Community Corner
Lakewood City Manager Publishes Weekly Bulletin For September 4
The masks and PPE were donated by Gimhae as an act of support, collaboration and friendship between the two cities.
September 5, 2020
To: Mayor, City Council
Find out what's happening in Lakewood-JBLMfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
From: John J. Caulfield, City Manager
Emergency Food Network & Lakewood Chamber of Commerce receive masks donated by Gimhae
In August, the City received a donation of 10,000 KF94 masks and 1,000 sets of personal protection equipment (PPE), from the city of Gimhae, Korea. Gimhae and Lakewood have shared Friendship Cities status since 2006. The masks and PPE were donated by Gimhae as an act of support, collaboration and friendship between the two cities.
Find out what's happening in Lakewood-JBLMfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
This week the City distributed 5,000 KF94 masks to the Emergency Food Network (EFN). These mask will be distributed to food banks located in Lakewood.
The City also distributed 1,600 KF94 masks to the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce. These masks will be distributed to local businesses in Lakewood.
Previously the City distributed masks and PPE to:
- West Pierce Fire and Rescue (WPFR) – 800 KF94 masks & 300 PPE sets
- Western State Hospital (WSH) – 500 KF94 masks
- Lakewood’s CHOICE – 200 KF94 masks
In response to this donation from the city of Gimhae, Lakewood Mayor Don Anderson expressed his heartfelt gratitude. “We are so incredibly grateful for Gimhae’s generosity and support as we continue to respond to the coronavirus pandemic here in Lakewood. This donation will make a significant difference in our ability to effectively suppress the spread of the virus, particularly for some of Lakewood’s most vulnerable residents. We look forward to many more future collaborations with Mayor Seong Gon Heo and the city of Gimhae.”
The donation was accompanied by a letter from Mayor Seong Gon Heo with the following message: “Gimhae City wishes to share the grieves and pains of health care professionals, officials, and people of Lakewood, who have been suffering on the front line… It is my hope that this small donation from Gimhae may help Lakewood get over with the COVID-19. I pray for Mr. Mayor and the people of Lakewood to stay healthy and well, and desire that the two cities will work together to continue mutual developments with the spirit of solidarity, engagement, and cooperation when the COVID-19 crisis ends.”
For help with its Sister and Friendship Cities, the city of Lakewood partners with the Lakewood Sister Cities Association (LSCA), an independent non-profit organization that was established to help promote meaningful cultural, educational, tourism, and trade exchanges between Lakewood and its Sister Cities and Friendship Cities. LSCA representatives provided the following response to Gimhae’s donation, “It gives us great pleasure to see the Lakewood Sister Cities Association bear yet another fruit in its efforts to promote friendship and mutual assistance with this announcement of a generous gift from Gimhae City… It is our hope that we all remain healthy and cement our relationship as sister cities in the near future.”
City to receive additional CARES Act funds from the state
On August 31, Governor Jay Inslee announced that an additional $190 million will be awarded from the state’s federal stimulus funding to local governments that did not receive direct distributions under the CARES Act. To read more click here.
The new funding includes nearly $126 million that will be distributed to cities and counties. The governor’s budget office approved the distributions, in consultation with legislative leaders.
With this, the City is set to receive an additional $895,050 from the state’s CARES Act funding; the City initially received $1,790,100.
The City Council will review potential uses of these additional funds at the upcoming Lakewood City Council Regular Meeting this Tuesday, September 8th.
Virtual Coffee with the Mayor this Tuesday
Mayor Don Anderson will host a virtual Coffee with the Mayor on Tuesday, September 8, 2020 at 7:30 a.m. The event will be held via Zoom.
The guest speaker will be Becky Newton, Economic Development Manager, who will provide an update on economic development priorities, progress, projects, and permitting!
To participate in the meeting on ZOOM visit
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88149342093?pwd=eTd5TmRkRk1uMXcyR0x6Y0JQOGRRdz09
Enter Passcode: 205444or
By Telephone:
Dial +1(253)-215-8782
Webinar ID: 881 4934 2093
Passcode: 205444
If you have any questions regarding accessing the virtual meeting please contact City Clerk Briana Schumacher at (253) 983-7705 or bschumacher@cityoflakewood.us.
