The Observation Deck

As we already knew, they are using the Orwellian name "Build Lakewood".

Check it out at www.buildlakewood.org

Some of the BuildLakewood team members for your convenience:

Pam Smith, Chair (former councilperson I believe)
Ron Petrie, Treasurer (Emma Petrie-Barcelona's husband I believe)
Jeffrey K. Rohrs
Linda Beebe (Lakewood Board of Education member)
Joel & Bonnie Egerston
Rebecca M. Patton (LHA Board member)
Scott & Holly Reba
Jenny Barnett Rohrs
Dru Siley (Planning & Development Director for City of Lakewood)
Rick & Lori Uldricks (Rick works for City of Lakewood I believe)

I think it is really sad how this mayor and his friends have divided the city. I can't fathom why any leader would be willing to pass up the chance for Metro to come in and run the hospital properly while keeping the majority of the current hospital employees on staff. I have to wonder: what kind of a deal could he and council possibly have made with CCF? It appears to be something great, as they are willing to throw 1,100+ hospital workers under the bus. What kind of leader does that? I seriously believe that he may be suffering from some kind of mental illness. I honestly feel that a psychological evaluation is in order.

Shakespeare said it best in Macbeth and the Bible too: "And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light." 2 Cor. 11:14

Lori, Thank you for that list of names. For the record no one misled us on Grace Ave. as often or with such a natural aptitude as Dru Siley . Anyone interested in how he conducts business should read Colleen Cotter's article in The Observer. That he's a charter member of the Orwellian "Build Lakewood Site" comes as no surprise. Personally, I have no doubt what "The Wintry Conscience of a Generation" would make of this putrid mess.

Ron Petrie is Emma Barcelona's father. He is also a member of the Lakewood Democratic Club.

More fake name BS.

I always feel sorry for the people that are so desperate for likes they like their own stuff
on Facebook. But when a group does it, with a fake name, that is probably one of the
people already on the list, all I can think of is BULLSHIT!

When will people learn, lack of transparency and accountability is what was wrong with this
nightmare from day one, the same with so many other of their debacles.

HONESTY, it is what your grandmother taught you.


.

If you must lie about your plan how good is the plan?

They sure got a lot of "likes" quickly. As in the past, a perusal shows it's a lot of city employees, relatives of the people involved, etc. which is fine, but not sure it's a reflection of the average Lakewood citizen.

So, what I've noticed is this focus on SHINY and NEW. They seem to be obsessed with the fact that the facility is old and dumpy and we can get rid of an eyesore and put shiny, new, "development" which I think they equate with shopping opportunities. They have this mentality that the city should be more upscale (which is hysterical seeing as all they've accomplished has been adding dollar and thrift stores). This made me think about the Metro proposal and how they not only would continue to run the hospital, they would have diverted some of their current patient base to Lakewood. Of course, many of that group would likely be Medicaid recipients. I sense that THAT scenario was NOT what they wanted to see.

How much of the rejection of the Metro proposal was rooted in prejudice? I see a group that through the years has attempted to limit the influx of what they think are less desirable people. The taking down of hoops, the dog breed bans, they can deny it all they want but those actions were very clearly meant to discourage a "certain element" in the city.

Perhaps the opposition to Metro was even more insidious than just wanting the land for development. Letting Metro in to run a hospital would mean more poor people in Lakewood. That just wouldn't be desirable.

Similarly, numerous studies have shown that users of municipal rec centers tend to be the higher income groups. But rec centers, for whatever reason, tend to be underutilized by the low and mid income residents, which is part of why they become such drains on city finances. See http://agrilifecdn.tamu.edu/cromptonrpts/files/2011/06/Full-Text10.pdf
Only 1 in 5 adults utilize city recreation facilities unless you talk about outdoor parks and playgrounds.
Yet OUR parks and playgrounds have had equipment removed and limits placed on when they can be used. These are the Types of recreation resources that appeal to MORE of the population than rec centers. Yet again, it appears that this group is more concerned with providing recreation opportunities that will benefit a select few, NOT the vast majority of citizens.

So many people are calling for "transparency at city hall." Funny, I can see right through them!

Bridget Conant wrote:
How much of the rejection of the Metro proposal was rooted in prejudice? I see a group that through the years has attempted to limit the influx of what they think are less desirable people. The taking down of hoops, the dog breed bans, they can deny it all they want but those actions were very clearly meant to discourage a "certain element" in the city.

I'm beginning to see this but Im new around here and I'm from NYC - a melting pot of everyone and every color.

Great job, Alex.

I have two parade questions:

*Did "Save Lakewood Hospital" have the largest community group in the parade?
I can't tell since I was in the middle of it.

*What happened to the Isetta? The crowd was confused when the parade ended without JOB....it's just not the same.

The save Lakewood Hospital was the only unit to receive spontaneous applause

Stan.

Awesome! I think the average citizen is concerned and unhappy about this but they aren't the types to be on FB or joining groups.

Sometimes I like to go as a "neutral observer" and just try and react without any preconceptions. I was handed a brochure from the build Lakewood Hospital group and as a citizen and political activist I was repulsed by the lit. I think instant reactions are indicative. This was smarmy.

Stan Austin wrote:Sometimes I like to go as a "neutral observer" and just try and react without any preconceptions. I was handed a brochure from the build Lakewood Hospital group and as a citizen and political activist I was repulsed by the lit. I think instant reactions are indicative. This was smarmy.

I was standing at Kenneth and Lake in my SLH shirt when the parade began.
My dog needed a shady spot to rest before marching.
Two men from "Build Lakewood" were handing out their cards, and tried to avoid me.
I politely asked for one of their cards, which one of them handed me.
When I asked who they were, they only responded "We are for Build Lakewood".
They quickly moved on.