The Observation Deck

Joan

You have never been accused of hating Lakewood.

So let's get truthful on this.

As for the Staph infection. The Lakewood Observer is in the middle of re-writing a ton of code and adding to the front page of the website. Now the schools, city, and other civic groups can post their information directly to the front page. It is not approved, and it goes to the top of the page. The last 5 news releases, and a log of all the rest are logged. So maybe you should ask the schools why they did not post it?

We spent a bunch of money on the coding just to make sure the news would get to you faster and better.

Also you must not read the paper if you think it is all good news. I guess you think the shooting the stand off, and Petty were all happy brand building stories. But you must have selective memory loss. As for the paper not running the story, we were printed when the story came out. Our papers arrived the afternoon the release went out.

Go back and read my post where I applauded the work of the Plain Dealer and Sun Papers for their recent coverage of Lakewood. I applaud the work of Lisa Novotny for her tireless effort covering Lakewood. It would be nice if they gave Lakewood more than 3 pages, but I understand that the Sun is a regional paper with a Lakewood slant. But why read what I write when you can make it up on the fly.

As for the news, from day one of this paper you write it we publish it. Do you want to do city hall, do you want to cover the crime watch or disease watch? No, easier to complain, than get proactive.

I believe the real problem is that the "Brand Building" you said could never be done and is foolish is working, really well. I am almost at 5 new businesses but I have yet to see the plan for Hampton Inn. I have three families that just bought in Birdtown, and another two elsewhere because of the brand, and that Lakewood is the new "Tremont." I got a letter today by a family that moved to Lakewood from Bay, because they couldn't deal with the snobbery and dead lifestyle. We have the family that sold, moved to River, then 4 years later bought back their house in Lakewood because they missed it so bad. Add in the other three new businesses on Madison and two on Detroit and the city is living, growing and not dying.

Or maybe you are upset that Bay Village just announced a tax increase, and Westlake is looking to raise taxes again, as they need more revenue for city services and schools. While Lakewood has no tax raise on the coming ballot.

So you keep surfing all the sites hoping for a Hampton Inn, and I hope it comes. But until then I am off to visit a family in Shaker that asked for help finding a home in Lakewood.

So please call the schools, and ask why? So please call the Plain Dealer, and Sun Papers and Buzz who refuse to run the name Observer. while we have no problem speaking of them.

peace



.

While I understand that Jim hears about projects that may never become reality, I too favor more light rather than less.

While I don't want to be accused of bringing up the "West End" again, when I suggested that we do a post mortem to figure out what went wrong, I do believe that this is one of the items.

Secret Memorandums of Understanding signed between the developer and mayor that the council and public didn't see. The council being kept in the dark until right before a decision was required and then expected to rubber stamp things without proper evaluation.

If all of the information had been discussed openly and publically would we have had this long, expensive fight that stopped really everything else that was going on in the city? Could a compromise have been reached that everyone could have lived with? I don't know.

The developer who couldn't do a smaller project in Lakewood had no problem doing a much smaller project in Rocky River without eminent domain.

So I do think that public input early in a project helps it get off to the right start and builds support for it.

Joan, you may be right. Even though we have only volunteer writers (who essentially write whatever they want to) we do lack in any hard hitting investigation. No real "news", in the sense that we've come to know it, but an overabundance of feel good, happy stories. Yeah, there was the Jolly Friar Phil, but that was eons ago. Problem with hard news is it becomes old news very quickly. Probably quicker than our publication schedule allows for. By the time the article hits the paper (a week or more after its written), any timely "news" is as stale as a lunchroom crispy creme on Monday morning.

It is my belief that a major part of the Observer mission was to supplement, to fill in the gaps of coverage in the traditional media. We can expect the PD, and the Sun, with their paid reporters who can be given an assignment, to cover the "hard news", but coverage of events that are equally newsworthy (at least in a Lakewood-centric eye), say the Potter's concert, or the Library groundbreaking don't get covered by the traditional outlets. The LO fills that gap.

But, then again, I'm just the food writer......

Jeff

Joan writes:

I know I'll get accused of "hating Lakewood"again for this, but hey, it's a pretty big city. Stuff happens. If you're going to ignore it or try to paint yellow happy faces over everything, then solve the quandry and take the word "newspaper" off your banner and stop slamming the other guys.

As for the original topic, I still contend it's more irritating to the general pubic to play the "I know something you don't know" game than it is to just keep quiet.

