The Observation Deck

What is the biggest challenge facing the COMMUNITY in the next...

year?

3 years?








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year? Stop the "stinking thinking" and get over the "we're not worthy mode. We can't do anything, we don't have money, we are land locked, why would anyone we would want to hire want to live in Lakewood"

3 years? Find some creative challenging ways to re-energize our city, do some creative finaning, solve the energy problems and move ahead. Get some can do creative people in positions of power.

If recent events are indicators of future problems then guns and grafitti will grow to become a bigger problem. Lakewood Police seem to be very responsive but there seems to be some interesting trends developing.

As in question 2, I still think that there needs to be some businesses attracted here to offset property taxes.

All righty, Ill get off my "more business, less tax" hobby horse and offer up another challenge.

Lakewood is obviously changing ethnically and culturally, and managing that is and will continue to be a huge challenge.

"Managing" it doesn't mean harrassing "Section 8" tenants or non-whites.

It ALSO doesn't mean lecturing affluent white people on how bigoted they are,without asking commensurate understanding from the newly-arrived.

Not all whites of European descent are bigots, and not all bigots are white. Jerkiness is indeed an equal opportunity industry.

Leadership, government and otherwise, needs to be proactive and GROWN-UP (we're not going to link arms and sing "We Are The World") in bringing people of different backgrounds to recognize their common stake in a successful Lakewood.

If you miss that, you haven't learned the lessons of Cleveland, circa 1960.

So there, I've said it.

Joan

I agree.

I see the biggest community challenge as, paying more than lip service to the diversity we all say we love.



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It's more than an issue of diversity, a dated bromide that masks the economics of what's going down classwise. It's inside the stigmatized geography of winners and losers that the people and institutions of Lakewood must formulate an effective social practice that instills neigborhood norms, on the streets, in the stores, in the schools, etc.

Building social capital, instilling norms and making people feel good about the engagement. That's what needs to be done. It's time-consuming work.
But absolutely critical.

As Cleveland continues to implode from the blows of de-industrialization, middle class income evisceration, white flight from the presence and cost of servicing the poor, Lakewood can turn into a social catch-basin for displaced caseload, drug-dealing street-life, and persons unable to compete for whatever reasons with the pressures of the global economy.

Learning how to say "basta" to street garbage behavior and developing strategies that raise the behavioral bar.

I think Councilman Demro has attempted to make the community aware of such issues.

Unfortunately, the continuing devolution of fed and state government support to the local property tax source will continue to stress the community.

In such a scenario aging housing stock and assets like old churches become strange attractors for slumlords and social welfare agencies seeking to place poor, dysfunctional and socially stressed residents in a caring community with an infrastructure that can help these persons.

Some may dream a major corporation can save the day and help pay the freight. Realistically, however, a major corporation would seek abatement or outright property gifts in exchange for the jobs and income tax. How Lakewood’s built-out bedroom environment can advance such a dream is hard for me to fathom. Not knowing what Mr. Juris has in mind, I hope he can formulate the terms of incentive and reduction in property tax he imagines such an economic development to yield.

What are the financial premises/objectives you are hoping to achieve?

For example are you hoping an industrial economic development project can reduce your property taxes by any particular percentage?

Over the next three years, I don’t believe the free market and its sovereign individuals will be looking kindly on Lakewood should the social predicament of poor people and anti-social behavior become more pronounced. People with means simply move away from such a social predicament.

How does Lakewood build a functional human capacity for “socialâ€Â

I don't know that people need to "feel good" about the shared commitment of "diversity" I think they need to feel it's necessary.

For the white European burghers of old Lakewood, even the 25 year old ones moving can be an option, but not always the best one. Not much you can do about the white families who bolt the minute they see an Orlando Magic jersey.

For the thinking folks though, and the ones who want to make a stand, they need to know the leadership is proactive, and even-handed.

Part of that means doing something few communities have ever done: Bring the dialogue into the open,frankly and honestly.

"Look folks, we have a clash of cultures here. Native and immigrant. Middle class and underclass. And now, white and black. We can blow the city up together,or we can keep our property values up and pass a stable place down to those who replace us. Who's in?"

