City

Council President Brian Powers called the May 6, 2013 meeting of Council to order at 7:31 P.M. Visiting the meeting were five members of the St. Edward’s wrestling team who went to the state finals this year. They began the meeting by leading everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Following the Pledge, the first order of business was a communication from Councilman Shawn Juris (Ward III) regarding the St. Edward’s wrestling team. He asked Council to take the time to recognize and congratulate St. Ed's on their successful season as they are coming away from another Ohio State Championship. Councilman Juris highlighted the students’ individual hard work and dedication as well as their ability to work as a team under the guidance of Coach Urbas.

Public Flu Vaccination Clinics

The City of Lakewood youth service organization, Help to Others (H2O), will co-sponsor the 10th Annual Pumpkin Palooza on Sunday, October 25, 2009 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Lakewood High School, 14100 Franklin Avenue. All proceeds will benefit the Lakewood Christian Service Center and the Lakewood Charitable Assistance Corporation. Pumpkin Palooza is also presented by the City of Lakewood’s Department of Human Services, Lakewood City Schools, Lakewood Hospital, Lakewood Public Library, Lakewood non-profit and civic organizations, LHS Student Organizations and Lakewood Early Childhood Professionals.

At the October 20th Lakewood City Council Meeting, Mayor Ed FitzGerald presented his 2008 Housing Initiative to Lakewood City Council. The mayor’s housing working group presented suggestions earlier this year which were incorporated into the comprehensive program.

“The quality of Lakewood’s housing stock is a key factor in its success or failure in the years to come,” state Mayor FitzGerald. “New challenges demand that Lakewood reassess its housing strategy. While Lakewood cannot control national economic downturns or banking policies, it can control its own investment strategies and building code enforcement efforts.”

Mayor’s FitzGerald’s housing initiative takes a two-pronged approach: it encourages investment by homeowners, while streamlining and toughening enforcement measures. It is hoped that this balanced approach will help sustain Lakewood’s housing stock, much of which is now entering its second century.

The following is a summary of the 2008 Lakewood Housing Initiative:

When it comes to political philosophies and picking a presidential candidate, Lakewood residents William and Terese Memmer and Michael Pomerantz could not be more different. Registered Republicans for the past thirty years, William, an accountant, and Terese, a manufacturer’s representative, named their Catholic faith as a template in reaching any major voting decision. In a separate interview, Michael Pomerantz, a Democrat, artist, and former Cleveland school teacher, described his assessment as a search for the candidate with ideas most like his, “who will be the best for the most people”.

Pomerantz, who has displayed his endorsement on the side of his van with a larger-than-life portrait of Barack Obama, says he was neutral until the Iowa caucus. “I didn’t think he had a chance because he was new to the scene, because he had a funny name, and because he was black.” The Memmers, however, have maintained their support for John McCain since long before this year’s presidential race - they supported him through his loss to Bush in the primaries in 2000. And while both sides projected their candidate as best for the country and bound for the White House, that is as close as they came to a common ground...

The Lakewood Observer is happy to announce that Melissa Page will be filling Justine Cooper’s shoes in leading the Madison Avenue Merchant Association.  The group that started strong about two years ago by a few champion small business owners of Madison and the Lakewood Observer were sorry to lose Justine as she needed to step down.

We look forward to Melissa continuing on MAMAs successes.  Lakewood has already benefited greatly from Melissa’s service to the community.  You may or may not recognize her but she has been just about everywhere and had her hand in many local efforts.  Since giving up a financial planning career to start a family she found herself drawn to take on a job of serving Lakewood in any way she can.  She brings a diverse and holistic background because of all her experiences.  She has served on committees for Lakewood schools, Main Street Lakewood and the Lakewood Historical Society.  She currently sits on the steering committees for LakewoodAlive as membership chair and the new Friends of Madison Park group.  And her other ongoing extracurricular activities that are close to her heart have been to serve as various board and committee positions of the Junior Women’s Club of Lakewood and Lakewood Early Childhood PTA which hold many Lakewood charitable fundraisers and community service projects...

