"How hypocritical, how embarrassing . . . "

[Alex Belisle]

"The League of Women Voters, a pro-democracy organization??? Embarrassing and hypocritical. Definitely a good story for the local paper."

This is what my former NYC editor and former Bureau Chief at the "NYDaily News" wrote on my Facebook post about me being denied photographic access to their (Lakewood League of Women Voters) community forum where the candidates for various office were making their case(s) and answering written questions at City hall (a public venue). I just can't fathom why they wouldn't want to encourage more not less awareness by the community of what they're going to vote for in November. If this was in NYC it would be packed with TV cameras and photographers.

[Alex Belisle]

From my former NYC boss:

"Have the reporter check with the town legal counsel, then go to the Civil Liberties Union.
https://www.aclu.org/affiliate/ohio

Ohio
ACLU of Ohio Executive Director: Christine Link contact@acluohio.org 4506 Chester AvenueCleveland,…
ACLU.ORG"

[Jim O'Bryan]

From my former NYC boss:

"Have the reporter check with the town legal counsel, then go to the Civil Liberties Union.
https://www.aclu.org/affiliate/ohio

Ohio
ACLU of Ohio Executive Director: Christine Link contact@acluohio.org 4506 Chester AvenueCleveland,…
ACLU.ORG"

Not sure why you are posting this instead of doing it as I said all along. This city doesn't need more drama it needs more transparency.

[Alex Belisle]

More advice from a very smart and witty newspaper guy: "Have fun poking the local booboisie, as H.L. Mencken called them."

[Dan Alaimo]

I don't know what Jim told you, but I endorse the other advice you've been given. Also, there are some lawyers on the Deck who can tell us more. In any case, this situation needs more than sunshine, it calls for a very bright spotlight. I hope they don't get away with it.

[Jim O'Bryan]

I don't know what Jim told you, but I endorse the other advice you've been given. Also, there are some lawyers on the Deck who can tell us more. In any case, this situation needs more than sunshine, it calls for a very bright spotlight. I hope they don't get away with it.

Dan

I am a tad more radical than my good friend. I would have pushed further, hell I'd get arrested for free speech.

The City's biggest problem is not the hospital, it is a secretive, corrupt, and less than honest government. That is the problem, no one wants to talk about.

Why doesn't anyone want to talk about it?

They are afraid, They are afraid of what the City might do to them, they are afraid of peer pressure, and they are fear of what happens next,

“When the people fear the government, that's tyranny; when the government fears the people, that's freedom.” Thomas Jefferson

Dan, you unfortunately learned it, others have learned it.

Lakewood is a hip cool city, except for the government, which has done everything possible to ruin the hip cool place we called home.

=

[Peter Grossetti]

The City's biggest problem is not the hospital, it is a secretive, corrupt, and less than honest government.
=

Let's finish that thought by adding: "and the puppet masters behind the scenes pulling the strings and writing the script in order to forward the agenda of a chosen few."

PULL BACK THE POLISHED VENEER AND CHECK OUT THE CRAPPY PARTICLE BOARD IT COVERS UP!

[Gary Rice]

As many of you are aware, I've written many columns for the Lakewood Observer.

I also have a number of columns over the years that I've chosen NOT to publish...

You know me as the campfire banjo sing-a-long, let's-work-together, glass is half-full guy who generally wants to stay positive regarding all-things Lakewood.

I could have, on the other hand, published a number of very critical stories and commentaries addressing more of the serious concerns that our city has faced. My dad however, was of the opinion that someone needed to be positive, as we were observing how red-brick Lakewood was starting to crumble around us. Honoring dad's memory, I continue to mostly try and stay publically positive, while quietly working to effect change whenever I can.

Today, my "positive" side is being sorely taxed by reading Alex's story.

Lakewood has a number of serious problems that too many have overlooked for many years, and even now, I suspect that some people are hoping will continue to be swept under the rug for the good of property values? civic reputations? business interests? You fill in the blank there.

So much of all that is not only changing, but is presently boiling over. I think that this, and the next month, could quite possibly be the most critical months in the history of our city. All sides in the present debate know that, whatever the outcome of the hospital crisis, the stakes have never been higher.

Nothing will be the same in our city again, ever.

Back to the banjo...

[Gary Rice]

The really REALLY sad thing about all of this is that nearly everyone in this whole controversy seems to care, and are trying to do what they feel is best.

You honestly cannot fault the Mayor or City Hall, for so many good things being done lately. Sidewalks are safer, Madison Avenue is looking great, our business districts are booming, we are a recreational magnet for many. Our homes are being looked after. We have so much to appreciate in our city.

