Stephen Eisel wrote:were imported by the city of Lakewood as part of a Lutheran Church Ministry
outreach program that has been a complete nightmare since it arrived. How in the world
anyone in the city of Lakewood could ever think it is a good idea to create an entire
apartment complex for early release violent teenage offenders is beyond me. It has to be
the same kind of thought process, that believed it would be a great idea educating them
in grade schools filled with kids 10-15 years younger than them!
Are the teens at least supervised?
I believe last time I spoke with any of them, they have curfew, and I am sure a parole and/or
probation officer. These are not "teens" as they sound. They are released because they are
no longer "Teens" in the juvenile court system. Example, you kill someone at the age of
seventeen, in theory you could be released at eighteen, because you are no longer a
juvenile. In many cases this makes sense, you would hate to see a kid lose a second
chance at a proper life, because he was in a stolen car, or mixed up with the wrong people,
whatever. It is the current system, and I am a firm believer in 2nd and 3rd chances. But
to see this as a good idea for filling space, is ridiculous.
The north east corner of Lakewood has been in a virtual crime wave since they moved in.
The stories coming out of there are CRAZY. They include, what one must do to get
accepted by the rest of the residents! Let me give you a hint, it is not keep the drapes clean.
I have to think, outside of public officials and police, and those that live there, few have
spent more time in the "Snake Pit" and "Hidden Village" than me, and Ken Warren. Some
of the people, in the snake pit, including the Somali Refugees, are good people. Others
are not. It is a public apartment, and I have very little say in what is right and wrong
there. But Hidden Village is a "project." And it is one that the city needs to say: it is time
to shut it down.
Bill Call's numerous posts on this subject are correct. My flaming liberal brothers and sisters
are delusional on this. But let me preface it with this. I believe every human in the world
deserves a chance to be happy and safe. In 2012, I believe the same should be said for
food, an education, and medicinal coverage. It is absurd to me, that in 2012, any of this
is still a problem. With that said, how much of this any city, county, state, country, can
take on is very finite, and to take one step over that line or even dance with it, is insanity.
NO ONE wants to look in the icy waters in a life boat and say, "no we cannot take you in."
But when the water is close to lapping over the side, and sinking the entire boat, some
adult has got to look at those in the boat, and say. "No, we cannot do it." The closer that
boat is to going under or falling apart, the greater the need to take action.
In the last issue of the Lakewood Observer, the superintendent has said plainly, to
paraphrase, If the city continues to fill our schools with refugees, they will have to share
some of the money they are getting with the schools, or the city needs to pay their way.
People that know me, know I am a generous, loving person, who does not have a racist,
sexist, elitist bone in my body. I judge people by deeds, not colors, religion, gender,
lifestyle, etc. AND AS YOU KNOW, I get angry over bad deeds. But you also know
I am more than willing to give others a 2nd and 3rd chance. But this city needs to shore itself up,
and do so very quickly. An adult needs to come into the room and say, "Really?"
Every Lakewoodite should live without fear from crime, with a chance for a good education,
and a shot at proper family services and help when needed. To go out and find people who
are going to rely on that system for years and years if not life, and never pay into it is
insanity. To bring in agents from outside that will possibly make the city, the businesses,
and residents unsafe, is suicidal. "Yeah great little starter home, perfect for you and
possible family. I know our taxes are high, but instead of basketball, pets, and safety we
invest in bringing in criminals." "WHAT!" "Yeah we like to keep it local."
There is ZERO reason to try to attract new business and God forbid new residents, if we
are going to work against that by bringing in indigents, and criminals. It is counter-productive
and insane. It is like having someone in the front of the life boat bailing, while at the back,
another is scooping water in.
Lakewood has a tremendous chance to continue to be the best city in the county. At the
end of the day, that is really only the best we can hope for. WE cannot move the city
anywhere. And why should we? Let's be honest, that should be easy to maintain. All of this
talk about "the region" I will save for another day. But let's be clear and honest about one
thing, and do not be fooled: Lakewood is not competing against West Haven,CT, Oak
Grove Il, Jacksonville, Fl, or even Gahanna, Ohio; it is competing for businesses and
residents LIVING IN OR NEAR CLEVELAND!
.
