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.

Let me first state that I was born at Lakewood Hospital and have lived 40 of my 42 years in Lakewood, living briefly in another city due to my employment. I enjoy living in Lakewood, and so does my wife, spending all of her 38 years in this city. Recent comments I’ve heard, recent publications and the forgetfulness of what life was like growing up have all prompted me to write this letter, and on a more positive note, decide to become more active in our community.

“I felt like I was entering a third world country” was one quote by an acquaintance of mine when stating his reasons for leaving Lakewood. He was referring to entering a retail store located in the middle of the city. It wasn’t that he was treated poorly; it was the appearance of some young adults in the store. All I have to say is, don’t judge a book by its cover. You will find all kinds of outfits on today’s younger generation, and not just in Lakewood. “I pulled up to a traffic light and some girls on the corner used swear words”. Ok, so you never used swear words when you were a kid growing up? I can think of much worse things that I did as a kid because I was young, immature and naive. If everyone that swore as a teenager turned out bad, we would need a jail the size of the state of California.

“The school system was rated 33rd in Cleveland Magazine”. A closer examination of this publication reveals some flaws. First, the Lakewood school system takes in more special needs children from other cities than almost any other suburb in Cuyahoga County. Of course those students may not be “college” material, and may not choose to take ACT/SAT tests, but they are getting an education, and not in their home town. Second, rich suburbs like Pepper Pike, rated #1 in the Cleveland Magazine publication, have much more “voluntary” funding dollars available to pour into their educational systems. “I know a school guard who has been crossing children for 30 years and she said the kids are much worse today”. Well, I know a teacher who taught in the Lakewood school system for over 30 years that claims not much has changed in respect to kids behavior – kids will be kids! It’s all a matter of opinion and perception. I don’t care what school your kids go to, if you don’t work with them and pay attention to their grades and behavior, your kid will not get the best education available to help them succeed in life!

I don’t wish to go on and on defending my city and disproving uneducated statements. Many of the comments made by these acquaintances and articles I’ve read have good points. And some things in this city have changed for the worse, in my opinion. Some have changed for the better. But overall, our city has experienced the same issues every city has. In addition, each city has their set of unique issues. There is only one way you can effect positive change in your community: GET INVOLVED! Join the PTA, go to city council meetings, read your local newspaper, be active in your kids’ education, attend ad-hoc meetings about community issues, talk to your councilmen/councilwomen and vote. Don’t pack up your bags and run away from your concerns. You may be happy in the short run, but in the long run those issues won’t disappear, they’ll just change.

And finally, I would like to end my letter by talking about this experience. In some ways, I’m glad these individuals have spoken about their concerns. It made me realize that I have not been involved as much as I could be. In 2006, I joined “Lakewood Alive”. I have attended several ad-hoc meetings on community issues. I continue to go to City Council meetings. I have attended most of the ad hoc meetings on the new schools. My wife is now a member of LECPTA and participates in the Lakewood Family Room program and events. I now read the Lakewood Observer, along with my long standing subscription to the Sun Post. I have ALWAYS voted. And hopefully I can help make a difference.