At the same time, we need, no, we must continue to engage, discuss, work-out our differences...

This time in Lakewood's history presents a wonderful opportunity to come together...

...or fail.

Back to the banjo...

[Michael Deneen]

I think that this, and the next month, could quite possibly be the most critical months in the history of our city. All sides in the present debate know that, whatever the outcome of the hospital crisis, the stakes have never been higher.

I agree with this part of your sentiment, Gary.

I respectfully ask that you submit your "Last Message from Dad" post as a column for the next print issue of the Observer.
It is a message that needs to be heard.

[Sean Koran]

Alex - do you know who set the "no photos" policy? Was it the League of Women Voters/Chamber of Commerce or City Hall?

Was any explanation given for why photos of this event were banned?

[Rhonda loje]

This is curious.

Look at the photographs I took for the same organization at the same location.

http://lakewoodobserver.com/photoblogs/ ... he-debates

[Jim O'Bryan]

Alex - do you know who set the "no photos" policy? Was it the League of Women Voters/Chamber of Commerce or City Hall?

Was any explanation given for why photos of this event were banned?

Sean

I have spoken with members of the LWV this morning. They have answered why, though I am now waiting for some time with the person overseeing the event last night. A couple things were mentioned to me I found disturbing, and a couple things I could understand, but...

One thing mentioned to me by someone not directly connected was "Why was the Lakewood Observer allowed to photograph at the Library and no one else?"

First, last night has nothing to do with the library, we were covering news there and and at City Hall. As legal media, they cannot stop us, or anyone at City Hall. Then can escort people out for creating a disturbance.

As for the Library, I have letters on file with them. That is all they ask. Anyone can, after they have applied in writing. We did, others did not. Library's printed rules for decades.

City Hall, is not the same, and everyone I have spoken with at ACLU and Society of Professional Journalism agrees this morning.

I will post more after speaking with the person in charge last night.

Another troubling fact is City Hall's hired thug, was telling people to stop. ILLEGAL and should be added to the complaint.

Save Lakewood Hospital would have been better served with their library meeting open, and LWV would have been better served having this meeting recorded, which they have done in the past.

In both cases the voters, and residents of Lakewood lost.

.

[Marguerite Harkness]

Respectfully, Gary - the Mayor and City Hall ARE to be faulted - for working behind the scenes, for YEARS, to close our hospital. The evidence is OVERWHELMING, that we have been duped, and bamboozled - while they plotted (along with Cleveland Clinic) for the private multi-million-dollar financial benefit of a chosen few and a monopoly for Cleveland Clinic.

As far as a "booming business district" - it WON'T BE - when the Mayor kicks out1600 high-paying jobs with a $60 million payroll, and the fallout of 3000 more jobs/businesses/restaurants/bars in town, that collectively pay $3.5 million in annual city income taxes (12% of city's income).

The jobs in the hospital, and out of the hospital, are our BIGGEST ECONOMIC ENGINE, generating almost $300 million in LOCAL spending EVERY YEAR. (Clinic says $288 million). It's just plain STUPID to kill the goose that lays the golden egg. And unfortunately, our Chamber of Commerce doesn't GET IT. ("WHAT????" you say .... ) Yes, it's true - they're publicly, aggressively, ENCOURAGING the demise of our business base.

I've said it before and I'll say it again - THERE IS NOTHING - ABSOLUTELY NOTHING - THAT YOU CAN PUT WHERE THE HOSPITAL IS THAT WILL MAKE UP FOR $300 MILLION OF ECONOMIC ACTIVITY IN THIS CITY. NOT EVEN CLOSE. (The Chamber doesn't want to hear this.)

As far as the streets and police - that is just part of the basic job of the Mayor and City Hall. The streets and safety are actually the result of the guys/gals doing the WORK. They know what to do and how to do it, regardless of who is sitting in the chair in the Mayor's office. Cut the city's income by $3.5 million or 12% and see how many police, fire, and street department employees get laid off. If each one makes $50,000 that could be 70 people.

[marklingm]

Video and photos were always allowed in prior "Candidates Forums."

Video and photos were allowed when I was a candidate for the Lakewood City School District Board of Education.

I suspect that video and photos were not allowed this year because the Lakewood League of Women Voters and the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce is a Team Summers/Build Lakewood "Who's Who" ... and since the focus of last night was on the Lakewood Hospital ... getting the facts out to the voters doesn't support the mission of Team Summers and Build Lakewood.

But, that is just my opinion.

Note to Team Summers and Build Lakewood: If you want to shut out the press and the public, don't hold your events in public forums - i.e., Lakewood City Hall.