“No amount of evidence will ever persuade an idiot.” Mark Twain
At over 100 locations around town, and online here: http://media.lakewoodobserver.com/issue_pdfs/Observer_Vol_15_Issue_20.pdf
As we close in on another election, I would like to ask everyone to take a moment and think back over the past 3 elections, and what was learned.
The first thing we have seen firsthand, FitzGerald, Summers, O'Leary, Bullock, Madigan, Litten, and others have not shown one small bit of respect in dealing with this community, and the residents and businesses within.
Observers, and the Lakewood Observer, have found experts, sought input from all sides, vetted the information, and stood behind our comments and beliefs in 2 different court fights that had nothing to do with Lakewood Hospital. All of our requests dealt with City Hall and their 10+ years of secret dealings to liquidate Lakewood's largest and strongest $248 million asset, into less than $1.00! If the loss of 1,600 high paying jobs, and a loss of that much in public funds isn't a reason to ask questions, then what is?
What we found out in court, through records and actions, not only was there a secret cabal around this and other projects, but City Hall would do anything to keep the documents hidden from the Lakewood Observer, and all residents and businesses in Lakewood.
If they are not willing to answer tough questions and back them up with documents, they should not be in public office. If they refuse to answer, and then spend hundreds of thousands of our dollars in hiding the documents and paying fines to keep them secret, they need to leave public office and turn the light on, on their way out. If they are willing to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars, and lie, intimidate, pull dirty tricks, and be nearly out of control, they need to back away, and never be allowed any of the land, dollars, or public office again.
Lakewood used to be a happy place. In the last 15 years I have seen 3 major divides in this wonderful community. All 3 brought on by the same small group of people, looking to build strip malls with your money, because they have none of their own. This last time it cost us more as a community than we can ever afford to lose again. Residents-- no-- voters must take steps to put Lakewood on the path to elected officials. City Hall and the School Board need to understand they not only work for us and with us, but also answer to us through any oversight that is asked for.
The Lakewood Observer has chosen a totally democratic process with our members, writers, advertisers to NOT ENDORSE any candidate. Which only makes sense as every one of us come from completely different places in life. We go from retired with no worries, to single parent families with kids aplenty. We go from age 92 to teens. We go from very religious to very spiritual, to agnostic. We understand Lakewood well enough and love our fellow Lakewoodites deeply enough to understand, one vote does not fit us all.
HOWEVER, I would hope we all agree that a City Hall without Transparency, Honesty, and Accountability cannot continue.
We deserve better, and this election let's start the process to a wide open, happy and free Lakewood.
Peace/Love