That message can only come from the mayor. But it's spirit needs to be backed up throughout the city. How many non-white European natives are on the library board of trustees, the board of zoning appeals, Lakewood Alive? We know they're not represented on council or the school board.

For that matter, there appears to be exactly two people who post on the Observer who don't fit the native, white, affluent mold, and they'e from the same family. Why is that? That's not pointing fingers. Its asking a legitimate question.

And if white Lakewood doesn't actively engage the others, proxies like the ACLU and federal governmental agencies will do it instead. And the white Europeans, as you suggest, will leave in droves, just like has happened in countless other places.

The solutions, as Mr.Warren suggests, will be fuzzy, difficult, and long-range. But sweeping them under the rug, or rhapsodizing about "diversity" without stressing mutual responsibility, seems a recipe for more divisiveness and more flight.

Perhaps some of these concerns may be addressed with some thought and creativity by the new Community Relations board (which has yet to meet for the first time).

At any rate, that is my hope.

luckily for everyone my other post didn't make it. just to follow up on the last post, I'm not picturing a magic corporation that solves all our woes. Anything between a 1-75% decrease would be fine. I don't need to be as low as our neighboring city but I would like to know my elected officials are working on it. What does make sense is to attract businesses that offer real property taxes to offset both the lack of business and the abundance of resale and junk stores that we have in Lakewood. I feel like I'm watching the Flintstones driving down Detroit or Madison... Bar, Church, Resale, vacant...repeat. How about some real businesses? Something that is exported to other cities not just a necessity for the locals like a CVS or Giant Eagle. Someone with property that can be taxed, preferrably technology or manufacturing, or I don't know maybe a computer and a desk rather than used junk. I read an old City Council docket from '03 that said that SBC had $5 million in equipment. That seems more significant than a podcaster in his attic. Exaggeration to make a point? Sure but it's based on a real problem and who's fixing it? Citizen action is great but if that's the solution then please give me back my tax dollars and I'll pull my weight.

Serious question that I've been wondering for some time. Tax exempt or not; Lakewood Hospital, Social Security Administration, Board of Ed and City of Lakewood.

Shawn

This is off topic, but I just do not get it. You are not looking for a magic corporation but...

First let me assure you that the politicians, and city hall are working on this. Last week I was filing for a sign permit, and Ed Fitzgerald proudly told me of 3 million in building permits filed the day before. We have a legitimate $200 million in building going on or finished. We have the Cliffs about to break ground and Rosewood Phase one nearing toping off. We have two corporations that have stayed and grown, and another coming to town that is the equal of the one the moved in on. that business is suppose to spin off as many as five other businesses to fill needs they have. Sometimes I agree with them, sometimes I do not, but they are working.

You are in the most live-able area in the best suburb, what are you missing?

You are 15 minutes from anything you need, and more importantly the easiest of cures for this city is well in your grasp. Why the sour notes?

I would love to have Mr. Warren jump in with his latest finds on his trip to the East Coast. Early reports is, not all that rosey even on the coast.

What is it that you think will fill this burning need you seem unable to fill?

Will one Applebees help?

The answer is so easy to see, yet no one seems to be willing to believe it. One more Gold Coast Condo, would have a huge impact, much bigger than Applebees, even ten of them.

So many of these answers might have worked decades ago, but this stuff is a dead end. Ask LakewoodAlive, I had lunch with a member, not speaking for LakewoodAlive he said, "Retail is dead." He thought office space, I think not. Again if we had a company willing to move, than yes, but we do not. So what is the one thing all humans need, want and look for?

Clean, safe housing.

Fresh Water is a kicker.

It pains me to list this again. Within 30 minutes tops, 5 golf courses, two or more stables, 50 sports fields, 10 live theaters, 100+ restaurants, boating, world class fishing, surfing, 4 swimming pools including some that specialize in serious swimmers, a world class library, a world class orchestra, art museum, galleries. You do realize that Lakewood benefits when a store goes up in Rocky River, right?

What are we missing?

At the Car Kulture Show, I had the pleasure of speaking with rodders from Detroit, Columbus, Pittsburgh, Akron, Toledo, Medina all over, they see Lakewood so different than you.

