The Observation Deck

Councilperson ________________ wrote:The problem with the news of ________________ is that the mayor and his administration didn't involve city council in a single word of the discussions or the planning that they have apparently been having for quite a while about it. In fact, it's only because of the news that has been reported in the Observer that I even know about ________________, and I'm a member of Lakewood city council. Pretty sad, eh?

To make it worse, when I reached out to the city's Director of Planning and Development several weeks ago to ask about the rumor that ________________ was in progress or being planned, the only response I received was that there was "no ________________"... and that was after more than one request for the information. So much for transparency and collaboration.

It breaks my heart to say this, because I once publicly supported the campaign of our current mayor and genuinely believed he would bring a very beneficial management style to city hall, but here's the thing: The mayor and some members of his administration are showing increasingly worrisome signs that they have no regard for council or some members of the public in Lakewood who may have opinions that differ from theirs. This ________________ question is only one example in a pattern that I've been observing and have been worrying quite a bit about. I'm sure the mayor knows that there are members of council and the public who oppose the idea of ________________. So how did he choose to deal with that potentially contentious issue? By completely excluding ALL of us from the discussion about ________________. I regret that I have to take this complaint to the public rather than speaking with the mayor about it, but I feel that I'm left with no choice when members of council are excluded from these kinds of conversations at city hall.

One of my chief concerns about ________________ is that the mayor has said that ________________ is one of his top priorities, yet he has unilaterally chosen to increase the burden on our ________________ and city resources by adding ________________ to the ________________ landscape. It doesn't make sense to me. I'd like the opportunity to hear how it makes sense to him.

I sincerely respect the point of view and efforts of ________________ supporters in Lakewood because I know that their intention is to provide ________________ to Lakewoodites. However, based on what I know of our city's ________________ situation, including issues that I see in my own neighborhood every day, and what our city is facing in terms of resource constraints, I can't support ________________. Though our city has some similarities to other urban areas that ________________, we also have many key differences and very unique challenges to manage. While the City of Cleveland may have some very appropriate conditions for ________________, Lakewood simply does not.

Thank you to the publishers of the Observer and the readers of this forum for giving me a place to share my opinion on this. Unfortunately, I haven't had the same opportunity at city hall.

The Lakewood Hospital?

The Michael P. Summers Recreation Center & Natatorium?

The Grande Lakewood Hotel?

Senior transportation to medical appointments both inside and outside Lakewood?

Park improvements, playground construction, and other improvements to community spaces?

Art, literacy, music education, and other programs that increase our quality of life?

Adult and youth recreation leagues and other active lifestyle programs?

Funding existing non-profits such as Lakewood Alive, Lakewood Community Services Center, and Northcoast Health?

Bridget Conant wrote:Monique Smith experienced the way they do business in Lakewood politics. Either appoint a person, often after a conveniently timed resignation, or choose someone in the community they think they can control and convince them to run. Of course, once they're on council, they are expected to join the voting block and not make waves.

Same thing with school board. I hear the cabal has been calling certain people and asking them to run.