The Observation Deck

CCF Chief of Staff Brian Donley aka Mayor Donley is the "real" candidate for re-election.

If he is re-elected the City will be owned by CCF

Expect higher healtcare costs, higher insurance plans and higher taxes and dramatically decreased healtcare options and services.

Bank on it.

Brian...can you please explain this? donley is running for what? Mayor?? or a position higher at CCF...

Expect higher healtcare costs, higher insurance plans and higher taxes and dramatically decreased healtcare options and services.

Bank on it.

It is a given. If Summers is re-elected and carries through the CCF plan to destroy Lakewood Hospital, I fully expect both a property tax increase to follow AND an income tax increase. It will be a necessity. If he pushes for a rec center, expect even higher increases. Property tax increases will put a damper on home sales and selling prices, so the effect will ripple through the city.

We will also face decreased healthcare options as the remaining physicians relocate their practices. That means that many people will face transportation issues just for routine office visits.

Maybe then all those people who "don't use Lakewood Hospital" will see how valuable it was to the COMMUNITY, whether or not THEY used it.

There is a sad truth in this tongue and cheek click bait.

Brian Donley is thought to be the heir apparent to Toby Cosgrove. Summers promised Donley he could deliver quick City Council passage of the LOI. Summers failed. Donley and the CCF Institute Heads are not happy. If CCF does not get its way in Lakewood, Donley may be in trouble taking over for Cosgrove.

Donley/CCF have spent money on consultants, PR firms and a push poll to determine how best to get Summers re-elected---the polls and spin doctors (Donley included) told Summers to run from the hospital deal---if Summers was the real Mayor of Lakewood, he would reject the whole structure of the LOI, but he can't.

He is counting on Donley to win the election for him with the LHA money he is spending. Notice the CCF ads in the Lakewood Observer---they are cast as LHA ads and essentially amount to Donley selling the LOI to the public for Summers because Summers can't sell it.

The saddest part about this is that if Donley wins, Kevin Butler and the rest of Lakewood will learn that there is nothing "cutting edge" about what Donley is doing--FHC's with flimsy freestanding "ERs" attached are nothing new and would be a step backward for Lakewood's healthcare---this one will have a bunch of family practice residents in training--nothing "cutting-edge" about this at all. Donley says he's "Excited" to do this and he "Cares" about Lakewood.

If they pull this off, Lakewood will lose face throughout the region--it will be known as a community that can be bought by big powerful corporate interests. Hence the metaphor "Toby Town"

Consider the alternative--a complete change of leadership at LHA--a new mayor--a new council president and a new healthcare system operating in a newly renovated hospital with almost as many jobs as have been there in recent years. The region would see Lakewood as a great place to live: good schools, a hospital and great library.