Mayor Gives Candid View of Challenges Ahead
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Tabletops & Trifles April 13-14 • Jordan’s Family Foundation Fundraiser April 19 Free – Take One! Please Patronize Our Proud Advertisers! Member Of The Observer Media Family Of Community Owned Newspapers & Websites Volume 8, Issue 7, April 3, 2012 State Of The City Address Mayor Gives Candid View Of Challenges Ahead A packed house listens intently to Mayor Summers as he gives his State of the City Address at the Masonic Temple. by Gloria Eadeh went on to discuss the diversity city using a PowerPoint pre- The mayor pointed to eco- annually. Mayor Michael Summers of Lakewood today. sentation. nomic distresses many homes The issue of safety in the gave his second annual State of “I want to share a story “Where Lakewood was are facing today. Lakewood’s city has been a subject of much the City speech on March 27. with you about a community 10 or 20 years ago, it is now a poverty level is nearly double debate with many citizens feel- He addressed three main areas and a home,” Summers said. much younger community, it from 8.9 percent in 2000 to ing Lakewood is no longer as including housing, economic He illustrated the broad sort is a more educated community 15 percent in 2010. The mayor safe as it could be. Summers development and core services. of people living in Lakewood but in many aspects it’s also a stressed that Lakewood will dispels this myth by point- The mayor said the city is doing today, ranging from refugees poorer community,” Summers continue to be a middle class ing to the police department’s well, but needs improvement in to college students. “Each of told a crowd at the Lakewood community with the aver- these areas due to inadequate these characters in my story Masonic Temple. age home income of $43,000 continued on page 5 financial resources. has a very unique path and a After recognizing the very unique story, but we all School Board, Judge Patrick share one community.” Superintendent Addresses Carroll, Council members and Looking at the road ahead, the directors of public safety he he discussed key trends in the Issues Raised At Meetings by Jeffrey W. Patterson, trict’s projected deficit is to sell Superintendent of Lakewood the District’s unused school City Schools buildings – the former Franklin, McKinley and Taft elementa- During my series of Com- ries. Selling a school building munity Engagement Meetings is not a straightforward trans- held throughout the city dur- action and a number of State ing January and February, statutes must be followed in participants brought up a num- doing so. The school buildings ber of issues regarding possible must be offered first for sale to cost savings solutions that are any charter school that is inter- important to clarify with the ested. Secondly, if a sale were to rest of the community: Jeffrey W. Patterson, Super- go through, the District would West Shore Career-Technical District Outstanding Student Award intendent of Lakewood City be responsible for the asbestos recipients honored by the Rotary Club of Lakewood and Rocky PERSONNEL COMPEN- River on March 12. SATION CHANGES: Schools abatement and/or demolition of Many of the suggestions April to see if some common the building, which would be a Rotary Recognizes brought up regarding potential ground can be found but there is significant cost. On top of that, savings refer to aspects of the no guarantee that new contract property prices are at the lowest Outstanding West Shore district’s negotiated labor agree- language will be the end result. they have been in decades. Career-Tech Students ments, such as employee health It is important to note that Aside from the finan- by Lynn Donaldson community. care and pension contributions, meeting participants also were cial side of the empty school West Shore Career-Tech- Parents, employers, work type of health care plan and pay clear about their satisfaction building equation, those nical District Outstanding supervisors and guests were frequency. While there may be with the quality of our teach- buildings may be needed dur- Student Award recipients were among those in attendance. savings realized in altering the ers, staff and administrators ing the reconstruction of our honored by the Rotary Club of The Rotary club presented current contributions, by law and that being able to retain final three school buildings Lakewood and Rocky River at each student with a U.S. Sav- this cannot be done without and attract that level of qual- – Lincoln and Roosevelt ele- its noon luncheon on March ings Bond and a plaque to renegotiating with the District’s ity is a high priority. Offering mentaries and the east half of 12 at the Don Umerley Civic honor their achievements. three labor groups. Presently, compensation packages com- Lakewood High School – to Center. According