This year six Lakewood High School seniors welcomed some good news to start off the school year. In the official announcement released on September 10, the National Merit Program named these six students as National Merit semifinalits.

 

Thealexa Becker, Matthew Huffman, Rebecca McKinsey, Peter Malonis, Chris Murrett, and Danny Pizzo were named as six of the 16,000 Semifinalists based on their exceptional performance on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Qualifying Test (PSAT) last fall. They now have to complete an extensive application in order to become one of the 15,000 National Merit Finalists. Of those students, 8,200 Merit Scholarship winners will be selected based on their abilities, skills, and accomplishments...

In a summer that feels more like spring, the nation’s birthday fell on a surprisingly warm and clear day that heralded a spectacle on the streets and in the parks of Lakewood. In the morning, Lakewoodites lined the streets from Kenneth to Belle on Lake Avenue to watch the annual 4th of July Parade. There were over 80 different entries in the approximately hour and a half long parade.

“It was longer this year,” said Heidi Paul, a Lakewood resident who worked for Music Boosters. “I loved the parade, I always love the parade...”

After two and a half years of waiting, Lakewood finally has its old friend back.

On June 1, the Lakewood Public Library reopened after extensive renovations which completed the transformation of the well known facility into a Hellenistic-style structure fit for the 21 century.

“The Library was rededicated to the citizens of Lakewood, who are at the end of the day our benefactors,” said Jeff Endress, president of the Board of Trustees for the LPL. “I think the actual ceremony was tremendously successful. We engaged our patrons and provided an opportunity for them to see the culmination of these two and a half years of construction.”

While construction for the LPL Main Branch was largely completed by May, the official Rededication Ceremony took place on June 1 amidst a host of celebratory activities including live jazz music from the Garfield Middle School Jazz Band, refreshments, a poem by Bill Knittel, and some words from the Library’s Director, Ken Warren, Jeff Endress, and architect, Robert A.M. Stern...

In a Special Board of Education Meeting on Tuesday, March 17th, the Lakewood Board of Education approved a new contract for the Lakewood Teachers Association. The two-year contract will go into effect on August 1, 2008 and will terminate on July 31, 2010.

According to treasurer Rick Berdine, the new contract will not result in cost increases, due mostly to attrition through retirements. Board president Charles Geiger added that the school board and administration have worked diligently to ensure fiscal responsibility through the development of the new budget, staying within the limits of a five-year financial projection...

Expenditure growth has outpaced revenue growth resulting in structural imbalance of the General Fund since 2000 for the City of Lakewood.
The General Fund is the primary operating fund for the City that supports services such as police, fire, refuse collection, and parks. General Fund revenues are generated primarily through income tax, licenses, fees, and property tax collections.
To balance the annual General Fund Balance, year-end fund balances were used resulting in the depletion of this safety net from over $5.6 million at the end of 1999 to a year-end fund balance of under $350,000 in 2007....

As summer’s end drew near, a beautiful night in Lakewood was shattered by the sound of gunfire. While citizens were sitting on porches enjoying the night air, and musicians and poets were laying down their grooves at Phoenix Coffee, seven shots from a 9mm pistol rang out. Francisco Rodriquez is now being sought for the atempted murder of Justin Way, a 23 year old Lakewood native.

“I’ve always been a party person,” says Republican Colleen Wing, who is running for the Ward Three Seat to be vacated by Robert Seelie. Currently Wing serves on the State Central Committee of the Ohio Republican Party, a position she will need to surrender if elected. To be sure, a portion of Wing’s no-nonsense perspective on political process has been developed in the Republican Party’s organization.

Last week the Lakewood Observer received confirmation from all mayoral candidates that they will be participating in our new debate format and engagement process - LO's Virtual Debate 2007.

Rocky River has no tolerance for ‘man’s best friend.’ The city filed a lawsuit against the city of Lakewood over the Lakewood Dog Park on July 20th. Several residents of High Parkway, which is above The Rocky River Reservation of the Cleveland Metro Parks, have continuously complained to their city council to stifle the dog park.

Lakewood Mayor Tom George has announced his intention to seek reelection to another four year term.