Joan -

First of all - there are a lot of us who know you dont hate Lakewood. As a matter of fact, I take your willingness and ability to look honestly at the current state of the city, at the issues, and at the 'players' involved as a clear testimony to the fact that you care deeply enough about this city to invest your time, skills, and energy to its continued growth and development.

Second - I'll second your request to quit slamming other news outlets, groups, cities, communities, etc. In my opinion Lakewood gains NOTHING when we try to elevate ourselves by diminishing others. Personally, I cannot even look at Lakewood next to Bay because they are two totally different types of living. Can I gain very much evaluating the way Bay does business? Probably not. There are too many extraneous variables that can alter the outcomes of any solutions that they have engineered were we to try them in Lakewood. But I digress...

Lastly, I think your final paragraph is right on spot. Those that toss around 'just wait - you'll see's and 'just trust me's tend to cause far more damage then help. How's that saying go? oh yeah.... "Put up or shut up"

Otherwise professing knowledge that is out of the reach of the rest of us is really nothing more than a power play that results in misinformation and rumors being spread.

But, then again, that's just my opinion

Peace,
Charyn

Let me be clear, if I haven't already.

I have not criticized the Observer for its mission. Ever. What I have criticized is the constant criticism of the way OTHER media outlets view their mission.

The complaint isn't that the Observer doesn't run hard news. Neither does People magazine or Northern Ohio Live. The complaint is when someone ELSE runs hard news and there's the immediate cry of "anti-Lakewood!" As if anyone at the PD cares if Lakewood lives or dies.

Just like I have plenty of good things that I say and think about Lakewood, and there are plenty of flaws in Westlake or whatever other town you mentioned.

What sets my teeth on edge is the..."We must (the Observer or Lakewood) be good because we're better than (the PD/The Sun/Westlake/Bay etc)"

Maybe it's that famous lack of competitive spirit "us girls" are known for.

I'd like to enjoy the Observer for what it is, the Buzz (uh, your name IS mentioned there, I see), Westlake, Bela Dubby, the Hampton Inn (nice beds), the Sun Post, Cheesecake Factory, Bay Village, Players Pizza, etc, for what THEY are.

Joan

Let me try to clear this one up, because I like what you offer.

I do not see The Observer in competition, with the Plain Dealer, Sun Papers, the Scene, Free Times or Call and Post. When we designed this project we went out of our way to make sure we did not compete with any of them. The same is true with the Buzz. I spent many meetings with Steve making sure if was as different as possible. Those that do not understand the depth of what we are doing, those that think we are a board, just do not get it, their choice.

The day the paper was started it was our hope that Plain Dealer and the Sun Papers would start doing a better job of coverage. We were hoping that they would get better and more readers. This is why I was glad to see more coverage of Lakewood. Why should they mention the Observer? Seems like The Observer is closing in on the largest civic group in Lakewood.

I have no idea what is being said and I do not care. Why would I care what people with no nerve to stand behind what they say talk about. Chris Nolan and Phil Distasio trolled the board. Maybe they could have explained child care to me?

Why do you always tell me what I cannot talk about? My words frame me. I have never told you not to speak of anything. To be honest, I pay good money so you can speak about anything you want, even how bad I am as a person.


.

ask anyone at the high school and they'd boast about everything the observer has done from coverage of sports to events...etc.

I do not get one game that I attend where someone doesn't say "hey you're the one from the Observer, I love the paper!"

even if it's one person a event, it still makes me happy because I have an idea of how much blood sweat and tears Jim, dl, Dan Ott, Deb, I, Mike Deneen, Chef Geoff, Stan Austin, (i could go on and on) put into this paper issue after issue. They deserve it.

I wouldn't volunteer 3-4 nights a week every week to take pictures at games, boring meetings, concerts, fundraisers, projects and so on if it wasn't for a good cause, and that cause is being a brick in the road we know as the Lakewood Observer.

To accuse the observer for having a "agenda" or "plan" is way out there. It only looks that way because we all love lakewood. Every place can't be perfect and changes do happen, but we enjoy the moment- right here, right now in this beautiful city, and we'll scream it at the top of our lungs to make it clear to the world.

Without the Observer I'd be nothing in this city/world. I wouldn't have a future, I wouldn't have a present. I'd end up just like I have in the past 3 countries I've lived in- without a place to call home and without a city to call my hometown.

You've all given me a place to call home. Jim O'Bryan gave me something to succeed in and something to be part of. I learn something new about the city every day, from each and every one of you. That's what this paper is all about.

Jim deserves all the praise and thank yous from more than the 500 members of the deck.
He deserves more than 17,000 thank yous every day because he busts his chops to make this work and pours money into this paper.

