Letters To The Editor

Participants and contributors to the Observer project wear many hats in the  community. There are different roles that we all have of employment, service on a board or commission, and civic involvement. Sometimes, the identification of one’s role when writing an article for publication is important to a reader’s evaluation of that article. The Lakewood Observer must establish a transparency policy.

I would like to applaud Mayor FitGerald for his recent Green Refuse Initiative that he proposed to city council in November. He is certainly thinking in the right direction as we enter the new year with a million dollar budget deficit. I am especially enthused that part of the Green Initiative will eliminate the outdated and costly back yard service that has grown to be a 'sacred-cow' with many residents.

However, if the Mayor and City Council are serious about reducing the upcoming budget deficit, they need to take a hard look at privatizing our waste collection and recycling services.

I would like to say “kudos” to the owner of Cereal Central for coming out of his restaurant on Thursday afternoon to help two women. One of the women was unloading a wheelchair to get her mother into it. The gentleman not only unloaded and opened the wheelchair he also inserted the pedals into the chair and then helped the mother out of the car and into the chair. The women then went on to the doctor’s office.

Dear Editor,

For the protection of our environment and our health, I want to encourage every Lakewood resident this Election Day to vote YES for Issue 2, which will continue the Clean Ohio Fund without raising taxes. Simply put, the Clean Ohio Fund pays for protecting green space and cleaning up brownfields...

An ongoing theme in the coverage and debate around this year's presidential race has been the question of Barack Obama's patriotism. Conservative pundits seem to believe that recognizing a fault with your country is equivalent to hating it. I, on the other hand, would prefer someone who sees the imperfections and makes an effort to improve upon them. As early 20th century journalist H.L. Mencken said, "The notion that a radical is one who hates his country is naïve and usually idiotic. He is, more likely, one who likes his country more than the rest of us, and is thus more disturbed than the rest of us when he sees it debauched. He is not a bad citizen turning to crime; he is a good citizen driven to despair..."

Lately, whenever I tell someone that I live in Lakewood, and that I volunteer for the Lakewood Animal Shelter, I usually get blasted about the ban on pit bulls. I have heard many thoughts, rants and commentary concerning the law, from people both for and against it. Rarely have I been asked to voice my own opinions. I’d like to take the opportunity to do so now.

When it comes to pit bulls, I sit on a very broad fence. My fence does not have just two sides – rather, it sits at the juncture of several fields of thought, and from my perch, I can see each field. Let me tell you about them...

Steven Kaufman’s recent article (http://www.cleveland.com/plaindealer/stories/index.ssf?/base/opinion/121334585985950.xml&coll=2 ) in the Plain Dealer suggested changes in the structure of County government. He touted those changes as the solution to the County’s economic problems.

The economic decline of the County is blamed (in part) on corruption and the lack of transparency under the current system. As you might expect, Mr. Kaufman names no names, lists no specific projects, and details no dollar amounts. Who is corrupt? What projects spent money in a questionable fashion? Don’t ask. The County’s decline is attributed to some mysterious “they”...

The article entitled "Journy Back in Time with the Beck Center", which ran in our June 24 issue, was not atributed to the proper author. By my error, Fran Stroch's name was printed in place of the proper author, Kelly Kutler.

I apologize to Kelly and Fran for this oversight.

Best Regards,

Dan Slife

To date, there has been no data or statistics provided to Lakewood residents that would support the need for a ban on “pit bulls” in our city. Councilman Powers has not provided any evidence that there is a problem of any specific breed of dog in our city...

With the economy the way it is, and gas prices over $4.00 per gallon, Lakewood is uniquely positioned to be the city of choice for anyone interested in improving his or her standard of living. Close to downtown Cleveland, blessed with two Rapid stations, on the bus line, on Lake Erie, a walking community with excellent schools -- need I go on?

As a Lakewood resident for nearly 50 years serving as Prosecutor, Councilman at Large, Mayor, and State Senator, I support Councilman Brian Powers’ pit bull ban.

The issue here is not about dogs. It is about PEOPLE! People’s safety, children’s safety, and the unfortunate inability for pit bull owners to abide by the present law...

