I realize this is a long letter, but I hope one worth reading. There are many good things going on in this town, and the Observer is dedicated to amplifying them and hosting the discussion. With that in mind...
http://media.lakewoodobserver.com/issue_pdfs/Observer_Vol_07_Issue_04.pdf
Well another great issue of the Lakewood Observer, with another great group of contributors coming on board with some of our usual stars to make a truly fun publication once again, capturing, we hope, life, both present, past and future in this wonderful city called Lakewood.
Read the Lakewood Historical article about the many planned celebrations, including Chataqua, a marvelous celebration that many of our friends and neighbors have worked hard to secure and bring to Lakewood. While you're there check out Rhonda Loje's Vintage Lakewood article that brings great old images from the community forward, and lets us know a little more about ourselves.
The big story, is Dr. P. Joseph Madak slipping back into retirement again. He was called on by a few members of the school board many times before he finally agreed to come back and help Lakewood Schools continue along their pathway to excellence, and to help the Board look for a more permanent replacement. The school board worked together to make the right choice, and after a short search process, everyone agreed that Joe was best suited for the immediate needs of Lakewood Schools. He has done everything expected and more. Many do not realize just how tough this has been on Dr. Madak, who flies back to California many times a month to see his family. Last year I had the pleasure of having lunch with Joe, something we did too infrequently, and I asked him, "How is it? Is it what you thought?" So many dynamics have changed in this town since he was here before, and those of us who live here see them so gradually compared to the impact changes would have on someone who has left and come back. His answer was, "It's much tougher than I thought it would be." But he also always spoke about the potential, and the great people he was working with. Dr. Madak was not afraid of hard work, or fixing problems. He is old school, a grand man that lives an honored life, and expected the best from everyone. Joe will be missed, and always remembered fondly by me. I loved his candor.
Which brings us to Jeff Patterson, the man that will lead the Lakewood Schools for the next 3+ years. I have had nowhere near the relationship with Jeff that I had with Joe, but I have been lucky enough to speak with him half a dozen times recently, and I hear from many others that he is really good with all aspects of working with administration, teachers, students and parents. He has been taking care of curriculum, while Dr. Madak handled management. One can easily say with where we are at now with the schools, it is a perfect time to switch emphasis from building back to learning. But that really does both men a huge disservice, not to mention the schools. Let's just say, the excellent work of the schools will continue without a bump in the road.
This late breaking news has bumped some other stories from this paper which are just as important if not more so. What is the story with the schools and the students attending them? Why have things become tougher, as Joe said? Who is now coming in and if it is a bad element, how and why are they coming to Lakewood? Safety has become a massive glaring issue that this city cannot turn its back on any longer. The flood of police reports indicating that 90% of crime is not stranger to stranger but become tad overwhelming and numb some of us to the very real crime happening in this city. We cannot stay numb, we have to look at why it is happening in this city.
Make no mistake, we are in a battle, and the police and schools are on the front lines, but do our civic leaders know? Yesterday I saw a campaign piece that touted "safety" as this person's major accomplishment. Something the mayor and many members of council love to put in their brochures. Do you feel safer? Is the city really cleaner? Are we going in the correct direction to secure our property values, and bring in new people and businesses that add to a community, or have we lost our focus and ability to look at this city through critical but fair eyes?
These are the tough topics, and they will not be solved by hundred word news blurbs, or fluffy news releases. So I am looking at turning the powerful light of the Observer back onto ourselves as it was in the beginning, and asking everyone else to do the same. We all know this city is wonderful, and the possibilities are endless, and the future is bright if we do not lose sight of our goals, which I hope are the same as when the Lakewood Observer first published them.
CLEAN SAFE AND FUN
Sunday I spent time with a young man and friend (I choose not to mention his name as his family was hoping to keep the identity secret) who was stabbed in his house by a stranger. His dedication and love for Lakewood has not been diminished, and neither has mine. I love this city, and all of its people, civic groups and businesses.competitors. It is a combination of all of us that make Lakewood, Lakewood, and while Travel and Leisure reasons for Lakewood being "cool" might have been weak, they missed the real reasons.It's not the Melt or Pier W, though I like both, but the people, the schools, the civic groups and leaders, the countless volunteers, and I hope the love and respect for all that make this city unique, and worth the little bit of hard work to make it better.
To everyone in this town, from everyone at the Observer, PEACE - LOVE, get involved, volunteer or start something yourself that you are passionate about, support those trying to help, and always shop local when you can.
Together, we make a difference on a grand scale for all.
Here at the Lakewood Observer, we do it for our love of this community.
James C. O'Bryan
Publisher
Lakewood Observer, Inc.
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