November 30, 2009
ONE CITY RESPONDS TO FIRST ENERGY LIGHT BULB FIASCO
After the First Energy light bulb debacle, the City of Lakewood is taking a proactive approach to encouraging its residents to use high-efficiency light bulbs. The City has joined forces with a local Lakewood business to offer light bulbs at a reasonable price as part of its Light the Night campaign.
Lakewood’s Neighborhood Block Club Program is starting a Light the Night campaign to encourage residents to leave their porch lights on at night as a safety mechanism. Many crimes happen at night and the block clubs are hoping that lighting the neighborhood just might help deter crime.
As part of the Light the Night campaign, the City has partnered with Lakewood Hardware, 16608 Madison Avenue, to offer residents affordable high-efficiency light bulbs. During the month of December, Lakewood Hardware will sell two 75-watt high-efficiency light bulbs for $5.00. They will also provide a recycling container in their store to recycle burned out light bulbs.
“After First Energy’s absurd proposal to provide residents with two light bulbs for over $21, we wanted to offer our residents a reasonable alternative for purchasing the high-efficiency light bulbs,” stated Mayor Ed FitzGerald. “With the block clubs promoting their Light the Night Campaign, we decided this was the perfect time to promote the use of high-efficiency bulbs and partner with a Lakewood business to make it easy and affordable for our residents.”
Lakewood will kick-off the Light the Night program on Saturday,
December 5, 2009 as part of it annual holiday celebration, Light Up Lakewood. Residents are encouraged to leave their porch lights as they attend Light Up Lakewood on December 5. Residents can purchase the discounted high-efficiency light bulbs at Lakewood Hardware throughout the month of December.
Lakewood Neighborhood Block Club is a resident-driven program that helps neighbors work together and work with police and other city departments to ensure safety and security for each person in our community. Residents interested in more information about the Light the Night campaign or starting a block can contact Mike Tuttle, Lakewood Block Club Coordinator, at (216) 529-6657.
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