On May 25th, Councilman Brian Powers quoted Pit Bull Rescue Central’s website to show that pit bulls are dangerous and unpredictable. Unfortunately, he ignored the context of these quotations and much of the other information on our website. More than anything else, we stress that while aggression toward other animals is a normal trait in pit bulls, aggression toward humans is not. This is a point that most people miss, and we are disappointed that Councilman Powers used our information to mislead his readers. The quotations were mainly taken from an article on how to prevent dog fights, and it is quite clear that we are talking about pit bulls’ tendency for dog aggression while urging pit bull owners to be cautious around other dogs. By neglecting to mention anything about animal aggression, the councilman made it seem as if we were declaring that pit bulls are generally unstable in temperament. This is not true...

Dear Editor:

When I agreed to serve as a member of Lakewood City Council, I vowed to strive to do the right thing for our residents, not necessarily the popular thing. Since introducing legislation to ban those dogs know as “pit bulls” from Lakewood, all members of Council have been deluged with e-mails arguing against such a ban, mostly from out-of-towners. Sadly, the pit bull ban is receiving an inordinate amount of public attention, even though it is but a small part of the broader effort by the Mayor and Council to make Lakewood a safer place to live. We should be focusing on the recent decision to add four new full-time and ten part-time police officers, but we are instead flooded with advice from out-of-state special interest groups about dogs...

My purposes for writing this are twofold: it is intended first as a rebuttal to Councilman Brian Powers’ article from the May 27th Lakewood Observer; second, I write this as an open letter to all citizens of Lakewood, so that both sides of the issue may be understood.

 

 

Let me start by saying that I do truly believe that Councilman Powers has the best interest of Lakewood citizens at heart. I appreciate what he is trying to accomplish, specifically ensuring the safety of our residents. I wouldn’t wish it any other way. I do believe, however, that his proposal to ban “pit bulls” and other breeds, though well-intended, is misguided...

Mayor FitzGerald and Council Members:

I recently read that Lakewood will hold a council meeting next week to consider banning the Pit Bull breed in Lakewood, Ohio. As a citizen of Lakewood and an animal lover, I would like to voice my concern on the passing of this bill...

In response to the response: Seems like I hit a nerve with my thoughts on healthcare, I guess that means that someone is actually reading this column. First let me say that I do and will read any and all responses sent to me...

Steve Hoffert's article "The 2008 Budget Hearings: A Review and Conclusion", which was published in the April 1st issue of the LO, contains the following editorial mistake which was made by your's truly...

My impression of Thursday night’s Lakewood City Council meeting was that Lakewood needs to buckle down in the face of bankruptcy, strengthen an atmosphere for bringing new young families into the city, and to do this, we need to throw out the elderly and encourage them to die off more quickly so we can utilize their much needed space...

Mr. Callentine expresses some valid thoughts on Collective Health Care, but he misses the mark on some important points. He seems to categorize American citizens as being among the wealthy or the poor. This is not the case...

Dear Editor,

Was Bret Callentine just trying to stir up controversy when he wrote about the U.S. health care system in the March 4 Observer? I can't believe he was really serious. If so, he certainly doesn't accept the principle that a nation's status is best judged by how it treats its most vulnerable citizens...

I am appalled by the proposed cuts to our city services in Lakewood.

I have been a property owner in Lakewood for over thirty years. I have also owned property outside of Lakewood and had dealings with the county health and
building departments. On the city level I receive one on one contact, with the county I was lost in the crowd. It is comforting to have city inspectors to keep me informed and prevent health and safety issues before they occur...

When I first moved to this “City of Homes” some eighteen years ago, the prestige of and affection for living in Lakewood was something I was very proud of. The charm of lavish Victorian houses which dominate her tree lined streets was well known and celebrated far beyond her borders. The diversity and sense of community was cherished by her residents and envied by her neighboring suburbs. Lakewood was “The” place to arrive at. Settling here meant your children would have an outstanding education. Your family would have small town security and community coupled with big city conveniences and opportunity. Our seniors were revered and cherished members of our community. Lakewood was a mix of old time street gatherings and modern advances...

To the Lakewood Observer:

The Cliffs condo project on Sloane Ave. seems to have withered on the vine.

I don't understand why the LO has been cheerleading this project, as well as every politician, and every "Up With Lakewood" Group. The Foran Group's performance has been abysmal at best. I urge you all to reexamine your blind support...

A Plea to Hold On To What We Have and Need

As a proud citizen of Lakewood, I would like to thank everyone involved in the huge effort in keeping Lakewood a beautiful city. Nine years ago my wife and I decided to make Lakewood our home...

Mr. Fitzgerald, The Division Of AgingTransportation is s Necessary Service To Many Lakewood Residents

2008 Budget, you can’t squeeze blood from a turnip.

We are currently in the midst of an epic political battle for the Mayor of Lakewood, the likes of which only Homer could accurately portray through the written word.