I'm damn proud to be a resident of Lakewood. If you're (the reader) not, then so be it. The grass isn't greener on the other side, I've seen the other side. I've seen Hell, war, starvation, poverty, bullet shells, mortars, grenades, land mines, people dying, family members freezing because they have no money for firewood, families starving because there's nothing left in dumpsters to choose from, and I've seen places where people don't have the right to do what 500 users do on this board every day- and I'm thankful. I'm thankful of what this paper and project has done for me. We should all be thankful, and if you're too greedy to be thankful for what Deb and Jim have accomplished so far with the Observer, at least be respectful and tip your hats. I dare anyone who opposes the observer to start their own project like this, because it might seem easy- but its far from it.

From a kid who has never had the luxury of a hometown before, I'm proud and oh-so thankful to be able to say that this is my hometown. This is my family.

and there's only one man in this city that gets my "Thank You" tonight.

Ivor Karabatkovic wrote:even if it's one person a event, it still makes me happy because I have an idea of how much blood sweat and tears Jim, dl, Dan Ott, Deb, I, Mike Deneen, Chef Geoff, Stan Austin, (i could go on and on) put into this paper issue after issue. They deserve it.

Ivor

First thanks for the kind words. You have been generous with your time, and it has been a pleasure to know you. I mean that, you and your family are inspiring,

That said, what I do for the Observer effort is very small. My wife makes a far greater sacrifice in time and effort. Heidi Hility is another close friend that is blessed with me tapping into her time-bank. But I have no favorite(unless I told you it was you, whoever is reading this). This has been far more fun and far more successful because of everyone, even the lurkers than we ever imagined.

Enough of this mutual admiration society.

Thanks,


Jim





.

Ms. Roberts makes the statement “As if anyone at the PD cares if Lakewood lives or dies.â€Â￾ In doing so she suggests the material and political interests of Lakewood bear little to no relevance to the corporate and editorial powers that be at the PD, and those investing in the downtown corridor.

There are clearly instances of divergence between the interests of Lakewood citizens and those of repped by the PD.

Let me provide a personal example.

Two or so years I sat with Mrs. Metelko before PD editorial members Mr. Larkin and Mr. Morris to explain a conversation Lakewood citizens were advancing with officials from the University of Akron to explore economic development and educational opportunities in Lakewood.

Enormous corporate and political pressure came from Cleveland State University to shut this conversation down.

I heard Mr. Larkin express “we know what’s bestâ€Â￾ for higher education based on our political analysis of Columbus legislators and his concern for the hazards the Lakewood and University of Akron conversation was posing for higher education funding.

This was after CSU’s political lobbyist misrepresented the conversation to Columbus reps and the Board of Regents.

I provided him with the following document to make our intentions perfectly clear:

http://www.lkwdpl.org/lakewoodcampus.pdf

Mr. Larkin editorialized against the project. Furthermore his demeaning editorial failed to articulate the intentions and scope of the discussion. The stakes for Lakewood were ignored.

In effect, the PD and CSU attempted to shut down a free and open conversation between Lakewood citizens and the University of Akron.

This personal experience of the PD’s editorial power to frame an issue important to Lakewood in a disparaging and negative light clearly demonstrated to me that the interests advanced by Lakewood agents and those advanced by PD agents can and will diverge from time to time. It was this experience of disenchantment with the PD that led me to explore with Jim O’Bryan the possibility of producing a local open source citizen newspaper for Lakewood.

I do recognize that we are shaped by our experience. That said, I am curious about what experience with the PD Ms. Roberts has registered to lead her to this conclusion: "As if anyone at the PD cares if Lakewood lives or dies.â€Â￾

Kenneth Warren

David

First let me say we are all volunteers. We just hired our first real employee. St. Andrew to deliver papers. Everyone else is a volunteer. I volunteer my time, some of my graphic company's employees. In the Lakewood Observer no one is looking to get rich or run the city.

All good questions, and are some thing we talk about all the time.

Lakewood Observer will publish everything we can get our hands on, hard hitting or fluff. We have no "paper line" on what gets published and not. The three biggest deciders, Time Sensitive, Not Time Sensitive, and Legal.

As you are asking hard hitting, let's start with legal, and use the topic "we are afraid to print" The Fire Department Overtime. We got a "tip" that Fire Department Overtime was way out of line, and there was purposeful abuse. Bill Call one of our bulldog reporters was asked if he would do it. Bill dove in and got the numbers, and the numbers looked real bad. At the time I think overtime was over $1 million dollars.

