The Observation Deck

Happy Valentines!

As winter continues as it does here in Lakewood, a mix of cold and wet with a dash of warmth every now and then, Nature is either tricking us, or sending gentle reminders of better days ahead. And there are better days ahead.

This issue is filled with great stories and things to do from every corner of Lakewood, and every aspect of life here in da’ Wood. An interesting story, if I may so myself, is about over 100-years of graffiti discovered in Lakewood’s oldest running elevator as they gut it and replace it.

Updates from residents and parents that have attended all the meetings regarding the schools are outraged over lack of transparency, and an abundance of misinformation and secrets.

As this issue hits the streets it swells with information and comments on “The School Debacle” which is how I see it. A gross misuse of funds, and more importantly community trust. Something that is so hard to earn, yet this school system seems not to care, and is very forgetful of their own history. A history that includes a BOE in the 90s that could not get a levy passed, not even close. Finally a group of residents stepped in, and read and validated EVERYTHING coming out of the BOE. After about 6 years with no levy, trust was finally restored, and levies were passed.

Almost immediately another group started, the "50-year-committee" which portrayed themselves as the future of the schools. Over the decade the group with the help of residents passed every bond issue and levy. Over $250 million raised and spent. Today, we are being told by many of the same people that they overspent, potentially spending $60 million or more than was actually needed, and schools that happen to be on prime commercial property locations need to be closed and sold. This would put the "50-Year-Committee" up there as the second biggest failure in our history, the first being  "Build Lakewood," the group that promised Oz and better if we just sold all of our hospital assets for $1.

Here is our endeavor into tracking Lakewood history: Lakewood Observer Volume 21, Issue 3. A true example of civic/community journalism that has always broken ground, and provided citizens with a place to discuss and share what is actually happening with one another. At the Lakewood Observer, if you are a Lakewoodite, you have a seat at the table.

You can pick up the printed version at over 100 locations in and around town, OR
You can download the digital version here:
https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.lakewood ... sue_03.pdf

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