The Observation Deck

Bill Call wrote:What is wrong with Lakewood? In no particular order:
8. An arrogant school board. The school board has operated the system for the benefit of its employees and to the detriment of the citizens of the City. The board has given a blank check to teacher unions, broken promises about the elementary schools and embarked on expensive building program without thought to what happens in the buildings.

Nice list. I don't pretend to be smart enough to know the answers and I would not want to be mayor and try to come up with a solution for all the things wrong with Lakewood but I think change is needed on the School Board. Somebody mentioned in another thread from earlier this month that the School Board seems "to be blind" to what is going on. Remember the dress code? I'm at the HS every morning - it is not being enforced. It looks like you are pulling up to one of the schools in the 'hood'. I shouldn't say it's not enforced, it is selectively enforced - they pick out easy targets. All you have to do is look with open eyes.

Ivor Karabatkovic wrote: I'll be simple with this.
streets and schools.

I agree with the streets, not the schools. The streets are a joke. I know people who will avoid Lkwd because of the poor streets. Even with what I say above, I think the schools get a bad wrap. The GT & AP program is one of the best in the state. Why do schools like River send kids to Lkwd for special programs? Why do you think kids leave some of the non-public schools and go into the Lkwd public schools for the GT program? Lkwd gets all the problems kids and the non-English speaking kids because of their special programs (we all pay for) yet Lkwd is held to the same standards as schools like River, Westlake and so on. Why do people leave Cleveland and move into the rentals? Not to pay high rental rates. For the schools. Yes, no doubt the schools have problems. But don't say they "suck". River, Westlake, Bay? They all have their problems. Given their raw materials, Lkwd schools do pretty well. They are as good as the student and parents make them - and that's key.

Julie Mosher wrote: The Dems have run this city into the ground. All it takes is to look around you. It's time for a change here in Lakewood. It will be the next Cleveland Heights if we are not careful.

Looks like it might be too late.

One of the things I see "is wrong with this city" is that it is, quite frankly, ugly and run down looking. Anymore it's hard to tell if you are in Lkwd or the near West Side of Cleveland. It doesn't take a genius to see what is going on.

I wish I had the answers but I don't. I see lots of complaining and lots of political rhetoric but very little progress. Just continued decline, run down rentals and houses, garbage in the streets and kids walking down the middle of it with their butts showing... I'm on the fence, but as soon as my kids graduate HS, I'll probably be one of those going out of the county.

You can put new wheels on a Ford Pinto but it's still a Pinto.

That's just my thoughts. They are worth what you paid for them.

Even with what I say above, I think the schools get a bad wrap. The GT & AP program is one of the best in the state. Why do schools like River send kids to Lkwd for special programs? Why do you think kids leave some of the non-public schools and go into the Lkwd public schools for the GT program? Lkwd gets all the problems kids and the non-English speaking kids because of their special programs (we all pay for) yet Lkwd is held to the same standards as schools like River, Westlake and so on. Why do people leave Cleveland and move into the rentals? Not to pay high rental rates. For the schools. Yes, no doubt the schools have problems. But don't say they "suck". River, Westlake, Bay? They all have their problems. Given their raw materials, Lkwd schools do pretty well. They are as good as the student and parents make them - and that's key.

Joe, I agree with you. I have been very happy with the schools. I have two children in the GT programs, two being served by special education and one in regular classes. I am in the schools almost everyday. I know my kids are getting an excellent education. We have lived elsewhere in the country and the big thing that brought me back was the schools. I hardly ever bother to look at test scores. I look at my children's scores because I want to see how they are doing, but looking at average test scores doesn't tell me much. I know every child and every home situation is different. In general Lakewood schools are good. Are there problems? Of course with a city this diverse they are going to be problems. We aren't a wealthy suburb and we have to deal with real life issues. There are no simple solutions because we can't regulate decency, parental involvement, or lifestyles. Are there things that could be fixed about the schools? Yes, but once again no place is going to be a perfect utopia. My solution is that if you are unhappy with the schools, get involved and do something to fix them.

1. absentee landlords !!!!!
2.I have lived in lakewood for a very long time.....went to Harding & LHS....
I own a home & a business here;
I have noticed a lack of enforcment of laws........especially littering and parking violations......

I've only lived in Lakewood for 10 years and people tell me that Lakewood used to have a reputation for being tough on building code enforcement, parking & traffic violations, prohibiting unauthorized signage, etc. Is this true? If so, what happened?

Rick Uldricks wrote:I've only lived in Lakewood for 10 years, but people tell me that Lakewood used to have a reputation for being tough on building code enforcement, parking & traffic violations, prohibiting unauthorized signage, etc. Is this true? If so, what happened?

35 give or take a few for me.

It is absolutely true. In fact the police used to stop cars that looked "suspicious". I remember that. Today, you can fly through schools zone without much worry of a ticket... Where'd the the police go anyway? Anybody know?

Rick Uldricks wrote:what happened?

The term "Political Correctness" came in vogue and the phrase "but I have a right to..." started being said for anything and everything...
(said tongue-in-cheek)

Joe

Rick/Joe:

A lot of the teeth went out of the enforcement departments in the late 90s early 00s. Leadership roles in the building department, police department and fire department we left unfilled for a variety of reasons including budget issues.

General city contracts were left on the table for months on end for similar political reasons only to be ratified later resulting in huge payments of backpay to employees under these contracts.