According to the “Grow Lakewood" Committee Report, our city is at a tipping point when it comes to economic vitality

Letter to the Editor

The response from city officials (August 21st issue) to my article in the Lakewood Observer on August 7th about collecting income taxes did not include an answer to my question of why we don’t ask landlords for tenant name information.  In addition, some of the methods to identify taxpayers that they claim are being used today have several flaws.  Let us examine these methods and flaws.

To the editor:

When I was carrying my third child more than 22 years ago, I met Sarah Lemmer. You can usually find Sarah working hard as a waitress at The Place to Be. Everyone knows Sarah. Chances are she knows your name and everyone else in the restaurant. Sarah has been serving good, hot food seven days a week to make ends meet. That was, up until about six weeks ago.

Regina Brett’s outrageous column in the Aug. 10 Plain Dealer, which comes out against Lakewood’s dog park and slanders the entire canine species, might merely be consigned to the annals of journalistic atrocities were it not for the fact that it provides ammunition for Rocky River’s legal aggression.

William George presented an extremely skewed analysis comparing the City of Lakewood’s income tax collections to the City of Parma’s in his August 7, 2007 Lakewood Observer opinion article, “Don’t Raise Taxes, Just Collect Them.” You have heard of making an apples-to-oranges comparison; well, Mr. George compared apples-to-cannon balls.

To the editor:

Many thanks to the wonderful people who put together the Jerry Gruss Baseball Marathon Tribute on Aug. 11. Words cannot say how grateful my family and I are to have such an honor.

I would like to thank all of the citizens and business owners of Ward 3 (south of Madison) who attended our August 8th Block Watch meeting at Roosevelt School. Despite the heat, over 100 people attended the meeting from a variety of streets and most signed up to initiate a Block Watch Program on their street. You are to be congratulated on taking the first step towards being part of the solution to our neighborhood problems.

Susan Kelley

Neighbor

A few months ago we noticed we had no song birds feeding from our birdfeeder outside our picture window. After finding dead sparrows and chipmunks in our driveway, we discovered that some Cooper's Hawks had decided to nest in our backyard.

Dear Dele Balogun,

Following the tragedy of 9/11, evidence was slowly uncovered explaining the causes and effects of the events that took place. Following this period of scantily documented speculation, the 9/11 Commission published its report. Some time after that event, various theories which contradicted this explanation began to emerge. And, following that, several groups, including the magazine “Popular Mechanics,” began publishing counterarguments to these contradictory claims. Unless I’m mistaken, that is where we stand today. And, if you recall, that was the initial nature of my inquiry. My question stands: “Do you have anything new to add or anything that refutes the scientific evidence that has been used to disprove your theories?” The ball is in your court.

I would like to respond to the article, “I Protest Your Protest” by Bret Callentine. I am a student of astrophysics, classical guitar performance, and history of science at the University of Wisconsin at Madison. I also pursue interests in radical political theory, cultural studies, and continental philosophy. I graduated Lakewood High School in 2004 and I am here for the summer. I think it is important that a voice be heard in this paper from what Mr. Callentine may consider to be on the ‘other’ side of his own position.

As a member of the Cleveland 911 campaign, I am appalled to have read your article. I remember our encounter well. I would say it started off well; unfortunately it felt like you had no wish to understand our points of interest. You had stated you read Popular Mechanics books and that it answered all your questions. I felt you had failed to research some of the most troubling topics as we spoke. You said to me, "what is the strongest argument you can produce?" I replied "thermite and sulfur found in the steel of the wreckage." You asked if that could be a natural composition of its chemical makeup. I told you that it was not. I asked you if you had ever seen WTC 7 come down and you said you would like to see that. At this point I felt confident that I would have you researching again.

I suppose everyone has heard about the "clusters." You know, the Catholic Church's answer to the 21st century. I don't know--I guess it is a good idea. We have to do something for sure.

Dear Readers of the Observer:When our president, George W. Bush, ordered our air force to drop bombs on innocent children, men & women in northern Iraq, it was the most cowardly, utterly inhuman, most brutal act in the history of our earth.

I love Lakewood. It's a great city. We have an honest mayor who has the welfare of the town in his heart; kind of a phenom, isn't it?

Our police, fire and EMS departments are all second to none and we have a congressman, Dennis Kucinich, who chose Lakewood for his Congressional district office site with a staff whose reason for being is constituent service.

