SPAR revolt?

[sheclown]

I did approach a well-connected person in the neighborhood and said that Springfield was going to get dragged through the mud unless things change. 

All I got was a shrug.

And things have only gotten worse.

[nvrenuf]

We have a well-connected person in Springfield? 

[samiam]

If someone is a dues paying member of SPAR how can they keep him from entering the SPAR building.If he pays his dues he is part owner of SPAR??

[sheclown]

I suppose by saying he threatened a little old lady.

[AlexS]

I did approach a well-connected person in the neighborhood and said that Springfield was going to get dragged through the mud unless things change. 

All I got was a shrug.

Can that be translated into words which a simple guy like me can understand ?
What needs to change ?
What exactly means "Springfield gets dragged through the mud" ?

[samiam]

Does SPAR have to abide by the Florida sunshine laws the same as HOA's

[untarded]

Communication is definitely not their strength and quite possibly the cause for a lot of issues.  The newsletter is nice, but it would be good to have an HPC meeting report and the arguments SPAR made for or against a COA or Demo, etc.  They need to make the organization more transparent.

I think you hit the nail squarely on the head. 

[AlexS]

Does SPAR have to abide by the Florida sunshine laws the same as HOA's

No. It's covered by Florida Statutes Chapter 617. CORPORATIONS NOT FOR PROFIT.

[sheclown]

When we found out that SPAR, especially Louise and Claude, were meeting with Gaffney and the city in an attempt to draft legislation, or modify legislation that would in essence redefine “family” in an attempt to outlaw our rentals,  we knew we were headed down a bad road.  It is a foolish move on SPAR’s part, a losing battle that puts this neighborhood, once again, in front of city council waving dirty underwear for the world to see.  Jason Teal, from General Counsel,  tried to tell them this back in July, and they banned him from the neighborhood.

I did look around for help in approaching SPAR.  I had hoped someone would stop them from walking down this path.   But really, who wants to deal with this?   I couldn’t get anyone’s attention.

Fast forward and confirmation is given to me by the city that something is headed for city council.  I had no choice but to order copies of emails to the city officials to try and figure out what is going on, since we haven’t heard from Gaffney nor any of the other players.

It was during the search for information about the new legislation that we came upon Louise’s email.

We have long known that SPAR has ceased to be a friend to old houses.  We have also known that the executive board is acting as if it answers to no one.  The current “knock-em-down” email just restated the obvious.  We have stated on numerous occasions that SPAR ought to be more concerned about historic preservation than a personal agenda against me and Joe for winning the half house battle and more importantly for having the gonads to question their No Election/Stinkin’ Bylaw problems of last year.

This email got everyone’s attention.

We have a problem.  We need to deal with it.  If we don’t deal with it now, we will deal with it in front of city council, in the Folio, in federal court.   

It can get worse.

[sheclown]

SPAR's emails are available if they are communicating with someone with the city.

[Dan B]

It seems to me your relishing the role of mud slinger.

Also, fwiw, I looked into the issue of changing the number of people who can live in a house. I was told that there is no such effort, they are simply looking to have the city enforce its own laws at this point.

[sheclown]

It seems to me your relishing the role of mud slinger.

Also, fwiw, I looked into the issue of changing the number of people who can live in a house. I was told that there is no such effort, they are simply looking to have the city enforce its own laws at this point.

Why would this entail additional legislation? 

[cindi]

Jason Teal, from General Counsel,  tried to tell them this back in July, and they banned him from the neighborhood.

we can't get rid of hookers and dealers on the corners and thugs slithering over from jefferson street but we can somehow keep Jason out of the neighborhood??

[sheclown]

It seems to me your relishing the role of mud slinger.

Dan...folks pretty much always know where they stand with me.  I'm a lousy poker player and I wear my heart on my sleeve.

I wish things weren't the way they are here in Springfield.    How can anyone think it is enjoyable to be held in such contempt?

Imagine walking into a room knowing that everyone is talking about you and speaking about you behind your back.  Calling you all manner of vile names.

Joe helps me with that.  The first time I went to a SPAR board meeting, I was terrified.  I walked in and everyone stared.  I looked over at Joe, cool cucumber.  Joe has taught me that I can go anywhere and if people don’t accept me then it is their problem, not mine. He is the bravest man I have ever met.  He has also taught me that if I let people get to me, I immediately lose.

But to answer your question, yeah, I laughed like hell when I found that email

[fsu813]

too bad some feel the need to "drag Springfield through the mud".

if anyone's noticed, Channel 4 News has had 2 positive reports on the neighborhood in the past 2 weeks.

how about people keep thier personal arguments / issues / agendas to themselves. involving everyone else (ie, bashing on online forums) just makes things worse. people only hear part of the story. people pick sides. it's just a mess.