When Tom Bullock, a candidate for Ward Two councilman, asked Jeni Matousek, the creative director for his campaign, to identify an inspiring space to launch a fundraiser, he was hoping she could find a light-filled venue that would distinctly mark for all to see his reformist break from the darkly lit pub associated with old-school Democratic machine politics. With Local Girl Gallery, planted squarely in Ward Two, Matousek delivered a masterful stroke, smartly marking the arrival of Bullock’s campaign for the seat on Lakewood City Council that Ryan Demro will be vacating in his run for Mayor.

The race for mayor became more interesting with Councilman Ryan Patrick Demro unexpectedly announcing his candidacy for mayor on Saturday, March 31.

At age 23, Demro became the youngest elected official in the county. If elected mayor, Demro would be the youngest in Ohio at age 28, a title currently held by the 32 year old mayor of Seven Hills. Demro cited his youth as a strength because his short time in politics left him owing favors to none and he could provide the city with a leader who could work honestly and openly with all parties.

A nine-hour standoff came to a dramatic end on the evening of January 20, with SWAT shooting tear gas into a suspect’s home on Fry Avenue.

The situation started at 2:30pm Saturday afternoon at 1325 Fry Avenue, when EMS crews were called to the home of Jason Pollack, 31. He had become despondent after his family called for EMS to take him to the hospital for psychological testing. He became hostile when they arrived, so they called for police backup.

Mayor Ed FitzGerald presented a plan to City Council to automate refuse collection in the City as part of the 2009 Budget Hearings focusing on Refuse which took place on November 18, 2008. City Council will consider this plan as they make decisions about the City’s 2009 Budget.

The Green Refuse Initiative proposes to automate the City’s refuse collection system. This system will be more efficient, more economical and more environmentally responsible than the current system. The plan calls for all homes in the City to receive a refuse collection container which the city will provide. Residents will place this container on their tree lawn on their collection day and a refuse truck with a mechanical arm will lift the container off the street, empty it into the truck and return the container to its original position. Collection of recycling and large item collection will remain the same. Cleveland, Akron, Columbus, Cuyahoga Falls, Solon, Beachwood and Bowling Green already use an automated refuse collection system...

The 21st annual Lakewood Community Festival is scheduled for Saturday, September 6, 2008 at Madison Park, 13029 Madison Avenue.  The festival celebrates community, cultural heritage and families.  It is a day of fun and activities for everyone...

All over the United States, cities such as Lakewood are looking to revitalize their image. What better way to do so then colorful blossoms located in the busiest part of town? Downtown Lakewood, or the stretch of Detroit which belongs to teen loiterers and business professionals alike, is now exploding with flowers along storefronts and sidewalks. Colleen Reynolds, a college student who lives in Lakewood, first noticed the flowers when she came home from school in May...

After a special council meeting held on Monday, June 9th the FitzGerald Administration's proposed agreement to lease Winterhurst Ice Rink to Iceland USA, LLC is receiving “universal support within council,” according to Councilman at-large Kevin Butler.

“The deal is imminent. While we may have different opinions about the fine points, from our discussions, it would appear that council is supportive.” Butler believes that the contract both “adequately protects the city and restores Winterhurst.” Under the proposed contract, the city will receive a $75,000 annual lease payment as well as 10% of profits from the facility...

It was an uncommonly quiet Lakewood City Council meeting on Monday, March 31. In fifty minutes and with very little discussion, Council completed the process of approving the 2008 budget. Lakewood City Council President Michael Dever summarized the process that was used to develop the 2008 budget. Considered were recommendations by the Grow Lakewood Task Force, the development of a fiscal strength strategy, a core service survey of 470 city services and functions, and a municipal peer staffing comparison that compares the City of Lakewood’s staffing levels with five regional peers. In addition, the City of Lakewood Budget projections were examined and confirmed by the State Auditor’s office. The results of a performance audit released in a report on March 27, 2008 were also considered...

On February 26th, Lakewood Alive held an informative meeting giving the public an overview of the financial challenges facing the city of Lakewood. The members of the panel for this discussion were: Mayor Edward FitzGerald, Finance Director Jennifer Pae, Councilman Mike Summers, Yvette Ittu, CFO Greater Cleveland Partnership and former Lakewood Finance Director, and Kevin Obrien, Executive Director for the Center of Public Management...

