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We went to the Welcome to Lakewood event way into its second hour, and could barely get through the room, apparently earlier there was no room to park. We heard the baked goods were fantastic and many interesting conversations were had. If I wasn't so tired I might recount some, maybe tomorrow.
Congratulations to everyone involved on your great success.
Top Ten things overheard at the Welcome Lakewood event...
10. "yes, we have a public beach, but we keep it in Cleveland for tax purposes." 9. "sure, you can see movies here... well, FILMED here, yes... shown here, no." 8. "no mam, we no longer have the community circulator, but for your convenience we've put a drug store on practically every corner... we call it 'walkability' ". 7. "no, I have no idea why everyone drives 35mph down the side streets and only 25mph on Franklin." 6. "no mam, that's not a vagrant, that's the publisher of the Lakewood Observer." 5. "yes sir, our planning department is so good, it got them to put the Melt close enough to Lakewood Hospital that you can schedule your angioplasty right there at the check in station." 4. "well, actually, the biggest High School sport here isn't football, it's having the kids cross Clifton Blvd at rush hour." 3. "furniture store? no, no, no. Now that you're in Lakewood, you just need to know the pickup schedule for trash and the definition of "tree lawn." 2. "yes, Lakewood is VERY bike friendly... unfortunately, those idiots driving through from Rocky River aren't, so be careful." 1. "Welcome to Lakewood... please shovel your sidewalk."
"I met with Bret one on one and found him impossible to deal with." - S.K.
Kind of sad All Dogs' wasn't invited... I drove past there last night on an errand and it looked jammed pack..
Hi Missy,
When the Welcome to Lakewood committee met to discuss how we could effectively reach out to organizations to participate in this event we were somewhat frustrated because we could not locate a resource that lists all of the service, non-profit, and social organizations in Lakewood. We sent out letters so that we could communicate the event to potential participants and to encourage them to get involved; however, we also tried to get the word out that a group didn't need to get a letter to be able to participate.
I am sorry that you weren't able to participate because we would have loved to have you! We had a limit of about 30 organization due to space. We provided residents and participants with surveys and the committee will use that feedback to put on the best event we can going forward, and we have also discussed putting together a resource directory.
Thanks for posting, Missy. If you would like to attend a Lakewood Family Collaborative meeting please let me know. Everyone who attends has the opportunity to introduce themselves and talk about their work. The next meeting is today, 1pm at the Women's Pavilion. We always meet the 4th Thursday of the month--same time/same place.
While we are handing out kudos, let's not forget the Lakewood Community Relations Advisory Commission for their co-sponsorship of this event.
The Lakewood Community Relations Advisory Commission was established in 2005 to serve in an advisory capacity for the purpose of educating, informing and making recommendations to City officials, departments, boards and commissions on matters relating to community relations within the City of Lakewood in an effort to advance respect for diversity, bonds of mutuality and equity.
Please note: Council's Ad hoc Boards & Commissions Review Committee is currently reviewing the necessity of each of the volunteer citizen board and commissions. In it's initial meeting, this ad hoc committee scored LCRAC a 2, meaning: the committee is not obsolete; it is currently required by Charter; and it's continued existence is under review.
Please contact your council person to express your opinion.
"So, let's make the most of this beautiful day.
Since we're together we might as well say:
Would you be mine? Could you be mine?
Won't you be my neighbor?"
I want to give a big shout out to the local Lakewood coffee shops and bakeries that donated to last night's event. These businesses are our businesses and we loved their amazing sweet treats. The two coffee shops who donated the regular and decaf coffee were The Beck Cafe and Bela Dubby. The seven bakeries who donated their amazing desserts were The Root, Nature's Bin, Create a Cake, Breadsmith, Black Bird Bakery, Elmwood Bakery and A ' Venue Fine Pastries. Sweet Designs donated chocolate covered pretzels. To all those participants and guests at last night's event, please start shopping at these fine Lakewood establishments if you aren't already and let them know how much you appreciate their contributing to the Welcome to Lakewood event.
To Melissa and any other organization who did not get an invitation, please accept our apologies. As Kristine pointed out we had to start a list from scratch and we all brain stormed to get as complete a list as possible. As you know this was our first time doing this and everything had to be decided and started a new. Melissa Garrett, our amazing Community Relations Specialist at Lakewood City Hall has the complete list we used for sending organizations invitations. An email or call to her will get you on the master list so you won't be left out next year.
Thanks to everyone who participated and came. We live in a great town and it feels good to celebrate that.
