Lakewood Vs. Lakewood

I've been hearing rumors that the congressional district of our congressman, Dennis Kucinich, might be phased-out, and that he could be leaving Ohio to represent a newly-created district which may include the city of Lakewood, Washington.

I had never heard of Lakewood, Washington, so I decided to do some research to see how it compares to Lakewood, Ohio. The first thing I noticed is that Lakewood, Washington wasn't incorporated until 1996. No wonder I hadn't heard of it. My subscription to National Geographic ran out in 1994!

The two cities are about the same size. Census figures show that Lakewood, Washington has 58,163 residents compared to our 52,131. With more land, it's less densely populated than we are, but then what city isn't? While we are packed together like sardines, the residents of Lakewood, Washington are spaced-out. (Does that sound right?)

Lakewood, Washington is a suburb of Tacoma, which has minor league sports teams, and is known for a bad industrial odor referred to as the “Tacoma 'roma.” Lakewood, Ohio is a suburb of Cleveland, which smells good but has major league sports teams that usually stink.

A lot of famous people have lived in our town, while the number of celebrities from the other Lakewood can be counted on the fingers of one hand, and still have enough left over for signing.

Lakewood, Ohio has won so many awards that a listing of them would require a large scroll, single-spaced. A list of awards won by Lakewood, Washington would fit on the slip that comes inside a fortune cookie.

Clearly, the edge goes to Lakewood, Ohio. I hope Dennis Kucinich stays here, but if his district disappears I'd like to see him get the new seat in Washington State. Having him in Congress, no matter what district he represents, makes us a better country, and we all benefit from that.