The Observation Deck

As its correspondence reminds us, over and over and over, Lakewood City Hall insisted that the city's finances were sound and growing sounder.

"The city is well prepared to absorb income tax losses and has incorporated provisions into the agreement that mitigate any financial losses to the city."

"Our city services are not going to be jeopardized. Our financial strength remains very strong, and will gain strength from the approved agreements." (In direct response to an activists' document that was declared "flat our [sic] wrong.")

"There will not be an increase in the income tax rate as a result of the elimination of inpatient services at Lakewood Hospital.
The city's finances are strong enough to weather the reduction in the withholding tax revenue that was generated from Lakewood Hospital. …the terms of the new master agreement keep the city financially "whole" and then some…"

Whole, eh?

From the dump:

Dan Alaimo wrote:
We should remember that at one point they had a choice - a very good offer by Metro to keep the hospital going, and invest in it, but they chose to let it slip away in favor of the CCF facility.

Remember, it's come to light that the "CCF facility" is one Lakewood is paying for (not the Clinic as reported), as a result of the $120 million divestment, not investment!

This town is getting so screwed, thanks Mike!

Here is one possible answer to Ms. McCarthy's question.

"nor shall any officer or employee in the classified service of the state, the several counties, cities, and city school districts of the state, or the civil service townships of the state be an officer in any political organization or take part in politics other than to vote as the officer or employee pleases and to express freely political opinions."

Source: Ohio Revised Code, Section 124.57 (attached).

Mr Kindt

On page 1519 of the "dump" of documents from the city, there is an email to you from Tom Bullock referencing an email you sent.

However, your email is nowhere to be found, just his dismissal of your concerns. Odd that emails are missing, especially ones that may be questioning of the propriety of city actions.

This raises questions about how complete these records are and if they were "hand-picked."

This refers to a multi-page letter that I sent to all members of City counsel that identified what were obvious legal and ethical concerns about the process that led to the liquidation of Lakewood Hospital. My letter has been posted elsewhere on the Deck. Obviously, most of my concerns have gone unaddressed.

For completeness sake, here is the letter that they were responding to. Each concern was timely and relevant to their then current deliberations.