Bill who can be as charming than Carl Monday with a bad hangover, at one point felt he was being stonewalled, and with the Observer behind him threatened to sue the city.(Those that think we are shills for this administration please read that again.) Luckily, The Law Department, Tom George, and members of the Fire Department are fans of the paper.

What was really going on was they were collecting a massive amount of documents that Bill had asked for. Mayor Tom George, called and asked for a meeting between the Fire Department and Bill Call. At that meeting were Chief Larry Mroz, Scott Gillman, The Law Department (The Corrigan Brothers(just kidding), Bill Call and myself. Mayor Tom George stopped in said hello. EVERY question was answered, but we left with more than we got there with. Yet we both agreed walking out, that they appeared transparent, also they turned over every piece of the pile of paper work they came in with. The chief, Larry and the city made it clear that anything we needed and legally they could give, they would.

Which is another small problem, because those few fireman that are being challenged on overtime, are in "legal proceedings" and are protected by right of privacy through their contract union and state law. Yet we found the overtime was not part of wide spread abuse, but through union contracts, state and federal laws, needs, and retirements. We also found the Fire Department was very proactive in watching for abuse, and had no problem disciplining those found abusing the system. Another interesting thing we found which is true in every business. While some saw sick leave as something to take when you are sick, others saw it as an additional vacation day. In every business I have been in I have seen this, it is not abuse, but work ethic. Not illegal, but frustrating if you are paying it.

So, with some numbers, some facts, and a feel that it was being addressed how do we present the hard hitting story, that seems to be getting better as we crunch and rewrite. Where does this legally leave the paper when we only have 80% of the numbers. It is easy to say run it, but what if the 20% we are missing, is wrong?

To this date we talk openly about it like above, and Bill is free to talk about it. At one time he asked to take it to the Plain Dealer, and all I said was, "It was Bill and the Observer that threatened to sue the city. It was the Observer that sat at the table with you. I would like to be the one to run it when it is done, BUT it is your story, and you can do what you wish.

Currently we are working on many stories that could be considered tough news. Lakewood Hospital, do they give more to the city then they would if they paid taxes. Please not this is a hard hitting story about our largest advertiser, and one that believes in the openness of the paper. They have been completely helpful in showing us their books, and have great access to everyone at the Clinic and Lakewood Hospital. The Beck Center impact on the city fact or fiction, the School system and no child left behind, the building and contractors building our schools, What does the bar business really bring into Lakewood, Drugs in the suburbs, the court system, the systematic work of a regional group to drive down values in the city, for the purpose of buying up Lakewood for pennies on the dollars, Water Rights, and who really should pay for the white dots on our sidewalks. That is the short list, many go against LO's advertisers, and city hall. All were brought to the table from members, and those members were empowered to write the story with whatever they need from the Observer.

So we can rally shelve the not hard hitting part. If I used a fake name, and was protected by someone that merely cared about their bottom line. I could yell fire in a crowded theater all day. But we chose the legally responsible route of using real names and facts. So libel and slander figure in to everything we do.

Where does the Observation Deck go in the future? It is tough, right now we are working on making it easier and more accessible to all. But the Deck will go where people want it to go, not us. Last meeting were talked with Tim Liston about how we can help Bike Lakewood. DL and Tim talked about what he needs from us to get Bike Racks built, and the word out. Recently we have just added a news release section on the front board that allows civic groups, the city and the schools to get their news releases out as fast as possible without anyone on the board "interfering." We are also working on a way that news releases can be prioritized so if one is IMMEDIATE ATTENTION like a school lock down, everyone will get notified in a couple different ways. We might as well make it good, as we have designed it like the Krells designed the machinery in Forbidden planet. It is paid for and can run on it's own for many years to come. The first thing I did as "publisher" was to make sure the board was free and clear from outside sources and paid up for until 2010 and beyond.

The Lakewood Shopping Experience - Designed to help Lakewood Businesses. we have over 100 signed up, and web developers are working on 6 websites right now to help Lakewood Businesses and civic groups. The theory is if we can provide Lakewood Businesses $500 - $1000 a month in services they would normally pay for, we can attract new businesses, and help those that are here become more profitable.

The Lakewood Observer hard copy. Our latest work is to get advertisers to commit to two or more years of advertising. This has been pretty successful, but it is early in the program. We have many small advertisers signed in and a couple large ones. Again trying to make sure the money is there to keep the project going for at least two-three more years. much will be up to the volunteer writers and Three great new programs will be announced in the next paper I believe.

