RTA Update

Out of the blue, late last Friday afternoon, RTA announced that all of the Community Circulators were being cut without any public discussion or debate.

RTA has stated that they don't need to hear any public input on this issue, because they heard from the public last year. That's an outrageous position for any public agency to take.

Please join us this Thursday, July 30, at 6:00 p.m., in front of the main branch of the Lakewood Public Library for a Rally to Save the Lakewood Circulator.

We're also collecting signatures on petitions to register our opposition to these proposed cuts. If you have any questions, you can email us at commrel@lakewoodoh.net.

Please spread the word, and I hope to see you on Thursday.

Help Lakewood Win $100,000

Help Lakewood and The Westshore Council of Governments Win $100,000

The Westshore Council of Governments (COG), which includes the City of Lakewood, was selected as one of nine project finalists in the EfficientGovNow grant contest to win $100,000.

EfficientGovNow is a program presented by the Fund For Our Economic Future to strengthen Northeast Ohio's economic competitiveness by increasing collaboration and efficiency.

You can help Lakewood win this award by voting for:

4. Westshore Regional Fire District Project (Cuyahoga and Lorain counties)

at www.efficientgovnow.org/Vote/.

To learn more about COG's project, visit www.efficientgovnow.org/Proposals/abstractX.html.

Voting ends July 31, 2009. So please vote today!

Tax Amnesty Begins

For the first time in recent memory, the City of Lakewood is launching an initiative to collect delinquent income taxes. Starting July 21st, the City will offer a ONE-TIME income tax amnesty allowing residents and businesses who are delinquent on their taxes to:

• File outstanding tax return(s) and pay the outstanding tax and interest in full without penalties
• Pay outstanding tax balance(s) and interest in full without penalties
• Pay outstanding penalties only balance(s) at a reduced amount

This opportunity will expire on September 30th, 2009. On that date, the City will initiate a more aggressive and less friendly, approach. The City will use its ability to access Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax records to identify taxpayers who did not file and/or pay the proper city income tax. Taxpayers identified after the income tax amnesty will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the Lakewood Income Tax Ordinance and be held responsible for all penalties and interest levied against any outstanding tax balance(s).

No appointment is necessary. The Lakewood Municipal Income Tax Division is located at 12805 Detroit Avenue in the City Hall Annex Building on the corner of Detroit and Alameda Avenue. The Division can address any questions or concerns regarding this one-time tax amnesty in person, by phone at (216) 529-6620, or by email at taxdept@lakewoodoh.net during their regular business hours. Frequently asked questions, additional information, extended hours, and/or tax forms are available on our website at OneLakewood.com/Tax.

RTA Decision on the Lakewood Circulator

I remember a few years back, RTA management came to a Lakewood City Council meeting and gave the city an award in recognition of how frequently our Community Circulator was being utilized by our residents.

Apparently, times have changed.

Last year, RTA proposed the elimination of various routes, including all of the Community Circulator routes. More than any other suburb, Lakewood residents rallied in protest of this decision. Some of you may have attended the town hall meeting we had here at Lakewood City Hall, or the meeting held at Rocky River City Hall. We collected hundreds of signatures and spoke out loud and clear. And, although service was curtailed, the Lakewood Circulator was preserved.

It looks like we're going to have to do it all over again.

Late last week, RTA called an emergency board meeting to consider more drastic budget cuts. Once again, the proposal was to eliminate all the Circulator routes. We immediately protested the decision, sent out mass emails, and started lobbying board members. Fortunately, the decision was postponed until August 25th.

Now that we've been given a reprieve, we need to use this time to organize. In the next few days, we're going to start circulating petitions to object to this proposed cut. We're going to let everyone know the facts- for instance, that the Lakewood Circulator is unique in the RTA system, and is used far more than any other Community Circulator.

I'm also working with Cleveland Councilman Jay Westbrook to hold a major rally in a couple weeks to help get the message out.

I'll post more as soon as additional details are available. Whether or not you use RTA, I hope you will join us in fighting for a service that is of real benefit to Lakewood.

Outdoor - Seasonal Dining in Lakewood

Earlier this year, the Planning Commission recommended, and City Council approved an ordinance that allows restaurants to use the public sidewalks for outdoor dining. Already, a number of establishments have taken advantage of the opportunity to grow their businesses, while adding activity and interest to the streetscape.

Outdoor dining areas must first be approved by the Planning Commission, then the look of the areas, including materials and furniture to be used, must be approved by the Architectural Board of Review. In the past two weeks, two Madison Avenue businesses opened their outdoor dining areas. They look great.

If your business is interested in outdoor seating areas, have a look here for a synopsis. It’s also available at OneLakewood.com/Development. Or call the department at 529-6630.

Blackbird Bakery is Open; Example of City Storefront Renovation Program

After completing their storefront renovation project with help from the City of Lakewood, Blackbird Bakery is now open. The completely remodeled building at 1391 Sloane Avenue is a welcome addition to the west end of Detroit Avenue and our community.

Tom and Adria Clark, the owners and operators, opened their artisan bakery earlier this month and their menu of hand made breads and pastries is a hit. The building has been completed reworked inside and out. The Clarks participated in the City's Commercial Property Revitalization program which offset some of the construction cost and helped to facilitate this high quality building rehabilitation. This kid friendly, family oriented establishment has plenty of parking, an outdoor seating area and a enough tables inside to host your next community meeting or a smaller coffee gathering. For more information about Blackbird visit their website at www.blackbirdbaking.com.

For information regarding the City's Storefront renovation program contact Planning and Development at 216.529.6630 or visit www.onelakewood.com

4th of July Festivities

10:00am
The 4th of July Parade begins at Kenneth and Lake, and ends at Lakewood Park.

7:00pm
The Lakewood Project, Lakewood High School’s Youth Rock Orchestra, will perform at the Bandstand at Lakewood Park.


9:45pm
The Fourth of July festivities will conclude with Lakewood annual fireworks extravaganza at approximately 9:45-10:00 p.m.