SPAR revolt?

[FinnegansWake]

After listening to these shenanigans and watching the total non commitment to dealing with the new situations posed by the economy, I simply cannot fathom whats going on.

There is every indication that SPAR needs totally revisited.

Maybe dissolved and reformed.

I expect you will be there at the December 4th meeting, correct?

Phil

[AlexS]

AlexS stood in the Restore corner. And the reason I indicated he did so "briefly" is because when he saw he was alone, he quickly joined a different corner. I don't remember which one, but I hope he'll come on and post which bucket came second for him (if he remembers).

If memory serves correctly, I moved to the revitalize corner. Crime and neighborhood safety was part of this and has always been a priority for me. Since this was a team exercise and I seemed to be the only one interested in Restore, I joined a different corner.

[FinnegansWake]

I will unfortunately be in Boca Raton/Fort Lauderdale on business that week, but even so I can't imagine what I would do there.

That's too bad. I would have expected from your numerous threads regarding SPAR, and the questions you raise, that you would want to be there.

To improve SPAR Council and the neighborhood. Bring solutions and ideas to the table. Meet the members of the Board and get to know them. Ask your questions face to face.

Strider (bagrin) came out from behind his keyboard and attended the October Board meeting, which I thought was a very cool thing to do. He is highly critical but he also has ideas to improve the Board.

Phil

[ChriswUfGator]

Also I have a few questions I would like to ask about the divisions of people who are apparently unwelcome in the neighborhood that are listed here.

'group homes'.
'alcoholics'
'crime elements'
and drug dealers.

How many people have to live in a place before its a group home?
What about the residents of several upscale houses who have five people living in them and who are for a fact, bona fide alcoholics?  When they eventually go through treatment, will they be unwelcome in the neighborhood?  Will their memberships to SPAR be revoked and will they then be asked to leave in no uncertain terms?

What about the number of people in the neighborhood who have sat on the SPAR board, or who show up at the mixers who do coke with regularity?  If they sell a gram to friends over at the party following the Home Tour, are they officially on the undesirable list?  Will the 'security force' pull them over and question them?  Will anyone call the cops on them?

What about the copious amount of pot that gets smoked in the neighborhood?  Are the rolling papers that are sold at Walgreens as pernicious as the 'rose in a glass tube'?  Should we make sure that the Walgreens is boycotted and pressured until they stop selling the rolling papers?

Lol!!!!

+1,000,000

If organizations really want to make it their goal to get rid of "alcoholics", as defined objectively by the DSM, then my entire street would disappear, along with the most financially successful residents of my neighborhood. The university club would lose half its members, and the yacht club would lose 97% of its members. There would be maybe 2 boats left in all the marinas in town, and the mayor's all-important football/stadium fetish would be dead, since 99.9999999999% of their fan base would be gone. Not to mention nobody would ever find a lawyer when they needed one. Or a pilot.

The truth is, nobody wants to get rid of "alcoholics", they just want to get rid of the poor ones. Alcoholic drinking a 40oz in the park? Bad...how disgusting...get out of here! Alcoholic on their 5th martini at the bar at FYC? Hello Dr. XXXXXXX! So nice to see you!

People are such f*ing hypocrites.

[JaxByDefault]

Zoo,

The plan developed with LISC, from what has been posted, appears to be a loose set of goals with no concrete action plan and no disclosed fund allocation.

A comprehensive urban plan for Springfield would address issues of connectivity with surrounding neighborhoods, FCCJ, and downtown. It would include specific goals for development that would support transit. It would have identified the most likely areas for clustered commercial development and lobbied for better tax incentives and business start-up grants. Devising a master development strategy would let Springfield lead a reluctant city government on progressive urban planning issues in the area.

If Springfield had a such a plan, it would never have agreed to a Main St. project that favored landscaping over walkability and medians over access. With a better plan, SPAR would likely be involved with city issues like FCCJ's expansion, public transit planning, and downtown redevelopment. If there was a plan, more SPAR board members and neighborhood citizens would understand why the area needs increased density throughout, not just single-family homes.

Going to conventions to sell the neighborhood to national retailers evidences that several members of the SPAR leadership do not understand how national retailers choose potential locations nor do they understand the basic economic progression of neighborhood revitalization.

I am glad that SPAR finally has an urban planner. That is an excellent move. Let's see his ideas.

[sheclown]

The science of cities.  How cool. 

I have been a small business owner off and on for most of my adult life.  I've never thought in terms of "connectivity with surrounding neighborhoods" or clustering businesses together. 

This is definitely an education for me. 

[soxfan]

Actually SoxFan you do (did) know some of the other Board members. Me and Dan are two. Thomas Love, Jay Fisher.

And for the record, there were (are) Board members who totally disagree with not having elections. And do not understand why Alex was treated the way he was. I am, or was anyway, one of those peeps. I really liked having Alex on the Board.

There is a mix of people on the SPAR Board. Young, old, wealthy, not so wealthy, business owners, and workers. Hope you all get to know them at the December meeting.

