The lawsuit brought by the City of Rocky River and four residents of the High Parkway neighborhood against the City of Lakewood and the users of Lakewood Dog Park on a complaint of excessive barking finally had its day in court. Actually, eight days, concluding on July 21. The Honorable Carolyn Friedland of Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court will make her decision in the case following the recent bench trial – heard without a jury – after thorough review of the court transcript, statements filed by legal counsel in lieu of closing arguments and evidence presented. The court gave no indication how long the decision would take.

Judge Friedland previously dismissed the case, filed in 2007, on the grounds that Rocky River and its residents could not interfere with legitimate municipal functions of their neighbor, Lakewood. The appellate court disagreed with the application of law to this case and returned it to Judge Friedland for a determination on the facts. In the interim, the parties made multiple attempts to negotiate a settlement but were unsuccessful. By agreement of the parties, the trial proceeded solely on the issue of barking, omitting the plaintiffs’ other allegations that the park was a source of foul odors and dog biting.

At trial, Rocky River and its residents maintained that barking from the park, that is tucked away in the valley adjacent to the MetroParks, has been excessive and; therefore, constitutes a public nuisance (“an invasion of, or an unreasonable interference with, public rights which are common to all members of the general public”) and a private nuisance (“it affects the private personal property rights” of the neighboring Rocky River residents). Legal practitioners generally agree that nuisance law is not black and white; there is no bright line separating actionable behavior from benign annoyances of everyday life.

Honoree Gerry Nelson and Steve Inchak
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On Thursday, July 15 the Lakewood Democratic Club honored Gerry Nelson, the former club secretary, and lifelong Democrat as the Lakewood Democrat of the Year. The presentation was made by club President Karolyn Isenhart and First Vice President Kyle Weigand at the club’s annual Summer Supper Steak and Veggie Roast at the Clifton Beach. Gerry Nelson is recognized as a political and social activist and a leader on the ground, where it matters, working with workers and unions, with seniors, with Democratic candidates and throughout the community in Lakewood and Northeast Ohio.

Lakewood is amazingly diverse! Over the years, the Community Relations Advisory Commission of the City of Lakewood has sponsored many DIVERSITY POTLUCKS. These have been a wonderful way to meet and greet people from around the world right here at home!

CCLAS Bake Sale

The Citizen Committee for the Lakewood Animal Shelter will hold its annual bake sale at this year's Lakewood Arts Festival.

On Wednesday, August 4th, the Lakewood Democratic Club, the Brook Park Democratic Club and the Democratic clubs for Cleveland Wards 18 and 19 will host a debate between State Senator Dale Miller and Tom Jordan, candidates for County Council District 2. The debate will be held at the hall of St. Mary’s Romanian Church at 3256 Warren Road in Cleveland from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. Moderated by Rosemary Palmer, the night will offer residents the rare opportunity to hear both candidates address questions from the attendees before the crucial primary in September. Stuart Garson, the new County Democratic Party Chair will make introductory remarks. The hall has a substantial amount of parking and is handicap accessible.

The West Cleveland Patriots, a non-partisan, non-profit organization, has scheduled an open forum debate for the candidates of the new Cuyahoga County Council District 2 which includes Lakewood, Cleveland Wards 18 & 19 (West Park) and Brook Park. This debate will take place at the Lakewood Public Library Main Branch at 15425 Detroit Ave on Sunday August 15, 2010 starting at 5:30PM. All candidates will be invited and have equal time to speak on the topics. The candidates for District 2 are: Tom Jordan (D) / Dale Miller (D) / Stephanie Morales (I) / John Zappala (R). This event is free and open to the public. Please come meet your candidates for the new County Council. The primary election for this race will be Tuesday September 7, 2010.

Council President Kevin Butler called the July 19, 2010 council meeting to order at 7:38 P.M. He then turned it over to Mayor Ed FitzGerald who read a communication thanking Virginia Marti Veith, of Virginia Marti College of Art and Design, for being grand marshal of Fourth of July parade as well as congratulating the award winners from the parade. The winners were as follows, Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 249 for Best Color Guard, Brennan’s Floral Gift Shop for Best Float, Beck Center for the Arts for Most Original Entry, Emerson Unicycle Club for Best Bicycle and the Lakewood High School Ranger Marching Band for Most Spirit. Council passed a resolution congratulating and thanking Virginia Marti Veith and then passed out plaques to the award winning participants of the parade.

