The Observation Deck

It's no secret that Cities like Lakewood are caught in economic vice grip created by natural economic forces and public policy. Northeast Ohio continues to lose population and economic clout. Cuyahoga County is bearing the brunt of that decline as it becomes smaller and poorer.

Lakewood is damaged by County policy that spends hundreds of millions to encourage jobs and people to move from inner ring suburbs to downtown and County policy to encourage economic development in Lorain, Medina and Lake Counties. One of the great disappointments of people who are fighting to save 1,500 direct and indirect Hospital jobs in Lakewood is the active hostility of the County bureaucracy. No more! Read this:


http://www.cleveland.com/cuyahoga-count ... ogram.html

Mr. Budish realizes that current policies are creating economic devastation in the County, increasing poverty, decreasing economic activity and feeding an attitude of despair. His solution? New welfare programs to lesson the suffering of the newly poor. I suppose it's a good choice because we are going to see more and more of them.

Budish is investing in childhood education, which is not a bad thing.
However, the article points out something very interesting.
The PD (by mere coincidence, I'm sure) will just so happen to spotlight childhood education with a series of article over the next year.
So basically this is a coordinated PR campaign between county government and the PD.
This is alarming from both a governmental and journalistic perspective.
After having back-to-back corrupt county leaders, what responsible news outlet would jump in bed with a third one?
As taxpayers, we need to be concerned about the cozy relationship between government and media. The Iraq War is a textbook illustration of the potentially disastrous effects.

The county is going to face some massive issues in the coming couple years.
The bill will come due for projects like the new hotel....and the sports teams will be back for a new round of handouts.
All this on top of growing poverty and job loss.
We need a real media to cover these topics, not "partners" of the county.

To learn more about the County's issues, I suggest folks read Roldo Bartimole's columns.
He is still writing and can be found at: http://havecoffeewillwrite.com/?page_id=43906

Michael Deneen wrote:To learn more about the County's issues, I suggest folks read Roldo Bartimole's columns.
He is still writing and can be found at: http://havecoffeewillwrite.com/?page_id=43906

In an empire of lies the truth is treason.

The County will also need $500 million for a new justice center.

Bill,

Mr. Budish is scratching the surface of a huge problem that has complex solutions. Since MR imaging of the human brain started in 1989, we know an exponential amount more about the importance of taking care of children from the earliest part of their lives. In short, the beginning determines the end.

The best book I've read on this subject is: http://www.amazon.com/General-Theory-Lo ... 0375709223

After examination of the evolving scientific evidence, three liberal minded skrinks from Berkley California question public policies that effectively separate parents from their children.

Scientific discoveries have been changing healthcare and education for a long time---not just since Cowboy Mayor Summers spent a few months on a "fire, ready, aim" "transformation of healthcare" bunk.

Do elected leaders understand what to do with the documented scientific evidence to truly "transform" healthcare and education?

My answer: the Lakewood leaders are going in the wrong direction--they bought into a false narrative based on bogus data.

At least Budish seems to understand some the data.

Bill:

I have to jump in here and comment on the moronic and asinine thoughts of our county leaders concerning the Justice Center.
I was on board when the planning and construction of the JC took place. The placement of that complex was one of the most thoroughly investigated and executed projects in County history. There was a sound reasoning process that brought together some of the best legal, criminal justice and civic minds to pull together in one, convenient and accessible spot in our County.

I know the complaints from the present-day users about things not being well preserved. I was the first Superintendent of the JC and was there for almost 20 years. I had a great core group of maintenance, custodial and security personnel who worked hard at keeping the building in A-1 condition. Complaints from the tenants (especially the judges and other elected officials started at Day One) and continued until I left there in 1990 to build Jail II.

What I have seen on TV about these folks whining can only be described as malignant neglect on whoever has been charged with keeping that building in prime condition, both for the users and the tenants and taxpayers. One of the reasons that I heard that they want to move is the land is valuable and can be used for a much-needed parking edifice.

Well, it doesn't take much to understand how that might be when the mighty minds of past and present leadership chose to build a Medical Mart, Convention Center and super hotel on the site opposite the JC. That shows no leadership and understanding of what was originally required to make those three self-standing entities a full service operation. Who would build such things without including parking spaces for the users? Apparently those who don't know what they were and are doing.

More later.....

My fellow Northwestern alum Sam Allard has a lengthy article about Budish in this week's Scene magazine.
It does not inspire confidence, but it's important reading.
Here is the link:

http://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/who ... id=4878972

Here is a piece from Budish's "State of County" speech, given earlier this week.

http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-hea ... ty-address