SPAR revolt?

[deportman]

Sheclown I understand now, this is the third time I hear why some resident would like to keep the property and streets messed up just so their rent won’t go up.

[Driven1]

REVOLT!!!!!

[alta]

I'm a new resident to Springfield.  Renters aren't good hear unless they have a good landlord. 

[jbm32206]

I'm a new resident to Springfield.  Renters aren't good hear unless they have a good landlord. 

What? Clarify that please

[sheclown]

Sheclown I understand now, this is the third time I hear why some resident would like to keep the property and streets messed up just so their rent won’t go up.

It is a matter of losing their homes, not just a matter of 'rent going up.'  We need to protect the affordable housing we have in the neighborhood in order to keep the diversity. 

[alta]

Sorry, I guess I could have phrased that better.  Landlords that don't take care of their properties or care about the tenants (Flagship Properties).  There are still many that do a great job of both. 

[zoo]

So let me be sure I understand your position, sheclown. You are:

Anti-SPAR
Anti-SRG
(Those 2 are the easy ones to figure out ;-)!

Anti-Crime prevention
Anti-Clean & beautiful
Anti-First Fridays
Anti-Mommies Group

Did I understand your posts correctly? If not, please clarify your position on these issues. If these are the positions you are attempting to implement community-wide, I don’t believe your stance is reflective of the majority in Historic Springfield.

What has SPAR done for you? Here are more details on each of the 3 Community Contribution Tax Credit Program projects:

Residential Safety & Maintenance - Community lighting, alleyway cleaning, maintenance, and depending on funds raised, grading and resurfacing. SPAR has even spoken to multiple paint companies about donating paint so homes/businesses facing financial challenges can be maintained.

Commercial Corridor Revitalization - Cleanliness, security, lighting (COJ puts the historic lightpoles in on the corridors, and SPAR has to pay for the electricity and bulb replacement), and job creation â€" that’s right, new retail on the corridor provides opportunities for full or part-time employment

Hogan’s Creek Parks Improvement â€" Cleanliness and beautification such as historic lighting, seating, the Skateplaza, etc. And this is only the tip of the parks system iceberg. SPAR is working diligently to have the system revitalized to include restoration of  Klutho’s historic elements, re-engineering of the stormwater system so the community’s streets don’t flood, and remediation of the polluted creek and areas that have soil contamination.

The first 2 of these projects will require hundreds of thousands of dollars to implement. The third will require patient, but pressured, work with multiple city departments, and millions of dollars.

Here’s more info on LISC…National mission statement:

“Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) is dedicated to helping nonprofit community development organizations transform distressed neighborhoods into healthy and sustainable communities of choice and opportunity -- good places to work, do business and raise children. LISC mobilizes corporate, government and philanthropic support to provide local community development organizations with:

- loans, grants, and equity investments;
- local, statewide, and national policy support;
- technical and management assistance.

LISC is a national organization with a community focus. Our program staff is based in every city and many of the rural areas where LISC-supported community development takes shape. In collaboration with local community development groups, LISC staff helps identify local priorities and challenges, delivering the most appropriate support to meet the needs.”

And an additional tidbit from LISC’s “Who We Are” section:

“By providing capital, technical expertise, training and information, LISC supports the development of local leadership and the creation of affordable housing, commercial, industrial and community facilities, businesses and jobs.

I’m not sure why SPAR’s partnership with LISC is a bad thing for low- to moderate-income residents, unless you are also…?

Anti-working
Anti-business
Anti- jobs
Anti-childraising
Anti-affordable housing

We know you’ve got a problem with the by-laws and current board make-up. But do you really have issues with the LISC partnership and the programs included in SPAR’s Community Contribution Tax Credit Program?

Imho, I don’t see how these things can NOT help the community improve for EVERYONE…

[soxfan]

Security Force?  The people I have talked to resent the off-duty officers who stop them when they are riding their bikes (because they may be a little scruffy) and ask to see ID and try to find out where they live.  Many, I believe, would rather have the crime around than the perception of persecution that this security force instills.  You say, "if they aren't doing anything wrong, why would they care?"  There are many social reasons for this.  Fear of those in power is the main thing.  ESPECIALLY if those in power are trying to run them off.  And, they are, aren't they?

