JSO Sets up on Springfield Dog Park

[Bill Hoff]

Fyi, here's a great video by Jax Parks about the dog park and new playground there.

I think Hayley nailed it when describing the purpose & associated lifestyle.

http://myspringfield.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=2336

[Debbie Thompson]

Since the Relay for Life has been over for weeks now, maybe we can stop arguing now about JSO setting up for it and move on? 

[Hayley]

Since the Relay for Life has been over for weeks now, maybe we can stop arguing now about JSO setting up for it and move on? 

I don't think Bill was arguing.  I think he was contributing some valuable positive input.  But I guess you get to be the sole arbiter of what's an acceptable contribution?

[dtgaff]

Since the Relay for Life has been over for weeks now, maybe we can stop arguing now about JSO setting up for it and move on? 

I don't think Bill was arguing.  I think he was contributing some valuable positive input.  But I guess you get to be the sole arbiter of what's an acceptable contribution?

I bet you approached JSO with the same combative attitude...no wonder they reacted accordingly...

[Hayley]

Since the Relay for Life has been over for weeks now, maybe we can stop arguing now about JSO setting up for it and move on? 

I don't think Bill was arguing.  I think he was contributing some valuable positive input.  But I guess you get to be the sole arbiter of what's an acceptable contribution?

I bet you approached JSO with the same combative attitude...no wonder they reacted accordingly...

Well, since no one on this thread was there, I guess we can all just settle the issue by assuming I'm a liar.  This is exactly my point -- why does one resident get to decide that it's a non-issue over another, and just hush people?  I wasn't even really writing on the thread anymore, but that bugs me.  What's the deciding factor that my perspective may have value?  Am I not extolling proper Springfield virtues, as evidenced by the assumption that I didn't go to Relay for Life?  Or just that I disagreed with the decision to close the dog park?  Or am I not a prominent enough citizen in Springfield?  Maybe if I owned a house?  Went to more neighborhood events?  If more of you knew me?

Unfortunately for Springfield, there were other neighbors of mine who frequent the park who were also there, and equally as put off by the situation, and by losing the park that weekend.  But they don't really have a voice in this process, and that's what over time has bummed me out about the whole thing.

That was ME on that video, extolling the virtues of living in Springfield, just a few weeks after I moved in.  I loved that park as a nexus to meet up with my neighbors and because it made me feel connected to where I lived to know people...  but I've learned over time that not everyone's perspective is welcome, and not everyone is equally a part of the conversation in Springfield, and this is, to me, and example of that.  There were lots of residents who weren't happy about losing the only regularly used part of the Confederate park system and who were equally as distressed that day, but resort to an ad hominem attack or just turning the conversation off entirely isn't what I thought Springfield was about.  My neighbor, who is a homeowner, just rolled his eyes when I shared with him this thread, and told me that it was part of the proof that there was no reason to try to join in the conversation.  I think that in the end when residents feel that way, that's a sum total loss for Springfield.

My SO and I have been here for about 7 months now; we rented at first because we didn't know the hood well enough to decide on a location, and after shopping houses we've decided based off this event and some other factors that Springfield isn't for us, and we're moving back to Riverside after our lease is up.   I'm sure that will please many of you who feel I'm a bad element for the neighborhood.  Maybe I'm too sensitive, but a huge part of that decision were the ad hominem attacks on this page.  That I'm a liar, that I was aggressive or rude to the cops, that I started the confrontation, that I exaggerated deliberately for effect, that I'm fundamental against Relay for Life, etc.   I can't really feel like Springfield is home knowing that I'm so universally loathed for having an opinion that differs from my neighbors.  Note, I'm not questioning my neighbors' right to their opinions, just reacting to the fact that I can't have my own and "belong" here.

So, problem solved.  I'll move and deactivate this account.  Catch ya all in Riverside.

[Debbie Thompson]

Umm....I'm shocked that my mild mannered comment, in which I said "maybe we should move on" would be construed as combative.   Combative?  Nor was I suggesting I should decide who should post what.  I don't believe I said Hayley or anyone else was a "bad element" nor did I say I loathed anyone.  I don't even know who Hayley is.  Everyone is entitled to an opinion, and Hayley will find where ever she chooses to live that not everyone will always agree with her nor, unfortunately, be universally nice to her even though they should be.

I simply suggested we move on, as it seemed to me the point had been made. It was a suggestion, not an order, for Pete's sake.  And certainly not combative.  LOL

That said, if Hayley says Springfield is not for them, then she is doubtlessly right, and it probably isn't.   Who wants to go to all those parties and events anyway?  Or talk to their neighbors on their front porches?  Or see people you know every time you walk into a local business?  You can focus on the negative, or the positive.  I choose to focus on the positive.

[John P]

Riverside: the place where people agree on everything and never have an ill remark for a neighbor on the internet.
hahahaha
I get that the police messed up part a park for a while but please. let it go everyone!!!

[Springfielder]

If you find Springfield not a place for you, based upon others, (including myself) that disagreed with the manner in which one side of the story was told....or that the dog park is closed so that the relay for life can be held, then enjoy life in Riverside. You are quick to tell others they're combative and play the part of the victim well.

It's not a neighborhood vote about having the relay for life event there....it's been held there for years, and will continue to be held there. Shame on those involved for giving of themselves to raise money for cancer research. The reason the park is closed, it's so the equipment can be delivered, and the park had been cleaned (since not all dog owners pick up after their dogs) and this ensures that it remains clean during the duration of the relay. It closes the morning of the event, and opens back up less than 24 hours.

Oh, and the proper permits and authority is obtained through the city of Jacksonville. Given that it's a neighborhood event, and the dog park is an ideal location, just kind of makes sense. I suppose those who are so put off by it, could protest the city to deny the permit.

Debbie, you weren't combative at all...I don't know why your post was taken that way.

[Debbie Thompson]

It wasn't. DT PM'd me. I misunderstood. I find it so funny that the latest posts follow my suggestion we drop the whole thing.  LOL. And it's too bad Hayley couldn't take a back and forth without deciding "nobody likes me, everybody hates me." I know how wonderful Springfield neighbors are and I'm flabbergasted that she felt unwelcome.  That makes me sad.