City

Lakewood Is the Best

by Peter Sackett

The challenge is before all of us: move east, move west, move south, or simply stay here in Lakewood. Speaking from personal experience, it sure seems like staying put is the best decision. The next step is to analyze the great things about this town and the other things that need a little push. So, here goes:

1. Medical Care – fantastic.
2. Schools – fantastic and getting even better. We need to pat ourselves on the back. We have passed the levies and the results are everywhere.
3. Libraries – the best. They're open every night ‘til 9:00 pm, the staff is pleasant to say the least, and they have the crazy music and movies my boys want and everything else.
4. YMCA – awesome.
5. Lakewood Park – beyond awesome. Can’t watch the sunsets on the lake in Twinsburg.
6. Diversity – bring it on. We are all on this planet for a short period of time--who cares what color skin we have or how we dress? Follow Generation Next and we will all get along.
7. Shopping – The Bin, Lion & Blue, that pet store on Madison; who needs box stores?
8. Coffee, Bagels, and Pizza – plenty of them, could use a second one, and, the more the better.
9. Watering holes – they keep young people in our community. A little respect for the neighbors is what is missing.
10. Our Neighborhoods – the reason we are all here. We are a city of neighbors. Our great asset. Go to Avon and try to find a sidewalk with neighbors talking.
11. Our Government – they continue to have our best interests in mind.
12. Our Court – Judge Carroll runs one hell of a court. Not easy being the guy everyone points to.
13. Green – we are doing pretty darn good. We need food compost centers in every neighborhoodand we need to keep recycling on everyone’s mind.
14. The Roads – Well, Detroit is nice; Clifton is next. Boy, I wish Bill Gates would help take care of
all the rest.
15. July 4th – our greatest day.
16. Our Police – the results are clear.
17. Public Transit – downtown in 20 minutes for two bucks.
18. Clifton Beach – what makes us different.
19. Lakewood Observer – what makes us different.
20. Post Office – perfect location and always open.
21. Restaurants – The Melt, India Garden, Players, Three Birds, John’s Diner, The Place To Be, and many more.
22. Giant Eagle – sure wish it wasn’t the only place to shop. A good reason to go to the West Side Market every Saturday morning. But, you can walk in wearing smelly clothes and un-kept hair. [Sure can’t do that at Heinens on Detroit in RR.]
23. The People – I have lived in many big and small cities. I have been here for a long time now. Look around and you will see that we all have the same goals - get our kids through school, stay safe, stay green, stay healthy, stay happy, and walk our dogs.