The Observation Deck

This week, 20 years ago, the first printed copy of the Lakewood Observer rolled off the presses. In the past 20 years it has been our pleasure to deliver 494 Issues of a FREE COMMUNITY PAPER to you. I say FREE because unlike 99.9% of for profit and non-profit media, there is no angle, no editorial board. Just an open community space where it is safe to share your news, view and observations.

Here is Deb’s look back from the paper…



by Debra O’Bryan
The Lakewood Observer is celebrating 20 years of providing a free paper to our fine city this fourth of July. It was started as an online forum to discuss the “Bogus Blight” that was initiated to take and demolish residents’ homes and displace over 1,500 people from affordable rental units for a shiny new object, promised by a small group of residents and politicians.

Those old enough may remember the demand for a Cheesecake Factory, and even more importantly a “Pants store.” Yes, you read that correctly, that was the big issue in town pitting neighbors against neighbors. In 2004, Lakewood gained the national spotlight when our former Mayor Madeline Cain appeared on 60 Minutes to defend the planned project proposed for the west end of Detroit Avenue. Residents won the argument when the eminent domain issue was placed on the ballot.

What we discovered throughout the ordeal was that Lakewood needed a paper, both online and in print that helped residents see all sides of a debate. A way for critical thought to come into play. A paper written and produced by the residents and business owners who actually have a vested interest in the city.
Hence, Civic Journalism was started in Ohio, right here. Not a paper that bends to the will of corporate sponsors or non profit agendas, but a source of information about all aspects of Lakewood by the people who care about their city. Whether it’s a devoted teacher sharing the latest outcome of a ballgame, a neighbor down the street writing about his passion for gardening, a business celebrating success, or the hard discussions about changes being made to the city we love. We continue to be a source for groups and individuals to get their message out.

When we started, we had no idea that we would be losing our hospital to yet another ill-conceived plan, or that our schools would become monetized. But people had, and do have a chance to discuss these issues, and document them for history. We still feel that it’s important to do so. Whether people learn from it or not remains open. It’s all here in these pages that we put out twice a month as a community service. A gift to the residents from a handful of Lakewoodites to the rest. Thousands have written and taken part. It’s humbling.

I just want to say a huge Thank You to all of our advertisers who make it possible. The pages we print have always depended on you. AI is changing the way we receive information. It will become harder to find veracity in what we read and see with our own eyes. The Lakewood Observer will continue to strive to bring you facts along with opinion to assist in navigating our future. We will be launching a new website this summer to support this very idea.

From day one, we continued to encourage all to take part of this now award-winning project that has a life of its own and chronicles the vibrant city we call home. As Robert Hunter said, “What a long, strange trip it’s been.” Happy Independence Day Lakewood! Keep your speech free.

Stop by and pick up a printed copy of the Lakewood Observer at over 100 locations around town. And/OR
Download the digital version here:
https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.lakewood ... sue_13.pdf


All 494 LO Covers.

Here’s to another 20

peace and love.
.