The Most Ignorant Comment In The Hospital Discussion…

[Jim O'Bryan]

“What if there is nothing there?”

The ignorance of the comment is answered by all sides. Dru Siley, Mayor Summers and Bullock have told us time and time again just how valuable the property is. That they have all sorts of people interested. So even in the worse case scenario--which can really happen only one way--can the lot be empty.

But if they really cared, if they were really serious, they would quit their BS, and join the lawsuit. The only way we end up with nothing is through bad management and a less than honest and transparent goverment.

How can anyone be upset about what is left behind but have no interest in what caused it, how, and why? It would seem that in any disaster, people try to figure out how it happened and why, and take steps to make sure that it doesn't happen again.

One of the best ways to make sure it doesn't happen again is to make sure every person that is currently involved NEVER IS ALLOWED IN THOSE POSITIONS AGAIN. After all, it is through their mismanagement, and unwillingness to hold both themselves accountable and the tenants of the public land accountable that got us here.

Yet they want to take a $150 million dollar public asset and turn it into a small private $30 million dollar non-profit run by the same people, with the same people on the board, and one whole organization completely intact of the same people that boosted the cash. That is ignorant.

The best deal financially, and for land would be the City of Lakewood joining the lawsuit against LHA. That process with good lawyers could net the City as much as $170 million, and we would still own 100% of the land. Now that sounds better than $30 million in a private trust.

Another deal better than the current “Master Agreement” is doing nothing. The City still ends up with nearly $30 million from the rent on the property on Detroit and Columbia Road, and we still own 100% of the property that we have been assured is coveted by so many.

And now the nightmare scenario which actually sees the City with NOTHING. This happens only if the City releases the Lakewood Hospital Board from their legal obligations, and they then release the Clinic, and we find out it was done illegally or without real process. THEN WE LOSE EVERYTHING, and there is nothing there.

Anyone who says, “What if nothing is there?” and doesn’t want the process to be open and legal, is just full of BS.

Anyone who asks, “What if nothing is there?” and allows one person from this nightmare to have anything to do with what comes next, is a fool.

I have never seen anything so important handled so badly in my entire life. Well maybe Watergate, but little else.

So Mr. Businessman/Mayor, what will your legacy be, not believing enough in your own city that you need to panic, lose over $100 million and sell the City of Lakewood and its future short, because no one wants to move into the city? Or has your planning and building department failed so thoroughly, that Lakewood, the top tier City in the County, has to panic, lie, mislead to save ourselves from our own lies?

Nice topic, "FEAR MONGERING," and who is really handing bushels of LIES to get people FEARFUL! We look at classic definitions, and how it is done.

FWIW

[marklingm]

Jim,

"What if there is nothing there?” does seem to be the current Team Summers/Build Lakewood mantra.

Just within the past 24 hours alone, the Team Summers/Build Lakewood folks have taken to posting their new mantra:

What are we voting for? I don't understand. An empty hospital (We know it's already being emptied.) or what alternative?

Because the SLH group can't explain the wording, no doubt they connived many of the people who signed the petition. Looks like yellow journalism, manipulation and a disingenuous core permeated the petition drive as well. I actually feel bad for many of their volunteers that carried the petition.

What are we saving? If a tree falls in the forest?

So a vacant structure is better than the alternative? I don't understand what SLH is fighting for. Does anyone? Are any of their arguments relevant to to obvious future?

They are a bunch of people who can't stand change, enjoy nostalgia and conspiracy theories.





I am sure a lot of them are good folks. Unfortunately, they are being hoodwinked by the fear mongers.

I do agree with Jay P. Foran's last post to the extent he is speaking of the Team Summers and Build Lakewood folks. I am sure a lot of them are good folks. Unfortunately, they are being hoodwinked by the fear mongers.

Matt

[Bridget Conant]

They keep repeating that the land is highly sought after. So what's the problem? If the worst case happens, which is unlikely, the land will be swooped up by those eager developers!

Redevelopment of the current Lakewood Hospital properties will free up approximately six acres of prime, downtown real estate.