Lakewood Observer TV, we have a small group that have been working on this. It will mirror the paper with some other fun craziness. Again we have formed a group, and will give them what they can to get this project launched. I think this will be a very cool project when it hits the small screen.

Lakewood Observer Events - Currently we are looking at putting on as many as 12 Free concerts next year for people between 12-60. We have the Winchester and Phantasy on board, and have started talks with City Hall about Lakewood Park. We will again be part of Starry Night, The Lakewood Car Show, The Car Rally(this Sunday rain or shine), and possibly one or two parades, and The Hillbilly Hollar New Year's Eve Festival, and foil ball dropping.

Lakewood Observer Radio - We have not given up, George Bush's Administration has not issued a radio license since they took office. But we have not given up on this, and are anxiously waiting a change in policy. Mark Timieski who was on the radio for more than a decade and was just back on is our "project manager" for this. Dan Slife who has just applied for a show on WCSB I believe will also be involved.

Everything mentioned here is an Observer project, all are open to the ideas of others. None have a political or agenda outside of amplifying the voices, conversation, ideas of Lakewoodites, and to build the brand. None are designed to profit any one person.

Which brings us back to the Observation Deck. By working with all of these groups, businesses, and residents, we hope more come to the discussion table and share their ideas, thoughts and dreams for Lakewood. One voice, one vote for all that sit at the table and take the time to jump in, and are willing to back up their voice with their name.

While some accuse us as being a secret society with an agenda, our only agenda was trying to get ideas to the masses and see where they go. As Ken indicated this was bore out of the Plain Dealer working/writing to keep a University out of Lakewood because it was deemed not good for the region. Also we knew that the Plain Dealer nor the Sun Post could ever give us the column inches we needed to inform about deep subjects. But to my recollection, we have never even published more than one or two stories about VAL ideas, as we have been too busy writing and publishing other people's ideas for the city.

If anyone has an idea, a story or a story idea they are encouraged to post. If anyone wants to get involved in any or all of these projects they are encourage to call, write or post. all you will need is a little time, and some practice on the "secret handshake and signal."

Dave thanks for asking. You were always my favorite neighbor(unless any of my other neighbors are reading this.)


.

David

First let me say we are all volunteers. We just hired our first real employee. St. Andrew to deliver papers. Everyone else is a volunteer. I volunteer my time, some of my graphic company's employees. In the Lakewood Observer no one is looking to get rich or run the city.

All good questions, and are some thing we talk about all the time.

Lakewood Observer will publish everything we can get our hands on, hard hitting or fluff. We have no "paper line" on what gets published and not. The three biggest deciders, Time Sensitive, Not Time Sensitive, and Legal.

As you are asking hard hitting, let's start with legal, and use the topic "we are afraid to print" The Fire Department Overtime. We got a "tip" that Fire Department Overtime was way out of line, and there was purposeful abuse. Bill Call one of our bulldog reporters was asked if he would do it. Bill dove in and got the numbers, and the numbers looked real bad. At the time I think overtime was over $1 million dollars.

Bill who can be as charming than Carl Monday with a bad hangover, at one point felt he was being stonewalled, and with the Observer behind him threatened to sue the city.(Those that think we are shills for this administration please read that again.) Luckily, The Law Department, Tom George, and members of the Fire Department are fans of the paper.

What was really going on was they were collecting a massive amount of documents that Bill had asked for. Mayor Tom George, called and asked for a meeting between the Fire Department and Bill Call. At that meeting were Chief Larry Mroz, Scott Gillman, The Law Department (The Corrigan Brothers(just kidding), Bill Call and myself. Mayor Tom George stopped in said hello. EVERY question was answered, but we left with more than we got there with. Yet we both agreed walking out, that they appeared transparent, also they turned over every piece of the pile of paper work they came in with. The chief, Larry and the city made it clear that anything we needed and legally they could give, they would.

Which is another small problem, because those few fireman that are being challenged on overtime, are in "legal proceedings" and are protected by right of privacy through their union contract and state law. Yet we found the overtime was not part of wide spread abuse, but through union contracts, state and federal laws, needs, and retirements. We also found the Fire Department was very proactive in watching for abuse, and had no problem disciplining those found abusing the system. Another interesting thing we found which is true in every business. While some saw sick leave as something to take when you are sick, others saw it as an additional vacation day. In every business I have been in I have seen this, it is not abuse, but work ethic. Not illegal, but frustrating if you are paying it.

