The Observation Deck

Shawn-

I have a very diverse base of friends so that is one part of my questioning.

I do almost all of my shopping in Lakewood. I realize that many people may come in from out of town, but it stills seems like some of the numbers may be too low.

The census was taken in 2000 and is in no way an accurate count.

I worked for the census. There were huge problems with Cleveland region. I know that a lot of workers tried to fudge numbers. The numbers that came in from my team were double and triple checked and we let some people go quickly. I don't think the oversight was all that good for other teams.

Also, the numbers are from 2000 which was 7 years ago.

I drive around the city a lot in nice weather, I have friends who live all over Lakewood, just seeing people on porches, walking down the street, the numbers could not be right.

IMHO

I didn't see any squirrel pictures either, we have tons of them in Lakewood

How many others like me would say, "Make all the pictures in the pamphlet people of other races than 'white' and it would still make no difference to me" ... NEXT

That could be because you are a member of the predominant culture. Ya think?

sharon kinsella wrote:That could be because you are a member of the predominant culture. Ya think?

No, but it sounds like you think so...I think I just really don't care

Joe Whisman wrote: The city really needs to try just a little. I am not trying to be petty here, but please think about the message this is sending.

Joe

I was there checking the booklet out at different stages, and never noticed this.

As for the heading, I offer my neighbors as proof this is not true.

If my neighbors read this, how about cutting your grass, painting you house, tuck pointing your house, fixing the garage, and general upkeep.

Joe, in the end I have to think the percentages have to be right. We are heavy in Irish population, and you point to one possible Italian. This is troubling to me as well.

Thanks for the sharp eyes, and update.

Now if you really want to see some bad stuff, check out "Voices and Choices." All the happy regional people are white with SUVs. All of the non-regional people aren't!


.

Hi Joe - another place I noticed a similar depiction of Lakewood was on the rendering of the Kaufman park development.....to me it looked like someone wanted us to look like a future "crocker park".

Thanks for noticing things like this.

~Annie

Where's my SUV - does a Jeep Cherokee count? (An old one)

Speaking of squirrels, I have seen many gray squirrels, black squirrels and some red squirrels in my neighborhood. But I am not sure how many of each are in Lakewood. Maybe on the next census.

Jim,

Does this mean our contest to see who's the biggest hillbilly is off? I guess you're conceding!

I'm so happy I'll put my truck up on blocks, roast a pig in the front yard and wipe my greasy fingers on my wife beater t-shirt while drinking Milwaukee's Best out of a, get this, can!

I'm going to cuss out my dog too and breed rabbits and mink in my garage! I'll tell the gas and electric company to shut off my utilities and burn my neighbors newspapers in a 55 gallon drum in the middle of my living room to stay warm!

I'll send my kids to school with no shoes and dirt all over their faces with a greasy paper bag filled with bacon for lunch.

I'll quit my job and go hunting and fishing for carp in the metro park.

I'll let all the paint peel off my house, my porch ceiling fall in and all the pipes in my house freeze then burst. I'll dig an open pit toilet in my shed and cut a little moon picture in the door...

Oops...disregard the previous statement...I just read my Lakewood Owners Manual........I have to call the police....I think my neighbor's grass might have exceeded 4.01 inches and the 90 year old lady across the street just jay walked.

School district enrollments arent perfect for demographic data, but they are updated every year unlike the census.

Based on that, Mr. Eisel there IS a significant change.

In 2000 Black students made up 2.5% of students. In 2006, 7.1 percent.
Hispanic students were 2.2, now 3.1
Multiracial were 3.0, now 5.9
White, non Hispanic were 90.7, now 82.0

So now, at least in Lakewood clasrrooms, a tenth of Lakewood is "less white" than it was just six years ago. Thats a major, major shift, wouldnt you think? It also explains why the schools are scrambling to meet the NCLB requirements.

Dee Martinez wrote:School district enrollments arent perfect for demographic data, but they are updated every year unlike the census.

Based on that, Mr. Eisel there IS a significant change.

In 2000 Black students made up 2.5% of students. In 2006, 7.1 percent.
Hispanic students were 2.2, now 3.1
Multiracial were 3.0, now 5.9
White, non Hispanic were 90.7, now 82.0

So now, at least in Lakewood clasrrooms, a tenth of Lakewood is "less white" than it was just six years ago. Thats a major, major shift, wouldnt you think? It also explains why the schools are scrambling to meet the NCLB requirements.

This is not a surprise.

I love how the Deck folks get all worked up over race issues. I did see the data from 2006 and the govt. estimates Lakewood is 92.7% white.
What is the margin of error? Are the numbers accurate? Minorities are historical under-counted.
I noticed the same thing about the Kaufman Park to Cracker Park propaganda. I guess it would have been bad form to show a couple of thugs with low hanging pants standing around freakin' their Black and Milds.

Ohio wasn't a slave state. So there have never been many blacks in most of ohio. There's no need to feel guilty or lacking for that. It is just the way things are.

My own frame of reference tells me that no matter where you live there will always be at least one adjacent house of really terrible white neighbors.

I would say that the demographics of the school will never match the demographics of the entire population because the different races have different birth rates.

Step over to Cleveland. Once you cross W117th you become a minority. It is not about feeling guilty, its is about being real any accepting all people regardless of race, culture, etc.
Historically speaking, Ohio has a proud tradition of welcoming. Northern Ohio was the last station on the underground railroad.