The Observation Deck

OK, so I was probably premature in my original thinking that the hospital war in Lakewood was coming to an end. Time will, in part, determine the outcome of all of this.

Time, as well as the sublime determination of the good people who are trying to save our hospital.

For those who somehow missed it, a few days ago, I had spoken with several people who normally cover Lakewood Observer events, and they were busy on the night of the Mayor's report to the city. Thinking that would be a newsworthy event, I donned my camera vest, grabbed two cameras, and went down to the Lakewood Masonic Temple to find out what was going on. There were about twenty-five or so ardent Save Lakewood Hospital people picketing outside, braving the icy rain and wind. Inside, the auditorium was so empty that I wondered whether anyone would actually show up. Somehow, in the last fifteen minutes or so, the people came. City Council was there, as was the Lakewood School Board and numerous city officials, employees, and dignitaries from various other governmental, regional, and civic entities. There were also a fair number of citizens. The place was about two thirds full when the presentation began. I had thought that there would be a large and highly visible presence of the Save Lakewood Hospital people, but I only observed a relative few red shirts in attendance.

Perception of course, is everything. The whole presentation went smooth as glass, and it almost seemed to me that the presentation was also Mayor Summer's victory lap concerning the hospital situation, observing such widespread approval from those in attendance. Although there were indeed several tough and pointed remarks and questions from the floor concerning the hospital issue, the thunderous applause and obvious pro-mayoral support actually stunned me.

I've been to many public and political events over the years, but this mayoral love fest took the cake. An image of mayor-as-rock star immediately came to my mind.

So what to do? I went home, put the photos and the reportage up here on the 'Deck, and then wrote an opinion piece that perhaps we should come together as a community, now that the hospital issue seemed like a done deal.

Writing that piece really hurt, but it seemed the right thing to do at the time. There was absolutely nothing here in Lakewood that I wanted to see more than saving Lakewood Hospital, and I wrote as much in my piece. At the same time, the absolute enormity of support for the Mayor in that meeting could not be ignored. It really seemed to me that the hospital issue was history, and perhaps we should start coming together as a community again.

Then, I started hearing from the people who were still working to save the hospital. Boy, did I hear from them. What an earful! What an education I received! It did not take long for me to realize that this hospital situation is NOT over. Not by a long shot.

In a way, this all reminds me of another struggle that I found myself in the middle of here in Lakewood a few years ago, when people were trying to save St. James Catholic Church. I wrote several strongly worded columns about saving that church. At first, that effort appeared to be virtually impossible. There were simply too many issues, and those trying to save the church seemed to have so few resources. How could they stand against such powerful opposition?

Then, they won. St. James was saved.

The parallel here to me seems to be an obvious one, and goes back to many old tales like that race between the tortoise and the hare, when time and again, the winner is surprisingly the unlikely one.

Perhaps that will be the case here. Only time will tell. I, for one, certainly hope so. There are simply too many needful people in our city for us not to have a city hospital presence providing a wide range of critical care services. While I am certain that people on all sides of the hospital issue are well-intentioned, there is nothing, nothing at all more important, than having a hospital close by. When I consider some of the disasters that Lakewood has had over the years...Hurricane Sandy, that 1969 Fourth of July storm (that took a classmate of mine) not to mention so many other potential future mass medical disasters that already happen in other places, and could just as easily happen here? All of this can be mind-boggling to imagine, without Lakewood Hospital being close by.

Perhaps once again, the tortoise can beat the hare. We saved St. James. Can we save Lakewood Hospital?

That ball is in your court now.

All just my opinion here and I may be wrong...

Back to the banjo.

Gary,

You are the quintessential peacemaker and a gentleman.

I know you are an expert marksman, but even an expert can mis his target.

I think your original post was not really a "misfire"---it actually hit a target on both sides of the debate.