So, with some numbers, some facts, and a feel that it was being addressed how do we present the hard hitting story, that seems to be getting better as we crunch and rewrite. Where does this legally leave the paper when we only have 80% of the numbers. It is easy to say run it, but what if the 20% we are missing, is wrong?

To this date we talk openly about it like above, and Bill is free to talk about it. At one time he asked to take it to the Plain Dealer, and all I said was, "It was Bill and the Observer that threatened to sue the city. It was the Observer that sat at the table with you. I would like to be the one to run it when it is done, BUT it is your story, and you can do what you wish."

Currently we are working on many stories that could be considered tough news. Lakewood Hospital, do they give more to the city then they would if they paid taxes. (Please note this is a hard hitting story about our largest advertiser, and one that believes in the openness of the paper. They have been completely helpful in showing us their books, and have great access to everyone at the Clinic and Lakewood Hospital.) The Beck Center impact on the city fact or fiction, the School system and no child left behind, the building and contractors building our schools, What does the bar business really bring into Lakewood, Drugs in the suburbs, the court system, the systematic work of a regional group to drive down values in the city, for the purpose of buying up Lakewood for pennies on the dollars, Water Rights, Who really should pay for the white dots on our sidewalks. That is the short list, many go against LO's advertisers, and city hall. All were brought to the table from members, and those members were empowered to write the story with whatever they need from the Observer.

So we can rally shelve the not hard hitting part. If I used a fake name, and was protected by someone that merely cared about their bottom line. I could yell fire in a crowded theater all day. But we chose the legally responsible route of using real names and facts. So libel and slander figure in to everything we do.

Where does the Observation Deck go in the future? It is tough, right now we are working on making it easier and more accessible to all. But the Deck will go where people want it to go, not us. Last meeting were talked with Tim Liston about how we can help Bike Lakewood. DL and Tim talked about what he needs from us to get Bike Racks built, and the word out. Recently we have just added a news release section on the front board that allows civic groups, the city and the schools to get their news releases out as fast as possible without anyone on the board "interfering." We are also working on a way that news releases can be prioritized so if one is IMMEDIATE ATTENTION like a school lock down, everyone will get notified in a couple different ways. We might as well make it good, as we have designed it like the Krells designed the machinery in Forbidden planet. It is paid for and can run on it's own for many years to come. The first thing I did as "publisher" was to make sure the board was free and clear from outside sources and paid up for until 2010 and beyond.

The Lakewood Shopping Experience - Designed to help Lakewood Businesses. we have over 100 signed up, and web developers are working on 6 websites right now to help Lakewood Businesses and civic groups. The theory is if we can provide Lakewood Businesses $500 - $1000 a month in services they would normally pay for, we can attract new businesses, and help those that are here become more profitable. This includes discounts on everything a businesses needs, and FREE WIFI.

The Lakewood Observer hard copy - Our latest work is to get advertisers to commit to two or more years of advertising. This has been pretty successful, but it is early in the program. We have many small advertisers signed in and a couple large ones. Again trying to make sure the money is there to keep the project going for at least two-three more years. much will be up to the volunteer writers and Three great new programs will be announced in the next paper I believe.

Lakewood Observer TV - we have a small group that have been working on this. It will mirror the paper with some other fun craziness. Again we have formed a group, and will give them what they can to get this project launched. I think this will be a very cool project when it hits the small screen.

Lakewood Observer Events - Currently we are looking at putting on as many as 12 Free concerts next year for people between 12-60. We have the Winchester and Phantasy on board, and have started talks with City Hall about Lakewood Park. We will again be part of Starry Night, The Lakewood Car Show, The Car Rally(this Sunday rain or shine), and possibly one or two parades, and The Hillbilly Hollar New Year's Eve Festival, and foil ball dropping.

Lakewood Observer Radio - We have not given up, George Bush's Administration has not issued a radio license since they took office. But we have not given up on this, and are anxiously waiting a change in policy. Mark Timieski who was on the radio for more than a decade and was just back on is our "project manager" for this. Dan Slife who has just applied for a show on WCSB I believe will also be involved.

The Lakewood Observer Food Security Network and Gourmet Supper Club - To build relationship with local famers and possibly even buy land from them so that Lakewoodites have a safe supply of organic food, no matter what else happens in this country. While some are afraid of spinach, members of the LOFSNGSC are doing just fine with no worries.

Emerald Canyon Co-Op - To help all Lakewoodites reduce the cost of living here. We can't lower taxes, so let's lower the cost of living and doing businesses here.