The Lakewood Chapter of the League of Women Voters-Cuyahoga Area will host a Candidate's Night, Thursday, October 25 at 7:00PM in the Auditorium at Lakewood City Hall. At that time the community will have the opportunity to hear presentations from the candidates for mayor, city council, and the school board and ask questions.An informed electorate is the best way to ensure good government. Lakewood needs strong, creative leadership now more than ever. The League encourages participation in this important event in the life of this community. In addition, see the League's Voters Guide in this issue of the Lakewood Observer.

On September 25, 2007, the State of Ohio Office of the Auditor released the City of Lakewood’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) and fiscal audit for the year ended December 31, 2006. This report includes the financial results of operations for all of the City’s activities during fiscal year 2006.

“I’m in the middle of what’s going on in this town,” declares Diane Helbig, the Richland Avenue citizen who with Susan Kelley co-founded the Ward 3 Neighborhood Watch program in order to stem the tide of nuisance and quality of life offenses afflicting too many of Lakewood households.

On Monday, June 4, Lakewood City Council took an important step to safeguard city streets, by strengthening the curfew law.

The incident on Frye Ave. was the first time that Lakewood CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) was deployed. This program, started in Lakewood by Mayor George, implemented by Kevin Galvin and now overseen by Fire Inspector Scott Gilman, trains Lakewood volunteers to help the fire and police departments and assist the Red Cross in case of an emergency.

Cleveland Clinic Neurological Institute at Lakewood Hospital has opened its new doors to patients.  The Institute, located on the first floor of the hospital, will be home to some of the world’s most advanced treatments for neurological conditions. The Cleveland Clinic Neurological Institute first announced its expansion to Lakewood Hospital in August 2007. This new facility will allow the Institute to provide more comprehensive services on Cleveland’s West side.   

“Cleveland Clinic Neurological Institute organizes the entire healthcare team around organ and disease systems, rather than individual specialties. Our multidisciplinary approach puts our patients first and at the center of care, which is the driving force behind expanding our services at Lakewood Hospital,” said Michael T. Modic, M.D., F.A.C.R., Chairman, Cleveland Clinic Neurological Institute. “I look forward to expanding the institute’s services in the coming year and offering convenient access to patients requiring neurological care.”

Be a part of the magic this holiday season when downtown Lakewood transforms into an old-fashioned main street during the second annual Light Up Lakewood, from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, December 6.

The holiday kickoff and downtown lighting will feature musical entertainment, ice carvings, sleigh rides, refreshments, a visit from Santa and friends, an official holiday lighting ceremony and plenty of good cheer...

Today, Mayor Ed FitzGerald, Lakewood City Council and the Lakewood Veterans Committee hosted the City of Lakewood's Veterans Day Ceremony. The ceremony took place at the recently renovated Veterans Memorial at Lakewood Park. With a somber mood marking this moment of remembrance, there was not a dry eye in the park. The memorial was rededicated this morning at 10:30 immediately preceding the Veterans Day Ceremony.

The memorial is nearly completed, with construction having been delayed by three days due to the Palin rally last Monday. According to sources, the rally interrupted the renovation work that was scheduled to be completed in time for the ceremony. Despite delays, the new memorial is a stunning addition to Lakewood park, complementing other recently added amenities."I am pleased that we are able to hold our annual Veterans Day Ceremony at the new, beautifully renovated Veterans Memorial," stated Mayor Ed FitzGerald. "This project is a wonderful example of how the City and a community group can work together to accomplish great things."

Photos by Mary Breiner

I was initially skeptical when my sister invited me to a recent gathering of Obama supporters at Lakewood cybercafe Bella Dubby for a training on using 21st Century tools to make neighborhood connections. Following politics online is a hobby of mine, sort of like watching soap operas. The cast of characters is every bit as intriguing, and even the plots are similar, with tales of power, money, and sex scandals.

