The Observation Deck

In regards to the mayor and active living, I must say that I am a bit perplexed as to why the mayor advocates "active living" so much. If memory serves me, the City of Lakewood bought the mayor his own personal car a while back (I don't believe it was cheap either). The mayor does not live far from City Hall at all. According to a Google Maps route, it is a twenty-minute, one-mile walk from the mayor's house to City Hall. Also according to Google Maps, the mayor could bike to work in about eight minutes. Does anyone know how often the mayor walks or bikes to work?

Just curious.

Lori Allen _ wrote:In regards to the mayor and active living, I must say that I am a bit perplexed as to why the mayor advocates "active living" so much. If memory serves me, the City of Lakewood bought the mayor his own personal car a while back (I don't believe it was cheap either). The mayor does not live far from City Hall at all. According to a Google Maps route, it is a twenty-minute, one-mile walk from the mayor's house to City Hall. Also according to Google Maps, the mayor could bike to work in about eight minutes. Does anyone know how often the mayor walks or bikes to work?

Just curious.

Seriously? Amidst all this, this is what you are choosing to focus on now? The man excercises. The man works out. I'm sure the man has numerous off site meetings in a day where he would need a vehicle. I hope he doesn't walk or ride his bike, I would rather he be able to make it to important off site meetings.

I do not mean to ridicule, I just hope this is not a new focus.

Corey

Corey, You're right. We should be focusing on the fact that the man misleads. That the man has contempt for transparency. That the man is about exclusion and not inclusion. That the man views his constituents as emotional children who need to be guided to the greater good. That the man is fronting an extremely divisive administration. Let's focus on that.

Okay Corey, fair enough. You must go to the same gym. I was just curious.

On the other hand, I just simply don't agree with the taxpayers buying the mayor a car. My feelings would be the same regardless of who is in office. It's not like we bought the mayor a compact, bare-bones car either. I also believe we bought the police chief a car to drive back and forth to work. Most city employees have to travel for city business at some time. In these cases, the employee is usually paid for so many cents per mile. The employee keeps track of their mileage and turns in a mileage report at the end of the month. After the report is turned in, they are usually issued a check for their mileage. It is only fair that an employee get reimbursed for mileage. However, I estimate these cars cost the taxpayers at least $30,000 each. If anyone would like to post an exact number, I would like to know. Not everyone in Lakewood can even afford to own a car. These people almost always rely on bicycles, public transportation, or their own two feet. Some can't even rely on their own two feet and must utilize a wheelchair or electric scooter.

I just have a problem with City Hall continuing to spend, spend,and spend some more when our refuse trucks are breaking down on a daily basis. Some of their parts are held together with duct tape. They also don't even have working radios most of the time. Contrary to what City Hall may think, the majority of Lakewoodites live on some kind of budget, watch what they spend, and don't throw money at anything that comes their way. Perhaps City Hall needs to adopt a similar mentality. Just my opinion.

True leaders lead by example.

What example is Mayor Summers trying to set for us?

"Healthiest City in America", what does that mean Mr. Summers? Is it even possible for Lakewood, OH to be healthier than Lakewood, CO or Lakewood, NY? Is it even possible in a place that you have to stay indoors 6 months out of the year?

(Medical mumbo jumbo if you ask me.)