Everything mentioned here is an Observer project, all are open to the ideas of others. None have a political or agenda outside of amplifying the voices, conversation, ideas of Lakewoodites, and to build the brand. None are designed to profit any one person. On the table still being discussed, Lakewood Observer Scholarships, Lakewood Observer Bike Watch, Lakewood Observer Book Club, Lakewood Observer Economic Development Fund, and Annexing of part of Cleveland. Lakewood Observer does not mean Jim O'Bryan, it refers to the participants that have decided to work together in the open for a better more self sufficent Lakewood.

Which brings us back to the Observation Deck. By working with all of these groups, businesses, and residents, we hope more come to the discussion table and share their ideas, thoughts and dreams for Lakewood. One voice, one vote for all that sit at the table and take the time to jump in, and are willing to back up their voice with their name.

While some accuse us as being a secret society with an agenda, our only agenda was trying to get ideas to the masses and see where they go. As Ken indicated this was bore out of the Plain Dealer working/writing to keep a University out of Lakewood because it was deemed not good for the region. Also we knew that the Plain Dealer nor the Sun Post could ever give us the column inches we needed to inform about deep subjects. But to my recollection, we have never even published more than one or two stories about VAL ideas, as we have been too busy writing and publishing other people's ideas for the city.

This is why I get fristrated when people only dwell on a very small part of a very large project. It does not reflect the ideas of a few, but the ideas of hundreds that have taken the time to join and get proactive. But it is far easier to take the pot shot at me and marginalise the work of hundreds than try to understand the project or get off their asses and stop complaining.

While looking at this short list I guess it is easy to understand just how evil the Observer Project is.

If anyone has an idea, a story or a story idea they are encouraged to post. If anyone wants to get involved in any or all of these projects they are encourage to call, write or post. all you will need is a little time, and some practice on the "secret handshake and signal."

Dave thanks for asking. You were always my favorite neighbor(unless any of my other neighbors are reading this.)


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Kenneth Warren wrote:I do recognize that we are shaped by our experience. That said, I am curious about what experience with the PD Ms. Roberts has registered to lead her to this conclusion: "As if anyone at the PD cares if Lakewood lives or dies.â€Â￾

Kenneth Warren

Lakewood is 55,000 people out of a coverage area of nearly 2.5 million for the PD. It is one of more than 65 municipalities in Cuyahoga County alone.

The question I would have to ask is, "How does the PD or Brent Larkin benefit or be hurt by what happens specifically in Lakewood?" The answer appears to be, "not much" Any suggestion that there's a conscious effort to do Lakewood dirty at the PD (or any other place) smacks of 100 proof paranoia.

If you believe that, then you must also give credence to what my Repubican friends say, that people sit around CBS News thinking about ways to screw George Bush.

As I recall, the PD editorial's opposition to the CSU/Akron U thing was that with state universities screaming for more tuition dollars and tax dollars, it didn't make sense for one state university to "troll" for business in the backyard of another state university.

(OT but what ever happened to that anyway? Is Akron out of the Lakewood picture? Did they give it up based on one PD editorial?)

You can agree or disagree with that opinion.No personal eperience, but it's just hard to imagine Brent Larkin saying,"Lakewood? I HATE Lakewood. Here's another chance to SCREW Lakewood, the town I hate so much!!"

On the other hand, it's also hard to imagine him saying, "yes, yes, why yes, a strong Lakewood will make my life happier and more fulfilled! If only Lakewood could thrive, I could even grow some more hair!"

I guess one point I've made all along is that while you and Mr.O are clearly passionate about a zip code, I don't believe that's the driving life force behind the population at large, without and even within our city borders.

I just don't think people take it all that seriously. Just like you can't get everyone hyped about global warming or Valerie Plame or the Patriot Act.

If they can do some things that get tangible results in improving the community, they might do that. If not, they'll just move. Many choices out there.

People care about their kids, their jobs, their finances, their hobbies, their futures. There's only a certain percentage for whom their particular taxing district is a driving force in their lives.

Good? Bad? Don't know. Just is.

I guess one point I've made all along is that while you and Mr.O are clearly passionate about a zip code, I don't believe that's the driving life force behind the population at large, without and even within our city borders.

.....and part of this LO enterprise recognizes that state of apathy and is attempting to raise the level of pride for this "zip code". As you point out, for many, this community is just a place to sleep, and when there are greener pastures, those people will relocate. Part of the problem as I see it, is the need to increase the level of ownership, participation and passion, so that rather than escaping, people will want to stay and work towards the improvements. People like KW, Metelko, OB, and a strong cadre of others are attempting to do that. We may or may not succeed, but rather than hand wringing from the sidelines, we feel that it is worth the effort.

