SPAR revolt?

[uptowngirl]

Well I let my membership expire, since I couldn't really have any input the way things were, I figured why join?

Anyway, AlexS has captured the root of the issue, I thank him for his service, and he truly listens, cares, and takes the best away from every discussion. THANK YOU!

I did not go to the meeting, and may not attend any others, as it is apparent (to me) that bringing up complaints or concerns about SPAR gets you one thing....recriminations and lectures. I think SRG, Meeks, and Louise have all done good things for this neighborhood. I think there are even more individuals that have done wonderful things for this neighborhood that are never mentioned nor recognized. (How about a certain feisty lady on 7th who organizes some HUGE parties/events for the hood???) Or another cool chick off of Walnut that can tell you the history of every scrap of wood in the neighborhood? Or perhaps the residents of Hamsterdam who monitor and maintain our borders, keeping the rest of us safe at their own risk? (Go Hampsterdam!!!)

It is sad really, that there are some in this neighborhood that let their personal issues get in the way of progress. SPAR exists because of the neighborhood, no neighborhood, no SPAR. The neighborhood exists because of the residents, no residents, no neighborhood (the neighborhood does not exist because of SPAR; this is what seems to get lost...). It seems it would be natural that the residents, in the neighborhood, should be able to voice complaints, concerns, and have an overall voice in the neighborhood if they so choose (not all will, some will want to go to the cocktail parties and that is it) without being beat up every time.

Just bring back the vote, make a more open organization so members understand the limitations and authority of the organization (this alone will cut back on half of your perceived attacks), but first and foremost quit beating up on the residents that are concerned and do care. Work should be done to bring these same people into the fold; they actually care and are willing to work for the neighborhood....no matter your personal issues.

[jbm32206]

Uptowngirl, you voiced almost verbatim, how I feel. I also let my membership lapse, as I find it a waste of money, when my voice (vote) has been silenced. I totally agree with everything you said, and I feel that it's also the way many of the neighbors feel, even if they don't voice their views.

[JaxByDefault]

Its very apparent that Downtown Parks only motivation was to come on this thread and sling mud at his neighbors while gnawing old bones.

Actually, DTP is back on the boards because a couple of his neighbors talked to him at a SPR cocktail party, thanked him from hooking them with the MetroJacksonville crowd as it has made them most happy, and said that they missed having another Springfield voice on the forum boards.

We do not all have to agree, but we do all have to be civil.

[AlexS]

I do hope that one of them has a crisp new dollar in her purse for later on tonight however.

I don't get that remark. Can you explain ?

[AlexS]

Its very apparent that Downtown Parks only motivation was to come on this thread and sling mud at his neighbors while gnawing old bones.

DTP came to last nights board meeting to support what I was trying to do. I appreciate that. He also wants elections and SPAR to be open. Thanks DTP.

[AlexS]

So how did it go last night AlexS?

The wording below is from my recollection and does not reflect the official minutes taken.
A motion was made by Gerry that the governance committee present a plan when to have elections and details about it at the next board meeting. The motion carried 8:1. (Alex was against it).
Alex made a motion to have nominations on Jan 15, 2009 and elections on Feb. 19, 2009 (as written in the Articles of Incorporation). The motion was defeated 3:6 or 2:7. (Lisa and Alex supported it, unclear about Derek).
I felt the majority wanted to wait and hear the input from the Q&A session on Nov. 20 before laying out a definite plan.

[jbm32206]

It shouldn't matter what happens at the meeting on the 20th, they need to abide by the bylaws.

I also still have issue with the make up of the governance board, all self appointed members of the executive board, isn't it?

[AlexS]

Nothing else was on the agenda to be discussed.
I also plan on making suggestions on how to align FL statutes, Articles of Incorporations and Bylaws and remove some contradictions. This will be done by proposing amendments to the Bylaws. Once every thing is aligned and less ambiguous it will be much easier to follow. Currently there is much room for various interpretations of the text. I was hoping to get that done for the board meeting yesterday, but due to work commitments could not get it ready in time.

[strider]

I apologize to ALexS that I missed the meeting as I told him I would be there.  A business issue came up and had to be dealt with.

So how did it go last night AlexS?

The wording below is from my recollection and does not reflect the official minutes taken.
A motion was made by Gerry that the governance committee present a plan when to have elections and details about it at the next board meeting. The motion carried 8:1. (Alex was against it).
Alex made a motion to have nominations on Jan 15, 2009 and elections on Feb. 19, 2009 (as written in the Articles of Incorporation). The motion was defeated 3:6 or 2:7. (Lisa and Alex supported it, unclear about Derek).
I felt the majority wanted to wait and hear the input from the Q&A session on Nov. 20 before laying out a definite plan.

I firmly believe that this is a result of the "bad press" - the discussions on this forum as well as others.  It is why people should speak up when they see an organization do something that is not in the best interests of the community it serves. It does sound like they may actually have elections sometime in the next few months.  That is progress as I do believe that elections would not have occurred this year at all without a group of people speaking out.  This group does very importantly include Alex and Lisa as board members who cared enough to listen and act.

I do wonder how they expect input from the Q & A session when all questions had to be submitted in advance.  Normally that type of arrangement does not allow for input from the floor and that is exactly how it was being described by the President. So, does this mean that they have decided to open this meeting up as a true discussion?  If so, KUDOs to them.

I also plan on making suggestions on how to align FL statutes, Articles of Incorporations and Bylaws and remove some contradictions. This will be done by proposing amendments to the Bylaws. Once every thing is aligned and less ambiguous it will be much easier to follow. Currently there is much room for various interpretations of the text.