First Fridays?  I don't think so.  Mommies' club?  Yeah, right.

See where I'm going?

No, I don't. What's the matter with First Fridays? Everyone is invited and some of the "disenfranchised" have shown up to a party or two and have been welcomed.  The Mommies' group? Are you serious?? My wife has been involved with them on and off for the last 5 years. Where is there a problem with them?? When they have Halloween parties at the Women's Club and ALL of the neighborhood children attend?? (including the "disenfrachised" children) When we do the hay ride for trick or treating around the neighborhood and the "disenfranchised" join in and jump on the trailers for the ride?? And as far as the Security funded police, if they're out there stopping these "disenfranchised" when they are riding around on their bikes at night without lights, that's their JOB!!! I want them stopping these people because these are the people that are out there at night selling drugs, doing drugs, robbing our houses, breaking into our cars, stealing the copper off of our air conditioners.. This is how the police can weed some of these "disenfranchised" out from the thieves and thugs.. To say that they would rather have the crime around than to be stopped and questioned by the police is just stupid. They say it because it's not usually their stuff that's being stolen. I don't have a problem with a cop stopping me when I'm out riding on my bike at night but that doesn't usually happen because I obide by the laws and have lights on my bike. If they don't want the cops stopping them then obey the laws and don't give them a reason to. If these are the "disenfranchised" that you are referring to, then you're right I do want them out.

[uptowngirl]

So let me be sure I understand your position, sheclown. You are:

Anti-SPAR
Anti-SRG
(Those 2 are the easy ones to figure out ;-)!

Anti-Crime prevention
Anti-Clean & beautiful
Anti-First Fridays
Anti-Mommies Group

Did I understand your posts correctly? If not, please clarify your position on these issues. If these are the positions you are attempting to implement community-wide, I don’t believe your stance is reflective of the majority in Historic Springfield.

What has SPAR done for you? Here are more details on each of the 3 Community Contribution Tax Credit Program projects:

Residential Safety & Maintenance - Community lighting, alleyway cleaning, maintenance, and depending on funds raised, grading and resurfacing. SPAR has even spoken to multiple paint companies about donating paint so homes/businesses facing financial challenges can be maintained.

Commercial Corridor Revitalization - Cleanliness, security, lighting (COJ puts the historic lightpoles in on the corridors, and SPAR has to pay for the electricity and bulb replacement), and job creation â€" that’s right, new retail on the corridor provides opportunities for full or part-time employment

Hogan’s Creek Parks Improvement â€" Cleanliness and beautification such as historic lighting, seating, the Skateplaza, etc. And this is only the tip of the parks system iceberg. SPAR is working diligently to have the system revitalized to include restoration of  Klutho’s historic elements, re-engineering of the stormwater system so the community’s streets don’t flood, and remediation of the polluted creek and areas that have soil contamination.

The first 2 of these projects will require hundreds of thousands of dollars to implement. The third will require patient, but pressured, work with multiple city departments, and millions of dollars.

Here’s more info on LISC…National mission statement:

“Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) is dedicated to helping nonprofit community development organizations transform distressed neighborhoods into healthy and sustainable communities of choice and opportunity -- good places to work, do business and raise children. LISC mobilizes corporate, government and philanthropic support to provide local community development organizations with:

- loans, grants, and equity investments;
- local, statewide, and national policy support;
- technical and management assistance.

LISC is a national organization with a community focus. Our program staff is based in every city and many of the rural areas where LISC-supported community development takes shape. In collaboration with local community development groups, LISC staff helps identify local priorities and challenges, delivering the most appropriate support to meet the needs.”

And an additional tidbit from LISC’s “Who We Are” section:

“By providing capital, technical expertise, training and information, LISC supports the development of local leadership and the creation of affordable housing, commercial, industrial and community facilities, businesses and jobs.

I’m not sure why SPAR’s partnership with LISC is a bad thing for low- to moderate-income residents, unless you are also…?

Anti-working
Anti-business
Anti- jobs
Anti-childraising
Anti-affordable housing

We know you’ve got a problem with the by-laws and current board make-up. But do you really have issues with the LISC partnership and the programs included in SPAR’s Community Contribution Tax Credit Program?

