“A nation of sheep will beget a government of wolves.”
Edward R. Murrow
Pick it up at over 100 locations around town, and/or download it here:
http://media.lakewoodobserver.com/issue ... sue_12.pdf
This issue explores all the good in Lakewood while taking another hard look at who we are and where we are going. The big take away for Lakewoodites is that the coming election needs to be about Transparency, Accountability and Honesty. Something we have proven is desperately lacking at City Hall. Hopefully Lakewoodites learn that friends of the Mayor, and those that have set themselves up to control and manage our foundations and funds, rarely, if ever, have the welfare of Lakewoodites in mind. Many would rather look you in the face and lie to you, than tell you the truth and have an honest discussion about the community.
Lakewood, this is our biggest issue, and what needs fixing right now. Transparency and Accountability bring verifiable Honesty and a knowledgeable community that is at peace.
In the coming weeks we will be looking at how the Lakewood Observer should involve itself in the coming elections. For years we allowed candidates and supporters to be framed by the words they speak. What we unfortunately found out was many running for office were more than willing to lie to our faces, while running secret agendas with supporters and sycophants behind everyone's back. Look at Three Arches, and go back and see what they were saying while we were trying desperately to pick our way through the lies that cost us a hospital and gained them tens of millions of dollars to play with.
We are looking at regulating political speech. Right now one of the Observer papers allows no political pieces in it at all. Another one only allows vetted political stories in it. I am thinking that there could be a happy middle ground. Over the next month I will continue talking with advertisers and supporters about how we should handle the upcoming election. A thread will be started here on the Deck as well for your input.
Thank you to everyone that has made this such a great 14+ years in print, and 16+ since we started.
peace/love