The Observation Deck

A mini-commentary, on the pulse of our city:

This past week has really brought some of the sad underbelly issues of Lakewood into the forefront...

...and...how to say this without being too teachy or preachy?

That this all, once again, seems to have brought out so many having agendas, prideful egos, and passionate polemics.

On the one hand:

There are those in Lakewood who seem to have had an ostrich's head-in-the-sand approach.

Not see, not there, and certainly not here.

If we just keep quiet enough. our city will be fine...

Yeah, right.

Then there were those who flat out denied that Lakewood was affected by urban realities.

Look at our new schools and fine library. Just look at our... (you fill in the blank)

Ignore the rest of it, right?

Yeah, right.

Then there was the other swing of the pendulum...

...those who thought Lakewood was falling off a slippery slope into a bottomless abyss...

...the Chicken-Little, sky-is-falling-group...

Yeah, right to that, too.

As always, the Truth lies, with its bitter reality; somewhere in between the extremes.

We are as we are...a city in many ways, little different from when I moved here, 50 years ago this summer. Yet too, a city always in the midst of constant change.

We need some time to back up a bit...

To grieve.

To honor our young fallen, and the family involved.

The memorial has already started to form, at the spot of the tragedy, but I think there's been enough photos for now...Take a drive, and you'll see.

You need to see that spot...

We need time...to reflect not only on our individual and collective loss, but on who and what we are and have become...

...as a community,

...as a people...

Too much has been said...and written.

Too little has been done.

Far too little.

It's what we do now, that counts.

Well put Mr Rice and it reminds me why I remain skeptical about the idea of building a Lakewood "brand"
A community isnt a jar of pickles, a bottle of perfume, or a pair of basketball sneakers.

A community is an organism, perfect and flawed, as contradictory as the imperfect and divine individuals who live here. Its the adorable puppy who snaps at strangers, the beautiful supermodel who spits at cops, the serial killer who creates memorable art.

"Brand" a community and it ceases to be one. You can only brand a community when you deny the individuals therein their very individuality. Every pair of Air Jordans is exactly the same as the next, thats the very point.
Contrasts, conflicts, and contradictions will always go with the territory. A community that can be branded is probably not worth living in.

Thanks for your kind words, Dee.

I thought about this post overnight. I didn't want to slam anybody personally, but I just thought it all needed to be said.

As far as that "Lakewood Brand" business goes, I don't really know.

On the one hand, I think that history shows us that virtually everything built by the hand of humanity, sooner or later ends up in the proverbial dustbin.

And yeah, pride is indeed one of those seven deadly sins, is it not?

Still, I think that the basic idea of promoting Lakewood, of talking about Lakewood (good), of DOING things together in Lakewood (better) ...

...that all helps to build the Lakewood "Brand", I guess.

The truth is, I think that each of our surrounding communities are unique and special places, each in their own right. It is like a symbiotic relationship, in many ways. If one goes down, they all suffer a bit.

I like what this Observer project has done. I think we'd all miss it greatly.

I think it will be good for our surrounding communities, as well, if and when they get projects of their own, similar to this one.

We're breaking new ground here. I think that's a good thing, so long as we watch where we throw the dirt.

Gary and Dee---

Please let you both know that I, for one, look to both of you for guidance and direction in threads on the Deck and discussions that present difficult issues for us to confront.

Stan

I haven't said much in awhile on here for a variety of reasons, but today I have taken the time to read this thread, as well as the thread on the tragedy that occurred over the weekend. Mr. Rice, we have never met, but I will tell you, your words were very appropriate, and I am glad someone such as you did place them on the deck. I have been refelective over the time since my last post on here, and have come to a realization of my own. As a homeowner, a business owner, I have come to realize the negativity and at times my own in the past when describing our city has done nothing but bring more negativity. We need positive outlooks, fresh perspectives, and most importantly citizen action in a positive way. At times such as these we need to rally around our community. We need to be just that a community, and to read some of the postings in the the thread concerning the accident, it is apparent we are a community that to an outsider looking in would seem very divided. The only way to continue on a successful community is to believe in it, work it and make sure it continues to thrive. I hope some positive can come out of such an unfortunate event, and it usually does, I hope the active individuals in this community, the people who take the time to come on here and read and debate come together and continue to help our adminstartion work towards a positive lakewood.