The Observation Deck

Thanks to all for the engagement.

I do believe the conversation needs to shift to what are we going to do about the lost revenue, lost jobs and the impact to the elderly and lower income people that will need some subsidized transportation options to go to the hospitals at either Lutheran or Fairview.

I completely agree that if there is evidence of a plan to get rid of the hospital in order to build a rec center and soccer fields prior to the LOI or other negotiations, i.e. it was the motivating factor for this agreement; people should be indicted. The lack of transparency and the treatment of the taxpayers has been horrible.

I should not have painted all council members with the same brush and agree that each race should be thoroughly researched and a decision based on fact will dictate my vote.

Scott Hargrove wrote:
I do believe the conversation needs to shift to what are we going to do about the lost revenue, lost jobs and the impact to the elderly and lower income people that will need some subsidized transportation options to go to the hospitals at either Lutheran or Fairview.

Part of the deal is to transfer $35 million from the Lakewood Hospital Foundation to a new foundation controlled by the Cleveland Clinic. The $35 million raised by the people of Lakewood over a 60 year period would be used to support health care "throughout the region".

At one council meeting an LHA rep responded to the question about the lack of access to health care in Lakewood after the Hospital was demolished. He said that some of the money from the new Regional Foundation could be used to provide bus service to Avon.

Maybe I'm overreacting but I find the entire scheme not only outrageous but criminal.

Scott,

I very much appreciate and respect your last two posts.

There is great reason for many to accept that "you can't fight City Hall" and "nobody stands up to the Clinic." I don't accept either of these as given.

If you look at "the lost revenue, lost jobs and the impact to the elderly and lower income people that will need some subsidized transportation options to go to the hospitals at either Lutheran or Fairview" you will find, as I have, that the new trust money is simply not enough---even if the Rec Center and nonprofits Summers is dangling carrots to get nothing. This will be a disaster if we lose.

So my solution is to stop this now.

Sam O'Leary, Cindy Marx and David Anderson have shown courage in the hospital matter. I also think they are committed to changing things at City Hall.

To me there is a clear right and a wrong in this matter. Rewarding bad behavior or capitulating to bullies will never serve our City well.