What Do You Want From Our Local Elected Leaders?

[Jim O'Bryan]

– celebrate the REAL Lakewood of today not the mythical Lakewood that never was

Bill

While I agree with you list, was wondering what you meant by this?

.

[Bill Trentel]

– celebrate the REAL Lakewood of today not the mythical Lakewood that never was

Bill

While I agree with you list, was wondering what you meant by this?

.

Some of our politicians though their resent actions and published words seem to want to turn back time when everyone in Lakewood was white, middle or upper middle class and home owners.

That is the Lakewood that never was.

Since Lakewood's building boom it has always been a community made up of people of all economic classes, new immigrants and people just trying to improve their lives. And non-property owning residents have always made up a large part of our community.

I would just like more of our politicians to be leaders who respect all members of our community. Perhaps with the engagement of our entire community we could solve some of the issues facing us.

But no, they are probably sitting back and fondly remembering the days not long ago when the LPD could and would stop and harass any and all black persons who dared to walk or drive on our streets. (that is no myth)

Bill

[Jim O'Bryan]

– celebrate the REAL Lakewood of today not the mythical Lakewood that never was

Bill

While I agree with you list, was wondering what you meant by this?

.

Some of our politicians though their resent actions and published words seem to want to turn back time when everyone in Lakewood was white, middle or upper middle class and home owners.

That is the Lakewood that never was.

Since Lakewood's building boom it has always been a community made up of people of all economic classes, new immigrants and people just trying to improve their lives. And non-property owning residents have always made up a large part of our community.

I would just like more of our politicians to be leaders who respect all members of our community. Perhaps with the engagement of our entire community we could solve some of the issues facing us.

But no, they are probably sitting back and fondly remembering the days not long ago when the LPD could and would stop and harass any and all black persons who dared to walk or drive on our streets. (that is no myth)

Bill

Bill


Thank you for that refreshing nearly spot on post.

I would say this extends way beyond the politicians to those that fund them, and empower them.

The sooner Lakewood, especially "leaders" realize this, the better off the entire city will be.

I would also encourage them to stop trying to make Lakewood into other cities they want to
move to. Especially as very few really understand why that city is the way it is.

Finally, You cannot buy cool, and it is very hard to build cool or trendy. Those chasing trendy
are usually 6 years behind the trend.

Lakewood has some unique opportunities, but they are quickly passing us by, while powers
to be dream, and try to fit square pegs in round holes.

FWIW


.

[sharon kinsella]

I would correct one thing Bill, they still harass black people who drive through here. I have many black friends and a million stories about Lakewood police, just from the last two years, let alone way back when.

It's difficult to sell a city that has a mayor and a city councilperson who recently failed in the race for state rep, who "want to protect our borders" and take down basketball hoops so that black kids aren't seen on our playgrounds, ya know, those thugs.

[Kristine Pagsuyoin]

I would just like more of our politicians to be leaders who respect all members of our community. Perhaps with the engagement of our entire community we could solve some of the issues facing us.

I've been reading this thread sine it began and wasn't sure what I could add that hasn't already been said. But your point, Bill, brings to my mind one word and that is courage.

I want leaders who possess the courage to put themselves out there and advocate for what is best for our city and citizens no matter what their group/friends believe or want them to do. We need leaders who don't worry about what certain people will think of them if they have ideas that are different. We need courageous leaders who are visionaries and willing to put 21st century ideas to work here in Lakewood while still recognizing who we are and our uniqueness.

When I read Lakewood's rating in the article that was posted on the Deck, [url]

http://www.clevelandmagazine.com/ME2/di ... he+Suburbs

[/url], it talked about our walkability, our local businesses, location to parks, and the center of our city that brings us together. We were rated high for what we are. Not malls, not high glassy office buildings, not a gentrified sterile center city. I learned recently that we currently have over 30 languages that are spoken by the students attending our schools. That is not changing anytime soon. I find that exciting and feel it shameful that others see that as hurting Lakewood.

We are at a time in our city when old loyalties, outdated thinking, and trying to build an economy that is completely consumer driven is no longer acceptable or valid.

I want to elect leaders who have the courage to move us forward.

[Rhonda loje]

Very well said!!

[Bryan Schwegler]

IIt's difficult to sell a city that has a mayor and a city councilperson who recently failed in the race for state rep, who "want to protect our borders" and take down basketball hoops so that black kids aren't seen on our playgrounds, ya know, those thugs.

Wasn't the basketball thing good ol' Mayor George and our illustrious school board's decision?

An interesting thing I always notice in these discussions is that for as much as some will decry how deaf we are to the poor or needs of lower income people, just as much it seems like there's a desire to ignore the need to attract upper-middle and upper class people to Lakewood. We need a balance of both, one does not have to be exclusive of the other. Bringing in housing or restaurants or stores that appeal to a wealthier demographic doesn't mean we hate poor people. Making housing affordable and having good affordable restaurants does not need to mean we hate rich people. We need to be open to both.

But to be honest, in a city funded by personal income and residential property tax, we need the wealthy to pay for most of what this city needs. That's the hard truth. WIthout them, we won't have a nice, affordable city for the less fortunate to call home.

