Are there 2 Lakewoods?

[Alex Belisle]

As a recent emigre from NYC to Lakewood (this Jan.) I was made aware of the significant differences in real estate values north of Clifton Blvd. This made me think: "Does this clear demarcation in real estate also reflect itself in a set of differing cultural values, of educational backgrounds, of differing ethnic demographics, of higher socioeconomic status that usually comes with higher income brackets, of a different mindset as to the planning of Lakewood's future?

As a former member of the NYC press corps and a 36 year veteran teacher in the NYC public educational system, I am fully aware of how these paradigm shifts in urban dynamics play themselves out. For instance most non Ny'ers think of Manhattan as NYC as if the outer boroughs don't even exist. An example of this in "da Bronx" is the section in the northwest corner called Riverdale, a very upscale, rich and influential neighborhood where most of the residents if asked where they live will answer, "Riverdale" not the Bronx.

Coming back to my new home here in Lakewood, I wonder, in light of the Lakewood Hospital controversy, if important decisions are being made with money and/or status as the core of the thinking by the decision makers? Back in NYC, we in the press corps, especially the investigative reporters, would joke that all you had to do was "follow the money."

I'm curious.

Do the readers on this on-line community feel that there are 2 Lakewoods?

Please forgive me for any implied assumptions you might read between the lines. I'm just a newbie trying to "catch all the light I can" in Lakewood.

[Stan Austin]

Alex-- very astute observation. I would answer, now in 2015, kinda, sorta. If that question was asked in 1960 the answer would be a resounding YES. In fact, when I first came on the political scene in 1972 I assumed the position of Ward 2 Democratic Leader. The wife of my predecessor whom I looked upon as my Henry Kissinger (the wife) told me of a study of elected and appointed officials showing that about 95 per cent resided in the North of Clifton neighborhood. That led to a proposal to redraw Ward boundaries to insure more Council representation from more areas of Lakewood.
That proposal never came to be. And, now I believe a statistical study would show a more scattered or representative scope of civic involvement (at least on a geographical basis).
But, it has been my firm belief based on experience that if an individual wants to serve or be elected that a well qualified candidacy along with a good campaign are the necessary qualifications to be competitive.
Stan Austin

[Michael Deneen]

There are a lot more than 2 Lakewoods.
There's a strong mix of folks along ethnic, racial, age, and economic lines.

In my experience, people tend to think of Lakewood in terms of "east-west" rather than "north-south".
Our political wards, for example, are sliced that way.

The eastern part of the city has traditionally been considered the most poor, dating back to the days when "Birdtown" was housing for the nearby factories.

In recent decades there have been growing whispers about Clevelanders "crossing the border" of W. 117.
These whispers ignore the fact that Cleveland has been a source of new Lakewoodites for over a century.

[Brian Essi]

Alex Belisle wrote: “I wonder, in light of the Lakewood Hospital controversy, if important decisions are being made with money and/or status as the core of the thinking by the decision makers?”

My answer is: Yes. Sources from the Mayor’s inner circle and at least one LHA trustee have indicated that if the money in the new foundation is only used for traditional causes, the current plan set forth in the Letter of Intent (LOI) will be a failure. It appears that Mayor Summers and those aligned with him want to build a recreation center on the hospital land but how it will be funded seems to be a hidden agenda. Mayor Summers has been making his rounds with the numerous traditional non-profit organizations in Lakewood to ascertain their needs. Since many of these non-profits are poised to apply for grants from the new foundation for their needs, Mayor Summers is essentially dangling carrots for support for the LOI. Indeed, some LHA trustees who voted for the LOI also operate or sit on the boards of these traditional non-profits. With support of the nonprofits and others, it appears that the Mayor and his inner circle (the "second" Lakewood) believe that they can still pull off the alleged hidden agenda and ultimately fund the recreation center by control of the board of the new foundation. If successful, this would allow decisions on the public’s money to be made by a chosen few rather than the electorate. The main obstacle to this becoming a reality is an energized and active citizen involvement seeking sunshine on the process and exposure of the truth. Metro has recently resurfaced in the debate as a real and viable option to the LOI. So there should be now be an open debate as to whether we keep a hospital, build a recreation center or both. What Mayor Summers and his inner circle should understand is that if the LOI is approved and they can’t gain control of the new foundation and direct to their purposes, we may end up without a hospital and without a recreation center.

[ryan costa]

The houses north of Clifton tend to be larger, more expensively constructed, have larger yards, and are closer to the Lake.