Lakewood's Community Police Officers

Our Neighborhood Patrol Officer (NPO) program involves officers performing a number of assignments. Neighborhood Police Officers Fritsch in Ward 4, Fischer in Ward 3, Ortiz in Ward 2 and Busi in Ward 1 are the representation of community oriented policing. They interact daily with the residents and business owners in their assigned areas seeking to identify situations that impact the quality of life.

Together with the people in the area they identify the resources available to maintain and improve the neighborhood. Often the role the officers play is not what would traditionally be thought of as “police work”, but addressing situations that are of concern to the people who live or work in a neighborhood, regardless of the nature, is the most effective means of providing safety.

Check out this video, also available on the city's home page, for a summary of the initiative.

Clifton Boulevard: Public Meeting April 7

In 2007, the cities of Lakewood and Cleveland worked together to build a conceptual plan to enhance Clifton Boulevard. The plan seeks to calm traffic and enhance property values along the boulevard by improving the landscaping, lighting, pedestrian and transportation amenities along the boulevard. The plan is best known for its recommendation to install a landscaped median. The plan is available in its entirety here.

Despite challenging economic times, our communities strive to make strategic investments that improve quality of life and property values. The cities of Lakewood and Cleveland collaborated with RTA to take the plan to the design phase. In 2009, RTA applied for and received federal stimulus funds to design the Clifton Boulevard Enhancement Program with the cities of Lakewood and Cleveland.

At no cost to the city, the next steps will be taken to design the Clifton Boulevard enhancements. The design process will be lengthy. Over the coming months, residents will be invited to help planners, designers and engineers to gather input on details big and small.

In the nearer term, you may see surveyors and engineers working along Clifton Boulevard surveying and conducting other field investigations.

The first public meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 7th from 7 - 9pm at Emerson Elementary School, 13439 Clifton Blvd., Lakewood for Cleveland and Lakewood residents. The general public and residents needing ADA access should enter from the main entrance at the rear of the school, near the parking lot.

Earth Hour This Saturday

Lakewood will participate in Earth Hour on Saturday, March 27, 2010 from 8:30 PM to 9:30 PM. Earth Hour is a global event that encourages individuals and businesses to show their support for reducing global warming by turning out lights and unplugging unneeded appliances for an hour. Lakewood residents and businesses are encouraged to turn off their lights from 8:30 PM to 9:30 PM.

In 2009, more than 300 cities across the globe joined the Earth Hour movement and Lakewood was the first city in Ohio to sign up. This year, Ohio is an official Earth Hour state and will turn off the lights at the governor’s residence.

Earth Hour began in Sydney in 2007, when 2.2 million homes and businesses switched off their lights for one hour. In 2008 the message had grown into a global sustainability movement, with 50 million people switching off their lights. Global landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Rome’s Colosseum, the Sydney Opera House and the Coca Cola billboard in Times Square all stood in darkness.

For more information about Earth Hour, visit http://www.earthhour.org/.

Progress Constructing Lakewood's Newest Office Building

It sure is going up fast. Other details on the site here.

It's Severe Weather Awareness Week

Did you know that it is Severe Weather Awareness Week? The purpose of this week is to draw attention to the fact that extreme weather (including possible tornadoes) are common this time of year.

Lakewood will join other municipalities throughout Cuyahoga County in conducting a Tornado Safety Exercise on Wednesday, March 24, 2010 at 9:50 a.m. This means the city's outdoor early warning alert siren will be set off and schools in Lakewood will conduct a tornado drill.

The early warning alert siren system is the City's way of alerting residents of possible danger, and advising them to seek shelter and listen to the radio, watch television or check the web for complete information.

If a situation should occur that may pose danger, a steady weather alert siren--a three-minute long steady tone--will sound. If necessary, verbal instructions can be announced using the system. When you hear the steady alert siren, take appropriate shelter and tune into radio or TV for more information. Please don't call 911 if you hear the alert; those lines need to remain open for emergencies. Try the non-emergency number at 521-7580 if you have concerns about the siren.

Though the city's four sirens are very loud (about 100 decibels 100 feet away, similar to a standing over an operating jackhammer) they are to notify residents who are outside. So, some residents may not hear the sirens if they are inside. The City tests the sirens every Saturday at noon. The test sirens play chimes, except the last Saturday of the month when the steady weather alert siren sounds for thirty seconds.

The City Is Looking For A Finance Manager

The City of Lakewood is seeking applications from qualified candidates for the Finance Manager position. This new position reports to the Assistant Finance Director and is responsible for managing all Income Tax, Vital Statistics and Water Administration staff and performing administrative functions related to all areas, including: interpreting and enforcing applicable laws, ordinances, rules and regulations; overseeing the small claims and subpoena/summons processes; addressing and resolving complaints; and coordinating the processing of related forms and reports. Manages and performs complex functions associated with tax, vital statistics and water administration including: administering programs; collections; financial reporting; and completing all related documents and forms. Provides and ensures excellent customer service in all three areas.

Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in a related field; and, two to three years of progressively responsible related experience in income tax preparation and/or oversight; or any combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

How to Apply:
Qualified candidates may apply in person in the Department of Human Resources located at the Lakewood City Hall, 12650 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, OH 44107 or may download an application in PDF format by clicking here. All applications must be received by Monday, March 22 at 5:00PM.

View detailed job description here.

The City of Lakewood is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Lakewood Open House A Success

The Lakewood Open House on March 13th was a success. While the final numbers from the real estate community aren't in yet, early reports are that their was solid traffice through the houses with people who are planning to move here making the effort to tour.

Two houses were taken off the list before the event because contracts were written on them. Hopefully, we will be hearing about other contracts in the next week or so.

Two homes that the City recently purchased were included in the Open House. These homes will be completely rehabbed and brought up to code before they are sold. But the Open House gave people the first opportunity to see homes and imagine how wonderful they will be when completed.

Thanks to everyone who contributed and suported this event.

Thinking of Buying? Lakewood Open House This Weekend

This Saturday, March 13, from 1-5PM, FIFTY homes for sale with easy access to downtown Lakewood will be open for viewing by prospective buyers. The City of Lakewood is a sponsor of LakewoodAlive's unique event in collaboration with the real estate brokerages to showcase houses with easy access our revitalized downtown commercial district. With Panera Bread’s support, coupons will be offered to visitors at the houses inviting them to come to Panera and meet with City, School(s), First Federal and Lakewood Hospital representatives to learn about life in Lakewood.

Thinking of moving? Thinking of owning vs. renting? This is a great opportunity to “open” your eyes to what Lakewood has to offer. Go to www.lakewoodopen.com .

Parks Master Planning Update

Community Workshop #3 was held at the Woman’s Club Pavilion on March 9th and the completed working draft of the plan was presented for community review and comment.

This third workshop was the next to last phase in completing the plan that will help guide Lakewood as we take necessary steps as a community to more effectively manage and systematically improve our parkland.

This plan makes recommendations for the management of all parks and is a decision making tool that sets priorities and outlines implementation. The plan’s strength comes from the extensive research, analysis of existing conditions and community input that are the basis for the recommended goals, strategies and action steps it contains.

View the DRAFT plan here. Send any comments to planning@lakewoodoh.net.

In July, the final draft of the Park System Master Plan will be presented to the Planning Commission and to City Council for review and adoption.

Parks Master Plan Meeting

Park System Master Plan Community Workshop #3
Tuesday March 9th
6:30 - 8:00
Woman's Club Pavilion at Lakewood Park

Healthy Parks are key to a healthy community. The Parks System Master Plan is a strategy to evaluate, manage and improve our parkland through a collaborative public process. The plan considers the City’s parks as a system, not individual parks, and works toward consistency in appearance, maintenance and improvement design. The master plan outlines an on-going community input process, articulates a clear vision and recommends methods for improving our parks within a 5-year timeline.

The draft Park System Master Plan will be presented and discussed at the workshop. This is the working draft that is the result of community collaboration over the last several months and the generosity of residents in sharing their expertise, donating their time and their good ideas to improve our parks.

A Little More on Outdoor Markets...

Quick update regarding some of our Lakewood friends committed to organic and fresh food in Lakewood. Via CoolCleveland, check out this NEOtropolis episode featuring representatives from Nature's Bin and LEAF.

Credit CoolCleveland.

Eat Well Lakewood Event a Huge Draw

Last weekend, more than 300 (!) people attended LiveWellLakewood’s latest event: Eat Well Lakewood! Attendees watched demonstrations from Ernie Logsdon, executive chef for Nature’s Bin, and the Cleveland Clinic’s own executive chef Jim Perko discuss and show ways to prepare delicious foods that are good for you too. Former local chef Eric Lawrey demonstrated some healthy meals to be prepared quickly.

The standing-room only crowd sampled nutritious options from local restaurants like Buckeye Beer Engine, Root Café, Breadsmith, Route 6, Italian Creations, Sweet Designs Chocolatiers, Deweys, Aladdins, Nature's Bin and Panera Bread.

Keep in touch with LiveWellLakewood by visiting their website here.

Farmers Markets (and similar) for 2010

It’s still cold outside and it’s going to be a long time before most of us start thinking about buying fresh and local produce during Lakewood’s best months of the year. But, know that the city, community organizations and volunteers are working right now to coordinate three (that’s right three!) opportunities to get the freshest foods for your summer meals every week.

To start, LEAF (the Lakewood Earth & Food Community) is gearing up for the 2010 growing season. You can link to their site above, or join their facebook page here (All you LEAF-ers should return the favor and join Lakewood’s page too). They’re having an open house Sunday the 14th at the Library from 2-5pm. LEAF will be in front of the Main Library this year, Wednesday late afternoons starting in the beginning of June.

Then, the City is continuing its partnership with North Union Farmers Market. Starting June 2 through September 9th, you can see then Wednesdays from 10am – 1pm at Kauffman Park.

New this year, is the Lakewood Farmers Market, a volunteer-driven endeavor that will be downtown on Saturday mornings. Some of those details are still being worked out, so we’ll save that for another post. Suspense!