The Medicare program has literally been a life saver for thousands of Lakewood seniors by providing healthcare to everyone 65 and over. For those who never had a job that provided healthcare or lost their healthcare when they lost their jobs, turning 65 is an important event signaling they are finally eligible for Medicare coverage and covered doctor visits. This is why it is so important to celebrate Medicare's success and advocate for its future.

All events are free and open to the public.

Friday, July 30
LakewoodAlive presents: FRONT PORCH CONCERTS
Celebrate Lakewood’s rich diversity and youthful talent with live, family-friendly entertainment in front of the Library—Lakewood’s Front Porch! Bring a chair and a happy heart and don’t forget your dancing shoes!
Vance Music Studios: Student Rock Bands
7:00 p.m. in front of the Main Library

Wallace Coleman, legendary blues harmonica player, will share his musical gift with us on Sunday, August 8th, at 2 p.m., in the Lakewood Public Library Auditorium. Coleman embodies a musical gift that has all but disappeared from the African-American musical landscape. He has traveled the world playing harp for the late, great Robert Lockwood Jr., but Wallace Coleman is back home in Cleveland and still playing songs that reflect his storied life and preserve the spirit of the pioneering blues label of the 50s and 60s, Chess Records.

Although the school year is over, Lakewood High School remains a beehive of activity all summer long. On any given weekday, starting as early as 6 a.m. and running past dark, you will find dedicated young citizens, students, athletes, performers and musicians looking to improve themselves, their group, their community or their team and willing to give up their summer leisure time to do so.

Cuyahoga County Board of Health will conduct three school immunization vaccination clinics in August and September to help accommodate the new state requirement that all students have a Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussus) shot prior to entering 7th grade for the 2010-2011 school year.

Lakewood Catholic Academy will launch its school year with the Sixth Annual “Run for Excellence.” The 5K Race and Michalko Mile Youth Run are set for Sunday, August 29th, starting on the LCA campus at 14808 Lake Avenue in Lakewood, adjacent to Lakewood Park. Both races are open to participants of all ages.

School Board Vice-President Matthew John Markling

Lakewood School Board Vice-President Matthew John Markling has been appointed to an adjunct faculty position by Ashland University College of Education’s Department of Educational Administration. Markling will be teaching “School Law and Ethics” and “Educational Politics, Policies and School/Community Relations” to future educational administrators.

Tackle Football

Grades 5th & 6th - Lakewood Recreation Department is taking registrations for children in grades 5th and 6th to participate in the Little Southwest Tackle Football Conference. This is an instructional league where fundamentals and participation are stressed. Players will participate in a 7 game season against teams from Avon, Avon Lake, Bay Village, Fairview Park, North Olmsted, Rocky River and Sheffield. Cost is $85 per Lakewood resident/$100 per non-resident. Practice starts early August. All participants must have a current physical on file at the Recreation Department at the time of registration.

At its inception the Lakewood Arts Festival consisted of artists lining the street set up mostly on card tables.  In 2010, over 30 years later, festivalgoers will encounter a very different picture. Full sized art booths and tents will house 174 individually selected artists, live music will fill the air from 11am until closing time at 5pm, and 40 local non-profits and businesses will flank Detroit Avenue showing off Lakewood at its finest.  This Lakewood tradition is now estimated to draw 10,000 people to downtown Lakewood during the first weekend of August and this year is no exception. Running into neighbors, old-friends and new is par for the course.

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Max Listkowski, is this year's winner of the $4000.00 Lakewood Arts Festival Scholarship. Here he is looking at his art work in the window of Landfall Travel on Detroit Ave. Assisting him is Hannah Christian. last year's scholarship winner.

Max Listkowski is this year's winner of the Lakewood Arts Festival $4000.00 Scholarship. He will be attending the Cleveland Institute of Art this Fall.

On Friday evening, August 6th, Lakewood Hospital is proud to host its fifth annual Starry Night, a patron benefit presented by Signature Sponsor, Regency Construction Services, Inc. The event will be held under the starlit tents on Belle Avenue from 7 to 10:30 p.m. A VIP Reception will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. for those purchasing tickets at sponsorship levels and will include participative activities.