Public Hearing on Proposed Code Amendments Related to Fireworks
There will be a public hearing at the upcoming Lakewood City Council Regular Meeting on Tuesday, September 8, 2020 at 7:00 p.m on proposed code amendments related to fireworks.
To learn about how to provide public comment visit: https://cityoflakewood.us/notice-of-lakewood-city-council-public-hearing-regarding-fireworks-2/
Fireworks have been under consideration by the City Council since early 2020. The City Council remains interested in all public input on this issue.
Due to COVID-19, the public hearing originally scheduled for June 1, 2020 then rescheduled for July 20, 2020 were not held. All comments received to date have been included as part of the public record.
Please note, state law requires a year delay before any adopted ban can take effect.
2nd Annual Poetry in the Park
From now until October 15, 2020 Fort Steilacoom Park users can enjoy poetry placed around Waughop Lake. The poems are all located along the nearly 1-mile path circumnavigating Waughop Lake in the heart of Lakewood’s 350-acre Fort Steilacoom Park.
The signs were placed by Tahoma Audubon Society volunteers who are growing a fledgling “Poetry in the Park” initiative.
Six years ago Dona Townsend and her husband were hiking in the Olympic National Park when they came around a corner and found a sign with poetry on it. They learned of two other locations with poetry along the trail and made a point to hike them too.
They loved the idea and thought it would be a great thing to bring to the South Sound.
Last year marked the first year the group organized a Poetry in the Park event in Lakewood at Fort Steilacoom Park. Other Poetry in the Park events previously occurred in the cities of Tacoma and University Place.
Postponed Lakewood Spring Clean-up rescheduled for Saturday, September 26th, 2020
Due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the City postponed the 2020 Lakewood Spring Clean-up Event that was planned for May of 2020.
The City and Waste Connections, the City’s solid waste contractor, are happy to announce that this event has been rescheduled for Saturday, September 26, 2020 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 3869 94th St SW, Lakewood, WA 98499.
Event rules:
- All non-bulky items must be bagged.
- All items will be unloaded by event participants.
- All event participants must show photo I.D. or utility bill with a Lakewood address.
- All event participants must wear a mask and maintain 6 feet of social distancing while at site.
- No mattresses will be accepted at this event.
- No U-Hauls or Box Vans will be accepted at this event.
- Last car will be accepted at 1:45 p.m.
- Please see list of accepted items and not accepted items.
Looking to the future, the Lakewood Fall Clean-up Event will be held November 14-15, 2020. More information on this event will be coming soon.
If you have questions about this event, please contact Senior Policy Analyst Shannon Kelley Fong at skelleyfong@cityoflakewood.us or (253) 983-7717.
Lakewood Farmers Market is today!
The Lakewood Farmers Market continues its highly successful run at Fort Steilacoom Park this Friday (8/14) from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Fort Steilacoom Park in the parking lot adjacent to the baseball fields.
Holding the Lakewood Farmers Market here allows us to achieve social distancing and meet public health directives to keep the community safe during the current health crisis. Fort Steilacoom Park has plenty of free parking available for shoppers. Market goers can walk around the parking lot to access booths and purchase items or pick up items that were pre-ordered.
The market runs every Friday at Fort Steilacoom Park from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. through Sept. 18, 2020.
See the full lineup of vendors, including food trucks and dessert options on the Farmers Market page.
Larry Saunders Service Award nominations now open
The Lakewood Community Foundation Fund (LCFF) is currently accepting nominations for the 2020 Larry Saunders Service Award. This award is given annually to a person or organization who merits special recognition and community appreciation. This 2020 announcement occasions the award’s fourth year. Nomination forms are available online only by visiting lakewoodfoundation.org.
Nominations will be accepted through September 25, 2020.
Send your completed nomination forms by mail to LCFF, PO Box 39578, Lakewood, WA 98496 or by email to foxxlair@aol.com.