And that should be the next step. It will be required to insure that the community regains and retains it's voice in the future actions of SPAR Council. 

[sheclown]

I am in favor of having elections and an open organization. I have asked that the topic of elections be added on tonight's SPAR Board agenda. The meeting is at 7pm and open to the public.
My recommendation to the full board will be to hold elections as originally outlined in the Articles of Incorporation. Nominations on Jan 15, 2009 and elections on Feb 19, 2009.

Thanks Alex.  You are a good guy, and have consistently been a diplomat and mediator since this thread reincarnated.

Your spirit of leadership is appreciated and admired by many.

Agreed.  I would also add the word "brave" to the description.

[RiversideGator]

No.  Im not a SPAR member.  Why should I be, and what opinions do you think I havent backed up with actions and example?

I used to be, and I was on the board.

But SPAR hasnt represented my interests for a while.

In any case, River, as a resident of Riverside, why are you weighing in on this at all except to insert mischief as a result of no one speaking to you on the national politics board?

I have family ties to Springfield and a great interest in seeing its revival.  It is as simple as that. 

I find the drama there to be strange and counterproductive.  I think people should stop worrying about what others think and do and should instead get to work on making the entire neighborhood better one house and one building at a time.  There is enough success to go around if you work hard so no need to tear someone else down.

[jbm32206]

I'm not sure what drama here in Springfield to be strange or counterproductive. I'm left to assume that you're talking about the issue with SPAR. If that's what you're talking about, we have every right to stand up and speak our minds, this is a neighborhood organization and it was working towards shutting out our voices...which is wrong.

Now as for those of us that actually live here, the ones that are active, we most certainly do work on improving the area and have all along. As for working one house, one building at a time...that's all well and good, depending on what you think we should be doing. I know for myself, that I've been active since I moved here 10+ years ago, but that doesn't include doing what neglectful or absentee owners are responsible for.

[downtownparks]

I assume I don't need to point out the irony of your accusing someone of being narcissistic.

[AlexS]

For example, you would think that a cooperative renovation and restoration group would have available experts and tools for rent for the DIY community that built both neighborhoods back to livable.   RAP always provided this, in fact I rented my first drum sander and learned how to use it from RAP.

I think that's a great idea.
Do you know any available experts who would be willing to volunteer ?
Any ideas on how to finance these tools ? Are there any grants for this kind of thing ?
Any ideas about someone who could help with obtaining a cooperative loan to finance such a DIY project ?

[RiversideGator]

Well thanks River for saying something so true that it contradicts your previous statements and intent.

Let us proceed forward on the effort then.

Having been a member of RAP for a few years from 1987-1991, and having renovated a structure or two in the area, I can tell you that in no way does SPAR resemble the brilliant example set by RAP.

Part of that is because the springfield neighborhood faced significantly different issues than Riverside, as ghetto as Riverside had managed to become by the mid 80s.

For example, you would think that a cooperative renovation and restoration group would have available experts and tools for rent for the DIY community that built both neighborhoods back to livable.   RAP always provided this, in fact I rented my first drum sander and learned how to use it from RAP.

A community patrol or neighborhood safety watch seems like it would be a natural idea, and again RAP provided those things based on volunteers back in the early days.  SPAR on the other hand apparently spends 100 grand or thereabouts with heavy subsidy from one of the local residential developers to purchase security guards.

RAP encouraged the spread of CPTED ideas in order to cut crime.  (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design)  simple common sense rules significantly cut crime in Five Points, and they are the very same ideas that John Allen and I implemented when we opened Boomtown.

RAP provided 'this old house' style seminars for renovationists as well as historical lectures about the structures and architecture of the neighborhood, as well as having the specialty tools necessary for such work available for free to members.

This is how you improve a neighborhood one structure at a time, one house at a time with the contributions coming in from volunteer memberships.

When it came time for large Riverside infrastructure improvement projects, the neighborhood groups plus RAP worked together to put together a plan and garnered the support of Ginny Myrick, the councilwoman for Riverside/San Marco before the districts changed.  She was a renovationist and a very tasteful woman to boot and the two neighborhoods made sure that their representative reflected the needs and values of the neighborhood.

Thus the Duck Pond renovations, the improvements to Boone Park, the CPTED work that was done in the Five Points neighborhood in 1990, the resurfacing of the roads and the groundwork for the renovation of Park and King was completed.  In fact, I attended all of the Charettes for both Park and King and Five Points when Ted Pappas announced the effort back at the time.

As a result, RAP's strategy was not completely dependent on developer money and city largesse in order to be realized.

However, with no criticism intended, this is the situation that SPAR finds itself in right now, exactly as the economy crashes with developers snuffing out like candles left and right and a significant portion of the neighborhood funded by the exact type of loans that catalyzed the economic crisis.

While the Obama Administration will be pumping cash into the cities, is there anyone thinking forward to how best to utilize this money?

I think waiting on Obama to send $$ to Springfield is the wrong idea.  Grass roots local efforts always work better than federal efforts.

And, I do understand that Springfield fell much farther than did Riverside so it has a different set of problems but the principles of self-reliance together with community activism will work.  It just takes time but not forever.  Just 10 years ago, Riverside was in significantly worse shape than it is now.  But through a lot of hard work and cooperation with the JSO, Riverside has made major strides.  Springfield can do the same so long as people continue to work at it and minimize the interpersonal conflicts and drama.