Chances are if you ask residents what they like best about Lakewood, they'll
mention a few things: the feeling of community, tree-lined streets, or the
architecture.
Some might even voice appreciation about hardwood floors, leaded-glass, or the single- and double-homes, as well as apartment complexes and community-based commercial businesses that reflect quality work and a sense of pride in architectural aesthetics.
History
Lakewood, located on the shore of Lake Erie, occupies 5.6 square miles and
was originally part of Rockport Twp. (created in 1819). It became a village
in 1903 and was incorporated into a city in 1911. The city is located a little over five miles from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and about five miles west of Cleveland Public Square.
Something somewhat surprising about Lakewood is that natural gas and oil wells
aided in the development of the area. Initial drilling began around 1883. In
1911, new gas reserves were found, and drained, within a few years.
Lakewood has loads of places to go for entertainment and education.
Beck Center features plays, musicals, art, drama and dance
classes, as well as a museum and co-op art gallery. There's also the Dead Horse Gallery,
which spotlights area artists. As of March of 2004, the gallery is open only by appointment.
For those into the alternative scene, there's the Hi-Fi (formerly the Blind Lemon), showcasing original local music and national acts, or The Phantasy Nite Club for those who prefer an industrial, gothic dance club/concert venue.
If the great outdoors are more your thing, why not go to Nature's Bin and purchase some healthy foods, then go to the park. Lakewood has 69 acres of parks and a Metroparks adjacent to the city. There's also a Historical Museum, two libraries and the internationally recognized skating rink, Winterhurst Ice Rink, where Olympic medalists and those in training have skated.
Government
Lakewood has a mayor/council form of government, as stipulated in its City
Charter. There are seven council members: three at-large representatives and one
representative of each of the four wards. Council members serve staggered
four-year terms and the mayor is elected every four years. Residents elected their first female mayor on January 1, 1996, Mayor Madeline A. Cain; she was reelected in the year 2000.
Lakewood's current mayor is Thomas J. George, who took office on January 1, 2004 after sixteen years of service as a Lakewood City Councilman.
Schools
In the 2003-2004 Department of Education District Report Card it was noted that the Lakewood City School District is listed under Continuous Improvement. The district is still striving to attain Academic Yearly Progress.
An 87.7% graduation rate was reported; the state graduation performance standard is 90%. However, Lakewood's attendance rate is 94.9%. According to the report, there are 16.6 students per teacher and the median household income is $40,527. The state's average median income is $40,956.
Annual spending per pupil is $6,574.00.
Hey, but all of this just scratches the surface, check out more about
Lakewood at http://www.ci.lakewood.oh.us.
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