The foundation and city partnered in 2017 to create the award to recognize people/organization that provide exemplary service to Lakewood and who merit special recognition and community appreciation. Prior award winners include:
2017 – Diane Formoso, founder of Caring for Kids
2018 – Lakewood Rotary Club
2019 – J. Alan Billingsley, lifelong volunteer work
Former Lakewood Police Chief Larry Saunders served our country and our city with distinction, retiring from the Army to organize our police department in 2004 and serve as our first chief. Returning from Iraq, where he re-joined the Army to establish a police college in Baghdad, Larry embraced Lakewood with tireless community service: our Boys & Girls Club, Rotary clubs, neighborhood associations, and the LCFF. Larry was a ray of light. We were stunned when he died one morning in January, 2016. This award allows us to honor his legacy by supporting those who commit themselves selflessly, just like Saunders.
Rental assistance available through LASA
Living Access Support Alliance (LASA) is now accepting applications for the Lakewood COVID-19 Rent Assistance program.
LASA, a community-supported nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing temporary and recurrent homelessness, was awarded $407,640 from the Lakewood City Council as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds it received from the state of Washington. It is anticipated these funds will help assist 175 Lakewood households.
Applicants for this program need to meet the following minimum requirements to be eligible for receiving one-time rental assistance for up to $1500 paid directly to the landlord:
- Household must live in Lakewood as a renter, with their name on the lease or rental agreement;
- Household’s income has been impacted by COVID-19 on March 12th or later; and
- Household’s total combined income is currently $60,000 per year ($1,200/week or $5,000/month) or less.
If you need technical assistance, translation assistance or special accommodations, call LASA’s Homeless Prevention line at (253) 582-5320 Monday thru Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Click here to apply to the Lakewood COVID-19 Rent Assistance Program.
City’s CARES Act funds update
The CARES Act passed by Congress allocated federal funds to jurisdictions across the country with populations over 500,000. The state of Washington awarded $300 million of the state’s CARES Act funding to local governments that did not receive direct distributions, such as the city of Lakewood. Cities and counties with populations below 500,000 received a per capita distribution of $30 from the state.
Lakewood with an estimated population of 59,670 received an allocation of $1.79 million from the state.
On June 15th the Lakewood City Council authorized the execution of an agreement with the Washington State Department of Commerce to receive CARES Act funding and established funding principals to guide the allocation of this funding.
Funding principals adopted by the City Council were:
- Individual and Family Economic Resilience
- Business Assistance
- Vital Government Services
Under the funding principal of “Vital Government Services,” on July 6, the City Council authorized the allocation of $142,000 to West Pierce Fire and Rescue for the installation of bipolar ionization systems in seven (7) of their Lakewood facilities and for the purchase of portable UV-C lights.
Under the funding principal of “Individual and Family Economic Resilience,” on July 20, the City Council authorized the allocation of $407,640 to Living Access Support Alliance (LASA). LASA will use these funds for rental assistance for Lakewood residents. LASA will directly pay landlords and lenders for one month’s rent up to $1,500 per household. These funds will be available for Lakewood households with an income up to 120% of the area median income. It is anticipated these funds will help assist 175 Lakewood households.
Additionally, under the same principal, on July 20, the City Council authorized the allocation of $50,000 to Communities in Schools (CIS). CIS will use these funds to help provide eight weeks of summer case management, wellness checks, food and basic need deliveries, and the continuation of virtual mentor programming.
Other funds were allocated to Greater Lakes Mental Health, Rebuilding Hope! Sexual Assault Center, Tacoma Community House, YWCA, YMCA, the Pierce County Library, Boys & Girls Club, and Nourish.
In mid-August, the city began allocating CARES Act funds to local small businesses through the Lakewood Small Business Coronavirus Relief Fund Grant. The City Council allocated $624,500 of the city’s CARES Act funds to this grant. In total, 64 small businesses received awards ranging from $2,500 to $10,000. To learn more about the small businesses that received awards visit the City’s CARES Act Funding Dashboard
The city has also allocated over $18,000 for the Lakewood Child Care Providers Grant. These funds are for providers to increase safety measures to help maintain healthy environments.