Peter Grossetti wrote:While we are handing out kudos, let's not forget the Lakewood Community Relations Advisory Commission for their co-sponsorship of this event.
The Lakewood Community Relations Advisory Commission was established in 2005 to serve in an advisory capacity for the purpose of educating, informing and making recommendations to City officials, departments, boards and commissions on matters relating to community relations within the City of Lakewood in an effort to advance respect for diversity, bonds of mutuality and equity.
Please note: Council's Ad hoc Boards & Commissions Review Committee is currently reviewing the necessity of each of the volunteer citizen board and commissions. In it's initial meeting, this ad hoc committee scored LCRAC a 2, meaning: the committee is not obsolete; it is currently required by Charter; and it's continued existence is under review.
Please contact your council person to express your opinion.
Hi Peter,
I became acquainted with the LCRAC because of their Diversity Potluck dinner and their sponsorship of the really amazing Youth Forum at Lakewood High School. And as has already been said here, the Welcome to Lakewood Event was a tremendous success.
I think having this committee is one of the things that sets Lakewood apart from other cities as it embraces its residents and its identity and heads forward into the 21st century. When you talk about who "We" are, this is one of the positive signs that Lakewood is really making an attempt to figure this out. This is a hardworking and diverse group of people who do their best to connect the city to the citizens, and citizens to each other.
So my question (you knew I would ask you a question) what does a rating of "2" mean? It's "not obsolete" sounds good in one way, and like damning with faint praise on the other. Is it on a scale from 1 to 10? Is 1 the best?
Explanation of rating system .. straight from Feb 21, 2012 Board & Commission ad hoc committee:
Mr. Powers explained that the committee would put each Board or Commission into one of three categories 1 - Those required by Charter orstate or federal law 2 - Those that are not obsolete nor are required by Charter or law and may need discussion 3 - Those that have been dormant do not have appointed members and or are no longer needed
Each commission was was put in the following category
Architectural Board of Review - 1 required by ordinance and member fulfill a Charter requirement
Animal Safety Welfare Advisory Board - 2
Audit Committee - 1 Not required by law but is shongly encouraged by the State Auditor
Beck Center Board of Directors - An honorary membership given when then Mayor FitzGerald forgave a Beck Center debt Council has no authority to review
Board of Building Standards Building Appeals - 1 required by Charter
Board of Control - 1
Board of Nuisance Abatement Appeals - 1 Obligated to have under the nuisance abatement law
Board of Review - 1 Required under tax code to hear appeals on tax rulings. The board has never met but members are appointed. Mr. Butler stated that there is not a need to appoint members but the board is needed.
Board of Revision of Assessments - 1 An oversight board for special assessments which the City no longer does. It is required by Charter but there are no private citizens on the board.
Board of Zoning Appeals -1 Required by Charter
Boxing Wrestling Commission - 3
Charter Review Commission - 1
Child Care Services Advisory Board - 3 Established by ordinance when the City had a Director of Child Care
Citizens Infrastructure Committee - 3 An adhoc committee established to help with the Lakewood Park sewer issue work has been completed
Citizens Advisory Commission -1 Required by federal law
City Records Commission - 1 Required by Charter ordinance and state law
Civil Service Commission - 1 Required by Charter
Community Reinvestment Area Housing Council - 1 required
Community Relations Advisory Commission - 2 Codified; advisory in nature
Dealer License Revocation Appeals Board - 2 Last done 30 years ago
Emergency Medical Services Commission - 3 Formed when EMS joined the fire department. Was created to smooth things over
Fair Employment Wage Board - 2 Required by codified ordinance. Hasn't met in several years
Incentive Awards Final Review Committee - 3 an internal committee to incentivize good ideas hasn't been used in years
Keep Lakewood Beautiful Board - 2
Lakewood Heritage Advisory Board -1 Part of due process
Lakewood Hospital Assoc Governing Board - 1
Lakewood Youth Commission - 2 codified but members were never appointed. Mr. Juris requested discussion
Loan Approval Board - 1
Planning Commission - 1
Rewards Commission - 3 Reward for turning in graffiti artists
Senior Citizens Advisory Committee - 3 mentioned in code but never used
Sundry Claims Committee - 3 Formed to resolved moral claims against the City Mayor or Law Director are now able to resolve claims
Tax Incentive Review Council - 1 State code
"So, let's make the most of this beautiful day.
Since we're together we might as well say:
Would you be mine? Could you be mine?
Won't you be my neighbor?"
