I think it might be my favorite cover of all time! Thank you everyone.
I would like to thank all of those who helped to make this front page one of my favorites in 16 years. Yesterday was a truly remarkable day in Lakewood’s history, and this issue with the many overlaps of protests, rioting, COVID-19, Graduation, opening and failing businesses, contains it all.
FIRST - A huge thank you to the protesters, the Mayor, the Police and Fire Departments. Few will understand what overwhelming force all could have mustered if it was needed on all sides. Instead, a dialogue was started, respect was shown, and respect was returned, after what I think was one of Lakewood’s worst weeks/days on social media. Peace, and understanding has begun, and hopefully will grow within all of us.
SECOND - Lakewood’s graduating class of 2020. It has been an honor to cover your graduation no matter how screwed up circumstances beyond your control made it. I cannot think of many more things that could have been thrown in your way, but through it all you stayed classy and mature. Students, I know you hate to hear that you were mature, but someday you will understand what that means to the community, and you will smile.
THIRD - Superintendent Mike Barnes, damn, not only did you and your crew pull off graduation better than I have seen elsewhere, you dropped a perfect letter to the community at the perfect time. Thank you for helping Lakewood manage so many things, while taking time to teach our children and the rest of us about life, the world and perspectives other than our own.
FOURTH - Jacob Chabowski, Mike Deneen, Betsy Voinovich, Deb O’Bryan, you were amazing. Jacob, your coverage of all the events was breathtaking. The places you went to tell the story and take photos I appreciate. It takes a special person to put themselves between protesters and police, time and time again, even when it gets violent. You were there to share an amazing story. Thank you. Mike Deneen drops the most perfect picture for these times and it ends up on page 1. Great shot, thank you for the support. Betsy and Deb: together we worked until 3am doing the paper, redoing the paper, and redoing the paper. At 1am it was decided that we needed a whole new page one, which changed everything else. I am so proud of all of you, thank you.
FIFTH - The residents of Lakewood. Together even with the pressures from others, you remained calm, and were willing to play it as it came. That is healthy. Together we developed an even stronger appreciation of our Mayor and City Hall. That will serve us well in the coming months. Instead of causing trouble, Lakewoodites and Lakewood businesses reached out to engage and talk with protesters and fellow Lakewoodites, offering water, food, a place to sit and relax.
SIXTH - Advertisers and Supporters. Why are the most important listed last? I will never be able to thank you all enough. While we talked over the past couple days, your words of encouragement and dedication to helping us getting information out and as correctly as we could has meant the world to all of us. You are the go in this project. Supporters, thank you for sticking with us or coming back. God knows we try, and she also knows we all love Lakewood.
With that I give you Volume 16, Issue 11.
Pick it up all over town. Especially Giant Eagle, Aldi's and our advertisers. We should be back to all of our regular delivery spots by July
Or Download it here:http://media.lakewoodobserver.com/issue ... sue_11.pdf
Peace/love