In addition to the $1.79 million of CARES Act funds received from the state, the city also received $350,611 from CARES Act funding through the Community Development Block Grant program (CDBG), for a total of $2.14 million of CARES Act funding. To date, the city has allocated $1.5 million these funds.
Lakewood COVID-19 business assistance loans program converted to grants
In May the City Council approved a no-interest deferred loan program to provide emergency economic assistance to small businesses impacted by COVID-19. The money for this program came from a $350,611 grant the city received from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through its Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program as part of the federal Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
On August 3, the City Council amended this program to convert the existing deferred loan applications into grants. The City Council also amended this programs to allow Lakewood Small Business Coronavirus Relief Fund (LSBCRF) applicants, which is a separate funding source, who were not successful in the LSBCRF lottery, to make application for a grant under the CDBG CARES Act Program with an effective date of July 27, 2020.
If your business has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be eligible to apply for assistance if you meet the criteria. This program will remain open until all funds are exhausted.
View eligibility requirements and download the application from the Lakewood COVID-19 Business Assistance Grant Program website.
Additional COVID-19 related resources:
COVID-19 Mobile Testing events in Lakewood
For more information on Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department Mobile Testing events click here.
Phase 2 reopening guidelines
The Tacoma Pierce County Chamber and the Economic Development Board of Tacoma-Pierce County have shared resources for business to assist in re-opening and recovery. View more.
Pierce County Council expands support to help more local businesses
In early August, the Pierce County Council passed two ordinances aimed at making more funding available to local businesses struggling from impacts of COVID-19.
The first ordinance doubled the total amount of funding available through a previously established COVID-19 Adaptation Grant Program, bringing the total authorized for assistance to $10 million.
The second ordinance established a Commercial Rent and Mortgage Payment Assistance Program that provides limited assistance to eligible businesses to help protect jobs threatened by COVID-19.
To learn more about this expansion visit here.
Pierce County Emergency Small Business Relief Loan Program
Pierce County small businesses who have experienced significant economic injury as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic may apply for this loan program if they meet program criteria. View more.
Free Personal Protection Equipment for businesses
Pierce County is offering FREE Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to businesses physically located in Pierce County to help them comply with COVID-19 worksite-specific safety practices in order to protect employees and customers. View more.
Washington Listens supports people affected by the stress of COVID-19
In response to COVID-19, Washington has launched Washington Listens, a support program and phone line to help people manage elevated levels of stress due to the pandemic. People who call the Washington Listens support line will speak with a support specialist and get connected to community resources in their area. The program is anonymous.
The Washington Listens support line is 1-833-681-0211. It is available from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. TTY and language access services are available by using 7-1-1 or their preferred method.
Resources and self-help tips are available on walistens.org
City Council September 8, 2020 meeting preview
Items on the September 8, 2020 Regular Meeting agenda include:
- Proclamation declaring September 11, 2020 as Patriot Day and Day of Remembrance – Chief Mike Zaro, Lakewood Police Department and Chief Jim Sharp, West Pierce Fire & Rescue
- Clover Park School District Report
- Authorizing the execution of an interlocal agreement with Clover Park School District for the purchase of fuel
- Authorizing the execution of the Pierce County Conservation Futures Agreement to Fund and Pierce County Conservation Futures Stewardship Agreement and Declaration of Restrictive Covenants to acquire .24 acres of land near Wards Lake Park
- Confirming the appointment and authorizing the execution of an agreement with Lisa Mansfield as Municipal Court Judge for the period of October 1, 2020 through December 31, 2021
- Appointing Asuka Ludden, Jessica Christensen, Jarnail Singh and Phillip Raschke to serve on the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee through November 1, 2022
- This is the date set for a public hearing regarding proposed code amendments related to fireworks
- Declaring the intent of the Lakewood City Council to affirm the Downtown Subarea Plan, Development Code and Planned Action as adopted in Ordinance 695 and Ordinance 696.
- Review of potential use of Coronavirus Relief Funding (CRF) allocations
- Reports by the City Manager – Information Technology Strategic Plan Update
The Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) waiver by the state legislative leadership was extended through October 1. As a result of this waiver extension, City Hall Council Chambers will not be open for this City Council meeting.
