The Observation Deck

A cursory glance at State income tax data confirms what we already know.

Like other communities in Northeastern Ohio Lakewood is losing population and its middle class. In 1997 the Federal Adjusted Income of Lakewood residents ranked 158th in the State. In 2004 Lakewood ranked 204th. The 2007 Mayoral election will be the most important mayoral election in Lakewood's history. The results of that election will test whether this City can confront its slow but steady decline and realize its full potential.

Lakewood is uniquely situated to confound its critics and prosper. There is a demand for Lakewood's synergy of suburb and city. Can we satisfy that demand?

We our surrounded by ongoing development.

To our East along the Lake shore developers are taking advantage of the Lakefront and Riverfront to create new neighborhoods and business districts. To our West, Rocky River still thrives as an upper middle income bedroom community, to our South the West Park area is economically healthy.

On the other hand wherever I look in Lakewood I see missed opportunity.

Rockport is in need of a kick start and Cliffs are still struggling with the bureaucracy. The Beck Center is ...well like the Cleveland Browns..wait till next year. The new Library and the new YMCA can be foundations for economic development, but only a foundation.

Arresting the decline and bringing forth a resurgence of growth and vitality to the City will take political leadership. A willingness to challenge the status quo, to risk defeat by offering bold ideas and bolder action.

If the next mayor is to succeed he will have to realize that no matter what he does 50% of the people will be mad at him. We need a Mayor who will take those risks.

If, instead ,we elect a timid, fearful politician clutching his pension like a life preserver we will get more of the same. As Jim O'Brien said, "The first politician to revitalize an inner ring suburb will be a political hero".

Are there any hero's out there? Or is the political leadership patching the City with band-aids, watching the calender, waiting for that retirement date?

Bill,

I agree with you. But too often politicians like Mayor Cain tried to find an easy way to do it. By taking property from her own citizens and kicking them out. She also didn't do a good job of running the numbers, and her project would have been a diaster financially for the city.

The first politician to successfully revitalize a city - while respecting the residents will be a hero.

Mayor Cain also mishandled the flag poles, but I think it was eminent domain (including her handling of Mike Wallace) and other issues that doomed her reelection.

Doug

Lynn Farris wrote:The first politician to successfully revitalize a city - while respecting the residents will be a hero.

Lynn

And there is the secret. While I am often criticized for being tough on economic development, as you well know I love "responsible, well thought out, development."

I have never been able to figure out how you attract residents if you are perceived as wanting development over residents. When you go so far as to throwing people out for retail. I think that is the end of that city.

What we found out first hand during the numbers war. Is all you have to do is spend one second in the other person's shoes, to see it all much clearer. I cannot even begin to understand how you say to someone, you have to move, we want more shopping. This is akin to throwing someone out of the life raft, because at some point down the road, you might want to stretch out.

The secret is, Lakewood does not need the major overhaul, that 99% of the inner ring suburbs need. Lakewood is the low hanging fruit. Lakewood's fruit hangs so low, that even proper branding can give the city the boost it needs.

Doug

I truly think the Cain Experience should be written about. In the end, I think it was hard for her to understand anything about the city, she decided needed a ruler not a mayor. When MC took office the city was rosy, when she left, we were about to go dark. Still trying to figure out why she is even mentioned.

I will never forget when she explained to me that there is "no view worth saving on Riverside Dr." The residents of Riverside are still waiting for the textured veneer wall she promised us when she was a state rep.

.

Bill and Lynn:

The first step for more effective economic development is professional government. This is not just a call for efficiency but for better politics. By having an experienced and professional chief executive, a city manager, Lakewood is more likely to hold onto the middle class, especially the younger ones who are often fed up with politics as usual, and to develop strategies for the long term.

As Lynn noted, with a city manager we could have Jim as President of City Council and still be safe.

With apologies to that mythological childrens' character "Chicken Little" and his (or her?) alleged remarks about the sky falling, I respectfully dissent with some of the opinions expressed in this line of thinking.

In the first place, with all due respect to Dr. Keller's well-expressed opinions concerning government run by city managers....

That, to me, is just one more move that, like regionalism, runs the risk of removing more and more accountability, local control, and autonomy from the peoples' hands.

Would a City Manager be more effective? Honestly, that might depend, but...would we, the people, have as much to say about our government? Probably not. Remember, the mayor is the director of the Executive Branch. The Mayor directly represents all of the people of Lakewood. Anything limiting the power of the Mayor to act in the best interests of the City, could be thought of as a slap in the faces of the voters; to whom he or she is directly responsible.

If we don't like our Mayor, we simply elect another one. Removal of a sitting City Manager might be le$$ than succe$$ful, if you under$tand my concerns.

The Mayor is accountable to all of us. How much so would a "professional" government be? To use an analogy, the American Military might be more efficient also, if run only by professional military personnel; but it remains under civilian control for a very good reason. So should our local government be, at least in my view.

In the second place, I would hope that discussions concerning Lakewood's future would continue to be affirmatively stated. Although the numbers expressed by Bill may be valid, I see no "timid fearful politicans" here, in my opinion; only heroes among all of us- for seeking a voice, and wanting to make a difference in our city.

Nay-sayers have been predicting the demise of our city ever since my family moved here in the late '50's. Historically, our citizens been glad to be a part of Greater Cleveland, and to share in mutually beneficial concerns- like some public safety issues, water, etc..

We are however, The City of Lakewood, and glad of that, as well.

Well said, Gary.