1. Firstly the reaction by Build Lakewood and the other folks and forums underscores how much the debate and issue is still alive. Why else would they have reacted so swiftly to "use" you as a poster child for "their" cause? If they have won and its over, why do they care what you or any of us say? Are they "mean spirited" to rub it in or scared that the tide will turn against them? For example, why did Jay Carson stay for 3 hours at the Feb 16th Council Meeting to spend 5 minutes to jab at me and SLHers if he thinks they have already "won" and its "over"?

2. The same thing can be said of the other side of the coin as you took on return fire from some "savers".

3. O'Bryan is happiest since your post generated over 2,000 hits and the BLers' reaction proves that the Deck is the primary source for the most diverse readers in Lakewood, despite the bad rap that "its a bunch of old people yelling at each other" --we all know the fake name sites are meaner because the meanest "meany pants" like to hide behind their computer screens.

Every day that goes by, I am astounded to learn more and more facts. I have more people contacting me now with new information and asking for my help than at any other phase of this "war."

As a veteran adventurer/warrior in the quest for the "truth", I must admit this is the most rewarding journey I've been on in all my years.

As I see it, every fact that is uncovered is a "victory" and if we arrive at the "truth" we are all "winners"

If SLH attorney's don't ask for an emergency stay, it could be over before we know it, as I feel this should have been requested a long time ago.

Gary: Your original post took courage and demonstrated great consideration for all of those who have participated in this debate. I can appreciate your struggle, as my immediate belief in January 2015 was the community was entitled to a hospital. Once I learned the greater forces at play that reach far beyond our city’s borders, I’ve committed to sharing my understanding of these with those who continue to struggle with the issue. And where better to do so than here at the Observation Deck, as this audience isn’t going to come to me or anyone else who is trying to aid them in gaining understanding.

As to the motivations of Build Lakewood, as a supporter of the grassroots group, I feel better qualified to represent its motivations, objectives and value for your original post.

I’m confident the reason for sharing your original post was it echoes the current objectives and message of Build Lakewood. Once Lakewood City Council unanimously elected to close the hospital and enter a contract with the Cleveland Clinic, Build Lakewood’s focus has been to help our community mourn its losses so we can collectively and fully appreciate the benefits of the changes ahead. Knowing the first stage is acceptance, your original post was anything but premature.

The truth has been found. We can all find facts that distort the truth, but these actions fail to encourage the healing we now need to do as a community. To build Lakewood, we now need to focus on healing. That’s now the focus of Build Lakewood. We are encouraging acceptance that the issue was deliberated, the facts are known, confirming votes made and a contract underway.

Gary, it is correct that you hit the target on both sides of the debate. Unfortunately, those still demanding that the closed hospital be saved just didn’t recognize the target that Build Lakewood is holding. You clearly recognize it, as it was echoed in your original post. I look forward to when you return to those words. It will be a gift to the community we both clearly respect.

Once I learned the greater forces at play that reach far beyond our city’s borders, I’ve committed to sharing my understanding of these with those who continue to struggle with the issue.

Hey, as someone who has never attended a single BL meeting or SLH meeting, I can tell you that your commitment to sharing your understanding of the greater forces at play has come up very, very short. I'm very open to hearing both sides of the issue. The only thing I've heard from the mayor is heavily distorted facts that the deck has quickly put into context. I've invented my own reasons for why the mayor has done this the way he has. I don't choose to go with the notion that he has some sinister agenda to rip lakewood off, but instead I substitute that the clinic has some secret way to force the negotiations and prevent all other parties from bidding to run the hospital or build new facilities on the land.

But to be clear, I've heard no good reasons for why the clinic has been given everything in this equation. So, please, if there is somewhere (a post of yours or something on the bl site) that says definitively why things had to be this way, please point me at it. Please don't point me towards posts about how much money the hospital was losing - that's already been shown to be an intentional act on the part of the clinic and it doesn't address how they ended up being the only negotiating partner for future plans (with or without a hospital).

Somewhere out there, the truth of the situation exists, but nobody in city hall is willing to let it out.

Jim Kenny wrote:...as my immediate belief in January 2015 was the community was entitled to a hospital...