Residents can virtually attend City Council meetings by watching them live on the city’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/cityoflakewoodwa
Those who do not have access to YouTube can participate via Zoom by either calling by telephone: Dial +1(253) 215- 8782 and enter participant ID: 868 7263 2373.
To participate in Public Comment and/or Public Testimony:
Public Comments and Public Testimony on Public Hearings will be accepted by mail, email or by live virtual comment.
Comments by mail or email: Send comments to Briana Schumacher, City Clerk at 6000 Main Street SW Lakewood, WA 98499 or bschumacher@cityoflakewood.us. Comments received up to one hour before the meeting will be provided to the City Council electronically.
Virtual Comments: If you would like to provide live Public Comments or Public Testimony during the meeting, you will need to join the Zoom meeting as an attendee by calling by telephone Dial +1(253) 215-8782 and enter participant ID: 868 7263 2373 or visiting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86872632373.
By phone: For those participating by calling in by telephone (+1(253) 215- 8782 and enter participant ID: 868 7263 2373), the Mayor will call on you during the Public Comment and/or Public Hearings portions of the agenda. When you are unmuted please provide your name and city of residence. Each speaker will be allowed (3) three minutes to speak during the Public Comment and at each Public Hearing.
By Zoom: For those using the zoom link (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86872632373), upon entering the meeting, please enter your name or other chosen identifier. Use the “Raise Hand” feature to be called upon by the Mayor during the Public Comments and/or Public Hearings portions of the agenda. When you are unmuted please provide your name and city of residence. Each speaker will be allowed (3) three minutes to speak during the Public Comment and at each Public Hearings.
Outside of Public Comments and Public Hearings, all attendees on ZOOM will continue to have the ability to virtually raises hands. However, these hands will not be acknowledged. City Council meeting agenda and materials can be found here.
City Council meeting agenda and materials can be found here: https://cityoflakewood.us/city-council/city-council-agendas/.
Changes and temporary closures coming to north and southbound I-5 in Lakewood
The state Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is rebuilding the interchanges at Thorne Lane and Berkeley Street, and adding lanes to I-5. Drivers are advised to plan extra travel time into their trips and give work crews a brake by paying attention while traveling through work zones. All work is weather dependent and may be rescheduled.
For the latest construction information, including other overnight closures, visit Tacomatraffic.com.
Travelers are encouraged to watch their speeds and give crews the room they need to work. A temporary speed limit reduction from 60 mph to 50 mph is in place on I-5 from mileposts 121.9 to 124.1.
Before heading out the door, travelers can find the latest information on the WSDOT app and by following the WSDOT regional Twitter feed.
Transportation updates
Onyx Drive
The city’s contractor continued to pour sidewalk and driveways on the south side of the Onyx Drive and grade for sidewalks on the north side. Most of the sidewalk and driveways west of 87th Street are now complete. The contractor began removing the existing road on this section this week to grade the road in preparation for paving. It is anticipated that grading the road will take two (2) weeks. During this time, the section of road will be limited to local traffic only and those not living in the limits will be required to use alternate routes. Detours will be set up and spotters will be located at key intersections to direct traffic.
This week, the City’s contractor continued to grade and place gravel between 87th Street and 97th Street. This section will remain closed to thru traffic until the base lift of asphalt is placed. Paving is tentatively scheduled for September 21st to 24th.
The contractor is watering the unpaved road sections daily to minimize dust. Sidewalks and driveways will continue to be poured on both sections of the project.
There will be lane closures with one-way flagging to facilitate this work; expect up to 10 minute delays .
Read more about the Onyx Drive project and see overhead shots of the project on the project website.
Veterans Drive
The city’s contractor placed the final lift of asphalt today from Gravelly Lake Drive to Highland Avenue. The contractor will continue pouring sidewalk and driveways next week.
There will be lane closures with one-way flagging to help facilitate this work.
The contractor will also begin work in the American Lake Park parking lot. Once work begins in park parking will be limited to the boat launch area.
Read more about the Veterans Drive project and see overhead shots of the project on the project website.
Stormwater Outfall Retrofit Project
The city’s contractor completed all nine (9) stormwater outfall retrofit project sites around Carp Lake this week. It is anticipated that the contractor will be paving starting on September 9, 2020.
