The Observation Deck

Not voting says that you're okay with the status quo. Not just what is happening here in Lakewood, but the state, the country.

It's your right as a citizen...exercise it!

not melting away.

just getting extremely tired from swimming upstream all day. It's 10pm already!

David Lay wrote:Not voting says that you're okay with the status quo.

I have joined some others and sitting on the fence and observing. Whether the issue passes or not, I don't want to support either or. It won't be a bad thing if it passes, but I won't be shocked if it doesn't pass. 95% chance that it will pass though.

You all have convinced me that this will be a good thing in the long run. Everyone knows that no one is guaranteed tomorrow, and whatever I can do to make tomorrow better for others even if I can't enjoy it, I'll probably do it.

I'll be busy this spring. I just registered to vote last week, and I'm excited to use that right. This november will be filled with plenty of action!


To keep this post going since everyone can benefit from it.

Mr.Foran,
Do you know of anything else that the school board has in store for the future that would help keep our school district strong and growing?

Ivor Karabatkovic wrote: I don't think I'll be voting this spring, but in the fall.

Ivor Karabatkovic wrote: I was denied my education past the fourth grade, and Lakewood City Schools provided me with plenty of tutoring time to learn english.

Ok. Don't vote this spring.

Oh, and you're welcome for everything my taxes have provided for you.

Joe
who doesn't understand why we give so much away...

Jay answered some questions with his posts but not one of mine. What is going to happen with properties like Taft? Nobody seems to be able to provide a straight answer.

If it was answered, I missed it, and I apologize.

Joe

OK everyone,

Don't be too hard on young Ivor.

Many, if not most seniors have that senioritis bug. It's perfectly natural, and almost expected that, this close to graduation, a bit of animosity towards the authority of school creeps into a senior's mind.

I believe that deep down, Ivor knows and appreciates what the community of Lakewood, and the people of our town have done for him.

A few years ago, when I was fighting with the Architectural Review Board and the City over my front porch, I would not have given 2 cents for this town, given that immediate circumstance.

I was ready to live anywhere, but here.

Freedom means that much.

Still, short-term anger passes, and in the long run, I had to agree that we have a pretty good town, if we work on it.

Don't give up on your schools, Ivor. Don't let negative experiences of the past cloud the beauty of your future.

At the last, from Native American wisdom:

Acut kwanna thek- You have to live with your thoughts.

In those quiet moments, when you are alone, learn to be at peace with yourself. Let the anger go...or it can and will consume your very soul.

Even so, you have not only a right, but a duty in this country to speak your mind.

As Schiller wrote, and Pete Seeger sang:

Die Gedanken Sind Frei- Your thoughts are free.

Oh, and you're welcome for everything my taxes have provided for you.

thanks, joe.

Joe-

We got a HUGE amount of bang for the buck with Ivor (and many other students).

Joe

I'm not sure that anybody really knows what will happen to the vacated properties at this point. And, it is probably premature considering that unless the construction in phase 2 is approved and completed, those facilities that we anticipate closing may end up remaining open? I would suspect that once the schools are actually positioned to move elementary populations into a refurbished Horace Mann and Emerson, that there will be a reality of a vacant Taft and McKinley and then we'll see conversation about site devekopment and usage.

Jeff

dl meckes wrote:Joe-

We got a HUGE amount of bang for the buck with Ivor (and many other students).

I don't doubt that. What are you saying dl?

Joe Ott wrote:

dl meckes wrote:Joe-

We got a HUGE amount of bang for the buck with Ivor (and many other students).

I don't doubt that. What are you saying dl?

Not what you are insinuating.

dl meckes wrote:

Joe Ott wrote:

dl meckes wrote:Joe-

We got a HUGE amount of bang for the buck with Ivor (and many other students).

I don't doubt that. What are you saying dl?

Not what you are insinuating.

No idea what's being discussed here anymore.

Rick Uldricks wrote: No idea what's being discussed here anymore.

Same here. I'm confused now...

As far as the bond goes, Jay cleared up some things for me and Jeff answered my question about the property.

Thanks.
Joe

I agree don't beat up Ivor - I think he makes some very valid points.

I actually think there are 4 issues here.

1) Finish the building and get the state aid. (I do think Bill Call may be correct that we can get the aid with the schools we have finished - without starting new ones. - but that is a different arguement)

2) What are we doing with the old buildings. I have not heard or seen any plans to realize the savings with the money from the soon to be vacant buildings. In fact, I hear we are expanding our schools by renting space from the Catholic Diocese. Do we have a plan to sell the vacant buildings to perhaps re-cover some of the costs.

3) Why aren't these buildings green or leeds certified? Why didn't we design them to be energy efficient. The energy problem isn't getting any better. We most likely could have found some federal funds to assist with this. Actually municipal windmilss would be perfect to assist in powering our schools. I sincerely urge them to think about trying to incorporate more energy efficiency into the plan. Yes, I know I'm sure they are more energy efficient and green than the buildings they are replacing, but from what I hear, they really are not too great in this area.

4) Building Maintenance. Old buildings don't have to be inefficient to the point that they need to be torn down if they are maintained. What plans do we have to keep the new and other buildings up to date? My son went to Trinity HS and they earned the money every year for a big school project. One year it was replacing all the bathrooms with really cool state of the art facilities, Another year it was redoing the cafeteria and making it almost restuarant like. The students worked hard to earn the money and accomplish this. The pride showed - and they would have never thought to hurt it with grafiti or whatever - and they would have stopped any one that would have. I agree with Ivor, I've been in the schools and from both a building maintenance point of view (tiles off the ceiling - walls in need of repainting) and from a student destruction point of view - I was dismayed. We should develop a good solid plan to maintain our buildings.

I would like to see items 2 - 4 addressed. I most likely will vote for the bond issue - but I understand the tax revolt in Lakewood.

Lynn Farris wrote: 3) Why aren't these buildings green or leeds certified?

They're not? This is disappointing -- and shocking. I thought that Lakewood would be on the cutting edge with green buildings.

4) Building Maintenance. Old buildings don't have to be inefficient to the point that they need to be torn down if they are maintained. What plans do we have to keep the new and other buildings up to date?

Thanks for bringing up point # 4, Lynn. I think a YES vote would be more likely if residents were shown a plan for maintenance and prevention of vandalism.