The Observation Deck

I could not help but notice that one of the contractors for Lakewood Schools is in the Plain Dealer this morning(B1).

It would seem that they are being accused of bilking schools, and possible unsafe practices.

If I go back and look through the records we have on contractors working on this that at least one board member, Ed Favre I think, raised serious concerns about the safety and contractor issues.

I will go back and look at my vote records when I get to the office. If I remember the "no" vote was based on past failures with some of the contractors, and concern over safety and the ability to do quality work within the scope of their quotes.


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The last issue I remember was about the safe operation, or lack of safe operation, with cranes.

And Mr.Markling, I'd hope that other people in the community feel the same way when I say that I don't expect the Board members to vote 5-0 on every issue. I'd hope that there were a few "no" votes that make the administrators go back to the drawing board and ask "do we really want to do this with taxpayer money and is it the most effective way, short and long term?"

If Democracy is working the way it should, there shouldn't be consistent 5-0 votes on every issue.

While it's great that everyone agrees, I hope that agreeing on a contractor that didn't have the best record for safety doesn't cause the roof to collapse on one of my future kids if I'm lucky enough to stay in Lakewood and put them through the public school system here.

Is this the vote where the lawyer representing that contractor stood in front of the Board and said that it was some form of discrimination to hire contractors based on their safety record and was threatening to take legal action if another contractor was hired? I remember seeing that on channel 74.

Matt

I do not expect board to be unanimous. The LO Board has never agreed. Well I take that back, when the last school levy looked questionable we unanimously agreed to support it.

Thank you for setting me straight on the vote. During the build I compiled some pretty extensive folders on the contractors.

Thank you as always for your hard work, and thank you for shedding a little light on the School Board through your generous participation.


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On page B1 of today's Plain Dealer (10/9/08) there appears an article "Bedford Hts. contractor accused of bilking schools." It concerns the indictment of one of our former electrical contractors.

Please remember this is a contractor I voiced concerns about inspections and voted against hiring. I was criticized for grandstanding and being decisive. The Board later allowed this company to withdraw from further bidding after the Cuyahoga County Sheriff had search the company's offices and seized records.

Then, as now, my concerns were the very real safety of the schools. We cannot take chances with safety and the trust of Lakewood taxpayers that supported this program.

Ed Favre

Is this the same electrician that did the work at Garfield on the lights at the soccer/football field??? There are unending problems with the lights ie. they over heat and then shut off in the middle of night games.

Yes, it is the contractor that did all the electrical work at Garfield, including the lights to which you refer. I've been told that the problem was that the design specified inadequate equipment for the load. However, unrelated electricians have told me that the installers should have realized the equipment was inadequate. So where and how much responsibility lies for that issue may be debatable.

Edward Favre wrote:Yes, it is the contractor that did all the electrical work at Garfield, including the lights to which you refer. I've been told that the problem was that the design specified inadequate equipment for the load. However, unrelated electricians have told me that the installers should have realized the equipment was inadequate. So where and how much responsibility lies for that issue may be debatable.

Ed

Thanks for jumping in. I would like to express the appreciation of myself and many on the Observation Deck for taking the time to jump in and explain this situation.

Recently we have seen you, Matt Markling, Mayor Edward FitzGerald, Planning Director Nathan Kelly, Councilwoman Mary Louise Madigan, Councilman Brian Powers, and Council President Michael Dever stop by and explain projects, positions and join the discussion.

For this we are all better served.


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Hi,
I can not understand how any decision regarding the building of our new schools could not have safety as paramount.

I thought we were told these schools would be "green" schools as well. Are they?

They schools they replaced were built to last hundreds of years (if properly maintained), how long is our School Board saying these should last?

Is it the same contractor that lead to Great Lakes Brewing Company creating Blackout Stout? Hmmm. If so, stike it up as one positive for this company to follow the many negatives.

Corey

Don the new schools are not green. Don't get me wrong I love the new buildings but they are not "green". They are using energy efficient heating and cooling units and good windows, but the new buildings are still using more energy than the old buildings. The old buildings were not climate controlled like the new ones are which certainly makes them more comfortable for the kids. I would have loved to have seen solar panels on the buildings or something equally as green. I am glad at least in the middle schools use washable plastic lunch trays because the elementary schools are still using styrofoam ones which is disappointing.

They are using energy efficient heating and cooling units and good windows,

Being green isnt always about solar panels and the like.

LEED and being green is really about energy conservation. If the new units are more efficient and saving energy, I would consider them green. I' m not saying that they did everything they could in the schools to be green, but I just wanted to point out that one thing.

Valerie I was touring the school during the construction period and the question was asked about the schools being "green". We were told they were not. I am just going by what we were told. They are using more energy than they were before the rebuild. But like I said I am okay with that because they now have more technology and the kids and staff are comfy year round. I just wish that more could/would have been done to make them green, but of course money is always a factor.

I know Great Lakes Brewing Company is "green" (and not just around St. Patrick's Day).

Corey