The Observation Deck

You know what is so funny about this? Of all the groups in Lakewood working to make Lakewood better (and there are many) they can't even agree what is best for Lakewood and spend more time, money and energy fighting each other. So now merging those groups with Cleveland's groups......

Justine Cooper wrote:So you are speaking for every educated person under the age of 35? I will take my own poll. And what about all the other, like say the people over 35 educated and not educated? Does their opinion matter? You know, the ones who have invested thousands of dollars into this community.

No, I am not speaking for every educated person under the age of 35. Nor am I saying that people over 35 are not educated. I was giving context to the group of people in which I belong. Everyone's opinion matters and is valid. I just feel that the people "in charge" for the last several decades (politicians and the voters electing them) have not been getting the job done. Regionalism would be a good way to trim a lot of fat. It would hold a smaller group accountable to a larger populace.

What are the top ten things (condensed) that Lakewood could benefit from in Regionalism?

I suppose that one way to look at Regionalism would be to take a historical look at past regional efforts. Would West Park/Kamms residents want to have their own city back, or would they prefer to remain a part of Cleveland? Given the opportunity, do you seriously suppose any absorbed neighborhood would not want their independence back?

I could be wrong, but I think they may have traded off their independence with some fire trucks way back when.

Regionalism, to me, does several things badly. It wrests control of individual communities from local control. It can spread resources paper-thin anytime there is a budget crunch. It diminishes personal accountability for delivery of municipal services, and it can contribute to urban alienation and angst.

Oh yes, and as the West Park people know all too well, once done, getting it undone is not easy.

It's my understanding that shared resource buying power, information management, transit systems, and better communication and coordination are all constructive regional areas of discussion that have come under consideration. These can all be done, however, while maintaining local autonomy.

I like Lakewood police, fire, sanitation, schools, etc....

Let's keep it that way. At least that's my opinion!

Part of the problem is that there are so many diverse possibilities that all parade under the banner of "regionalism".

If by "regionalism" we're actually talking about "merger" that is very different from

shared resource buying power, information management, transit systems, and better communication and coordination are all constructive regional areas of discussion that have come under consideration.

Cooperative measures, as Mr. Rice identifies, make a good deal of sense. Merging Lakewood with Cleveland would be much farther ranging. Schools. Safety forces. Snow removal and streets. Parks and recreation. I'll bet if you polled parents of Lakewood school kids on the prospect of merging with the Cleveland school system, most educated parents would object. Probably very strongly.

Jeff

Justine Cooper wrote:What are the top ten things (condensed) that Lakewood could benefit from in Regionalism?

I don't think it should be just about how it would benefit Lakewood, but the whole region. There would, of course, be some give and take. But, in the long run, I think it's the only solution. The area cannot continue to sustain the level of sprawl towards the east, west, and south, with a stagnant population.

brian smoley wrote:

Justine Cooper wrote:What are the top ten things (condensed) that Lakewood could benefit from in Regionalism?

I don't think it should be just about how it would benefit Lakewood, but the whole region. There would, of course, be some give and take. But, in the long run, I think it's the only solution. The area cannot continue to sustain the level of sprawl towards the east, west, and south, with a stagnant population.

But I feel like we are grasping to "save" Lakewood, which differs in many opinions on what that means, so sorry to sound selfish but I don't see how we can also be part of saving Cleveland. The damage done to Cleveland over the years seems too much for suburbs to try to fix. That is just my opinion.