Daily Question

Question for Wednesday, November 19th, 2008: Previous

What are the major issues that will be facing this school district during the next several years? Consider both possible threats and golden opportunities.

We have heard the rhetoric of safety, economic development, taxes, parks, etc. What is your honest assessment of where Lakewood is right now?

What is your feeling about illegal campaigning on your behalf?

Is safety a "real" or "perceived" issue facing Lakewood today?

Why does the City refuse to enforce anti-loitering laws on private, business establishments?

What would you do to put a stop to speeding on residential roads like Belle Avenue?

What will you do to preserve public lands and not let them be sold off for private development?

Do we need a policy levy, a simple enforcement of current traffic laws (e.g., speeding, running red lights, etc.) which generate revenue and keep our streets safe, or both?

Assuming that safety is a real issue facing Lakewood, what could each candidate have done better given the fact that all three candidates currently hold high ranking office positions (i.e., Mayor, At-Large, Ward 2)?

What will you do to make Lakewood more attractive to young families? Concrete steps only please.

Will you ensure that our roads and sidewalks get fixed and maintained during non-election years?

How do you plan on making Lakewood safe, clean and fun?

Will you promise to participate in at least three unbiased, fair debates if elected?

There appears to be a distinction in the amount of non-Lakewood campaign funds relied upon by each candidate, as well as outstanding campaign debt. Please explain how your situation makes you a better candidate for Lakewood's mayor.

It is a given that each candidate believes that he would serve Lakewood better as mayor. But ... can you agree that you would each serve Lakewood better than Citizen Cain?

If you could save time in a bottle, what is the first thing that you’d like to do?

How do you plan to save money and generate new revenue in Lakewood? Do you think at this point that you need a tax increase?

Will you reinstall the basketball hoops?

Will you consider a feasibility study on the Pennisula?

We have experienced many years where our safety forces are logging considerable overtime hours. These hours are more expensive then normal hours. What would you do as Mayor to correct this?
a). Nothing - All cities have this problem
b). Reduce minimum staffing requirements
c). Employ more part time safety forces to reduce the burden placed on full-time forces at a lower cost per hour
d). something else - Please be specific.

Thank You for taking the time to answer this question.

Given the documented financial problems our city is having and in light of our community already being highly taxed, are you willing to make the though decision to cut city employement sufficiently to ensure we have a balanced budget?

Since maintaining aging Lakewood homes is critical to stable property values will you enforce codes equally & respectfully without trying to create special classes & demonizing owners that do not occupy a residense.Poorly maintained homes take value from neighbors regardless of who ownes them.

How do you feel about dead-ending a number of streets in Lakewood to curtail through-traffic in residential streets? What impact on safety, property values, 'walkability', etc do you think this initiative might have? Is it feasible from a political and / or budgetary perspective?

It is obvious to me as well as many Lakewood residents I speak with that Lakewood needs more businesses to fill vacancies along Detroit and Madison as well as to increase the tax base to help decrease residential taxes. Do you plan to revisit ideas similar to the West End project to bring more life to Lakewood, or do you have other ideas?

If elected, will you increase income taxes? If yes by how much and why is it justified? If you say no, what guarantee will you give? And, don't say you will swear to it?

Will you consider bringing back outdoor basketball hoops? They were a huge part of our urban culture, and active community.

Why do we not have a residency requirement, for Public employees? Will you propose a bill to enact a residency requirement for city employees working for financially bleeding citys like lakewood.

What are your thoughts on selling public park land.

what do you plan to do if anything about juvinial black males that harass people minding there own buisiness. i personally have had 3 instances happen to me in the past 2 months, most recently i was minding my own buissiness at the laundromat near waterbury on madison and 3 or 4 negro juvinial males made fun of me until i was forced to call the police at which point they fled, i here this is a regular thing around here as ive only lived here 9 months. i cannot wait to move now, thankyou very much!!!!!!!!!!

I AM A HOMEOWNER HERE AND WAS WONDERING WHAT STEPS ARE YOU GOING TO TAKE TO KEEP LAKEWOOD PRESENTIBLE. IN REGAURDS TO TRASH ON THE STREETS, UNKEPT UP HOUSES AND LAWNS....ETC. I WAS WALKING DOWN A WEST SIDE STREET ON HOLLOWEEN AND GOT A GOOD LOOK AT SOME OF THE HOUSES THAT WERE JUST EYE SORES.....

The single biggest problem will be dealing with dwindling tax dollars and lack of money from the state. Also dealing with the increased need of special needs students.

The golden opportunity is to increase the real experience students can get now, while in high school that can help them get into college and work. Also motivating them to get more closely involved with the community.

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What are the major issues that will be facing this school district during the next several years? Consider both possible threats and golden opportunities.

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