Last night I had the pleasure of speaking with Ivor's parents. Here are two people, well three, that were displaced from Yugoslavia, Germany and landed in Lakewood, they love it.

I think some of us suffer from Terminal Toweritus. Why go to the top and look at Cleveland? Seems stupid, then you go up, and look down the Cuyahoga River Valley, look east to the foothills of the Appalachians, look west knowing the next mountain is 8 states away, while north on a clear day you can look over one of the Great Lakes, and you think damn, this is cool.

Could it be better, sure. Crocker Park could be better.

You and I really need to do lunch, drinks or something.

One last question, with every major broadcasting company turning to podcasting, and podcasters, and Lakewood having at least two with international appeal, why pick on them? This is cutting edge, this is technology, this is what they are fighting to keep in Cuppertino and Seattle. This piggybacks on the one of the greatest and hottest inventions in our lifetime, the ipod.

This city should be opening their door to podcasters, digital designers, artists, candle makers, butchers, brothers like the Rego Brothers, anyone and everybody, that means Applebees too.

Two nights ago I was Crocker Park, and I noticed a huge Liquid Planet, my graphics bigger than I have ever seen them. All I could think of was that Nick started in Lakewood, and we never supported him. Now if this "chain" comes back do we give him the star treatment? It's crazy.

Do you really thnk we are that screwed up?



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Along the lines of Ken/Joan/Jim, attracting a sufficiently large, young constituency of native and immigrants renters/buyers. This can be accomplished through the mindful brewing of snakeoil branding, regionally,nationally and internationally.

Acknowledging my utopian delusion, I envision any successful weathering of the years ahead as fraught with civic experimentation of the anti-global capital sort.

What lances Lakewood's sleepy civic psychy tears open class consciousness, it's the individualistic logic of global capital bringing home dysfunction and chaos.

To me, the question is; How do we construct communitarian solutions to the damage done by this hyper-individualism(consumerism)? How do we construct ad-hoc community solutions where the political culture is so heavily influenced by the atomizing action of consumption, as life?

How does a community of Jacksonian Democrats and Gun Shy Moralists get from the primacy of private property to the primacy of the commons?

Come on, Mr O. You can't ask a question and then belittle the answers you don't like. That makes the whole Observer thing look staged to reach a preconceived conclusion.

I don't see where Mr.Juris argued that an Applebee's or a Croker Park would save Lakewood, or even be appropriate. He also took pains to say he wasn't putting all his eggs in one tax-abated major employer basket.

He was saying, legitimately in my view, that podcasters alone aren't going to paye the roads and pay the teachers. He was saying if I may be so bold as to interpret the comments of a man I don't know, that it's ridiculous to try to support a city this size the way we've been trying to do it.

You know Lakewood history better than almost anyone. You know that, without companies like Union Carbide, Lakewood would have been another Rocky River or Bay Village, tiny little bedroom communities. Lakewood grew based on a mix of residential and commercial, and now it's faced with rebuilding all that infrastructure And YOU want to do it on the backs of individuals

The signs of a city in decline, as Mr Call aptly said, are ominous. Show me how you're going to squeeze $130 million a year out of podcasters, and I'll be convinced.

Meantime, knock off the Applebee's crap. That's YOUR hobby horse, no one else's

Joan

As I often have said, I speak for myself, the same as everyone else here. Nothing is preconceived or contrived. The serious question is what will iot take. 1 store, 20, 30?

Why on earth can Shawn and you hang you hat on "Podcasters" instead of saying people that work out of their homes. This is what we are really talking about. Not one brand of home based business. This is why I counter with "Applebees." Shawn is a good man, I was just a little taken back by the down attitude.

So let's put it all aside, and start fresh.

I have to think we all believe that Lakewood was good enough when we moved here, or decided to stay here. So what has turned so god awful to put us on the edge of ?

Union Carbide is still here and growing under the name Graphtec. Hinckley Lighting is growing, Vedda Litho grew and is holding their own, and Lake Erie Screw is now Ferry Camp and Screw nearly size and product. They announced that at least 5 other companies will move in to support them. Chrome plating, machining, etc. So I know we can argue but that is a wash on that front.

