The Observation Deck

Spoke with someone today who said they had spoken to someone on an exploratory committee for Jim OB for Mayor. Any truth to this rumor?

Lynn Farris wrote:Spoke with someone today who said they had spoken to someone on an exploratory committee for Jim OB for Mayor. Any truth to this rumor?

Lynn

I have to admit I know of a couple people that are pushing this idea. One has formed an exploratory committee.

I have no connection to either group, and have expressed no interest.

I would prefer to continue along the lines I have been working to build the Lakewood Observer, all of our projects, the new Lakewood Observer Foundation, and other things.

Thanks for asking, sorry.


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Hi,
Bloomberg isn't running either. Not yet, at least.

Well Jim, you have your finger on the pulse of Lakewood. If you were to run - not saying that you are, what would you do?

Actually this would be an interesting excercise for everyone - If tomorrow you were made mayor - what would your top 10 things to accomplish be?

Lynn Farris wrote:Well Jim, you have your finger on the pulse of Lakewood. If you were to run - not saying that you are, what would you do?

Lynn

I am really busy with some projects you know of, but are not ready for prime time yet.

1) Police Levy - That's right I will run on raising taxes.

2) Build Savannah's Peninsula - That's right I would make sure taxes NEVER have to be raised again.

3) Continue the fine work Tom George is doing on sensible Economic Development.

4) Put the hoops back up.

5) Find businesses that are willing to employee Lakewood teens.

6) Develop both business districts.

7) Ask the Beck to return all properties to the city. Then and only then would I open my heart and funding to the Beck.

8 ) Push hard for residency incentives for police, fire, and teachers.

9) Hire a full staff for Melissa Garett and Mary Coleman, so that the city can do an even better job in the department that makes Lakewood fun.

10) Demand every department writes at least 250 words in the Observer so that the residents can better understand EVERYTHING city hall is doing to make this city better. The reason I ask for this is because there seems to be a lack of knowledge of all that is currently being done for us with this administration, which I know is more than most think.

To be honest I have never thought of this seriously until you asked.

Also on the list, the visionary alignment - Find a University to move a satellite campus in, community currency, water rights, expanding the use of the water department into other cities. Land banking of home and streets for progressive residential rebuilds, Create a group that can help underwrite loans for a variety of special need skills in Lakewood, start Flag a day on the you know what pole, Develop a way, like the water department, to do CitiStas better than CitiStats. Then license to other cities. Develop a loan bank for any business with a plan to hire 50 or more locals within two years, Find a buyer for the Phantasy complex and rebuild it into a proper entertainment district, not pay the Farmers market, but help develop the LEAF Community, find bike locks that cost as much as car meters for 15 minutes. Angled parking, double the size of the dog park in it's current location, maybe take it all the way to the river, declare the city a FILL IN THE BLANK zone so we can stop talking about that. Make chickens legal, put up Highland Ave. signs and move the West 117 signs 60'east, look at extending the gold coast. Look long and hard at annexing or acquiring land from Cleveland. East to W45th, and South to include Westpark. Advertise the city heavily along the coasts, and southwest.

Lynn I am sure there is other stuff, but just got home from work, and only had a second.

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Jim,
Your a fast typer it would seem.

Mark C.

Mark

It was just a cut and paste from the glossy tri-fold that's already waiting at the printer

Jim O'Bryan wrote:I have to admit I know of a couple people that are pushing this idea. One has formed an exploratory committee.

I have no connection to either group, and have expressed no interest.

Jimmy for President!

YAY!

Ivor Karabatkovic wrote:Jimmy for President!

YAY!

These are not all my ideas, but they all came from Lakewood residents.

They all look 30 years down the road, with expenisve oil, health care, livability, affordibility, and make Lakewood stand alone as a destination for people that wants safe, clean, and fun.

Each piece has been studied, and works together to allow Lakewood to continue to be the finest place to live and raise a family.

Jim,

Where's you plan for Kaufmann Park? Even though it eliminates my first house, I think it would be a great way to bring people into the heart of the city. And regarding your priority to ...

[quote="Jim O'Bryan 8 ) Push hard for residency incentives for police, fire, and teachers. /quote]

I'm not sure if you need incentives for teachers. I know of two Lakewood teachers who live in the city in danger of losing their jobs. Maybe we should revise the rules to ask that administrators give preference to Lakewood resident teachers when possible when deciding who to layoff.

Kate McCarthy wrote:Jim,
[quote="Jim O'Bryan 8 ) Push hard for residency incentives for police, fire, and teachers. /quote]

I'm not sure if you need incentives for teachers. I know of two Lakewood teachers who live in the city in danger of losing their jobs. Maybe we should revise the rules to ask that administrators give preference to Lakewood resident teachers when possible when deciding who to layoff.

[/quote]

Kate

The entire city wins when we can convince police, fire and teachers to live here. I understand we have to look the school systems and cash flow. Rumors have that with the closing of old schools and opening of new schools, money might not be as tight as thought.

I had the pleasure of speaking with Matt Markling the other afternoon as I took his photo for the news release of Matt running for the school board. I do not know much about Matt, he came to me highly recommended. As we talked he kept coming back to a nice place to live, with schools that are a reason to move here. Schools that kept their end of the deal we made with them. He found no fault but spoke of positive changes that would kick the schools up a notch.

Of course with the Peninsula built, city money is not the problem.

There was another plan I have heard floated that awards home grants based on education level. As it is a private group, and does not exclude with race, religion, sex etc. It would seem that it would be legal to base private housing loans based on educational level.

One could possible help them, and try to tie it into a program with local businesses to give scholarships to local students that are willing to come home after graduation. Maybe a summer intern program with top companies and civic programs around the country, and bring those experiences back.

One incentive is to make the city safe, clean and fun. You know a place you never think of moving from unless you have to.

I have to admit, I do not have these figures in front of me, but after many long hours of vetting, this seems obtainable, and would help all businesses, home owners and Doug, yes renters.

I do want to say I have no plans to run for office. this is the work of outsiders. I have told them I doubt that I wold ever be interested, and that I would deny my support from any of these groups.




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Shoot, send me an absentee ballot.

Suggestion: Kirtland's Warbler for city bird

That is some serious heat, Jim. I do know how to spell your name. Could be a mayor upset by a write in candidate. That would sell some papers, too bad they are free.

Joe Whisman wrote:That is some serious heat, Jim. I do know how to spell your name. Could be a mayor upset by a write in candidate. That would sell some papers, too bad they are free.

Joe


Please, I have no intention of running at this time.



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