The Observation Deck

“The Hospital has always been supported by the revenues generated from operations…. no tax derived revenue sources ever supported the hospital.” Jenn Pae, Lakewood Finance Director September 28, 2015.

Summers’ failure at the helm of LHA might end 100 years of self-sustained success at Lakewood Hospital. Despite Ms.Pae’s factual statement, Summers’ campaign literature and Build Lakewood propaganda postcard together make claims of the need for an “enormous new tax on residents” “$600 per Lakewood resident per year” and “$2,000 per Lakewood resident” in order to keep the hospital. These are classic scare tactics.

It is truly ironic that if BL and Summers' claims about taxes are true, that means Summers has failed in his duties so badly that these “enormous taxes” will need to be levied to keep the hospital that has been self-sustaining for 100 years.

Before we even talk about his dishonesty, lack of transparency, incompetency at public works and planning, Summers' manufactured hospital failure makes him the worst mayor in 100 years.

Don't the residents of Lakewood have a say about a tax increase via the ballot box?

If that is the case, it would be interesting to see how the administration would market a tax increase. How many millions of $ would be spent to propagandize for such an increase? Good luck with that! It's really too bad how Mayor Summers has alienated himself from a big part of the populace with his behavior.

Unfortunately, the reality is that if we LOSE the hospital, we will likely be looking at a TAX INCREASE.

Particularly if the idea of a rec center is pushed. They cannot be built without a subsidy and they are a known money pit for cities.

How they can turn that around to saying the hospital will cost money, WHEN IT NEVER HAS, is absurd.