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The Doghouse 2 in Lakewood is celebrating their first year anniversary, in addition to 5 years in their popular Cleveland Heights location. Owners, Larry and Addie Gipson are Chicago natives, but have found a new home in Northeast Ohio as they see many new faces as well as a growing number of regulars. The Doghouse was recognized this year with the WECO Fund, Inc. 2010 Impact Award for new businesses. All of their food is cooked to order, and the selection  is tremendous. You can even 'design' your own but the top 3 favorites & most unique sandwiches are:

Attending the Lakewood Chamber meetings is always enjoyable and last week, Nate Kelley, from the city, shared quite a bit of ‘new news’… The construction of the beautiful new social security building, and other projects throughout the city including… Robeks’ smoothies opened in the beautifully restored Bailey Building. Coming soon is Jimmy Johns and Moe’s… Statistics show city store front vacancies are going down and when out for a walk, it’s obvious that walking traffic is going up!… Have you walked to the Library front porch concerts on Friday nights?… Some other activities to try before the summer’s over include Kick Martial Arts, owned by Bruce Gornley and Timothy Holmes. Your kids might enjoy trying kids’ kickboxing, taekwondo, or Brazilian kickboxing in August. Of course, Kick has ongoing kids’ and adult classes, too. (They were guest instructors at the Live Well Lakewood’s Wellness Challenge)... Have you tried the new Dunkin’ Donuts (especially their vanilla coffee) or their neighbor, Nunzio’s Pizza?  Owner, Nunzio Traina is celebrating 2 Anniversaries this summer! First, congratulations on 20 years in business. Second, a happy 2 year anniversary at his Lakewood location. Nunzio’s first pizzeria is in Lorain, followed by his second in Old Brooklyn. His latest addition is at the Akron University campus... Although this is a tough economy, successful businesses grow because of hard work and local support. New businesses open in cities that have the vision to create a climate that welcomes them. So, as always, please think globally, shop locally and celebrate Lakewood along with our many business neighbors!

In Mel Brooks’ The Producers Max Bialystock grumbles about off-Broadway, sneering, “I hate it! Mimes, experimental theatre… it’s a jungle out there!” But in the irony of all ironies, Bialystock and his unlikely business partner, tense and timid Leo Bloom, find that the real jungle is not off but on Broadway in this Tony-award winning show. With its fast pace and wild character acting, The Beck Center’s production is no exception.

A young student learns a new art skill at the Beck Center.

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For the second year in a row, the Beck Center for the Arts has been named the “Best of the West” in Music and in Dance/Theater Instruction by West Shore Magazine. Hundreds of West Shore Live Well readers voted for the best places to eat, shop, and have fun on Cleveland’s west side. Winners were selected from finalists in more than 60 categories.

Mayor Ed FitzGerald answers to Observer Questions:

1.) If elected to the position of County Executive, what three or four goals would top the list of things that you'd hope to accomplish during your term in office?

I plan to clean up the corruption and restore confidence in county government—the FBI can and will only take care of a piece of this—the highest ethical standards must be set and met among all county employees and departments.  Second, I will work to build on the strengths of our county to retain and attract jobs; third, as we redesign county government, I will ensure that the stellar health and human services currently provided through the county continue, even as government systems and departments consolidate; finally, it is clear that safety and security are a paramount concern and the county can and should player a larger role in ensuring the safety of all of our neighborhoods.

Ed FitzGerald has spent has spent more than two decades in service to others-as a community volunteer, Congressional staff member, FBI Special Agent, Assistant County Prosecutor, City Councilman, and now as the Mayor of Lakewood, Ohio.

The seventh of eight children, Ed worked his way through Ohio State University, and then attended night law school while serving as a staff member for the U.S. House of Representatives. He also became active in his community, volunteering as a reading tutor in the public schools, and working with a local senior citizen service program.

After graduating from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, Ed was commissioned as a Special Agent with the FBI. After completion of his training in Quantico, Virginia, he was assigned to the Organized Crime Task Force in Chicago. As a Special Agent, FitzGerald was recognized by the FBI Director for excellence while heading up a wide-ranging and successful investigation into organized crime and political corruption.

Here, in response to questions posed by The Observer, Republican County Executive Candidate, Victor Voinovich, shares some of his thoughts on the new county government and the challenges that lie ahead:

1.) If elected to the position of County Executive, what three or four goals would top the list of things that you’d hope to accomplish during your term in office?

