Issue 64 The Lakewood Hospital Charter Amendment

[Bill Call]

What is it and what does it mean?
There is a lot of disinformation about the prosed charter amendment, issue 64. Here is the language as approved by the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections and the Ohio Secretary of State:

A majority affirmative vote is required for passage.

Shall the Second Amended Charter of the City of Lakewood be amended to create an automatic referendum requiring an affirmative vote by a majority vote of the electors of the City of Lakewood at a general or special election for passage, on any ordinance adopted by council that would cause Lakewood Hospital to no longer be a full-time and full-service hospital and medical facility providing, without limitation, inpatient
diagnostic, medical, surgical, and psychiatric care for a continuous period longer than twenty-four hours?

The amendment does not require the City to have a hospital.

The amendment does not save Lakewood Hospital.

The amendment does not make the City responsible for health care in Lakewood.

The amendment does not prohibit the closure of the Hospital.

The amendment does not require a majority of registered voters to approve of closure of the Hospital.

The amendment simply allows for an automatic referendum if the City Council votes to close the Hospital.

The current City Charter allows for referendums on issues such as the closure of the Hospital. Making the referendum automatic will simply make the process quicker and more transparent.

If the amendment passes any decision by Council to close the Hospital will require the approval of a majority of those voting in the automatic referendum.

That’s it.

[Michael Deneen]

Why was this left out of the print edition?
It is certainly more relevant than the PAGES and PAGES of empty fluff that was submitted by candidates.

[cameron karslake]

It really is a shame there is so much confusion and disinformation concerning this amendment. It is really very simple!

When elected representatives refuse to represent the populace that elected them to office, direct democracy (which this charter amendment is an example of) is the only solution besides kicking the bums out.

[Dan Alaimo]

In defense of the Observer, they really have to run all that political fluff out of fairness. But did anyone send something in about 64? They won't run anything unless it's submitted. I trust there will be room in the next edition. It's more than a month till the election.

[Jim O'Bryan]

In defense of the Observer, they really have to run all that political fluff out of fairness. But did anyone send something in about 64? They won't run anything unless it's submitted. I trust there will be room in the next edition. It's more than a month till the election.

In all fairness, we could have pulled the masthead, or cartoon, it is very relevant.

However, this issue we ran out of pages, and took our promises to elected officials very seriously.
(Candidates can send in what they want up to 2 issues before the election, now it is only news or discussion).

So we will have room for this, it should have been in, and for kittens, and people and life.

.

[Michael Deneen]

However, this issue we ran out of pages, and took our promises to elected officials very seriously.

That's not good enough, Jim.

You "ran out of pages" because you decided to run propaganda from every politician in town...including the ones who wish to abolish the Observer.

[Jim O'Bryan]

However, this issue we ran out of pages, and took our promises to elected officials very seriously.

That's not good enough, Jim.

You "ran out of pages" because you decided to run propaganda from every politician in town...including the ones who wish to abolish the Observer.

Mike

And here is the next issue.

I told you the truth, but that is not good enough.

OK

.

[Dan Alaimo]

Are yard signs in the works for Issue 64?

[marklingm]

In all fairness, we could have pulled the masthead, or cartoon, it is very relevant.

Jim,

I like the super blood moon thingy you did ...

image.png (292.51 KiB) Viewed 3809 times

Matt

[Phil Florian]

What is it and what does it mean?
There is a lot of disinformation about the prosed charter amendment, issue 64. Here is the language as approved by the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections and the Ohio Secretary of State:

A majority affirmative vote is required for passage.

Shall the Second Amended Charter of the City of Lakewood be amended to create an automatic referendum requiring an affirmative vote by a majority vote of the electors of the City of Lakewood at a general or special election for passage, on any ordinance adopted by council that would cause Lakewood Hospital to no longer be a full-time and full-service hospital and medical facility providing, without limitation, inpatient
diagnostic, medical, surgical, and psychiatric care for a continuous period longer than twenty-four hours?

The amendment does not require the City to have a hospital.

The amendment does not save Lakewood Hospital.

The amendment does not make the City responsible for health care in Lakewood.

The amendment does not prohibit the closure of the Hospital.

The amendment does not require a majority of registered voters to approve of closure of the Hospital.

The amendment simply allows for an automatic referendum if the City Council votes to close the Hospital.

The current City Charter allows for referendums on issues such as the closure of the Hospital. Making the referendum automatic will simply make the process quicker and more transparent.

If the amendment passes any decision by Council to close the Hospital will require the approval of a majority of those voting in the automatic referendum.

That’s it.

This is great information, thanks!

What does this mean for any tenant in the hospital? If the city council votes in favor of closing the hospital and voters in the city vote in a referendum to not approve closure, what happens next?