However, this year I’m no longer amused. The country is a mess, the economy in ruins, and everyone is walking around in a heightened state of anxiety, wondering what is going on, and what’s going to break down next. Therefore, I was skeptical when my sister called because I had been to these meetings before, and I know the drill. Someone is always trying to get a commitment for additional time, work, house parties, et cetera. My sister insisted that this gathering would be different; the subject was different, and people attending would be very fun and high energy. (In addition, the ice mochas at Bella Dubby are delicious!) I agreed to go...

The City of Lakewood and the Lakewood Veterans Committee are planning a major renovation project for the Veterans Memorial at Lakewood Park...

Almost gone. Are market forces doing what the City tried to do twenty years ago? Our local newspaper scene is changing dramatically. Along with the demise of the Free Times many Plain Dealer readers will notice that their favorite newsstand box is gone. 

About one week ago, the Plain Dealer newsstand boxes weren’t being refilled with the morning paper. Then printed notices stating “Out of Service” appeared in the boxes. And as of this Thursday morning, the boxes themselves were gone in most Lakewood locations...

On Sunday, July 21, the Lakewood School Board officially accepted the resignation of Dr. David Estrop as superintendent of the Lakewood City Schools.

Estrop, who turned in a copy of his resignation on March 12 of last year, is currently in the running for the State Superintendent position. The previous State Superintendent, Susan T. Zelman, resigned on May 28 of this year to actively pursue a position as the Dean of Education at the University of Oregon.

April 28, 2008, 7 p.m., Garfield School.

First, I would like to thank Superintendent Estrop for making this wonderful new facility available to us this evening. Garfield School is a perfect example of what Lakewood can achieve when we work together, and it is particularly compelling because this building is a blend of the new and the old Lakewood.

I would also like to thank Council President Mike Dever and all of the members of Lakewood City Council for their attendance here this evening. Lakewood is fortunate to have an excellent City Council, and I say that not just because they have been supportive of my efforts in the first 100 days. Although, I would not say it is often or as loudly if they hadn't been. But, I say it because they have an oversight function, which I respect, and which they have exercised in these 100 days, and our local government is the better for it.

On a snowy Tuesday, Febraruar 26, in spite of the local Obama-Clinton debate, many Lakewood residents packed a room at Harrison Jr. High to listen to "Making 'Cents' of Lakewood's Finances",a presentation sponsored by Lakewood Alive. In the presentation, numerous speakers talked about the economy in northern Ohio. The two initial speakers described the economic situation in Cuyahoga County, but it was the discussion of Lakewood's financial situation that motivated the residents to leave their warm living rooms and TVs...

Join Ward 3 Council Candidate Mike Summers on September 20th

Greetings,

As we enter September, the campaign to bring real leadership back to the people of Lakewood is in full- swing. Yard signs are going up, I'm knocking on countless doors every day, and spreading my message to more and more people. There is still much work to be done, and I need your help to do it.

In March, it’s all about the budget. Concurrently, council maintains its regular business and conducts budget hearings. At the March 5, 2007 meeting Mayor Thomas George and a unanimous council endorsed the upcoming Lakewood Schools bond issue which will appear on the May ballot.

With ears to the police scanner and hearts that beat with city, Lakewood Observers were quick to deploy to the Fry Avenue site where an Avon Lake family had stashed a mentally unstable son who terrorized the east side of Lakewood.

The City of Lakewood, like many cities across the country, has experienced numerous copper pipe thefts this year. Thieves are entering vacant homes, stealing the copper piping and selling it as scrap metal. This problem is occurring throughout the State of Ohio and across the country. The Lakewood Police Department has been paying special attention to vacant homes and with the help of attentive neighbors, they are arresting the individuals responsible for these thefts...

When then engaged-to-be-married Lakewood couple, Jordan Tadic and Rozy Smith laid eyes on their first home, they began dreaming. Since their “dream” house was foreclosed and vacant for some time before they bought it from the bank, it was their dreams that spared them the reality of the situation. The condition of the house was poor, with defects that ranged from damaged walls and powerful pet odor, to roof erosion and dangerously outdated wiring. With a large lot and a quaint location on Lakewood’s west end, Jordan and Rozy envisioned the potential of the house...