I’m confident the reason for sharing your original post was it echoes the current objectives and message of Build Lakewood. Once Lakewood City Council unanimously elected to close the hospital and enter a contract with the Cleveland Clinic, Build Lakewood’s focus has been to help our community mourn its losses so we can collectively and fully appreciate the benefits of the changes ahead. Knowing the first stage is acceptance, your original post was anything but premature.

Mr. Kenny,
I've not heard anyone claim that the community is "entitled" to a hospital...that's an interesting choice of words that apparently espouses BL "messaging". After all, it's always attractive to accuse the opposition of being "entitled to xyz" in an attempt to discredit their position and to de-focus from facts and truth. However in this case, Lakewood and the surrounding communities have always supported a profitable, well-financed healthcare institution that this mayor, his cabal, and CCF have grabbed without due diligence and fiduciary duty, without proper compensation for public and charitable assets, and without care for the ongoing financial and healthcare needs of the community.

As for the stages of mourning and the need for acceptance, I think it's pretty rich. Let's simply agree that the game is not over.

regards, b

Jim Kenny wrote:I’ve committed to sharing my understanding of these with those who continue to struggle with the issue.... as this audience isn’t going to come to me or anyone else who is trying to aid them in gaining understanding."

The truth has been found. To build Lakewood, we now need to focus on healing. That’s now the focus of Build Lakewood. We are encouraging acceptance that the issue was deliberated, the facts are known, confirming votes made and a contract underway.

Jim,

I'm sorry, but I find your charade amusing and weak.

BL has failed at "gaining an understanding" from the beginning

It distorted the the truth from its inception--that is why it was created and funded by CCF and LHA.

Remember the your claim of a "new hospital" that was proven not to be a "hospital" at all?--That was your and BL's documented lie right out of the gate--even CCF and Stephen Jones agreed with me that you lied---Indeed, they took the "Hospital" sign off the empty building BL promised us would never be empty. Why? Because what happens in it is no longer a hospital.

Remember the BL postcard and the 13 Pinocchios?" All 13 point in the propaganda were false or misleading.

Healing? LOL! Jay Carson poking good people in the eye---calling folks names and showing his ignorance of health care in general is not "healing"

As far a votes are concerned, we don't need to go back to the 1930's or 1940's to see that voters can be deadly wrong. How about the 99 to 0 vote to go into Iraq?

BTW, BL fibs about Surgical Development Partners (SDP) are also fabricated.

SDP resuscitated a closed/dead hospital--bought it out of bankruptcy and then sold it. That hospital is still open.

Thats just one of 50 scenarios that are fact based that show how easily we could and can do better than the "dark forces are against us" lets give up BL chant.

Jim,

In your first LO article, your first speech to City Council and in your first meeting with me you said "let's negotiate ans see what we get"

Well we got a cool $20M less than the original LOI. How did that work for you?

Can you come to term with the reality and admit that you should have let Mr. Devito speak for you?

And thanks a lot to you and BL for spending money that could have helped the underserved with your "gained understanding".

It is not over. It is just starting.

For the sake of accuracy and accountability, what is cmager's real name?

Bill

todd vainisi wrote:

Once I learned the greater forces at play that reach far beyond our city’s borders, I’ve committed to sharing my understanding of these with those who continue to struggle with the issue.

Hey, as someone who has never attended a single BL meeting or SLH meeting, I can tell you that your commitment to sharing your understanding of the greater forces at play has come up very, very short. I'm very open to hearing both sides of the issue. The only thing I've heard from the mayor is heavily distorted facts that the deck has quickly put into context. I've invented my own reasons for why the mayor has done this the way he has. I don't choose to go with the notion that he has some sinister agenda to rip lakewood off, but instead I substitute that the clinic has some secret way to force the negotiations and prevent all other parties from bidding to run the hospital or build new facilities on the land.

But to be clear, I've heard no good reasons for why the clinic has been given everything in this equation. So, please, if there is somewhere (a post of yours or something on the bl site) that says definitively why things had to be this way, please point me at it. Please don't point me towards posts about how much money the hospital was losing - that's already been shown to be an intentional act on the part of the clinic and it doesn't address how they ended up being the only negotiating partner for future plans (with or without a hospital).