Thanks!


Phil

[Pam Wetula]

Bill Call wrote:

What is it and what does it mean?
There is a lot of disinformation about the prosed charter amendment, issue 64. Here is the language as approved by the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections and the Ohio Secretary of State:

A majority affirmative vote is required for passage.

Shall the Second Amended Charter of the City of Lakewood be amended to create an automatic referendum requiring an affirmative vote by a majority vote of the electors of the City of Lakewood at a general or special election for passage, on any ordinance adopted by council that would cause Lakewood Hospital to no longer be a full-time and full-service hospital and medical facility providing, without limitation, inpatient
diagnostic, medical, surgical, and psychiatric care for a continuous period longer than twenty-four hours?

The amendment does not require the City to have a hospital.

The amendment does not save Lakewood Hospital.

The amendment does not make the City responsible for health care in Lakewood.

The amendment does not prohibit the closure of the Hospital.

The amendment does not require a majority of registered voters to approve of closure of the Hospital.

The amendment simply allows for an automatic referendum if the City Council votes to close the Hospital.

The current City Charter allows for referendums on issues such as the closure of the Hospital. Making the referendum automatic will simply make the process quicker and more transparent.

If the amendment passes any decision by Council to close the Hospital will require the approval of a majority of those voting in the automatic referendum.

That’s it.

Thanks Bill for this explanation but I would also like to point out that Mayor Summers continues to mislead the public on this issue. last night at the CANDIDATES FORUM, he was asked about Issue 64 (Skindell was not allowed to respond to this question??).

Mike Summers stated that issue 64 would result in a vote for any small change in the hospital. This is clearly not true. He spoke about how no changes could be made without a vote (nonsense). Then he muttered something about small changes that could affect a full service hospital "whatever that means". At this point it appears that Mike Summers does not know what a full service hospital means. I cannot quote exactly what he stated yesterday (Except for the "full service hospital..whatever that means" and there was no recording allowed but his intention was clear and he clearly was lying to that audience about the effects of issue 64 on hospital operations.

Issue 64 is clear..It does not tie the hands of anyone who is running the hospital. It will not prohibit any healthcare provider from being interested in running Lakewood Hospital nor will it hamper the CCF if they decide to abide by their lease and maintain their commitment to a full-time, full-service hospital until 2026. It does not affect day to day operations or changes in operations UNLESS they would cause Lakewood Hospital to no longer be a full time, full service hospital. The State of Ohio is very clear on what that is and inpatient, 24 hour + services are required to be called a hospital on Ohio.

Summers & Build Lakewood need to stop the lies.

[Phil Florian]

Thanks Bill for this explanation but I would also like to point out that Mayor Summers continues to mislead the public on this issue. last night at the CANDIDATES FORUM, he was asked about Issue 64 (Skindell was not allowed to respond to this question??).

Mike Summers stated that issue 64 would result in a vote for any small change in the hospital. This is clearly not true. He spoke about how no changes could be made without a vote (nonsense). Then he muttered something about small changes that could affect a full service hospital "whatever that means". At this point it appears that Mike Summers does not know what a full service hospital means. I cannot quote exactly what he stated yesterday (Except for the "full service hospital..whatever that means" and there was no recording allowed but his intention was clear and he clearly was lying to that audience about the effects of issue 64 on hospital operations.

Issue 64 is clear..It does not tie the hands of anyone who is running the hospital. It will not prohibit any healthcare provider from being interested in running Lakewood Hospital nor will it hamper the CCF if they decide to abide by their lease and maintain their commitment to a full-time, full-service hospital until 2026. It does not affect day to day operations or changes in operations UNLESS they would cause Lakewood Hospital to no longer be a full time, full service hospital. The State of Ohio is very clear on what that is and inpatient, 24 hour + services are required to be called a hospital on Ohio.

Summers & Build Lakewood need to stop the lies.

Thanks for the information of what the Amendment will not do. What will the Amendment do when the council votes one way (to close) and the citizens vote the other (to remain open)?

Thanks!

[Marguerite Harkness]

It will remain OPEN.

[Marguerite Harkness]

Actually, to clarify.

THIS amendment, only says that IF Council votes to close the hospital, the issue MUST go to the voters at the next general or a special election.
This amendment itself, does not keep the hospital open, nor does it close it.
It only sets up an automatic referendum so the voters would have a say in such a decision.

We are fortunate that Lakewood residents are generally educated and informed citizens who we can trust to make our own intelligent decision.

Unlike some of our current batch of elected officials.

[Phil Florian]

It will remain OPEN.

If CCF decides to balk on its commitment until 2026 (as they were already interested in doing it seems) then how would this Amendment help/hinder?