The Observation Deck

Jeff Endress wrote:The suspense is killing me!!

Jeff

Sell no whine before its time.

Bill Call wrote:Maybe they should try elephant snot:

http://www.graffitisolutions.com/graffi ... t_snot.htm

Bill,

This seems to be a great product line, the pricing is around $350 for 5 gallons. The distributor in Cincinnati mentioned that their are cities around the country with citizen based groups that go around and remove graffiti. I know I would like the city to do it, but I want it to get done, so I would be on board with that, anyone else want to explore it? If we get a couple of folks together we can approach the city for permission.

Joe Ott wrote:

Danielle Masters wrote:

As for parents not teaching respect, I think that really is the root of a lot of society's problems today.

Bingo.

Yah, this is SO true. Graffiti and property damage is clearly a problem invented by this young generation. It NEVER happened when I was a kid in the 70's and 80's, when they taught us not to do it. Nope.

Ryan Salo wrote:

Bill Call wrote:Maybe they should try elephant snot:

http://www.graffitisolutions.com/graffi ... t_snot.htm

Bill,

This seems to be a great product line, the pricing is around $350 for 5 gallons. The distributor in Cincinnati mentioned that their are cities around the country with citizen based groups that go around and remove graffiti. I know I would like the city to do it, but I want it to get done, so I would be on board with that, anyone else want to explore it? If we get a couple of folks together we can approach the city for permission.

This would be awesome. Sign me up.

c. dawson,

Where are our elected leaders. C'mon, gimme a break. Where were you when I had public hearings on the conditions of the parks? Where were you when I wrote the Chronic Nuisance law that the Mayor said wouldn't work? Where were you when I wrote the law restricting residents from leaving trash on their treelawns for days on end, while the rest of us have to enjoy the sight?

Please be careful with your accusations and who you include in "our elected leaders." Some of us are working very hard. I think the question you really need to ask is who is running City Hall on a daily basis and why does the grafitti sit there so long?

What I think we really need is some type of rapid response team for this type of blight. I am not sure how the dynamics of that would work yet. I will be unveiling another proposal soon that will bring response and accountability to City Hall.

Where are our elected leaders. C'mon, gimme a break. Where were you when I had public hearings on the conditions of the parks? Where were you when I wrote the Chronic Nuisance law that the Mayor said wouldn't work? Where were you when I wrote the law restricting residents from leaving trash on their treelawns for days on end, while the rest of us have to enjoy the sight?

Ryan

Surely you're not implying that it is the citizens that ultimately bear the blame if they didn't attend public hearings or weren't present during committe sessions or the drafting of ordinances.

I suppose, though do not know for certain, that at the times during which you were doing the job to which you were elected, that the citizens were likewise engaged in the matters of concern to them and their families....going to church, grocery shopping, raking the leaves, changing diaper, reading bedtime stories or preparing dinner.

Jeff

Phil Florian wrote: It NEVER happened when I was a kid in the 70's and 80's, when they taught us not to do it. Nope.

Funny. But I don't think that's what either of us was implying.

Ryan Patrick Demro wrote:Where were you when I wrote the Chronic Nuisance law that the Mayor said wouldn't work? Where were you when I wrote the law restricting residents from leaving trash on their treelawns for days on end, while the rest of us have to enjoy the sight?

Great stuff! When does this go into affect? I can't wait till I can drive down Clifton on my way home from work and not see garbage piled up in front of an apartment building for days on end!
Who enforces these new laws?

Ryan Patrick Demro wrote: who is running City Hall on a daily basis and why does the grafitti sit there so long?

Shouldn't City Council and the Mayor as a team be doing that?


Joe

Ryan Patrick Demro wrote: Where were you when I had public hearings on the conditions of the parks?

When I attended a council meeting where the skate board park was being discussed I was surprised to see the large and involved crowd. I remember wondering where they all were when budget issues were being discussed.

Then I realized that I never attended a budget hearing.

We are all a little bit guilty of being uninvolved. I am sure that for members of council who put their heart and soul into council it can be a little disappointing and frustrating to see sparsely attended meetings.

Tell ya what Ryan,

When the city reduces my taxes, then I'll think about going around scrubbing graffiti off of THE CITY's property...

Or I'll start on the garbage pick-up committee instead.

After that, maybe we can start the decorating committee, the enforcement committee, the snow plow and shovel committee, the weed piker committee, the swing set repair committee, the parking meter meter committee...

Where will it end? I am BEYOND sick and tired of people telling me that if I dont go out there and do the city's job that I dont care enough.

Thats complete propaganda at its manipulative finest. Or better stated - - utter cow patties.