Somewhere out there, the truth of the situation exists, but nobody in city hall is willing to let it out.

Todd,

Very well said.

Facts concerning the sham/steered bid process are under development.

Brian,

I have laid many facts out here on the Desk concerning what appears to be corruption. Apparently nobody bothered to read them. There has been plenty of suggestions, facts and agencies laid out here by me for all to share, including SLH. Why they did not act on them, I will never understand!

todd vainisi wrote:

Once I learned the greater forces at play that reach far beyond our city’s borders, I’ve committed to sharing my understanding of these with those who continue to struggle with the issue.

Hey, as someone who has never attended a single BL meeting or SLH meeting, I can tell you that your commitment to sharing your understanding of the greater forces at play has come up very, very short. I'm very open to hearing both sides of the issue. The only thing I've heard from the mayor is heavily distorted facts that the deck has quickly put into context. I've invented my own reasons for why the mayor has done this the way he has. I don't choose to go with the notion that he has some sinister agenda to rip lakewood off, but instead I substitute that the clinic has some secret way to force the negotiations and prevent all other parties from bidding to run the hospital or build new facilities on the land.

But to be clear, I've heard no good reasons for why the clinic has been given everything in this equation. So, please, if there is somewhere (a post of yours or something on the bl site) that says definitively why things had to be this way, please point me at it. Please don't point me towards posts about how much money the hospital was losing - that's already been shown to be an intentional act on the part of the clinic and it doesn't address how they ended up being the only negotiating partner for future plans (with or without a hospital).

Somewhere out there, the truth of the situation exists, but nobody in city hall is willing to let it out.

I think JOB's post from a thread (and a few others) several weeks ago comes closest to explaining, although not completely satisfying, what you are asking.
http://lakewoodobserver.com/forum/viewt ... 17#p163718

I think JOB's post from a thread (and a few others) several weeks ago comes closest to explaining, although not completely satisfying, what you are asking.
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=22617#p163718

I actually read that when it was posted (I'm even in the comment thread), but that is JOB attempting to intuit what the mayor's motives were. It's still not the mayor just being honest with us and saying "there was no way I could keep the clinic in the hospital, and there was no way I could let anyone else bid on what to do with the building, the foundation money, the land, etc. AND THIS IS WHY..."

todd vainisi wrote:

I think JOB's post from a thread (and a few others) several weeks ago comes closest to explaining, although not completely satisfying, what you are asking.
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=22617#p163718

I actually read that when it was posted (I'm even in the comment thread), but that is JOB attempting to intuit what the mayor's motives were. It's still not the mayor just being honest with us and saying "there was no way I could keep the clinic in the hospital, and there was no way I could let anyone else bid on what to do with the building, the foundation money, the land, etc. AND THIS IS WHY..."

I think it is pretty clear that Summers gave up on keeping the hospital in the 2011-2012 time frame. He's been quoted as saying we were not selling the hospital.

That is clear from his public conduct throughout the process.

Did he ever call for a public bidding at any time? No.

Was there any legal impediment that prevented him of Council from doing so? No.

It was Summers who would not let anyone else bid on the building, the land, the money, etc.--he chose CCF trustees to help with the sham bid process. He told the PD editorial board that he didn't negotiate with Metro because he wanted to control the land and the trustees wanted to control the money.

Even Shawn Juris told me that the restrictive covenant was a "deal breaker" for him.

But Summers must have wanted the restrictive covenant so that he could use the building/land for another purpose --- he did not want to have to deflect offers by other hospitals that wanted to move in.

Why else would he have agreed to it?

If no other hospitals wanted it, why the need for the non compete?

Todd,

We likely won't agree on this:

“Remember that all through history, there have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they seem invincible. But in the end, they always fall. Always.” Mahatma Gandhi


But that is where I see the evidence leading us. In the end, he will leave, or he will fall.