Lori Allen For Ward 3 Council - Questionaire
Posted: Mon Sep 07, 2015 1:05 pm
Hi All,
For those of you that live in Ward 3, I wanted to let you know that since I did not receive my candidate questionnaire, that I did not make it into this week's LO. Below are the questions and answers:
1. What is the primary motivation behind your decision to run for Ward 3 council?
I am running for Ward 3 Council mainly to restore respect, accountability, and transparency at City Hall. Some at City Hall lack respect for citizens and do not seem to take their concerns seriously. I am also a firm believer that the public should have the right to see all public records at City Hall. A city of Lakewood’s size needs a full-service hospital. Living with a chronic health condition, I know what it is like to need a hospital close by in an emergency.
2. What qualifications do you have that set you apart from the rest of the field of Ward three candidates?
I have a background in the medical and financial fields, as well as advocating for those with special needs. I also know what it is like to live on a budget and how to prioritize my spending. I have taken no monetary contributions or endorsements from anyone. My campaign has been run totally with my own money.
3. Aside from the current debate over the future of Lakewood Hospital, what do you feel is the most pressing issue currently facing Ward 3? How do you plan to address this issue if elected?
It concerns me that the majority of Ward 3, especially the southern end, seems to have been neglected in terms of city services such as road resurfacing, sewer upkeep, and tree trimming. Numerous citizens have expressed concern about their basements being flooded time and time again. As I have walked all of Ward 3 this summer, I cannot begin to count how many tree branches I have walked into on the sidewalk. It is also concerning that residents are being charged for sidewalk damage that is caused by city tree roots. The city planted the wrong types of trees and did not plant them correctly. Due to this fact, the city should be paying for the repair of the sidewalks raised by city trees. From what residents have told me, the price that the city’s contractor charges to repair the sidewalks seems too high. City Hall seems to spend large amounts of money on items that do not always benefit citizens. Most of the above-mentioned services could be restored if the unnecessary spending is cut at City Hall.
4. The fate of Lakewood Hospital has been a hotly contested debate among Lakewood residents over the past several months. Given that the hospital is located in Ward 3, If you are elected to represent Ward 3 residents, what steps will you take to ensure that you are representing the wants and needs of your constituents on this issue?
Since I declared my candidacy, I have openly supported keeping Lakewood Hospital open as a full-service hospital. In a community of our size, neither an acute, short-term care hospital nor an urgent care is the answer. If elected, I will continue to support keeping the hospital open, but would like to look at other areas in Lakewood for economic development. This is an issue that has divided the community and that saddens me. If a community is divided, it is very difficult for both sides to look at the facts and determine the best course of action. If Lakewood loses the hospital, the city will lose over one million dollars in revenue. I cannot afford a tax increase and most other residents cannot either.
5. What is your favorite "hidden-gem" (i.e. business, restaurant, green space, recreational activity, etc) in Ward 3 and why?
While walking all of Ward 3 this summer, I have come across countless houses that have gorgeous architecture. The attention to detail that went into building Lakewood homes cannot be seen by driving by in a car. Instead of razing historical buildings, I believe that we need to work hard to preserve them so Lakewood can maintain its hometown feel.
If you are interested in saving Lakewood Hospital, it is very important that you get out and vote tomorrow. Below is the link to the Board of Elections precinct map in case you don't know where to vote:
http://boe.cuyahogacounty.us/pdf_boe/en-US/maps/Lakewood.pdf
If you have any questions, please feel free to reply to this thread or e-mail me at LJALLEN4WARD3@OUTLOOK.COM
Thank you for reading and have a safe and happy Labor Day.
For those of you that live in Ward 3, I wanted to let you know that since I did not receive my candidate questionnaire, that I did not make it into this week's LO. Below are the questions and answers:
1. What is the primary motivation behind your decision to run for Ward 3 council?
I am running for Ward 3 Council mainly to restore respect, accountability, and transparency at City Hall. Some at City Hall lack respect for citizens and do not seem to take their concerns seriously. I am also a firm believer that the public should have the right to see all public records at City Hall. A city of Lakewood’s size needs a full-service hospital. Living with a chronic health condition, I know what it is like to need a hospital close by in an emergency.
2. What qualifications do you have that set you apart from the rest of the field of Ward three candidates?
I have a background in the medical and financial fields, as well as advocating for those with special needs. I also know what it is like to live on a budget and how to prioritize my spending. I have taken no monetary contributions or endorsements from anyone. My campaign has been run totally with my own money.
3. Aside from the current debate over the future of Lakewood Hospital, what do you feel is the most pressing issue currently facing Ward 3? How do you plan to address this issue if elected?
It concerns me that the majority of Ward 3, especially the southern end, seems to have been neglected in terms of city services such as road resurfacing, sewer upkeep, and tree trimming. Numerous citizens have expressed concern about their basements being flooded time and time again. As I have walked all of Ward 3 this summer, I cannot begin to count how many tree branches I have walked into on the sidewalk. It is also concerning that residents are being charged for sidewalk damage that is caused by city tree roots. The city planted the wrong types of trees and did not plant them correctly. Due to this fact, the city should be paying for the repair of the sidewalks raised by city trees. From what residents have told me, the price that the city’s contractor charges to repair the sidewalks seems too high. City Hall seems to spend large amounts of money on items that do not always benefit citizens. Most of the above-mentioned services could be restored if the unnecessary spending is cut at City Hall.
4. The fate of Lakewood Hospital has been a hotly contested debate among Lakewood residents over the past several months. Given that the hospital is located in Ward 3, If you are elected to represent Ward 3 residents, what steps will you take to ensure that you are representing the wants and needs of your constituents on this issue?
Since I declared my candidacy, I have openly supported keeping Lakewood Hospital open as a full-service hospital. In a community of our size, neither an acute, short-term care hospital nor an urgent care is the answer. If elected, I will continue to support keeping the hospital open, but would like to look at other areas in Lakewood for economic development. This is an issue that has divided the community and that saddens me. If a community is divided, it is very difficult for both sides to look at the facts and determine the best course of action. If Lakewood loses the hospital, the city will lose over one million dollars in revenue. I cannot afford a tax increase and most other residents cannot either.
5. What is your favorite "hidden-gem" (i.e. business, restaurant, green space, recreational activity, etc) in Ward 3 and why?
While walking all of Ward 3 this summer, I have come across countless houses that have gorgeous architecture. The attention to detail that went into building Lakewood homes cannot be seen by driving by in a car. Instead of razing historical buildings, I believe that we need to work hard to preserve them so Lakewood can maintain its hometown feel.
If you are interested in saving Lakewood Hospital, it is very important that you get out and vote tomorrow. Below is the link to the Board of Elections precinct map in case you don't know where to vote:
http://boe.cuyahogacounty.us/pdf_boe/en-US/maps/Lakewood.pdf
If you have any questions, please feel free to reply to this thread or e-mail me at LJALLEN4WARD3@OUTLOOK.COM
Thank you for reading and have a safe and happy Labor Day.