Because development opportunities like this do not come around often, the City of Lakewood has already been contacted by a number of local and national developers interested in proposing projects for development on the land

According to Build Lakewood, that is very valuable land that developers want!

[marklingm]

They keep repeating that the land is highly sought after. So what's the problem? If the worst case happens, which is unlikely, the land will be swooped up by those eager developers!

***

According to Build Lakewood, that is very valuable land that developers want!

That is correct, Bridget.

According to Build Lakewood, the City of Lakewood has already been contacted by a number of local and national developers interested in proposing projects for development on the land:

Redevelopment of the current Lakewood Hospital properties will free up approximately six acres of prime, downtown real estate. This land is owned by the City of Lakewood, and what will be built there will be determined by Lakewood residents through community meetings and the efforts of their elected officials.

Because development opportunities like this do not come around often, the City of Lakewood has already been contacted by a number of local and national developers interested in proposing projects for development on the land. No commitments have been made nor will they be until after the fate of Lakewood Hospital is determined.

Redevelopment of the property will also expand our property tax base in Lakewood, not shrink it. At present, there are no property taxes paid on any of the Lakewood Hospital properties because they are owned by the city for use by a non-profit corporation (the Lakewood Health Foundation). Any future commercial, residential or mixed use development of the properties will therefore result in a net gain of property taxes for the City of Lakewood. And that benefits every tax payer.

The bottom line is that how the six acres should be utilized and who will develop it are open questions that the citizens of Lakewood will help answer, and that should excite anyone interested in seeing our Downtown thrive well into the future.

http://www.buildlakewood.org/#!development/c206r

Imagine how much more valuable that land will be when the Cleveland Clinic Foundation honors its commitments to the City of Lakewood and leaves Lakewood in 2026!

Look how excited Pam Smith is to teardown the hospital today ... imagine how excited Pam Smith will be to tear down the hospital in 2026!

[Bridget Conant]

I would like to know who those eager developers are. Is this information on record anywhere?

Or is it just more magical thinking?

[Lori Allen _]

You've heard of Mall of America? I heard that Bars of America is interested in the property!

[Bridget Conant]

Bars of America! Love it, Lori!

Is Mayor Summers a supporter of Bars of America? His development efforts sure include a lot of support of drinking establishments.

[Jim O'Bryan]

Jim,

"What if there is nothing there?” does seem to be the current Team Summers/Build Lakewood mantra.

Just within the past 24 hours alone, the Team Summers/Build Lakewood folks have taken to posting their new mantra:

What are we voting for? I don't understand. An empty hospital (We know it's already being emptied.) or what alternative?

Because the SLH group can't explain the wording, no doubt they connived many of the people who signed the petition. Looks like yellow journalism, manipulation and a disingenuous core permeated the petition drive as well. I actually feel bad for many of their volunteers that carried the petition.

What are we saving? If a tree falls in the forest?

So a vacant structure is better than the alternative? I don't understand what SLH is fighting for. Does anyone? Are any of their arguments relevant to to obvious future?

They are a bunch of people who can't stand change, enjoy nostalgia and conspiracy theories.





I am sure a lot of them are good folks. Unfortunately, they are being hoodwinked by the fear mongers.

I do agree with Jay P. Foran's last post to the extent he is speaking of the Team Summers and Build Lakewood folks. I am sure a lot of them are good folks. Unfortunately, they are being hoodwinked by the fear mongers.

Matt

Matt

If they fear nothing there, then they better hold Team Summers responsible. Everything
this is the worst managed "project" I have ever seen.

Jay Foran is the queen of Fear Mongers. All the way back to, "This will be the end of Lakewood if we can't build that strip mall on Detroit"

Then we find out his family was to benefit a lot.

NEXT - We can't possibly afford to keep Grant.
When in fact the Ohio Board of Education was saying we can't afford to keep Lincoln.

Now - "WHAT IF..." pure spookiness, by the Drama Queen himself, Jay Foran, who ironically
looks to benefit yet again.

.

[Michael Deneen]

Jim,

"What if there is nothing there?” does seem to be the current Team Summers/Build Lakewood mantra.