Dear Lakewood,

Often, during my weekly call to my mother, the conversation turns to some aspect of Lakewood that is missing in her community an hour to the west. After St. Patrick’s Day we chatted about the special fried green tomato and havarti sandwiches from Melt (her town is more of a Bob Evans type of place). On numerous occasions she’s talked about moving to the bottom floor of a Lakewood duplex once she retires, and while I’m sure she looks forward to truffled corn bisque from Souper Market, it is Lakewood’s services that she really admires and that I consider a keystone of this community.

Dear Lakewood,

Why do we live in Lakewood? I can honestly say, as a native to upstate New York and having lived in several other states, that Ohio – specifically Lakewood – has some of the friendliest, kindest, best people I have met. It was definitely a good choice for my wife and me to purchase a house in Lakewood and start a family. The schools are great; the teachers are caring and kind.

Having attended Lakewood City Schools since kindergarten, I have benefited much from the overwhelming support Lakewood residents provide their schools. On May 8th, residents have the opportunity to continue this encouraging tradition by voting “Yes” on Issue 4, and investing further in the future of their community.

The Lakewood Schools are about to embark on the next phase of their building plan. With completion of new Harrison and Hayes Elementary schools and new middle schools on the Harding and Garfield sites, the project will renovate and modernize the western half of Lakewood High School and convert Emerson and Horace Mann Middle Schools into state-of-the-art elementary schools.

A quarter millennia before the birth of Christ, the Roman Republic was not much older than ours was on that fateful Tuesday morning six years ago. In 264 BC, a century-long struggle between Rome and Carthage began due to a local dispute over a small parcel of land on the Mediterranean: not Israel, but Sicily. Replete with sweeping naval battles, war elephants, legendary generals, and the two great powers of the day, the three Punic Wars were destined to reverberate across the ages--and they have not disappointed.

Recently, I have had several friends that grew up in Lakewood decide to move to another suburb, or are currently looking to move. Along with their stated intentions came claims of degradation of our wonderful city. In the famous words of Howard Beale “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore”. It seems as though the media, uninformed individuals and forgetfulness have inappropriately clouded the thought process of some individuals with respect to real life.

I'd like to begin by commending the staff of the Lakewood Observer for the fine publication they produce. As a Lakewood resident, I look forward to reading the Lakewood Observer, and always appreciate the information provided in this publication.

 Although I enjoy the publication, I was dismayed with some issues related to the articles on the Fry Avenue stand off. 

Thursday, January 25, I witnessed the truly amazing skills of the Lakewood Police and Fire Departments. With this being the second potentially disastrous event in as many weeks, Lakewood came forth to prevent a person from doing harm to himself or others. Working in unison and utilizing every possible means at their disposal, the departments joined together to secure my street and keep bystanders from harm. I believe this was the result of exemplary training and the aid of Mayor George's office.

We would like to thank the individual(s) who is responsible for realizing what a death trap the "new" cross-walk signals were at the intersection of Detroit and Arthur. Let me explain that they changed the walk signal from going with the flow of the traffic light to having exclusive crossing (all ways) while traffic was stopped on all sides.

Just a few weeks until the beginning of the school year. I write to encourage the residents of our city to rise up and demand action on a problem that is right in front of us all. The problem: cigarettes and our minor children. Drive past the Taco Bell on Detroit; there they sit. Across the street at the Library - same thing.

Dear Viewers,

On many occasions, you have pulled into a parking lot in Lakewood, Ohio and come back to find out that Bakers Towing has nabbed your car again.

Dear Lakewood Observer:
On Oct.18, 2004 Harry Buffalo located at 18605 Detroit Ave. in Lakewood filed to expand their liquor license. Councilperson Corrigan requested a C.R.I.S report (it's a report that keeps track of how many times police respond to an address). On Nov.1, 2004 Lakewood City Council passed the motion to grant the license. In the meeting Police Chief Malley stated "that since the new owner had taken over he didn't think there were any complaints and the report was not currently available". In fact this was all untrue.

Dear Lakewood Observer...

Mr. Gordon Brumm, in a Lakewood Observer article titled, "Intelligent Design: Skeptical Thoughts about the Skepticism (1)" mentions that he, "...welcome(s) good answers, if any are forthcoming." We shall see.

Having spent a work-life in the private sector and an enlightening couple of months one time in the government sector, I would like to make these observations regarding the Lakewood city budget and talk of a proposed income tax raise.