Let's move to the storefronts, where the problem is bad, but not as bad as Shawn made out. Between the Detroit Bridge and W150 I only count 7 empty store fronts. Not really that bad. Drive down Center Ridge, Lorain, Pearl Road. Drive through Medina, Avon Lake, Vermilion, percentage wise we are kicking ass.

But we have lost car dealerships, a lumber yard, three hardware stores, two pet shops, a couple gas stations, and other money makers for the city. I cannot argue that. But that list does not cause the utter despair put forward by Shawn. So I asked what it would take.

My problem, and I mean problem is the kind of change you are talking of is MAJOR and would drastically change the face and soul of Lakewood. We are not talking one store, the kind of impact he is talking about is a mall or large factory. In this day and age that is abatements and TIFs which we know almost never pay back what was given. This paints us into a corner, but a corner we are but a step away from getting out of.

I like Shawn a lot, he has done a ton for this town with the Jaycees, but I mean it when I say. I can think of only three things that would have the impact he wants without throwing out the bath water with the baby. Condos, peninsula, VAL. I have seen most plans that are flying around this city, none will fill the bill Shawn is asking for.

The misery this city is going through was brought in from the Feds cutting taxes, and short changing the state, which is short changing local government. Every city around us is desperately trying to raise taxes for operating expenses, schools, parks, etc. So how far behind us are they? Meanwhile no tax levy this November, a littl one in the spring to finish schools, and then maybe another in the fall for the city. Tax collections are up as much as 20% if rumors are to be believed, and rentals are starting to fill as well. Are homes sales if the PD is to be believed is ahead of Bay, River, and Fairview.

So once again I ask. With every city around us having a mall, doesn't it make sense to be different?

We all know, nothing is going to reduce our taxes, so what are you really looking for that will have the impact you are talking about?

I say two Gold Coast Condos, with restaurants put us ahead, one breaks us even. Total amount of people moved, maybe 20 families? One University would also do wonders. If that is not possible, and at this point I have to think it is a dream, how about. Working overtime to build the Lakewood Brand, working together to get the city fun and clean, having the city working to make it safe and clean. We all work together to get some of the home based businesses into storefronts, and give them the Observer number and we will help offset their expenses. When given lemons, lemonade is the drink of the day.

You know there is another problem with Lakewood Business Districts, and I am not sure how it is fixed. Dead Zones. Drive down Detroit and Madison and just when retail could happen, it goes dead with storefronts that do not attract walk in business. Realtors, Insurance, Consultants, etc. This would be another area that needs to be addressed if we are really to make anything worthwhile in retail without a mall.

It is a tough problem if you think we are way off course and in trouble. If you think it needs just some tinkering and proactive work, than we are in good shape, the problem becomes very easy to solve.

So how big of change do we need?

Or this is merely the feeling that we need to do something because otheres are?

(Got side tracked in the middle of this message with a phone call)

Joan/Shawn

I want to make it clear I am not opposed to development and there are areas that development makes sense. If "Store X" wanted to move to Lakewood that is good news. If something waned to move into Giant Eagle or Topps if they move that is great. If someone wants to move into McKinley, Trisket, or some empty land by Graphtec, that is great.

But I worry that we might throw residents to the wolves as we strive to become just another city in the region instead of a city that is standing apart more and more each day. Offering people a nice alternative to the all the cities around us.

Again, how much development do we need.

Shawn/Joan just read the Sun Papers, the city is working hard to keep another non-taxpayer in the city for at least a couple more years, on prime development property that some had planned for a development that featured an Applebees(no joke).

What are your thoughts?

I would like to invite both of you to the next Lakewood Observer get together, where some of us can talk about this. I think we agree more than we disagree. It is just how it is implemented and on what scale. (Maybe even today at bela dubby as memebrs of the LO Food Security Network flow through.)


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Second, for Ken, please understand that the following comments are made in the true spirit with which you see the Observation Deck, with a sincere desire to provide honest and open feedback without fear of reprisal and for the purpose of promoting the common good of our city (community).


Thus my never ending hope that the Observer project blossoms into the mature vehicle for community relations & discussion that will enable that understanding.

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