Thanks to Your Votes...

After 31 days of voting and strong “get-out-the-vote” campaigns by all of the nine finalists, the residents of Northeast Ohio have made their choice and determined the three EfficientGovNow collaboration projects that will receive grants from the Fund for Our Economic Future. A total of 13,483 qualified votes were cast from every corner of the 16-county region. Lakewood, together with outher Westshoe communities won a grant of $100,000 to research assembling the Westshore Regional Fire District Project.

The Westshore Council of Governments is working toward a comprehensive regionalization of its entire Fire and EMS operations, which covers more than 75 square miles and serves more than 250,000 residents. The intent of the fire district is to provide the most cost effective solution to the emergency needs of its constituents by utilizing the economies of scale corporate model. By autumn of 2009, partners expect to employ an experienced firm to direct the multifaceted regional fire district transition, and would use funding toward that end. Read the proposal here.

Copy credit to www.advancenortheastohio.org

While Other Cities Lay Off Police Officers, Lakewood Increased Police Force by 15%

While other cities facing financial difficulties have been laying off police officers, the City of Lakewood is on pace to increase the number of police officers on the streets by over 15%. This is all part of a law enforcement initiative begun in 2008, which includes the establishment of neighborhood police offices in each of the city’s four wards.

There will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony to inaugurate the opening of the final of these four Neighborhood Police Offices throughout Lakewood on Monday, May 4, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. The new Ward 1 office is located at 17415 Detroit Avenue. This is the completion of another element of a city-wide community policing initiative which includes more park patrols, bike patrols, foot patrols, and involvement with neighborhood block clubs. Present at the opening will be Police Chief Tim Malley, Mayor Ed FitzGerald, members of the Lakewood Police Department, as well as residents active in neighborhood block clubs.

Early Warning Alert Siren System

Extreme weather formations (including possible tornadoes) are common this time of year. 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.