to Nancy Ralls, our labor contracts are valid petitive with the market in the house our displaced students. The 17 students, top West Shore Career-Technical through July 2013. region are part of that retain- TAX DELINQUENCIES performers in their career- District career develop- The Administration has ment and recruitment effort. Residents also repeat- technical programs, were ment coordinator, this is the approached the three labor “ M O T H B A L L E D ” edly asked what is being done chosen for their exemplary fifteenth year the club has hon- groups about re-opening the BUILDINGS to improve the collection of accomplishments in the class- ored the Outstanding Student contracts and the three groups Another topic that repeat- delinquent taxes, which play room, school activities, clubs, Award winners. have agreed to conduct discus- edly arose at the meetings as a a role in our projected defi- sions. We will begin meeting in athletics and service in the continued on page 10 possible way to defray the Dis- continued on page 8 Page 2 The Lakewood Observer Volume 8, Issue 7 April 3, 2012 Calendar Page Tuesday, April 3 - 14 Saturday, April 7 Friday, April 13 Walk Benefit Race is being held on Saturday, April AARP FREE TAX AIDE HELP Ecumenical Easter Sunrise Tabletops & Trifles 14, 2012. Join in starting at 9 am at Lakewood 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Outdoor Worship 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM Park at Belle and Lake Avenue in Lakewood, Ohio. Still trying to prepare your income tax returns? 7:30 AM Tabletops & Trifles is a specialty sale featur- Registration opens at 8:00 am. Route includes Lake AARP Tax Aide is offering free electronic filing of Lakewood Park’s Women’s Pavillion parking ing vintage wares and collectibles. Select from a Avenue, west to Edgewater Drive, loop and return tax returns. The program is staffed by IRS-certified lot will be the place to gather. 6:30am is the time. wonderful array of delicate china, sparkling crystal, to Lakewood Park. Racers will receive 100% cotton volunteers who are ready to assist low- to moderate- Everyone should dress for the weather and bring a gleaming silver, soft linens, lovely candlesticks, t-shirts, refreshments and food and winners receive income taxpayers of all ages. It is not necessary to be candle that is shielded from the wind. graceful vases, unique artwork, striking accessories, medals and jingling jester hats. For information, an AARP member to use the service. The outdoor venue offers an amazing hallelujah vintage hats, purses, gloves, lingerie. Proceeds ben- please call The Covenant at (216) 574-9000 or visit Appointments can be made now by calling the chorus of honking geese, sun rising over the Cleve- efit the programs and properties of the Lakewood http://www.hermescleveland.com/roadracing/ site you plan to use. The following Lakewood loca- land landscape, and interdenominational gifts of Historical Society. events/bridges.asp to register. $17 in advance, $22 tions offer assistance on a weekly basis: music, spoken word, and communion (served from The Nicholson House day of race. Barton Center, 14300 Detroit Ave., 9 a.m. to noon the huge rock near the cliff). 13335 Detroit Avenue The Bridges to Recovery 5K Run/1 Mile Walk Thursdays; call (216) 221-3400. Organized by the Lakewood Ministerial Associa- event will benefit The Covenant Adolescent Chemical tion. Further information can be received by calling Dependency Treatment and Prevention Center, Inc. Saturday, April 14 They provide important substance abuse prevention Madison Branch of the Lakewood Public Library, 221-4005, Lakewood Baptist Church and Rev. Jona- Bridges to Recovery 5k Run/Walk Benefit and treatment services for children and youth in 13229 Madison Ave., noon to 4 p.m. Tuesdays; call than Glass-Riley, President of the Ministerial. for The Covenant Greater Cleveland. (216) 228-7428. Lakewood Park 9:00 AM Lakewood Park at Belle and Lake Avenue The Covenant’s Bridges to Recovery 5K Run/ Lakewood Senior Center, 16024 Madison Ave., Thursday, April 12 noon to 4 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays; call (216) Free Home Repairs Application Event 226-0611. 4:30 PM - 8:00 PM Who: Lakewood renters and homeowners with Many more listings at children under 6 years old. www.lakewoodobserver.com All Month What: We will help you complete and submit Hixson’s 45th Easter Egg Show your grant application. List Your Event Today - It’s FREE! 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM Please Bring: Birth certificates for children under An Easter tradition, all week from Palm Sunday 6 years old along with current proof of income for all through Saturday. Free and open to the public, adults living in the household (i.e. last two paystubs, Bill Hixson’s fabulous collection of Easter Eggs is a Social Security Statement, ect).