[Bryan Schwegler]

I agree with what everyone has said so far about what would be needed in a great local leader. I would add one more thing...

I think it's especially important in local politics to know when to step aside. We can no longer afford to have the same people in the same roles until retirement. For better or worse, people just do not pay attention to local politics, they vote for familiar names. Therefore it falls upon the officials to recognize that old ideas sometimes need to be replaced by new ideas, otherwise growth and forward momentum will not happen. Continued leadership by the same people who have held those roles for a decade or more simply leads to stagnation at best or decline at worst.

It should be the responsibilty of the people to make this happen, but it won't happen in local politics. Therefore, I would think a true leader would be one to recognize when it's time to bring some new blood in.

Sometimes I wish there were term limits for all Lakewood elected offices.

[Bill Trentel]

But to be honest, in a city funded by personal income and residential property tax, we need the wealthy to pay for most of what this city needs. That's the hard truth. WIthout them, we won't have a nice, affordable city for the less fortunate to call home.

We all pay property taxes and most of us pay income taxes, If your a renter part of your rent is being used to pay the owners property taxes. If you own or are paying on a loan to own a property your paying property taxes. The only people getting a break are senior citizen property owners and the owners that the city has abated for development reasons.

If you earn an income you pay income tax (including the evil out of town slum lords) and people who work in Lakewood and live somewhere else. Only those without earned income don't pay, mostly the senior citizens. A Lake Avenue millionaire or a Plover burger flipper we all pay.

Bill

[Bill Trentel]

An interesting thing I always notice in these discussions is that for as much as some will decry how deaf we are to the poor or needs of lower income people, just as much it seems like there's a desire to ignore the need to attract upper-middle and upper class people to Lakewood. We need a balance of both, one does not have to be exclusive of the other. Bringing in housing or restaurants or stores that appeal to a wealthier demographic doesn't mean we hate poor people. Making housing affordable and having good affordable restaurants does not need to mean we hate rich people. We need to be open to both.

So it is only the undesirables (low income/non whites) who play basketball?

Perhaps instead of bring back hoops we could install some croquet courts or a polo field, to attached the right kind of people.

Bill

[Bryan Schwegler]

So it is only the undesirables (low income/non whites) who play basketball?

Bill go back and read what I wrote. No where did I even infer that in any way.

[Bryan Schwegler]

But to be honest, in a city funded by personal income and residential property tax, we need the wealthy to pay for most of what this city needs. That's the hard truth. WIthout them, we won't have a nice, affordable city for the less fortunate to call home.

We all pay property taxes and most of us pay income taxes, If your a renter part of your rent is being used to pay the owners property taxes. If you own or are paying on a loan to own a property your paying property taxes. The only people getting a break are senior citizen property owners and the owners that the city has abated for development reasons.

If you earn an income you pay income tax (including the evil out of town slum lords) and people who work in Lakewood and live somewhere else. Only those without earned income don't pay, mostly the senior citizens. A Lake Avenue millionaire or a Plover burger flipper we all pay.

Bill

Bill you have to agree there's a huge difference between what a millionaire is going to pay in income and property tax vs a biger flipper. Of course we all pay, but the rich pay more which in turn supports more services, etc. It's a fact of life so demonizing people with more money is just silly.

My point is both rich and poor are wanted and needed. Demonizing one side over the other isn't going to get us anywhere.

[Kristine Pagsuyoin]

My point is both rich and poor are wanted and needed. Demonizing one side over the other isn't going to get us anywhere.

Poor wanted? Not sure if that is what I really want. I don't think many people want to be poor, nor do I want people to stay poor. One of the ways to lift up the poor in our community is to engage and include them as part of the decision-making process. To think about what we value as a community. How we treat our most vulnerable is a reflection on our city. We should bring them into the fold instead of being fearful that the "poor" is bringing our city down.

How does Lakewood's middle class fit into all of this? You know, most families cannot afford a half million dollar house, yet I think a case can be made that our middle class families are doing their part in holding up this community. Most of the housing stock is middle class. The middle class owns homes, pays taxes, eat at the restaurants, walk and use our parks, and is involved in the community and with their schools. Most people looking to move to Lakewood aren't looking at expensive housing, but reasonably priced houses in good neighborhoods. Most of the people I know volunteering their time and fighting to make this community great for families are middle class. If it is true that the biggest employers in Lakewood are the school district and hospital then we are talking about people who earn a middle income. Most of us who live here are in the middle class and we are turned off when decisions are made in the this town to appease only one group of citizens. The middle class is a strength in this community and is what most of us are.

[Kristine Pagsuyoin]

Sometimes I wish there were term limits for all Lakewood elected offices.

Bryan,

I have talked about this before. I would be all for this---personally I think 24 years in an elected job is too long as is the case of our school board. It does speak to us somewhat. We have to be willing to vote for someone new or run ourselves. I even looked into how this can be accomplished. Again, using the example of the school board, they would have to change their own by-laws.

But, will the current officials be willing to embrace this idea and give up their positions?

[Stan Austin]

Bryan--- Your posts have demonstrated a very sophisticated and careful analysis of Lakewood, minus some of the animus that accompanies so many other posts.
Ever consider entering the public realm-- a candidate either for school board or city council?
Stan Austin