Pavement patching
The City of Lakewood’s contractor, Asphalt Patch, completed the 2020 patching program and will paint striping shortly. O&M crews will continue to patch streets as needed throughout the year.
Chip Seal in-progress
The city’s 2020 Chip Seal program focused on areas around Clover Park High School. At this time, the city’s contractor, Doolittle, has laid down all of the road chips and completed applying the fog seal. The contractor will complete the striping of these streets by next week.
Online city services
While city facilities continue to remain closed, the majority of the city’s operations have continued with minimal impacts to the public as city staff continue to serve customers via email, phone, and virtual meetings. The following city services are available online:
Police reports and other items
Census 2020: Be counted
The Census Bureau is continuing to reach out to those who have not filled out the Census yet in an effort to make sure everyone is counted. In light of COVID-19, the bureau recently announced the deadline to complete the census was extended to Oct. 31, 2020.
As of September 4, 65.3 percent of US households responded to the 2020 Census. Washington’s response rate is 71.4 percent. Pierce County’s response rate is 72 percent. The city of Lakewood’s 2020 Census response rate is 66.7 percent overall.
The Woodbrook-Tillicum area has a response rate of 53.2% and Springbrook has a response rate of 46%. In the 2010 Census, these areas had response rates of 28.4% and 34.3% respectively.
There are three ways that people can respond to the census:
- Respond online at www.2020census.gov.
- Call a toll-free number (4 a.m. to 11 p.m. PT)
- English, 844.330.2020
- Spanish, 844.468.2020
- Other languages available, please contact me for information
- Return by Mail
How to help or get help
Looking for ways to help your community during this time? Or are you looking for assistance?
Pierce County created a website with information about how to donate to area food banks, including Emergency Food Network based in Lakewood, and a fund set up specifically to assist the human services needs facing our community in light of COVID-19 impacts.
There are also resources for individuals and businesses looking for more information about available financing and public assistance options. View the website.
Join a community advisory board
Do you like to give back to the community? Are you looking to get better connected to Lakewood? Have some free time you want to fill? Consider joining one of the city’s community advisory boards. Board members often have experience or expertise they can lend, can meet on a monthly basis and can commit to serving a full term, or longer.
Boards with openings:
- Landmarks and Heritage Advisory Board: up to 5 vacancies. Open until filled.
- Planning Commission: 1 vacancy (unexpired term through Dec. 15, 2021). Open until filled.
- Public Safety Advisory Committee: 3 vacancies:
- 1 vacancy (expired three-year term through Aug. 6, 2023). Open until filled.
- 2 vacancies (unexpired three-year term through Aug. 6, 2021). Open until filled.
- Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
- 1 vacancy (unexpired three-year term through September 19, 2022) Deadline to apply: September 4, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.
- 2 vacancies (expired three-year term through September 19, 2023) Deadline to apply: September 4, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.
Board and commission descriptions, meeting schedule and application form can be found online.
Stay up to date with MyLakewood311
Did you know Lakewood has its own free mobile app? All you need to know about the city is at your fingertips. Updates on road projects and detours around the city and other city announcements can be found under the “Public Announcements” header.
Contact the city using the “submit a new request” button and select from the appropriate category. The app allows you to track city staff’s response to your request and follow it through the process.
Please only submit one request per item – submitting multiple requests for the same item slows the review process. Note: This app is not monitored 24/7. If you are reporting an emergency that needs immediate assistance please call 911.
Download it now in the iTunes App Store or on Google Play.
Stay connected with e-mail notifications
Get the latest news and updates from the city of Lakewood delivered directly to your inbox. To subscribe click here.
You can subscribe to the following city newsfeeds:
- City Manager’s Weekly Bulletins (Weekly)
- City Council Agendas and Meeting Schedules (Weekly)
- Lakewood Connections and Recreation Brochures (Quarterly)
- Public Notices
- Coffee with the Mayor (Monthly)
- Bids, Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Request for Qualifications (RFQs)
This press release was produced by the City of Lakewood. The views expressed here are the author’s own.