Lakewood is taking a tougher, more active role in scrutinizing the renewal of liquor permits.  The City is objecting to a liquor permit renewal for Bottom’s Up, located at 1572 West 117th Street.  On October 1st of each year, liquor permits issued in Cuyahoga County expire on an annual basis...

Over 10 years ago, Lakewood became one of the first few communities selected by the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA), to establish a new model in public transportation, the Community Circulator. With cheaper fares and a Lakewood-only route, the short, white, #804 buses, and the ridership that goes with them, are now at risk of elimination. Although the reasoning behind RTA’s cuts remains somewhat unclear, discontented Lakewood citizens are fighting back...

Mayor Ed FitzGerald kicked off his Listening To Lakewood (L2L) Program on Thursday, June 19, 2008. He is walking different neighborhoods in the City for several weeks with members of his Administration and talking with residents to find out what questions and concerns they have about the City. At the end of each walking tour, a neighborhood meeting is held which includes a question and answer session along with a Power Point presentation addressing the challenges our city faces and what City Hall is doing to overcome them...

Welcome, welcome, young and old,

The task is now complete,

So enter, share, participate,

This knowledge filled retreat;

We’ve taken old, we’ve added new,

This structure now injected,

With past and present gem stones,

Wisely chose, and perfected;..

Starting this summer Lakewood residents should see more police officers on the streets and in the parks thanks to a public safety initiative Mayor Edward FitzGerald and Police Chief Timothy Malley unveiled during a public meeting on April 23...

More than 100 Lakewood residents participated in two recent neighborhood safety forums to address crime, noise, trash, and absentee landlords and to keep Lakewood streets safe, clean, and family friendly.

This past week the Ohio Tactical Officers Association was meeting here in Cleveland. The headquarters location for activities was the Westlake Holiday Inn. The Westhore Enforcement Bureau (WEB) SWAT was the host team.

Jeffrey M. Baka is a man with a mission from on high. He needs fifty to one hundred and fifty more signatures on his petition in order to run for the Mayor of Lakewood.

“I’m not a politician. I’m independent. “I don’t take orders from Republicans or Democrats,” declares Baka, a jazz piano player who lives on Clarence Avenue.

Twenty concerned citizens from Lakewood, Cleveland, Parma, and Cleveland Heights gathered last Thursday to watch a documentary on sprawl affecting Northeast Ohio and develop ideas on what Lakewood can do to stay vibrant and fight back. The evening was hosted by the Lakewood Democratic Club at the bela dubby art gallery and beer café.

These posts from the Observation Deck   illustrate the immediacy of our Lakewood reporting. Some of the posts are a little ragged since they were done on the fly or out in the field. So, they might not have the polished look of the high priced media. But, we brought it to you first, fast, and personal. By the way, this is as close to real-time reporting as you can get. The Plain Dealer got it after it was over. Some TV stations got 30 seconds.
See More Here

"It takes a movement to get it. This wasn't just a campaign, this was a movement." That's April Stoltz, lifelong community activist and member of the Lakewood Democratic Club. Though filled with pride and hope for a new dawn in American leadership, Stoltz remains cautious. "The movement has to continue." Indeed, Stoltz and President Elect Barak Obama hold a shared belief in the power of community organizing, the power of a people to remake a nation. Obama's character and charisma have inspired citizens throughout the nation to come together in the creative act of community building...

Due to space restrictions we cannot publish the League of Women voter's guide for the 2008 election. However, the voter's guide is available online, providing the volume and depth of information required to accurately inform our readers about the many offices and state issues on this November 4th ballot.

Please visit the League's guide at http://www.lwv2008vote.info/ for detailed information about November 4th ballot issues, offices and candidates. Or contact them at 216.781.0555...

This strengthened dog safety proposal would act on two parallel tracks (one short-term, one long-term) to be adopted in a simultaneous, side-by-side manner:

First, take immediate action to address present public safety risks stemming from widespread non-compliance with dangerous dog safety laws.Second, create an Animal Safety and Welfare Advisory Board to develop and propose a “best practices” dog safety policy for the long-term and to support City enforcement with expanded expertise, resources, and community reach...