The Observation Deck

Kevin Butler and Mary Madigan deny that there is any CCF hospital closure proposal or agreement that will be read at Monday's Council meeting.

At the same time, Madigan has not yet allowed Surgical Development Partners to be added to the docket to Council to present their plans to continue operation of the Hospital.

Below are my records request concerning the City Council meeting set for Monday December 7, 2015.

Brian Essi <bjessi@sbcglobal.net>

Today at 6:58 PM

To Butler, Kevin,
Hagan, Mary,
Summers, Mike,
Madigan, Mary,
O'Leary, Sam,
and 5 more...
CCPetrus, Jeannine

Dear Director Butler,

Thank you for verifying that there is no proposal that will be read at Council Monday December 7, 2015.

Since there is no agreement or proposal concerning the Hospital, can we expect that we will be hearing from Surgical Development Partners (SDP) at Council Monday?

Could you kindly produce all public records pertaining correspondence by and among City officials and SDP representatives since November 30, 2015 including any invitation extended to SDP to speak at City Council.


Sincerely,


Brian J. Essi

From: "Butler, Kevin" <Kevin.Butler@lakewoodoh.net>
To: 'Brian Essi' <bjessi@sbcglobal.net>; "Hagan, Mary" <Mary.Hagan@lakewoodoh.net>; "Summers, Mike" <Mike.Summers@lakewoodoh.net>; "Madigan, Mary" <Mary.Madigan@lakewoodoh.net>; "O'Leary, Sam" <Sam.OLeary@lakewoodoh.net>; "Bullock, Tom" <Tom.Bullock@lakewoodoh.net>; "Anderson, David" <David.Anderson@lakewoodoh.net>; "Marx, Cynthia" <cindy.marx@lakewoodoh.net>; "Nowlin, Ryan" <Ryan.Nowlin@lakewoodoh.net>; "Juris, Shawn" <Shawn.Juris@lakewoodoh.net>
Cc: "Petrus, Jeannine" <Jeannine.Petrus@lakewoodoh.net>
Sent: Friday, December 4, 2015 11:58 AM
Subject: RE: Proposal/Agreement Concerning Lakewood Hospital

We are unaware of any such records and do not have any records that would be responsive to your request.

Kevin M. Butler, Director of Law

City of Lakewood | Law Department

(216) 529-6034

kevin.butler@lakewoodoh.net

From: Brian Essi [mailto:bjessi@sbcglobal.net]
Sent: Friday, December 04, 2015 11:07 AM
To: Butler, Kevin; Hagan, Mary; Summers, Mike; Madigan, Mary; O'Leary, Sam; Bullock, Tom; Anderson, David; Marx, Cynthia; Nowlin, Ryan; Juris, Shawn
Cc: Petrus, Jeannine
Subject: Re: Proposal/Agreement Concerning Lakewood Hospital

Dear Director Butler and President Madigan,

Please produce public records containing any draft, signed or unsigned agreement or proposal or concerning Lakewood Hospital that was or may have been discussed, approved or agreed to by Lakewood Hospital Association (LHA) or any committee of LHA and/or the Cleveland Clinic this week.

Please produce public records containing any draft, signed or unsigned agreement or proposal or document concerning Lakewood Hospital that will or may be the subject of the City Council Meeting to be held on December 7, 2015.

Please produce public records concerning Lakewood Hospital that will or may be the subject of any reading at the City Council Meeting to be held on December 7, 2015.

Sincerely,

Brian J. Essi

Brian Essi wrote:At the same time, Madigan has not yet allowed Surgical Development Partners to be added to the docket to Council to present their plans to continue operation of the Hospital.

I was driving through Lakewood earlier behind a vehicle with Tennessee plates. I was hoping SDP was in town to meet with officials and present to Council on Monday. I, like many others, would like to hear what they have to say. I expect that Council will do their due diligence and explore all viable options.

Time is running out for the current City Council to pass a deal with CCF. They need three readings, and they have two scheduled meetings, although it is conceivable that they could schedule a third meeting. If they don't have something prepared by Monday, the degree of difficulty is greatly increased and they will have to wait until next year - or get very creative with their scheduling. It is thought that the next Council will be less receptive to the CCF proposal.

Dan Alaimo wrote:Time is running out for the current City Council to pass a deal with CCF. They need three readings, and they have two scheduled meetings, although it is conceivable that they could schedule a third meeting. If they don't have something prepared by Monday, the degree of difficulty is greatly increased and they will have to wait until next year - or get very creative with their scheduling. It is thought that the next Council will be less receptive to the CCF proposal.

I was told that three meeting have been already been scheduled: Dec 7, 14, and 21--that mean just 14 days to debate/react.

My sources say they appear to be holding back the paper and details of the a "deal" so that the folks will have to react on Monday Dec 7th without fully digesting it. That will leave the 14th and 21st for "debate"---right before the holidays.

This is "in your face and down your throat backroom government"

Of course, my sources could be wrong-- the final reading and vote could be delayed until the 28th.

Merry Christmas Lakewood!

And if they wait until the 28th, there's the possibility that they might not have a quorum. If I were on the fence and nervous about the political fall-out, I'd see it as a good excuse to play hookie.

I was told by a Lakewood Hospital employee that there was some sort of private/secret meeting last week with LHA and City Council. I was also told that CCF had plenty of CCF Police guarding the doors. Can anyone confirm this?

Lori Allen _ wrote:I was told by a Lakewood Hospital employee that there was some sort of private/secret meeting last week with LHA and City Council. I was also told that CCF had plenty of CCF Police guarding the doors. Can anyone confirm this?

It was Monday night

"Transparency" may be a vague concept to many people reading about the hospital issue. Following Brian Essi's email exchange with Kevin Butler, if the proposal mentioned is brought forth in Monday's meeting, the meaning of the City's lack of "transparency" should be crystal clear. If that is the case, I hope someone calls them out on it.