The Observation Deck

There are many folks here that habitually post on the Deck regarding the Hospital issue.

On behalf of "Save Lakewood Hospital", I invite you folks to write a column or letter to the editor for the print edition of the paper.

It's fine to post on the Deck...however, this forum has a relatively small readership, and virtually every one of those readers already has his or her mind made up. Posts here are basically "preaching to the choir".

The paper, on the other hand, has a very large readership. Most of those readers are still learning about the issue. If you want to reach the undecided, the paper is the vehicle to do so.

As we all know, there is a well-orchestrated campaign to sell this hospital deal. The PD recently copy and pasted Clinic talking points in a recent endorsement.

The deal can be stopped, but we need people to step up.

Michael

We have allocated space for both side in the paper, but the space is limited, we have other
commitments as well including schools, non-profits, news from City Hall etc.

I would encourage all to post here where the actual viewing numbers are quite high, especially
when you add in our twitter feed, and Face Book feeds, and let's all work together not just
on understanding the Hospital Deal, but making Lakewood better for all.

The Lakewood Observer's Observation Deck has been here through many, many, many
controversies and charades in this town, and has done well to highlight everything from
the lies of the WestEnd, to charade for naming Downtown, to the over charging of the
City for a Bogus Sign study, to the fix in from Lincoln Parents on Phase 3. The lies on
McDonald and Detroit, the traffic light screw up that ruined traffic, the lies about trash
collection, and on and on.

Lakewood is always better, and better served when people talk.

.

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Hi Mike and Jim and all---

Mike, I agree with you that some of those that have posted on the Deck should write their posts up as articles to submit to the Lakewood Observer.

The Deck actually has very high numbers and these posts are being seen by many people, including City Hall, the School Board, etc, but the audience for the newspaper is different, particularly as it includes people who don't like or use or have access to social media. (Our older population comes to mind.)

I wanted to follow up on Jim's post. The Deck is a great place for discussions, and I wish more of the leadership from Save Lakewood Hospital would engage the rest of the community on the Deck. The Save Lakewood Hospital folks are very articulate and impressive and I think the issue would be helped by increasing discussion with the community.

At the same time, I think it's important that folks here know that there is a written newspaper part of this project, and if they have information to share, they can write an article by going to www.lakewoodobserver.com, going to the Member Center and signing up, and submitting their article to the paper. The printed paper has deadlines, and a limited amount of space, but we are a community-written paper, and we will share the news. If anyone has any questions about how to do it, email me at betsy@lakewoodobserver.com.

Betsy Voinovich

(Associate Editor for the Lakewood Observer)