Lunch with Jennifer Pae

[Bridget Conant]

Have questions for Jennifer Pae about the city finances? This Friday, the Pillars of Lakewood are hosting a lunch at Deagan's and Ms Pae will answer your questions!

http://lakewoodpillars.com/data-crunch- ... od-budget/

Might make for an interesting and informative lunch.

[mjkuhns]

It's… let's call it an interesting juxtaposition, perhaps, that the organizers

1. Have some rather tart comments about the event as "for those who prefer to analyze the data and formulate their own conclusions," as opposed to relying on "anecdotes or speculation," but

2. Exclude the general public; "This event is open to Pillars members and their guests."

Hm.

It looks like anyone can join Lakewood Pillars for $30, but there still seems to be a fascinating subtext in the promotion of this event.

Oh well. The Lakewood PD has its own event, earlier that day, and invites the community at large to attend for free. (Or for the price of a Nature's Oasis coffee, if you want the whole package advertised as "coffee with a cop.") Very courteous of them.

http://www.onelakewood.com/event/110106/

[Lori Allen _]

I wouldn't go anyway, but here are some questions I would like Ms. Pae to answer:

I would like to ask how and when Ms. Pae plans to collect the $60,000 that Nick owes City Hall for the demolition of his building on Madison Avenue.

Is it just a coincidence that between 9/9/2010 and 10/20/2010, the City of Lakewood paid Zaremba almost $20,000, and this is where Jason Russell works now?

I would like to know why the City of Lakewood, between 10/17/2013 and 10/27/15, gave $217,428.74 to Scalish Construction LLC for "other" expenses for the Department of Planning and Development. It is worth noting that the owner of Scalish construction sat on the Lakewood Heritage Advisory Board. I really don't believe he doesn't at least know the mayor.

Speaking of Scalish Construction, I would like to know why the City of Lakewood gave away, for free ($0), a City of Lakewood-owned lot to the owner of Scalish Construction, according to public records. $0. Free. Given away.

I would like to know why the Department of Planning and Development is spending money on "financial institution charges" at First Federal of Lakewood when Mike Summers sits on the Board of Directors there. Conflict of interest much?

Since I will not be attending the meeting, I look forward to seeing an explanation, along with all documentation (invoices, receipts, purchase agreements, check copies, etc.) listed on this thread. I am especially interested in hearing the explanation about Nick's property, the give-away of land to an alleged Summers friend, and for the dealings with First Federal of Lakewood when Mike Summers sits on the board.

P.S. You may like to know that Jay R. Carson is listed as the registered agent for Lakewood Pillars.

[Bridget Conant]

Mjkuhns wrote:

1. Have some rather tart comments about the event as "for those who prefer to analyze the data and formulate their own conclusions," as opposed to relying on "anecdotes or speculation," but

Isn't that funny? Ms Pae "speculated" on the financial strength of MetroHealth without any analysis of their financial data and pronounced them unable to run a hospital in Lakewood. As well, she "speculated" that Lakewood was so financially sound that the budget could easily weather the loss of $1 million dollars per year.

So, it will be quite a "spectacle" seeing her present the budget.

[Lori Allen _]

I would like answers to the questions I asked above. A public forum, or town hall, would be ideal, with these people in attendance:

Lakewood Finance Director Jennifer R. Pae
Lakewood Mayor/Public Safety Director Michael P. Summers
Nick, the mayor's alleged friend and owner of the demolished, tax-delinquent Madison Ave. property)
Representaive (s) from Zaremba
The owner of Scalish Construction

For now, let's see how long it takes for an explanation, with documentation where applicable, here on the Deck.

[cmager]

Might be $30 well-spent. Either $30 to be a Pillar (does membership have its benefits?) or a $30 campaign donation to purchase influence with any Lakewood City Councilman. $30...!