Imho, I don’t see how these things can NOT help the community improve for EVERYONE…

So please posts updates on the items listed here

Has SPAR gotten paint? Whose house will be painted first?

Is Hogan's Creek gettign cleaned up and when does it start?

When will we get help with our alleyways? No one has EVER come to help clean up the alleyway here....

When are those new jobs coming and where can people apply?

When does work on the storm drain system start and how is SPAR going to pay for that?

What historic elements are missing in Klutho park and when will they be added back?

While LISC is new to the game and may be able to deliver, if they are cutting out the membership then they ARE bad for our neighborhood.

[AlexS]

While LISC is new to the game and may be able to deliver, if they are cutting out the membership then they ARE bad for our neighborhood.

LISC never had any intention to cut out the membership (at least not as far as I know). LISC suggested getting board members with specific talents and backgrounds. They also suggested the Board Member Skills Matrix.

The provision that the board can appoint board members was already in the bylaws at least since the 2006 revision (and I don't have any older ones).

[sheclown]

I'm sorry zoo.  I tried reading all of your post and got bored.  What was the question again?

[strider]

Zoo, your post is a great example of what we have come to expect out of SPAR Council.  Lots of "I've done that and We've done this".  Not much proof that much if any of it was accomblished by the people in charge of SPAR Council. 

You are also taking comments made out of context and twisting the meaning into something you want it to be.  Also a favored tactic of SPAR Council.  So, what position do you hold with SPAR Council?

And for the record, as I have done my research, I see nothing wrong with LISC, but I do see something terribly wrong with the current SPAR Council and it's favored "son" SRG being in control of what LISC is willing to give.   

[strider]

While LISC is new to the game and may be able to deliver, if they are cutting out the membership then they ARE bad for our neighborhood.

LISC never had any intention to cut out the membership (at least not as far as I know). LISC suggested getting board members with specific talents and backgrounds. They also suggested the Board Member Skills Matrix.

The provision that the board can appoint board members was already in the bylaws at least since the 2006 revision (and I don't have any older ones).

I remember the older by-laws as being some of the positions and not giving the board total control with the right to appoint rather than elect. I'd like to see those older ones. Do you think if I stopped by the SPAR Council office they'd let me see em?

[AlexS]

I remember the older by-laws as being some of the positions and not giving the board total control with the right to appoint rather than elect. I'd like to see those older ones. Do you think if I stopped by the SPAR Council office they'd let me see em?

I am sure they'd let you see them (the 2006 bylaws). Until recently they were posted on the SPAR web site until they were replaced by the 2008 ones which is now posted there. The parts quoted below have been left unchanged from the 2006 version until today.

Article 7 section 3
Up to four positions will be available to allow the Board to appoint members who have specific skills useful to the community or who may not have been available at the time of the election.

Article 7 section 4
An appointed member may serve a three-year term and be reappointed by the Board or stand for election for an additional term.

Article 7 section 9 (now section 7)
VACANCIES. Resignations of directors shall become effective immediately or on the date specified therein and vacancies will be deemed to exist as of such effective date. The remaining Directors shall fill by a majority vote any vacancies on the Board of Directors and such director so appointed shall serve for the remainder of the term of the directorship so vacated.

I don't think anyone has kept track about who was appointed for special skills and what these special skills were. So it's hard to tell if the 4 board members are used up already.
I believe Lisa, Gerry and Alex were appointed for vacancies. So was Jack.

[jbm32206]

uptowngirl:
So please posts updates on the items listed here

Has SPAR gotten paint? Whose house will be painted first?

Is Hogan's Creek gettign cleaned up and when does it start?

When will we get help with our alleyways? No one has EVER come to help clean up the alleyway here....

When are those new jobs coming and where can people apply?

When does work on the storm drain system start and how is SPAR going to pay for that?

What historic elements are missing in Klutho park and when will they be added back?

While LISC is new to the game and may be able to deliver, if they are cutting out the membership then they ARE bad for our neighborhood.

All fair and reasonable questions...and I'd like to know the answers to all of them.