The Observation Deck

The award winning Open Source Project known as the Lakewood Observer has taken another step, though not without sorrow.

With the announcement that the Scene will be closing it's doors because of a merger, the Lakewood Observer will become the third largest newspaper in Cuyahoga County. The members of the Observer never fail to amaze me. As the staff finishes the touches on number 7, we have to thank our advertisers and members that this is even possible.

Lakewood businesses and some from outside of Lakewood have embraced LO's Open Source model, and are responding in droves. We are already getting calls from businesses outside of the city and state requesting ad space for Christmas, New Years, Easter! While we all think about the Observer as a Little Rascal Project, "Hey let's make a town paper." The truth is very different. The backbone of the paper is all very seasoned award winning professionals dedicate to amplifying the intellectual and artistic capital, most of us simply call good neighbors.

But outside of our borders people in the media, education, government, social studies and civics have contacted us, and are in amazement at what ALL Observers have accomplished in this short time. Lakewood is making a name for itself around the country, as a place with a dream and a plan to get to that dream. A city now working as one, while it learns as much about itself as any city ever has.

At the same time many of us grew up with the Scene/Tab/Swamp Erie DaDa Boom, so number 3 brings little rejoicing.

Another thing to ponder about the Lakewood Observer project is our saturation and potential. The second largest paper in the county would be The Free Times, a good regional paper, like the Sun Papers. But they only put out 70,000 papers over 4 counties. Compare that with our 17,000 editions growing to 25,000 for one city!

Thoughts and good memories to members of the Scene. I hope there is a way to keep the doors open and continue their good work, service and writing they have provided.

Kudos and a standing ovation to Advisory Board Members, Editors, Writers, Photographers/Illustrators, Production, Delivery Helpers, and of course our life blood the Members and Advertisers. It is all of you that make this possible. Today we all make a difference.

That's a tremendous milestone to reach by issue six--congratulations to all involved! Thanks to Jim for his leadership and to all others for your collaboration and hard work!

The Observer's success shows that to act on one's dream "with open eyes" is neither impossible, nor impractical. (See the full quotation of T. E. Lawrence at http://lakewoodobserver.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=402&highlight=lawrence .)

The SCENE hasn't disappeared yet.

This week, their BEST OF CLEVELAND issue came out. LAKEWOOD is listed as the BEST SUBURB!!

I'm glad that the SCENE magazine is still around to promote our town and many of the merchants which we have easy access to.

John Viglianco wrote:The SCENE hasn't disappeared yet.

This week, their BEST OF CLEVELAND issue came out. LAKEWOOD is listed as the BEST SUBURB!!

I'm glad that the SCENE magazine is still around to promote our town and many of the merchants which we have easy access to.

John


I agree we were hoping around the office that some of the management of the scene would try a buy-out. Those of us that remember The Great Swamp Erie Da-Da Boom, and other variations that eventually became the Scene hope their is some way to keep it going.

My brother-in-law is in advertising, and has some type of connection. We'll see what he comes up with, news wise.

Mark Crnolatas wrote:My brother-in-law is in advertising, and has some type of connection. We'll see what he comes up with, news wise.

Mark


Just to keep the rumor mill straight. This came from a source that said the planned merger between Village Voice Media and the Free Times FORMER parent company New Times.

In the letter this was mentioned. "-Discussions continue on the value of the papers Cleveland Scene, SF Weekly, and East Bay Express and whether they are worthwhile commodities to stay open and part of the package"

But the members of the Scene have many options inculding that taken by The Free Times, and keep the ball going.

4th or 3rd is not a big deal, it would be far better for the area to have the Scene, and this issue as John points out is massive, and pretty darn good.


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My friends:

I live in Lakewood, and I really like what you're doing with the Observer. Far superior to the Sun Post. But if you're gonna be in the news business, you gotta make a call to see if what you're writing is true, otherwise you'll have lawyers with very sharp teeth and Napoleon complexes on your telephone. This is not fun, and often cuts into your bar time.

Scene isn't closing. There have been some goofy reports coming out of San Francisco about this, but none have been verified with the principals involved with the proposed merger. And the guys writing the stories are our competitors in the Bay Area, who have a vested in interest in making us look close to death. Last but not least, New Times, the proposed buyer in the deal, owns Scene, not the Free Times, which is owned by the daily in Erie, Pa.

Just last week, we had our largest issue in history -- 200 pages. Does this look like a paper going out of business to you? We ain't going anywhere.

Which is a good thing. As I mentioned, I live in Lakewood. I have five kids. Which means if I lose my job, me and my kids will be out stealing your bicycles. Those astute to the ways of finance know that it's much better to have a free paper than getting your bike stolen.

Pete Kotz
alleged editor
Cleveland Scene

Pete

Glad to see you signed in.

Also glad to hear the Scene is healthy. My report came from a source that had indicated that the merger had gone through and that offices would be closed.

But I would rather have you in business.

I guess that means it is too early to approach you about that editing job!

Jim, Pete---

Glad to see that the Scene is still going to be around. While it was nice to fantasize over a meteoric rise in just 2 months, truth is that there's plenty of room for The Free Times, The Scene, The Lakewood Observer, and any other media be it print or on line that relishes the vigor of life that we have here.

I am personally gratified at Pete's ranking of the LO above the Sun Post because both publications purport to report on the same city.

One prob Pete--- Jim already bought paint to redo your boxes!

Stan Austin

Pete


Please note what Stan said is true, but we were waiting to BUY the used boxes instead of STEALING and repainting the boxes.



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That's right, Jim. I'll back you up on this one. You did mention, "Pennies on the dollar."

I second Pete on that.

I work at Scene as well, and we're not going anywhere. Best of Cleveland 2005 was our largest issue in our 35-year history.

I encourage you to read Pete's letter to the editor of AAN, if you haven't done so already:

http://aan.org/gyrobase/Aan/ViewArticle?oid=oid:151550

David Lay wrote:I second Pete on that.

I work at Scene as well, and we're not going anywhere. Best of Cleveland 2005 was our largest issue in our 35-year history.

David

Welcome aboard, we will be reviewing the very issue of the Scene you mention. It was a great piece of work.

Gald to hear no one is going anywhere.


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Thanks!

I enjoy reading the LO, and getting more "plugged in" to the great city I live in.

David Lay wrote:Thanks!

I enjoy reading the LO, and getting more "plugged in" to the great city I live in.

At least the Scene allows you to post on discussion boards. I have heard that others have issued warnings!!!


Keep up the good work.


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