The Observation Deck

The Lakewood Observer received a resolution in honor of its first birthday last night at City Council.

Resolution

A RESOLUTION to recognize the first anniversay of the Lakewood Observer, and to acknowledge its significant impact on the City as an open-source driven community asset.

WHEREAS approximately one year ago the Lakewood Observer was organized by a cadre of innovative thinkers and community volunteers who could be descrfibed as some of the most dedicated boosters of our city, and

WHEREAS this newspaper has also served as a means to appropriately and sensitively confront some of Lakewood's challenges unknown to other local media, and

WHEREAS the ethic of care has led to the exposure and apprehension of dangerous criminals, raised and awareness and educated citizens on the strengths, weaknesses, threats and opporunities facing city government,
highlighted the efforts of longtime dedicated community groups and volunteers, the activities organized for the benefit of the community, and the sometimes little known secrets of the place that we call home, and

WHEREAS the Lakewood Observer will continue to be an engine of innovation for Lakewood through its Wireless Corridors, its E-Commerce activities, its walking and biking clubs, its LO Rally, and its car show, and

WHEREAS the publisher, board of directors, and multitudesz of contributing volunteers should be proud of the venue that they have created beacuse it has served to more thoroughly inform the public about the happenings and the potential of Lakewood as "A Great Place To Call Home."

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BE THE CITY OF LAKEWOOD, STATE OF OHIO

SECTION 1. That this body would like to hereby extend its deepest gratitude and acknowledge the important contribution that the Lakewood Observer has made to the community over the past year.

SECTION 2. That this body welcomes and anticipates future growth of the Lakewood Observer as both a newspaper, and online forum, and any other type of entity that promotes public dialogue and the well-being of the City.

SECTION 3. It is found and determined that all formal actions of this Council concerning and relating to the passage of this resolution were adopted in an open meeting of this Council, and that all such deliberations of this Council and any of its committees that resulted in such formal action were in meetings open to the public in compliance witth all legal requirements.

All Observers who have contributed to the project share in this honor.

Special mention needs to be made thanking our Editor in Chief, Heidi Hilty, who has provided organizational skills beyond compare and guidance to writers and editors.

I don't know where the Observer would be without her.

dl meckes wrote:Special mention needs to be made thanking our Editor in Chief, Heidi Hilty, who has provided organizational skills beyond compare and guidance to writers and editors.

I don't know where the Observer would be without her.

DL

Heidi's impact on this project could never be measured. We both know that Heidi has been the organizer that sits behind the scenes and makes it all work. She also carries a special set of business cards that declare her "Wendy, for the Lost Boys." Which describes her impact perfectly. At home with the pack having fun and mischief, while always able to put everything in perfect perspective immediately.

I know I would be lost without her, and she has been one of the major reasons that DL/DH, Billy Davis, Jeff Endress, Jim Dustin and myself remain so close since grade school. As she loves to say, "LHS Class of 72 has nothing on the McKinley Class of 66!" She also brought in Dan Ott and Rami Daud, who also are a very important part of the project, I'm sure you will agree.

The entire Advisory Board has added a ton to this project. Ken Warren, Steve Davis, Jeff Endress, Stephen Calhoun, Heidi Hilty and you have given great advice throughout the entire process which goes back two years. Together the strength and thought process of the beast.

Mayor Tom George, and all of City Hall, every department has been more supportive than I ever thought would be possible. Mayor Tom George's open door policy is truly amazing. Many think the Lakewood Observer does not do hard hitting news, we have, and we are, we try to track down everything we hear on the streets.

Mayor Tom George has made it easy to talk to ANY MEMBER OF HIS STAFF. At one point a member of the Observer raised questions of possible overtime abuse. The mayor arraigned a meeting between the Observer, everyone involved, the law department, and himself. They brought every paper we asked for and more, allowing us the time needed to ask questions for hours, until we had no more questions. Also members of the building department, health and human services, police, fire, city services, law department, courts, are members of the Observation Deck, and have openly jumped into the mosh pit. I have to think this is rare.

But if you are reading this you know who the real stars are. All the volunteers, writers, photographers, illustrators, members and their families that have allowed them to spend precious time helping Lakewood learn more about itself and the city. You provide the content, the eyes, the hits, the talk on the streets and from the streets. You have the passion, the dream, the eyes and the heart to write and share your stories, your questions, you opinions and your take, on subjects that are as varied as snowflakes. Ken Nordine called in "Word Jazz" and the tunes all of us are blowing is music that resonates through the walls, homes, schools, and minds of thousands of fellow Lakewoodites, and people around the world. The hard copy of the paper is mailed all over the world, and the our relationship with Google® puts it out on the internet's largest directory within 4 minutes! You the volunteers and readers, are the lifeblood of this project.

None of this would be possible without our advertisers. Every advertiser has signed on without any promise, other than we would print the paper, and get it out. I think most signed on more for civic duty than advertising impact, but the readers have supported our advertisers and for that we are thankful.

Together, residents, students, teachers, city workers, politicians, developers, clergy, artists, men, woman working together all at the same table of respect, building and defining the Lakewood Brand.

"A city that is not afraid of communication, discussion, public discourse, yet willing to pull together in an instant for the good of a community."

I think a psychologist would call it a healthy relationship.

I call it it, Lakewood, and my neighbors.

I cannot tell you how proud I am of this city today.

To: Ryan Patrick Demro, Kevin Butler, Nicki Antonio, Robert Seelie, Mike Dever, Mary Louise Madigan, Mayor Tom George, from everyone involved with the Observer, thanks for the kind words to the volunteers, and LO's moment in the sun.

We will not let this city down.


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Jim, et al:

As a former Lakewoodite in meatspace and a virtual one here, I can only add my total appreciation for the efforts Jim mentioned above and to the participants and friends that have made it happen.

It's only fitting that Jim O'Bryan takes a deep bow for his unique and undying devotion to the project. I'm amazed at all of it, but I think Jim's combination of showmanship and entrepreneurial spirit has magnified the effort, beyond just a social experiment.

I disagree with Jim (and others) all the time, but somehow that does not diminish the larger environment that has been created. Which of course is the point.

Jim, I'm sure others will send kudos. I think all of the contributions have been fantastic, but you have put yourself out there in a special way- and deserve recognition for it.

Rock on bro.

Dustin James wrote:but you have put yourself out there in a special way- and deserve recognition for it.

Rock on bro.

Jimmy

I think everyone that has bothered to take part has put it out there.

Everyone deserves the pat on the back.

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