Lakewood has been battling those legacy issues for quite a while. And while I may not agree with the Mayor on all of his policy issues, I will be the first to tell you that the mess he walked into was far worse than 99.8% of Lakewood's citizens knew.

He HAS done a fine job of keeping us steady in the water and afloat - bringing the boat back into control so to speak. Now we need to see vision and leadership come together to push us over that next wave and into our tomorrow!

That (in my opinion) begins with cleaning our own back yard lest we be weighted down.

Always,
Charyn

Charyn Compeau wrote:Rick/Joe:

A lot of the teeth went out of the enforcement departments in the late 90s early 00s. Leadership roles in the building department, police department and fire department we left unfilled for a variety of reasons including budget issues.

We need more teeth. Sharp ones.

I know I may offend some of you with this, but oh well! You know what is really wrong with Lakewood? People sitting at computer screen trying to find something wrong with Lakewood!
Yesterday I took advantage of nice weather to walk from the west end of Lakewood down to Caribu Coffee along the way I saw a vibrant street life with people of all ages, races and cultures coexisting peaceably. Last night I also played tennis under the lights at Lakewood Park. Something I could do Sunday in Rocky River because they did not bother putting up the tennis nets at Linden Park yet.
It is true that the taxes as lower in Westlake than in Lakewood, it is also true that during afternoon rush hour it seems to take about 10 minutes to get off highway at Crocker-Basset. There is good and bad to living in any community.
Is there crime in Lakewood, hell yeah there is. Of course if we took away the rental properties and bars and everything else that we blame for the crime it would not be Lakewood anymore, it would be Bay Village.
People flock to Tremont, Ohio City, and Little Italy ( University Circle Area) to pay 2 to 5 times the price of what I house costs in Lakewood to have an urban experience not nearly as rich as the Lakewood Experience.
Now I am going to go to Tri-City park to officiate a lacrosse game, the jewel of Fairview Park, Rocky River, and Westlake where they never bother to cut the grass then maybe I’ll come home and walk to one of the 10-15 bars or restaurants within a half-mile of my house to have dinner. Hope everyone has fun sitting at the computer finding everything wrong with Lakewood. Have Fun!!!

Todd Shapiro wrote:You know what is really wrong with Lakewood? People sitting at computer screen trying to find something wrong with Lakewood!
Is there crime in Lakewood, hell yeah there is. Of course if we took away the rental properties and bars and everything else that we blame for the crime it would not be Lakewood anymore, it would be Bay Village.
Have Fun!!!

Julie Mosher stated " It will be the next Cleveland Heights if we are not careful. "

I am curious as to what this means - I lived in Cleveland Heights approx 10 yrs ago and liked the city so what is the problem if Lakewood becomes the Cleveland Heights of the west side.

Here's a list of issues that I'd like to see addressed:

• High taxes. There is discussion, and probably a true need, to increase them even higher. At some point this becomes completely unsustainable. There needs to be a different long-term solution
• Not enough code enforcement. The city needs to revert back to its roots and put some teeth into code enforcement. A better kept city increases home values for every and thereby increases revenue for the city and schools.
• Roads.
• Storefront vacancy.
• An adversarial relationship (or at least a perceived one) between the Mayor and City Council.

1) Maybe I am just paying more attention to it as I get older, but there seems to be much more crime

2.) I agree with everyone that the streets are awful, but I admit I don't know enough about city government and what it would take to get them fixed

3.) Most definitely lack of enforcement on condition for certain rental and residential properties

I'm sure more opinions are valid but I generally live a happy existence in Lakehood... been here all my life and hope to stay into the future.

Mr. Ott wrote: Remember the dress code? I'm at the HS every morning - it is not being enforced. It looks like you are pulling up to one of the schools in the 'hood'. I shouldn't say it's not enforced, it is selectively enforced - they pick out easy targets. All you have to do is look with open eyes.


With all due respect, I beg to differ on this point. You might be outside the high school each morning, but are you aware of the number of students who, upon entering, are immediately sent to their respective house offices to be sent home for dress code violations after being spotted by the principals who are at the door every morning? We also send home students who are directed to the offices in the morning by their teachers for violations. Students in violation of the dress code may make it into the school; however, they are dealt with accordingly once they enter. The dress code is being enforced at LHS. If you're interested, Dr. Wagner will be presenting specific enforcement numbers at the next School Conduct and Climate Committee meeting.

Sandy (43 year Lakewood resident, 32 year teacher/administrator, '71 LHS grad, daughter of the '48 homecoming queen

The dress code is being enforced at LHS. If you're interested, Dr. Wagner will be presenting specific enforcement numbers at the next School Conduct and Climate Committee meeting.

Take it from my very own principal.
Mrs.Donnelly, so nice to see you finally joined in! Have you been practicing my last name for the graduation ceremony?

The dress code is so pointless, that the wife of a long time school member doesn't even inforce it in her classroom.
*sigh*

I wish I was allowed to have a camera in school during the day, just to show the outside world what goes on.
Anyway, graduation is 35(?) days away and counting...

If you're going to pick at the dress code, might as well pick at the lack of funding. the chain goes on and on...

and the dress code isn't enforced outside of the building. That's like punishing the kids with in school suspension for not coming home on time on friday night.

I know I may offend some of you with this, but oh well! You know what is really wrong with Lakewood? People sitting at computer screen trying to find something wrong with Lakewood!

Todd, you didn't offend me at all. You actually made my day. I've been trying to get this point across on the forum for the past year.