these hard-working businesses deserve an article to allow people to know what wonderful things they are bringing to the city. I see this as a family-friendly hip and unique hangout and all I could think about was how we could let people know though the LO. NO other paper ever cared about doing that for small businesses, but the LO project is ALL about that, preserving what is fantastic about this city.

The city politics, not so fantastic, but the fact that there is a forum where people have to identify themselves and own their comments, which does lead to transparency (and some people do not like that part) is amazing and needed. People aren't always going to get along and you certainly can't hold the founders responsible for that. But what is here is real, fact or opinion. The fact that you are still contributing, Shawn, says a lot, that you give it more merit than you acknowledge.

As far as the "jerk" comment, well it brought it to a very juvenile level and obviously more a personal thing than professional. I certainly have my disagreements with Jim but to outright start a post on the LO mission statement and in that post call someone a jerk is more a testimony to your character than to his. He has done more for this city, with his board and volunteers, than any single person I know in any city in an UNPAID position and including many people paid. I don't always agree with him politically or on other issues but as far as the mission statement, he (they) have gone above and beyond for consumers and businesses in too many ways to list.

[Gary Rice]

Gee, I guess it's time for that banjo sing-a-long campfire now!

Let's all hold hands and SING!



When is a mission a MISSION?
Whenever the tried and true,
Embark on a search for the truth here.
With Lakewood, the end game in view!



Ah, the sublime vagaries of the change-makers in life....

but...

....come to think of it, wasn't the Alamo once....a mission?

Back to the banjo...

[Jim O'Bryan]

Justine

Certainly you have a better concept of how things work here than Councilman Juris. You have
been on both sides of many of the issues we kick around here. You also know first hand
the long running hatred Councilman Juris has had for this project, and the voice it gives
ordinary citizens like you and me.

You get what we do, and you have been an active participant when it makes sense to get
involved. If I remember correctly you were also part of some phone calls trying to
intimidate to not take part in the project from civic leaders.

While I have never understood how people could be upset with blank pages and free
electrons. It would seem that some will never get it which is there right.

At the same time I find it odd, that Councilman Juris is screaming for censorship of the
Deck, by making statements that would be censored from many of the sources he cites.
I on the other hand will defend Councilman Juris right to call me a Jerk. He made the
statement, and he has put his real name on it. Those are the rules of this project. Would
I be better, or would the city be better if Shawn spewed "Jerk" and I were to take it down?
I think not, and it would go against the Mission of this Project.

At the end of the day, the deck often has comments that upset me, or make me mad. But
a resident of Lakewood has felt strongly enough about it to post it, share it, and put their
name on it, owning the comment. I cannot ask for anything more from a resident or public
official. At the end of the day, it gives all a better understanding of this project, the
community, and in this case our Councilman from Ward 3. How can that be bad?

Again thanks for the kind words on the project, as I look over the Mission Statement, I
also think we have hit every mark 100%. But none of it could be possible without
Lakewoodites taking part in the discussion. Which is you, me, Councilman Juris, Peter
Grosseti, and even Gary Rice constantly needing to sign Kumbaya. To date nearly 10,000
people have taken part in this project one way or another, to all of them thank you.

,