Lakewood Alumn Shares Thoughts on Levy

Kyle G. Baker shared with Patch why he supports the school levy on May 7.

Lakewood Residents Can Endorse School Levy

Issue 14 supporters have created a new website to promote the May school levy.

If you've been wondering how you can help the Lakewood school levy, here's your chance. Citizens for Lakewood's Children has created a new website where Lakewood residents can sign on to support the levy. The website allows residents to show their support for the May 7 levy, see who else has endorsed it and how to contribute. The levy got a major boost from city council this week after the group voted unanimously to support the schools' 3.9 mill levy. If passed, the levy would cost homeowners $10 per month for $100,000 of home value. The district has made spending cuts in recent years, but has also seen a decrease in property tax collections and in state funding. This is the lowest millage request since the 1970s, according to the district…

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PolitiFact: Ed FitzGerald 'Mostly False' in First Obama Supporter Claim

Former Lakewood mayor and potential candidate for Ohio governor, FitzGerald told a group of college students he was the first Cuyahoga County official to endorse Obama.

As Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald travels the state rallying support for his possible run for Ohio governor, he's been attracting the attention of the folks at Politifact Ohio. Recently, they checked out a claim published late last month by the Cincinnati Enquirer that FitzGerald, the former mayor of Lakewood, said he was the first Cuyahoga County official to endorse Barack Obama for president.  Politifact Ohio called that claim mostly false. They weren't able to prove that he wasn't the first, but neither was FitzGerald.  Does this mean anything to you in deciding whether you think FitzGerald has a shot at the governor's seat? Tell us what you think.

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Lakewood Schools Levy by the Numbers

Learn more about the 3.9-mill levy that will be on the May 7 ballot.

Last week, the Lakewood City Schools Board of Education voted to put a 3.9-mill levy on the May 7, 2013 ballot. Here’s a little more information about that proposal: For more:

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1

12:05 am on Tuesday, February 12, 2013

The money this will raise is approximately 4% of the total budget. Basically the same amount they cut last year but then turned around and reversed the cuts. If they stuck to their original budget cuts would this levy even be necessary? I find it troubling when people have no problem spending someone else's money. Get the empty schools off the balance sheet and prove to the citizens of Lakewood …   more ›

3.9-Mill Levy Takes Another Step Toward the Ballot

Lakewood School Board votes to send a 3.9-mill operating levy to the Cuyahoga County Auditor’s Office Jan. 27 deadline for the May 7 election.

The Lakewood Board of Education took its first official step toward placing a 3.9-mill operating levy before voters in May. It wasn’t much of a surprise to board members, who’ve known for a while about the district’s financial woes, stemming from cuts in state funding and dwindling property values.  The board agreed to pass a measure on first reading to file paperwork with the Cuyahoga County Auditor’s Office by its Jan. 27 deadline for the May 7 election. Superintendent Jeff Patterson recently told Lakewood Patch that the levy would cost owners of a $100,000 home $10 per month. “We’re very strategic about the 3.9 mills because we want to make sure we’re financial able to do things we want to do and keep the excellent programs we have now…

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3.9-Mill Levy May be Headed to the Ballot in May

School board to review the proposal on Tuesday.

It won’t be a complete surprise to the Lakewood School Board that the administration is looking to put a 3.9-mill operating levy before voters on May 7. Board members have known for a while that some sort of financial assistance was needed to stop the bleeding from cuts in state funding and dwindling property values. The district made $4 million in cuts last year, however most of the layoffs were reversed in the fall. Superintendent Jeff Patterson is expected to formally introduce a measure to school board on Tuesday to place the operational levy on the ballot. He told Lakewood Patch on Thursday that the levy would cost owners of a $100,000 home $10 per month. “We’re very strategic about the 3.9 mills because we want to make sure we’re …

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Shelley

8:53 pm on Sunday, January 20, 2013

18 years ago when I moved here from Strongsville and lost started paying 2 city income taxes as working in Cleveland and living in Strongsville I only had to pay once plus the increase in property tax it was to enjoy the charm and enjoy the short ride to work. Part of the decision of my purchase was knowing that being in my late 20's I would have a child and that the child would have a safe, …   more ›

Lakewood School Board Considers Finances, New Levy

Board looks at the year ahead in a meeting that lasted more than four-and-a-half hours.

Members of the Lakewood Board of Education agree that a school levy is needed to secure the financial future of the Lakewood City Schools. But, there are still several details yet to be ironed out.  Those details include what type of levy the district should ask Lakewood taxpayers for. It's also unclear how much the district will ask for. Or when.  Board members began that discussion at a special four-hour school board meeting on Thursday. “As I’ve said in the past, we can either continue to make significant reductions to our staff, or we can put a measure on the ballot,” said Superintendent Jeff Patterson. John Larson, from Squire Sanders law firm, presented a few levy options to district officials. But the seems as if the board is …

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Ed FitzGerald Considers Gubernatorial Run

Former Lakewood mayor tells the Plain Dealer that Ted Strickland's decision to sit out 2014 “accelerates” his own gubernatorial exploration. Would you vote for him?

Ed FitzGerald, the former Lakewood mayor and current county executive, is eyeing a run for governor in 2014. According to the Plain Dealer, former governor Ted Strickland's decision to stay out of the race “accelerates” FitzGerald’s own gubernatorial exploration. It would appear as if FitzGerald — a Lakewood resident — is gearing up to challenge Gov. John Kasich.  "I don't have a date set for making a final decision," he told the Plain Dealer. During the past year, FitzGerald has hosted a couple political fundraisers in the area and he’s made several appearances around the state. He hasn’t been exactly shy about his political interests. "I wouldn't be surprised if he decided to run," Mayor Michael Summers recently told Lakewood Patch. It's…

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Dennis Kucinich Clears Out of Lakewood

The US Congressman finished his last term, after redistricting — then Rep. Marci Kaptur — ousted him from the post. But the building on Detroit Avenue won’t be vacant for too long.

Bundled-up employees from an area moving company braved freezing winds on Wednesday to haul countless boxes and office furniture out of the space most-recently occupied by US Rep. Dennis Kucinich. The former congressman has occupied the space at 14400 Detroit Avenue since 1997 when he began the first of his six terms in the 10th Congressional District. At the end of December, Kucinich finished his last term. Redistricting pitted Kucinich against long-time representative Marci Kaptur, who beat him in the newly drawn North Coast district. He wasn't at the office on Wednesday afternoon. He was giving his final speech on the floor of 112th Congress. “It has been an honor and a privilege to serve our nation together in our mutual pursuit of …

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