As to the Larkin analysis, the direction of the PD, together with the various foundations, has been a concerted effort towards regionalization. Any activity undertaken by any component of the region which leads away from this aim will be marginalized. That was the underlying rational of the PD. Any constituent part of the whole strong enough to go it alone is contrary to the mantra, and any self help measures, by any of the components, regardless of the potential positive impacts, will be met with a negative spin.

While I recognize the truth in some of your analysis about attitudes, rather than merely accepting that as the way it is, I'm foolish enough to think that my concerns of family, home, security, job and investment might be addressed in working on the problems rather than attempting an escape.

Good? Bad? Don't know. Just is.

Jeff

Is it apathy...or pure utilitarianism?

If the city works for me, I stay. If it doesn't, I move.

If I get a lemon of a Chevy, am I "apathetic" if I don't try to change General Motors? Or am I just a consumer working the price-value relatiomship? No doubt there are passionate "Kool Aid" drinkers inside GM headquarters, too, who can't figure out why people don't love Chevies as much as THEY do.

And yes, I know it sounds fatalistic, but you're always going to have more "consumers" than "true believers." HUman nature.,

As for the regionalization issue, you're right, the PD thinks that's a good idea. But it's wrong the confuse that with a vendetta against Lakewood. You could also include Fairview, Parma, Maple Heights, Shaker Heights, and even our beloved Westlake as communities that would get caught in the crosshairs of regionalization.

There are, I believe good arguments for regionalization. But whether you agree or disagree, it's a considered opinionl. Not a personal crusade against a single suburb, which is what I read into in too many postings here.

Ms. Roberts:

While I share with Mr. O a moralized, political and tribal passion for Lakewood and the homies huddled within its zip, the “HATEâ€Â￾ meme you have been working with him need not bleed into my description of a concrete experience with the PD.

You have tossed me into the stormy emotional waters brewed between you and Mr. O.

Let me inflate my dinghy and ride the waters of the posts into which you are reading emotional things sourced in the ectoplasm of LO civic phantoms.

In the concrete example I offered, the power of Larkin and the PD to disrupt a channel of communication between citizens and a public institution focused on a community and economic development strategy for Lakewood is evident. It’s a material matter, which I do not believe can be reduced to the ridiculous rhetoric you seek to impose on the scenario.

Of course, I do enjoy your effort to purge me of paranoia. Floating on my dinghy, I take your rhetoric in the “put-up or shut upâ€Â￾ civic spirit of LO Deck.

I can accept, to some degree, the premise the personal is the political on the continuum of power. However, my imagination is not quite so powerful “to imagine Brent Larkin saying,"Lakewood? I HATE Lakewood. Here's another chance to SCREW Lakewood, the town I hate so much!!"

I don’t object to the reality check you often provide. You may be correct in your assessment of people’s cares: “their kids, their jobs, their finances, their hobbies, their futures.â€Â￾ You articulate a “movin’ on competitive market dynamic of ideological isolation that provides, at least in my assessment, only one set of demarcations for the interests that might inform life in a 21st century municipality. So we are contesting matters of community, power and the media in the virtual reflections of ourselves on the LO Deck, something we do from time to time.

Of course, “the just isâ€Â￾ provides the grounds for the contest, between me and Mr. Larkin, between you and Mr. O.

One can accept “the just isâ€Â￾ like a Beatnik and the Buddha; or one can go contrary into the insane work of building the brand with Mr. O. I try to do a little bit of both.

The urban sociologist Herbert Gans once said something to the effect that economic development is about making money and moving ethnic groups. Move groups, capture value, accumulate wealth, give people choices…..

It’s not paranoia to express concern that Lakewood is vulnerable to the structure of capital and the political economy of housing and regional economic development. I believe in a strong offense, sprung from careful observation of the flow of capital, the actions of corporate interests, and the positions of the dominant newspaper.

For some engaged people, perhaps possessed of a more communitarian bent than your reality check and overheated rhetoric about Mr. Larkin can accommodate, the University Initiative was a strategy for community and economic improvement. Clearly this strategy of a few engaged Lakewood people advanced interests that diverged from the neighborhood sandbox of the PD and its neighbor CSU. This strategy challenged an economic development consensus that seeks to rebuild the urban core and disperse poor, which is in the vicinity of the PD’s downtown Cleveland office.

That’s all I am saying.

As for the fate of the University Initiative, it is best to allow the city and schools to describe the fruits and deliverables that ensued from this instigation.

Kenneth Warren