Sandra Donnelly wrote:Jim, I really appreciate your coverage of this and other stories of late. My "senior citizen" parents were concerned about this incident, and I was able to give them the facts because of your reporting. Many thanks, and well done!!
All
I appreciate the kind words, but, this is what the Observer is about. BRING IT!
Years ago we learned there was more RELEVANT truth on the streets, over the back fences
and bars, than being spun out of many of the news generators in this city. Government,
Schools, Non-Profits are needed, and they are expected to spin, but the facts are, What
does it mean to the residents, what does it mean to our lives as Lakewoodites. Early on I
got the nasty crime beat, and I merely take those ideas to the story. The summer of 3
stand offs 2006, we broke all three with coverage no one had. Then made sure everyone
knew, they were not Lakewoodites! When the Dog Park was attacked, we went deeper
than anyone eventually using content used in court to beat it. Showing it was merely the
anger of a single resident in Rocky River, not the a large group. We not just broke the Phil
Distasio story, we caught him and called the police, the most prolific pedophile in America.
Car theft rings, assaults, and sadly murders. Funny, we actually broke the story of Angel
Corderro the guy that actually freed Amanda Berry.
The McDonald's shooter on the trestle with a 45 to his head. Remember?
For a non-news project we have broken a ton of important and less important stories, new
Superintendents, election counts, indictments, fires, and on and on.
Then the good stuff, school kids doing good. Relevations, Butterfly releases, cardboard boats, sports,
and so much more. For 11+ years we all have been observing, and reporting, and sharing, a working
together to understand this city, and maybe make it better.
Imagine where this historic project would be, had not so many "power brokers" not tried to shut us down
steer others away, and try desperately to marginalize the work and dedication of not just me, but
thousands of Lakewoodites that care and love this city.
None of this is possible by Jim O'Bryan himself. It only works when the community takes the time to
step up, and say or report something, in this wonderful mosh pit of word jazz, love and respect we
call the Lakewood Observer Project, and The INFAMOUS Observation Deck, where some will tell you
the devil himself lives and works. I chuckle and say, "No that's just friend and neighbors that have
information, questions, thoughts and ideas. Nothing to fear."
No this fight is not an indictment on Lakewood Bars, but I hope it is the beginning of all of us stepping
up dispelling all the bullshit that a common place to talk and share is not evil, but healthy
for a community. Residents should never fear speaking up, and politicians and civic
leaders should never fear talking with residents in an open forum with REAL PEOPLE.
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