Just within the past 24 hours alone, the Team Summers/Build Lakewood folks have taken to posting their new mantra:

What are we voting for? I don't understand. An empty hospital (We know it's already being emptied.) or what alternative?

Because the SLH group can't explain the wording, no doubt they connived many of the people who signed the petition. Looks like yellow journalism, manipulation and a disingenuous core permeated the petition drive as well. I actually feel bad for many of their volunteers that carried the petition.

What are we saving? If a tree falls in the forest?

So a vacant structure is better than the alternative? I don't understand what SLH is fighting for. Does anyone? Are any of their arguments relevant to to obvious future?

They are a bunch of people who can't stand change, enjoy nostalgia and conspiracy theories.





I am sure a lot of them are good folks. Unfortunately, they are being hoodwinked by the fear mongers.

I do agree with Jay P. Foran's last post to the extent he is speaking of the Team Summers and Build Lakewood folks. I am sure a lot of them are good folks. Unfortunately, they are being hoodwinked by the fear mongers.

Matt

Not surprisingly, these quotes are from a site moderated by City Hall employee Rick Uldricks.
He also happens to be a founding member of "Build Lakewood", although he never discloses these facts to his readers.
His so-called news source has been slanting coverage of the issue ever since he was hired in the Building Department. I'm sure that is just a coincidence.

How desperate must an administration be if it needs to hire media shills to peddle its propaganda?

[Jim O'Bryan]

How desperate must an administration be if it needs to hire media shills to peddle its propaganda?

Mike

City Hall has spent more than $1 million in spin.

As posted earlier this week.

http://www.lakewoodobserver.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=13836


.

[Michael Deneen]

City Hall has spent more than $1 million in spin.

Does that include Jen Pae's salary?
She seems to spend most of her work day monitoring and commenting on social media.

[Brian Essi]

How can anyone be upset about what is left behind but have no interest in what caused it, how, and why? It would seem that in any disaster, people try to figure out how it happened and why, and take steps to make sure that it doesn't happen again.

Jim,

You nailed it!

If we don't recoup the damage done by those that caused it, then someone have profited at the expense of Lakewood residents--including the underserved.

That would not be right.

It would also set an example that people can take advantage Lakewood residents and get away with it in the future.

That's just not who we are here in Lakewood.

[Jim O'Bryan]

How can anyone be upset about what is left behind but have no interest in what caused it, how, and why? It would seem that in any disaster, people try to figure out how it happened and why, and take steps to make sure that it doesn't happen again.

Jim,

You nailed it!

People throwing out narrow "Buzz Words" that have ZERO basis in fact.
Just ignorant.

If I had heard it once I have heard it a thousand times, and the person saying it never
realizes the worst deal of all options in the Master Agreement. Never realizes the only
money in this deal is our money coming back to us. That never bother to realize how badly
this thing is unfolding in the courts and OEC.

Listen to your own squawking, leave the emotions out of it.

This election should come down to one thing.

Honesty in government. Transparency and accountability.

If you do not believe that is needed in government, you need to think about it.

.

[Phil Florian]

City Hall has spent more than $1 million in spin.

Does that include Jen Pae's salary?
She seems to spend most of her work day monitoring and commenting on social media.

The Observer can't have it both ways. Either you want people to come here and comment, even if from parts of the city you disagree with or you don't. Right now the biggest way the LO gets outside opinions on the Deck is to pull it from other sites of social media. Wouldn't you rather directly engage? Just curious.

[Michael Deneen]

The Observer can't have it both ways. Either you want people to come here and comment, even if from parts of the city you disagree with or you don't. Right now the biggest way the LO gets outside opinions on the Deck is to pull it from other sites of social media. Wouldn't you rather directly engage? Just curious.

She can come here all she wants, but I don't have to take her seriously.
She's just here to cover for the boss, period.

She engages ALL DAY, EVERY DAY at every website in town.
I find that very curious for someone whose official job title is finance.
What exactly does Colin McEwan do all day?
Isn't he supposed to be the media contact?