Lakewood's Glass, Half Full? Half Empty?

[Jim O'Bryan]

In another discussion on the Deck, Gary Rice poised the question if I thought Lakewood's
Glass was half empty of half full, him seeing it as half full.

Me, I am a total Lakewood Homer, I have never seen it that drastic. Lakewood seems like
a wonderful community (Best Community 3 years in a row) and a great place to start a
family, or a business, or a family and a business or a family business. Near the Lake, the
Emerald Canyon, the airport, Downtown (The real one), with not just great schools, but
great new schools and one of the best libraries in the country. Parks in abundance, and a
great selection of shops and restaurants to keep the city interesting.

Could it be better?

Everything could be better, but what does it need?

Way finding that points direction to the lake, for those from out of town? Or actually being
able to walk down to the lake for residents?

A public park open late so that parents can teach their children the joy of sledding,
baseball, gardening, play or just sitting looking at the night sky? Or a boutique hotel
for the 10s that come in for our depth of dollars stores and burger joints?

Should I worry about the number of empty storefronts? Or should I understand that many
landlords like Bert Stratten are just exercising their right to be selective. That is not that
the city is not attractive for stores it is just, they do no meet the high standard asked for
by the landlord.

That we have a bunch of great 100 year-old structures that can be gutted and rebuilt, as
they have real plaster, real wood, and real construction. Or that we can rebuild with
particle board homes, constructed by people not in the trades, but certainly loving the
fact they can buy with sweat equity and little more?

So, let me go on record as mostly full

Let's work together, to keep it that way.

.

[Colleen Wing]

Jim, There seems to be a general lack of perspective when there is a discussion about Lakewood's focus and direction. To answer your question-it depends. Over 11 years my needs, expections, experiences, etc. evolved accordingly. When I moved here I had one 2 year old child, now I have two kids 7 and 13...very diiferent needs...just as an example. With two boys...I have no need for a girls clothing store...but I don't think they are ridiculious and complain about their existence. I also don't appreciate being blamed for their failure as a business and told that I am not supporting my community. As a whole, does Lakewood or any community serve the needs of its citizens...1/2 full, 1/2 empty, full depends on the glass and who is holding it...maybe 1/2 was spilled, or someone drank it, or they only needed a sip, or just finished a marathon. For me, someone broke my glass so I had to go get a new one. All or nothing, success or failure, dehydrated or drowning is not the way to fix a problem or lead this community...Lakewood could use a few more community leaders that are willing to lead with their head up.JMO

[Jim O'Bryan]

Lakewood could use a few more community leaders that are willing to lead with their head up.JMO

Colleen

Funny I understand much of what you say. But community leaders really caught my eye.
Right now we have some coming along, but most are trained to be subservient before they
get their chance to lead. Kind of sad. The free thinkers seem to be chastised marginalized
and run out of town. Thinking out of the box is very frowned on in Lakewood. I mean they
still dream of better and better strip malls!

I think you description of Lakewood is fair. For most of Lakewood, about 51% Lakewood is
renting, and not permanent roots. No matter how many times you want to convince me
renting is as much as a stake in the game as owning, it is simply not true. Just this month
a person that really took me for task acting like renting was less than ownership, after all
he had rented for decades. A point well taken, until, something came up and he was gone
in a flash to somewhere else. Had he been an owner, he might have looked around here a
little harder.

This is one of the reasons I loved Joan Roberts' comment of "Good enough for now." Some
took that as a negative, it is not. Good enough for now caught Joan, and others. Some
stay, some move on. It is the same in many cities, and certainly here in Lakewood. At the
same time, these renters have got to be looked at as possible owners and long term residents.

Whatever, sorry to hear you have moved across the river, check out the Rockport Observer,
but glad you stayed in the area. Who knows, like more and more Lakewoodites I know
that have leaked out, they come back with even more appreciation.

I would not be surprised to see Ken Warren move back, and maybe we will say the same
about you someday soon.

.