I have 3 objectives:

•    Grow our economy,
•    Better, smarter county government,
•    Unite our region.

We will get there and define our success by what we do to:

•    Ensure there are thriving jobs, businesses, entrepreneurship, and innovation in our county.
•    Create and grow 21st century talent.
•    Become a great place to live, work, and raise families.
•    Tell our story and use it to build partnerships in the global economy.
•    Streamline crucial county services to improve responsiveness and efficiency.
•    Reimagine and remake the county government.
•    Practice the principles of collaboration, inclusiveness, and transparency.

Victor S. Voinovich, Sr. started as a CPA in with Ernst & Ernst (now Ernst & Young) and then migrated to Commercial Real Estate Brokerage, most of the time in business for himself. Today, he is Managing Director of Sperry Van Ness in Northeast Ohio as an independent franchisee. He has been a partner, founder or sole owner of over a half-dozen entrepreneurial businesses, ranging from retail stores, to a cleaning company, to a consulting company. He has participated or led over 20 non-profit organizations in social services, religious activities, professional activities, and strategic planning.  Recovery Resources honored him by naming him a Life Trustee at his retirement from the board.

Voinovich has won numerous awards for his work with non-profits and economic development initiatives. He headed the Euclid Avenue Task Force and was the convener of what became the Theater District Development Corporation downtown. He has been involved in several high profile transactions in Cuyahoga County including the M. K. Ferguson deal in the Tower City Complex, the Rockwell International Headquarters campus in Mayfield Heights, the leasing of space in the Halle Building downtown, the sale of IX Center to the City of Cleveland, and his most recent sale of the Randall Park Mall.

Here, in response to questions posed by The Observer, Republican County Executive Candidate, Matt Dolan, shares some of his thoughts on the new county government and the challenges that lie ahead:           

1.) If elected to the position of County Executive, what three or four goals would top the list of things that you’d hope to accomplish during your term in office?

A)    Restore the public faith in public servants by running the County with honesty and integrity;
B)    Replace our silo service delivery system of human services with a wraparound service system; making individuals one step away from dependence and one step closer to independence;
C)    Establish Cuyahoga Forward, a one-stop-shop for business development; and
D)    Implement job descriptions and requirements that match skill sets, thereby creating measurable standards to determine results.

Matt Dolan was elected to three terms in the Ohio Legislature, serving the 98th District, which includes parts of Cuyahoga County and Geauga County. He served as Chairman of the Finance and Appropriations Committee during his second term, working with Republicans and Democrats to pass a nearly unanimous $54 billion budget that lowered taxes and reduced the size of government. 

Dolan was the key sponsor of the Great Lakes Compact, legislation to protect Lake Erie. Dolan was also the primary mover of other legislation, such as the Cuyahoga County Landbank and the Third Frontier Project.

He recently resigned from the House of Representatives so taxpayers would not pay his salary while he seeks the office of Cuyahoga County Executive. 

Dolan is a graduate of Gilmour Academy, Boston College and Case Western Reserve School of Law. He is a partner at the law firm of Thrasher, Dinsmore & Dolan and the Vice President of 7th Avenue Properties.

The passage of time can add perspective, so let’s take one more turn around l’affaire LeBron.

I have been MIA for a few issues recently, my deepest apologies. That said, I can safely say, "I'm back!" (I said that in my best faux Poltergeist voice.) Never mind...

I don’t think the law allows me to put into print all of the things I’ve been called in my lifetime. Dumbass, smartass, idiot, moron, racist, bigot, zealot, Nazi, communist, radical, and even xenophobe (yeah, I had to look that last one up too) are just the tip of the iceberg. When I was in grade school, the name-calling hurt.  Sticks and stones may break my bones, but playground rhymes did not adequately defend me from the hurtful comments of others. As I got older, the only thing that changed was the nature of the insults, not their frequency or intent.

Who speaks and what is said? We learn early. Grade school classes are noisier than college classes because students learn that obedience is rewarded; that if you speak only when you're supposed to speak, say only what you are expected to say, remain silent when you need to be silenced, you move ahead in school. Don't call attention to yourself, my father always said. Bad things happen if you do.

