The Observation Deck

Here is the sign causing all of the problems and all of the discussion. It has been on the
Comedy Channel, Tosh 2.0, CNN, MSNBC, and other places. Everyone going nuts over our
4th Amendment rights being trampled, by this City Hall. You need probable cause to
search through bags in a public park.

When I first heard this and saw this I was pretty upset. It seemed to me that this was
probably just another over reaction by City Hall. But then I thought back to my recent
experiences at the 4th of July fireworks show in Lakewood, and it brought back some
interesting moments. Fights between parties from out of town because; smoke, sparklers,
fireworks, you looked at my wife wrong, my kids, wrong, my space, etc.

Then I thought about the recent stuff in Boston, New York, etc. and the general short temper
of most people in the world today when their space is invaded, and thought. While disturbing
it is not over the top. On Tosh 2.0 Mike was quoted and the host said, "Park Party Buzzkill"
and maybe that is the exact reason it was done. Though an interview on Tosh 2.0 seems
as ridiculous as Mayor Cain taking on 60 minutes. What was really bothering me is that
the city that was "So cool to visit" and one of the best communities in Cuyahoga County
had gone out of the way to shoot themselves in the foot again.

Or did they? Who would this keep away? Trouble makers? Ohhhhhhh too bad.

I had always thought they should stop burning our hard earned tax dollars on the 4th,
and concentrate on more affordable, and more fun events. For the $30,000 spent on
fireworks, the city could hire 3 acts normally at Cain Park like Cowboy Junkies, Bela Fleck,
Hot Tuna, etc and have 3 free concerts, one during Lakewood days. OR we could skip
the current nightmare on fighting over trash and parking, or...

At least we could consider this sign, like Bay Village, Rocky River Park, etc...


Lakewood residents only? Out of towners with Lakewoodites OK.

Certainly would add to the value of a home here.

At least all of these news sources didn't show this sign.


Join us in the parade, or later at the Park.

Enjoy the 4th of July, and be safe.

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Because of the vast differences being expressed please answer off the front page:

Is the sign at Lakewood Park (see Deck) a Brand Builder or Killer?
Answer here
http://lakewoodobserver.com/daily-question/2013-07-03


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Is the sign at Lakewood Park (see Deck) a Brand Builder or Killer?
Answer here
http://lakewoodobserver.com/daily-question/2013-07-03

As of 11:15 am.

Is the sign at Lakewood Park (see Deck) a Brand Builder or Killer?

Builder:25%
Killer:75%
No Opinion:0%

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As of Noon today, it heats up!

Is the sign at Lakewood Park (see Deck) a Brand Builder or Killer?
Builder = 42.9%
Killer = 50%
No Opinion = 7.1%


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As Jim points out, anyone who was there last year knows the rules are - for the most part - necessary. But the signs are obnoxious. The City should have looked for a better, less heavy-handed way to get its message across.

They should add no alcohol in the pool offices

Seriously though, I’ve been to quite a few firework shows at Lakewood Park and I’m reluctantly okay with these rules. They've become necessary!

BTW, why is the City referring to the occasion as "July 4th" rather than "Independence Day"? Do park goers not know that Independence Day is July 4th?

Dan Alaimo wrote:The City should have looked for a better, less heavy-handed way to get its message across.

Bingo.

It's funny but if you move the police mention to the bottom

1. No generators, no propane tanks or grills.
2. No tents and shelters
3. No personal fireworks or sparklers/snakes
4. No dogs or pets allowed all day.
5. No alcoholic beverages, at any time or day.
Police may be searching bags, and coolers to enforce these rules.

It is no where near as bad.

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Charlie Page wrote:BTW, why is the City referring to the occasion as "July 4th" rather than "Independence Day"? Do park goers not know that Independence Day is July 4th?

Amen, Brother Page!!!!

July 4 is a date on the calendar.

Independence Day is a Federal Holiday!

and, by the way ... the Second Continental Congress voted for independence on July 2 in a closed session of Congress!??!?

John Adams (POTUS #2) wrote of Independence Day: "It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more."

"... from one end of this continent to the other ... How's that for foresight?!?

So, help me out wth this scenario:

If, after publically stating that "police will be conducting searches bags and coolers for reasons of public safety", they miss/skip a cooler or two or a thousand and, god forbid, something horrible happens that breaches public safety, I have to think this opens The City up to law suits and other types of legal action citing negligence, etc.??

Or does the fact that the sign does not say "police will be conducting searches of ALL bags and coolers for reasons of public safety" get The City out of legal hot water?

Any attorneys out there that can put my mind at ease?

And is there some sort of "profiling" component to this discussion? Or does "profiling" equal "good police work?"

Any retired police sergeants out there that can put my mind at ease?

Jim O'Bryan wrote:

Dan Alaimo wrote:The City should have looked for a better, less heavy-handed way to get its message across.

Bingo.

It's funny but if you move the police mention to the bottom

1. No generators, no propane tanks or grills.
2. No tents and shelters
3. No personal fireworks or sparklers/snakes
4. No dogs or pets allowed all day.
5. No alcoholic beverages, at any time or day.
Police may be searching bags, and coolers to enforce these rules.

It is no where near as bad.

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Right, Jim. There are a lot of little things that would have made this more palatable. How about the Mayor getting out in front explaining the reasons for these rules to the local media, rather than doing damage control later? And why put the existing rules (alcohol and dogs) on there at all? And are there that many tents and shelters that they can't be dealt with individually?

It's dispiriting that it's come to this, but better safe than sorry, and it doesn't have to be national news.

I think you can file "Independence Day" away with other lost names like "Armistice Day" and "All Hallow's Eve".

However, the term will live on as a Will Smith movie title.

So, gotta ask .... how does everyone feel about all the hoopla now, the day after?


Much Ado About nothing?
All's Well that Ends Well?
A Midsummer Night's Dream?
The Tempest?
The Comedy of Errors?

Peter

Didn't you see Tyler Wick's Photos? Mass rioting!


And then for ANYONE that dare to break or even come close to breaking the rules, with gas grills,
beer, coolers, and personal fireworks, they would club them like baby seals.



Oooppppppps wrong image...



Meanwhile down at Edgewater Park, where it was the first year for Metro Parks to take over
Edgewater Park they would stop by each group and talk to them, look in their cooler then run
the names and social security number into the computer. This resulted in a mother being arrested
for not paying speeding ticket, another arrested for too many parking tickets and taken away from
their party, and at least two fathers arrested on misdemeanor violations.

Meanwhile back in Lakewood...





While the week started with many shaking their heads, in the end the city pulled it off.

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