ary 2000

letters tothe editor

Threat of referendum was real

To the Editors:

While Lakewood City Council did vote on [January 18] to reject a proposal for revising the city's health benefit structure, this council member's vote was not a rejection of the gay and lesbian community.

As an at-large member of City Council, I received hundreds of phone calls about this issue. Until the final two days, after some extensive and perhaps inflammatory rhetoric from churches (!!?), the phone calls were exactly 50/50. I also received a number of letters, excellent and heartfelt letters on behalf of the proposal, again a 50/50 split. I would like to thank all who called or wrote

me.

The sheer number of the calls and letters speak well of the campaign behind the proposal. Good job.

As everyone knows, who spoke with me, I had very conflicting feelings about passing an ordinance for which an actual need was not demonstrated. The sponsors admitted they did not know who or how many city hall employees would request or benefit from this law.

My objections to this law are in no way an objection to the many gay and lesbian Lakewood residents. I live in Lakewood because I enjoy the diversity. I have no wish to live in a "white bread" town. I want to enjoy my neighbors and make friends for life.

It was the barrage of negative calls on the last weekend that convinced me to vote against this issue. I feared what would hap-

pen if the issue were to pass.

You may not remember, but I do, that four years ago, a citizens group took an ordinance about council raises to the ballot by referendum. Council salaries have been static for more than twenty years, less than any other similar city. The citizens group won; I guarantee you no councilmember will touch that issue.

Then, two years ago, a citizens group (much the same as the first) took an ordinance about water rates (which in Lakewood had paid for both water and pipe replacement) to the ballot by referendum. Our water rates are now effectively frozen. The only way the city can fund new water lines is to go to residents for a vote, a very inefficient way to keep our infrastructure in good condition.

The threat of a citizen referendum on the issue we were discussing was real. And the damage that would result from an ugly, nasty, ill-informed election issue would be serious, for each of us and to Lakewood as a whole. This benefit, as elusive as it was, wasn't worth that risk.

I am committed to Lakewood and those who live here. The contributions of the gay and lesbian population have made our city a better place for us all to live. I know that is true and I look forward to working towards a full community acceptance of all who live here.

You can call or write, or come over and share a cup of coffee.

I look forward to working with you. Pam Smith, Councilwoman at Large Lakewood, Ohio

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A first-hand look at ugly politics

To the Editors:

I attended the domestic partnership ordinance debates in Lakewood over the last few weeks. I felt confident in the passage of this piece of legislation because it was based on equality. Boy, was I wrong. I guess my first reaction to attending the council meetings was pure shock! I have never in my life witnessed overt homophobia like I had over the last two weeks.

Having a few days to think about what happened, I find the responses of some of the council members and the mayor to be most discouraging. I have two examples. One, my ward representative, Mr. George Thomas, told me over the phone less than a week before the vote that he would be voting yes on this issue. When it came time to vote, though, he voted no. I keep wondering why he lied to me and asking myself, did he just tell me what I wanted to hear?

Two, I went to a fundraiser for Mayor Cain sponsored by the members of the gay and lesbian community of Lakewood. She seemed to be receptive to our questions and concerns. Now if I am correct, this is the first significant piece of legislation concerning gays and lesbians in Lakewood.

Mayor Cain was reported as saying in the Lakewood Sun Post that she had fiscal and legal concerns about proposed benefits. Why would Mayor Cain accept money from gays and lesbians and then turn her back on us the first chance she gets?

In addition while speaking to Mayor Cain at this fundraiser, my partner and I had mentioned that we had our rainbow flag stolen twice off our porch. We asked her if there was a hate crime law in Lakewood that covered such theft if we caught the person. She said she would have to get back with us. She took our phone number and names but never did get back to us.

I guess what I am saying is that I feel I am getting a first hand look at the ugly side of politi Personally, I would rather know if a politician agrees or disagrees with me than to have him or her tell me one thing and do another. I wonder if Mayor Cain will ask for the gay and lesbian vote next election? I wonder if we will blindly give it to her?

On a more positive note, I have learned a valuable lesson in the last two weeks. Be proud to be whoever you are. Know that while this piece of legislation failed the larger community is talking about gay and lesbian issues. This is only the beginning of a social movement for gay and lesbian families. I know I will keep fighting for equal rights. Maybe one day society will recognize my love for my partner and will grant us the same social and economic rights currently enjoyed by heterosexuals.

Rob Gallagher Lakewood

City officials should promote dialogue

To the Editors:

It saddens me that our culture is not yet ready to positively address issues of fairness such as equal pay for equal work, which was the basic premise behind the proposed ordinance in the city of Lakewood, Ohio.

I think it is imperative for the Mayor and the Lakewood City Council to address the issue of equal rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) people in their city. How can this equality fit into and enrich the greater culture of Lakewood?

Lakewood's large population of GLBT people speaks to the need for this discussion. The issue of fairness is not over, it will not go away, so let's address it.

Yes, the community is certainly divided about these issues, and will remain divided unless open and honest dialogue is facilitated in the community. It is the responsibility of the City of Lakewood to facilitate those issues in the interest of all its citizens.

Linda Malicki, Executive Director Lesbian-Gay Community Service Center of Greater Cleveland

GAY PEOPLE'S

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Volume 15, Issue

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