We check ourselves. Say to family, friends, lovers, bosses, officials of one kind or another what they want to hear until those moments we can no longer check ourselves. Go fuck yourself Vice-President Cheney tells Senator Leahy and afterwards says, it felt good, so good. But most of us are not Vice-Presidents and pay a price, sometimes heavy, for not checking ourselves.

Governments check themselves. There are things the people should know and things they should not. They speak of transparency, but there is transparency and transparency. Until those shocks of discovery -- the work of a reporter, a personal experience -- makes it impossible for governments to check themselves, although the fall-out may be just another way of their checking themselves. There are times everyone knows what cannot be said and it can no longer be denied.  Communism fell in 1989 when the Berlin Wall came down, and it fell, in part, because all of a sudden the lie it was could no longer be silenced.

The Lakewood Historical Society has been serving our community since 1952 when a few determined residents recognized that Lakewood needed an organization for the purpose of collecting, preserving and interpreting the history of Lakewood, Ohio. Now about 500 members strong, among the Society’s accomplishments are: maintaining the Oldest Stone House Museum and Nicholson House; a photographic collection of over 14,000 images; award winning school programs; special events and public programs; and historical research.

Rick Sicha watches as Marcia Moll carefully moves a cabinet door.

The Lakewood Historical Society will hold an architectural salvage sale on July 31 from 9 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Skate House, the building behind the Oldest Stone House (14710 Lake Avenue). Here you'll have a chance to find that one-of-a-kind item that's just what you need to complete your old house restoration project.  Thanks to the City, Historical Society volunteers have been able to salvage architectural items/building materials from city-owned properties and offer them for sale, with all proceeds benefitting the properties and programs of the Lakewood Historical Society.

Petrified stork, or tree branch? Photos reveal many things...sometimes.

Photo by Gary Rice

Not too many years ago, it was considered by some that when it came to "the arts," you either had natural talent or you did not. Professional illustrators, artists, musicians, and photographers often closely guarded the secrets of their trades, and so there developed a mystique regarding the arts that persists to this day.

CCLAS Annual Dog Wash

Is Fido smelling Funky? Then you are in luck! Time to spruce up your pup at our annual dog wash. Nature’s Bin in collaboration with CCLAS (Citizens Committee for the Lakewood Animal Shelter) will host their annual “Dog Days of Summer” dog wash on Saturday, August 14th from 10:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a rain date of Sunday, August 15th. Proceeds will benefit the Lakewood Animal Shelter.

The area some want the dog park to floods often.
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This week the Lakewood Dog Park is once again under attack by a very small group of Rocky Riverites that have for years claimed that the dog park used by so many Rocky Riverites, but on Lakewood property, is ruining their lifestyle.

This claim might have some traction for a variety of reasons. However, the courts have already found it to be not true. In addition a sound surveying company has now found it not true. Most recently I myself, after having a small meeting with one of the loudest proponents for moving the dog park now realize that there may be issues here, but the fault is not with one of Lakewood's finest assets- the dog park. In fact, I found quite the opposite. The dog park patrons are one of the best groups of citizens in this city, a city that has much better and more important things on which to spend their time and money.

Beginning with the 2012-2013 school year, the Lakewood City Schools athletic teams will move from the Northeast Ohio Conference to compete in the West Shore Conference, which is a better geographic match for Lakewood. The move will allow Lakewood to better develop school rivalries with other western suburbs that are in closer proximity to Lakewood Schools than most NOC teams.

The following is the printed text of my question to the School Board at their regular meeting on Monday night, July 12, during the Communication period.

Question for the Lakewood BOE and District:

Please bear with me tonight as the issue I wish to question you on is complex. This is regarding an emergency resolution that three members of the Board voted on during the July 1st Board meeting. The resolution states:

“WHEREAS, The Lakewood Board of Education recognizes that providing all-day, every-day kindergarten presents a hardship to the school district and is seeking a waiver for the delay of implementation; and,

WHEREAS, the Lakewood Board of Education understands that the waiver is for the delay of all-day, every-day kindergarten for the 2010-2011 school year; and,

Council President Kevin Butler (Ward I) called the June 21, 2010 Council Meeting to order at 7:40 P.M. The first order of business was to excuse the absence of Councilwoman Mary Louise Madigan (Ward IV) who was on her way to Washington D.C. for work related training.