I rarely rail on about the tax burden. Its high. We all know its high. But take away services, or expect me to do what is rightfully the city's roles without presenting and tax relief and I have a HUGELY different opinion.


I submit to you that if we simply create a committee to take care of the problem instead of a committee to march on city hall to demand action it would simply be tantamount to succumbing to the non-action that persists thus reliving the city of its burden, its responsibility and its accountability.

No, Ryan, the city shouldnt get off that easy. You have worked tirelessly on this issue - dont compromise on it now.

Just my early morning pre-coffee two cents..
Charyn

R.P. Demro -

I think C. Dawson was just opining that there seems to be no way to quickly clean-up graffiti. This is my concern as well. Unfortunately, vandalism like this is impossible to prevent. There was no need to attack him or others who don't have time to attend public hearings on the state of our parks. (They're dirty? Wow, didn't realize.)

Regarding your ordinances, being a relative newcomer to Lakewood - only 10-years - I always thought it was illegal to place trash on the tree-lawn more that a night/day before pick-up. I'm likely wrong and you'll correct me if I am, but, wasn't it already illegal? What was the law before your ordinance was passed? Isn't this a case of not needing more laws/ordinances but better enforcement?

I look forward to reading posted notifications of public hearings you schedule/chair in the future.

Passing laws is one thing

Enforcing laws is another thing

Doug

Thanks, Bill, your research is auspicious.

With our new library building on the way, I’ve been investigating graffiti abatement and removal products, providers and strategies. So I appreciate the lead on this particular product.

The company cited has developed a complete line, including an anti-graffiti coating. I will investigate and check with the architect and CM to ascertain the effects and any possible downsides on materials and aesthetics. A sample of this coating is on the way.

In conversation, the manufacturer noted the coating leaves a visible trace seen only in rainy conditions upon areas covered versus areas not covered.

The coating is used on the Federal Reserve Bank in Minneapolis.

Even if the coating is not an effective choice, the manufacturer is quite convinced the removal product would still keep us in good shape.

From my conversation, I believe one needs power washing equipment to work the removal product properly.

Lakewood Public Library will be testing the graffiti remover as well. I will share my inquiry and results with the City and Schools and compare practices.

Incidentally, the city of Minneapolis contracts with a power washing company for removal. If my notes of a quick conversation are correct, Minneapolis is paying $50 per call plus $2.94 square foot to a power washing company. Please verify my numbers.

In speaking with the manufacturer, I learned further that no power washing company in Cleveland is using the product and that a business opportunity might be possible. The start-up guy in MN got one taste of the action and jumped on the opportunity.

Perhaps a Lakewood entrepreneur could add a graffiti abatement and removal products line to their portfolio, if this environmentally friendly product does the job at good price.

I would bet the city can get equipped with authorization, materials and method and charge the property owner for removal of graffiti.

But because graffiti is a regional problem, on the rise with the dispersal of the urban core population to most suburbs, I called Northeast Ohio Sourcing Office to suggest that a group purchasing/bulk contract with a removal company be considered as one of their offerings.

Let’s get local and regional leadership on the case and see what solutions emerge.

Kenneth Warren
Director
Lakewood Public Library

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that what we're hearing is the frustration of elected officials and community members who are tired of the failed policies of the present administration.

As I posted previously, graffitti is a visible indication of decline. As soon as it is discovered a team from the city should be on it to the exclusion of all else. The councilman for ward 2 saw it, called and waited for action. Again, none was forthcoming. He didn't get on the LO forum and criticize the city or try to use it for political gain..he continued to follow up. I don't see anywhere in his post that he advocates citizens doing the job of city hall. Quite the contrary, he sees how high taxes are and is an advocate for better management. What he does say is that it is all of our responsiblity to pay attention and that attending hearings and council meetings help us do that.

I think we can all see how things work at city hall. The recent attempt of city council to clean its own house with an internal shift of leadership resulted in phone calls and emails going out to bolster the status quo. Change is going to be an uphill battle.

Joe Ott wrote:

Ryan Patrick Demro wrote: who is running City Hall on a daily basis and why does the grafitti sit there so long?

Shouldn't City Council and the Mayor as a team be doing that?


Joe

City Council is not responsible for enforcement, that's the Mayor. Council can ask all they want, they can legislate all they want, but if the Mayor doesn't enforce the laws that are enacted, there's not much Council can do.

That's like asking Congress to enforce laws…it's not their job, it's the Presidents.

The question truly belongs in the Mayors lap on this one. Personally I'm a little disgusted that MTG will show up here and tout his "endorsements" but won't respond to a serious thread by the citizens like this one. I would love to hear his answer on why the graffiti is still there.

To be honest, the man has done nothing to earn my vote this November.