The Observation Deck

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http://media.lakewoodobserver.com/issue_pdfs/Observer_Vol_10_Issue_23.pdf

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First off, we we want to congratulate Jeff Patterson, Superintendent of Lakewood City Schools on his latest honor, “Ohio Superintendent of 2015.” It is well deserved. I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with 3 Superintendents in Lakewood since starting the Observer Project, and many in other cities where there are Observers. I get to talk with many school board members and teachers around the county. By far, Jeff Patterson is the most complete Superintendent I have had the honor of knowing. His understanding of education is well complemented by his business skills. He has managed the schools through some of the roughest waters I can remember and succeeded at every level. Yet, he relates to children, to their needs, the needs of their families and of the community. We are indeed lucky to have Jeffrey Patterson here in Lakewood.

The Lakewood Observer and I also won another award last week, from the OSBA. This is the second time we have won the award for fair, open, unbiased reporting of the schools in Lakewood. This one was presented by longtime friend and supporter Linda Beebe. As I have mentioned before, this one is special, we have always been tough but fair on Lakewood Schools and the Administration; through the years they have seen just how fair and balanced we can be when given a chance. Under the leadership of Jeffrey Patterson, Roxann Ramsey, the School Board and great teachers like Kevin Spooner, Charles Greanoff, and others we have been able to not only shed light into Lakewood schools and their achievements, but also help Lakewoodites understand the many changes occurring in Lakewood between new schools, new hours, new curriculum. On our side Margaret Brinich, and Betsy Voinovich have taken the lead in bringing the Observer to the schools in a way they can use, contribute, and enjoy. This means so much to all of us, as Education is one thing we all agree is one of Lakewood’s strongest selling points.

Which brings us to an article in the last Lakewood Observer, “City of…” by Lakewoodite Ted Nagel. It would seem outside interests have once again fooled City Hall. Well, I would rather believe they were fooled than be complicit in the destruction of yet more residential areas. For a long time I have watched the City of Lakewood switch over from caring about residents to caring only about business. Residents and neighborhoods are being “discovered” in the same way Columbus “discovered” America. Claim some idea, call it better than before, move people aside and move in the new bar, the new restaurant, the new anything but safe quiet neighborhoods.

This attack came under the heading from the mayor’s office of “Clifton Boulevard Enhancement Project." We were told of the $16 million dollar improvement to Clifton Boulevard. Some of it sounded too good to be true, and in the end it was. The only enhancement delivered is the highest sign count in the city, outside of Downtown Cleveland. New bus shelters that light up all night, and are about the size of FotoMat Booths of old, and so much visual pollution it is hard to believe any city leaders would sit still and take it. But they do, because in Lakewood, Business always wins over residents.

Stay tuned and check out the thread on the Deck, “Sold To Lakewood By Our Leaders As A Good Thing, Really?”
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Only 2 issues left until the end of the year, get those resolutions ready for New Years!


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