The Observation Deck

I was quite pleased with how the vacant lot on Thoreau was cut in such a timely fashion. Nonetheless, there is still much work to be done. For example, Nick & Bryan's vacant lot at 13351 Madison has still yet to be cut. The grass has been very long now for over three weeks. Again, I will reiterate the fact that Bryan & Nick owe the City of Lakewood taxpayers $60,000 in demolition fees and Cuyahoga County taxpayers $89,000 in property tax fees. Why Nick & Bryan appear to be getting favorable treatment is a mystery to me, but that is all I will say in regards to that. Those of us that pay attention can surmise what is going on.
While I was impressed with the speed of the grass-cutting on Thoreau, I am highly disappointed in the looks of Newman Avenue between Franklin and Madison, which is in Ward 4. Three lots are now highly overgrown on such a small block. One of these lots is owned by City Hall, the other a gentleman from New Mexico, and the third a random guy from the Puritas-Longmead neighborhood in Cleveland. I have seen blocks over by E. 118th St. and Kinsman Road in Cleveland that look the same or better.

Here is just one of the lots, as of today, 5/2/17:
Come on Mike! Come on responsible Councilpersons! I know you can muster up the will, energy, and resources to get these vacant lots cut in a timely fashion! If you feel you are in the face of defeat, as if the vacant lots may overpower you, just remember, eye of the tiger!

This is a vacant lot on Arden. The grass, as of today, 5/8/17, is two feet long in spots.
Say what you will, this city is an absolute mess. Never in my almost thirty years of living here has the city looked worse. It is very sad.

Whst is even more sad is the fact that very few residents seem to care. It is basic criminological theory that once people stop caring, everything gradually goes into a downward spiral.

I will be following-up on this at the end of the week. I expect City Hall to have done their job by then.

Mr. Summers & building inspectors: if you feel that all of this long grass may overpower you and may "mow you down", you feel you are in the face of total defeat, just remember, eye of the tiger!

I just noticed this the other day. This is on Clifton across from St. Luke's Church.
All I can say is that I'm speechless. With all of the city workers, building inspectors, councilmen, and the mayor that probably use Clifton on a daily basis and nobody has noticed this?

Although the law allows City Hall to cut the grass 48 hours after sending a notice, it usually takes 2-3 weeks. That is anywhere from 336 to 503 hours. That is roughly about ten times the alloted time frame.

Pretty soon, Lakewood will have this problem, if it doesn't already: http://kfor.com/2014/07/14/residents-ta ... -opossums/

Why can this mayor not seem to complete the most menial tasks? Why can these city councilmen not seem to ensure their respective wards are kept clean and presentable? Do we even have a high grass/litter control officer anymore? It does not appear so.

How very sad, this town is a mess.

Amazing! It was either Nick or City Hall that after 22 days and 528 hours, finally coughed up a lawn mower.

Nick, if you scraped the bottom of the barrel to purchase a lawn mower, I must say "thank you." I understand that times can get tough financially, especially when you rack up $89,000 in property tax fees and $60,000 in demolition fees after abandoning a property, especially on a part-time house flipper's salary. The difficulties can be even further strained when you live in a $400,000 house. I think you can rest easy, however. I don't expect Mr. Summers, Mr. Budish, or Mr. Dennis G. Kennedy to make you pay those respective fees.

City Hall, if you mowed Nick's grass for him, I must say "thank you". Although it took 11X the alloted time frame, you managed to pull it off and get it cut, nonetheless. That is an accomplishment. Now, if you, City Hall, could hold Nick accountable for the $60,000 demolition fees he owes you, the ball would really get rolling.