http://media.lakewoodobserver.com/issue_pdfs/Observer_Vol_08_Issue_25.pdf
All
Our quote at the top of the paper is.
"Let our New Year's resolution be this: we will be there for one another as fellow members of humanity, in the finest sense of the word." - Goran Persson
Well here it is the last issue before the holidays! Whew, another year behind us, and a new one just ahead of all of us. It is a time to enjoy time with friends, family, neighbors and the world. What a year it has been too, we have accomplished many of the things we set out to do back in January, but so many more fell to the wayside. I suppose this is the story for everyone. Resolutions made, some kept, some tried, many more forgotten. Alas, the cycle continues.
Much like the cycle of the Lakewood Observer, the little project that no one thought could, does, again and again, and again, but not without the help of many volunteers, staff, city officials and civic leaders who believe the best way to move a city forward is with information, conversation, observations and doing it, not just talking about it. The Observer project continues to grow and gain momentum, now the Observer in its various forms is producing over 1,000,000 papers in Cuyahoga County and beyond.
Here in Lakewood, the power behind this edition, the original and oldest, Lakewood Observer is on the backs of five women, and the teams they have assembled. Margaret Brinich, editor, now longest-serving editor of the Lakewood Observer, Betsy Voinovich assistant, and my wife Debra O'Bryan, Maggie Fraley and Meg Ostrowski sales, who are truly the heart that keeps the entire project going week after week, after week. For them I am most thankful. Then comes the Board of AGS and the Observer In order, Ken Warren, Steve Davis, Heidi Hilty, Jeff Endress, Dan Ott, Steve Ott, Lauren Fine, and Vince Frantz who I turn to throughout the year for guidance and direction on this and the entire Observer Project. Of course the entire project would falter without the advertisers and stakeholders, who give us the dollars and the support to make this possible. And finally, the thousands of volunteers and members who speak their minds, voice their opinions and share their Observations. They are truly the blood of this project and the biggest reason we all keep going.
As a sidenote and thank you for another tremendous year, I want to thank all of the other Observer publishers, editors, staff, and volunteers, for through them so much positive energy flows it is hard to even explain. A member of say the Heights Observer comes up with an idea that is shared by the Westlake and Parma Observers, we take it down to Campus District, and try it there, and it works. Another great way to get the community involved and more Observations out. While Lakewood is my community, and it always will be, it is great to sit and talk with all the members of the very large Observer network of community papers.
All of it makes me very thankful, and very energized and excited about 2013 and what it brings.
To all, have a great Christmas and holiday season.
I can promise you it was our pleasure serving you, and getting everyone's observations out.
Peace/Love
James C. O'Bryan
Publisher
Lakewood Observer, Inc.
.