Phil

Phil, aside from you, Dan, Lisa, Derek, and Alex I really don't know any of the other players. I know some of the names but none of the people, at least not enough to form a fair opinion of them. Most of the peeps that I know are off the board now and when talking to most of them say that their experience on the board was much less than fulfilling. I was pissed off at the way Alex was asked to leave the board. That took alot of balls for them to do that, especially considering that Alex was trying to be the liason between the board and alot of also pissed off members or used to be members. Alex was the only piece of transparency left on that board. I'll admit that I was not totally on board with this whole thing and still don't totally trust everyone involved,  but, at least there is nothing hidden over here. I'm not totally on board for overthrowing and tar and feathering every remaining board member. I DO think that SPAR has some splainin to do though. I think Louise has done an amazing job and I am still working with her to see a project of mine to fruition. She has helped me see a mini version of this project happen and I think she is definitely an asset where she is. SPAR just needs to be more transparent. That is my problem with the organization...

[jbm32206]

I'm also not out to 'tar and feather' nor have anyone thrown off the board. I'm ticked off at how the board treated Alex, which was totally out of line and unfair. It leaves me with the overwhelming feeling that they don't want good relations with the neighborhood, and their refusal to become more transparent has been another issue that I don't like at all. This organization should be completely transparent, it should be willing to work with the neighborhood (and it's members) and not just those with the financial ties to builders and realty...of which pretty much makes up the board and it's strongest supporters.

I also agree that Ms. DeSpain has done wonderful things for spar and haven't a problem with her remaining in the position that she's in. It all comes down to lack of being willing to have the members and neighborhood as stake holders, which we most certainly are. I feel that spar has tunnel vision and fails to see the rest of the neighborhood and the people. IT seems that if you're not involved with a builder, if you're not the business they want, then they don't give a damn about having you a part of the greater good

[downtownparks]

If Springfield had a such a plan, it would never have agreed to a Main St. project that favored landscaping over walkability and medians over access. With a better plan, SPAR would likely be involved with city issues like FCCJ's expansion, public transit planning, and downtown redevelopment. If there was a plan, more SPAR board members and neighborhood citizens would understand why the area needs increased density throughout, not just single-family homes.

In fairness, almost nobody on the board even lived in the community when the Main St Plan was hatched, let alone was part of the planning. In fact, Strider and one of his business partners were part of the planning. Perhaps he can shed some light on the walkability of the design.

The lack of bike lanes, cut through's, and utter lack of a pedestrian plan fall directly on the shoulders of those who came up with the plan between 1999-2002. It was originally supposed to go all the way to 20th, but was scaled back. After the first 4 blocks went grossly over budget, the city had to get a new pot of money, as the first pot was dry. That is why there has been a 4 year gap between the two portions being worked on.

Secondly, Chris and "other posters". When has anyone said anything against alcoholics? Is this a red herring thrown out there because of statements about halfway houses? First, its worth mentioning that most peoples feeling are that no MORE halfway houses should be allowed. The ones that were there before the overlay, and worked to get a compromise in place against some very upset neighbors, should have no more problems from the community. The compromise was worked out, and that should protect those who are here now.

Personally, I don't think its right when one neighborhood carries a disproportionate share of the social services burden. We have all talked about the clustering of homeless shelters downtown has hurt the development of the core. The same holds true for Springfield. The people being treated in Springfield are from all over the city and country. There should be access to services in every community, yet the answer in this city is "lets send the recovering addict to where they can fall off the wagon nice and hard".

In regards to the organization of SPAR, I agree with Soxfans assessment. I think there needs to be some things addresses and fixed, and I think that Alex being encouraged out the door is total BS, but I am not ready to get out the pitch fork and torches and start burning effigies of "developers" along Main St.

[downtownparks]

You classifying everything as something I know "nothing about" is stupid.

[JaxByDefault]

In regards to the organization of SPAR, I agree with Soxfans assessment. I think there needs to be some things addresses and fixed, and I think that Alex being encrouaged out the door is total BS, but I am not ready to get out the pitch fork and torches and start burning effigies of "developers" along Main St.

That generally sums up my take on the matter, too.

I'm a lone wolf in this dog fight. I'm not meeting with any group or part of any faction. After meeting with Alex, at his request shortly before he resigned, the JaxByDefault household volunteered to help SPAR with a legal clean-up of the conflicts in their Articles of Incorporation and bylaws. Our donation of services was refused by other SPAR leaders as Alex was told not to worry about those issues. To demonstrate that there's no grudge held here on our end: the offer still stands. Alternatively, they could hire an impressive downtown firm at $350 per hour to perform the same service. (Note: SPAR's 990s list no expenses for legal fees thanks to the pro bono  services of neighborhood and board member lawyers. By contrast, they spent over $1200 on independent accounting fees in tax year 2007.)

I respect several members of the current SPAR board. I'm less than impressed with many of SPAR's actions over the last year and a half, but think that if the organization is willing to listen to criticism, acknowledge some of their problems, and address some of these concerns, than it will be better for Springfield as a whole.

However, I do have many concerns about SPARs current urban planning and development accumen. This is a critical time for the neighborhood's development over the next decade (and beyond).

[downtownparks]

If I am not mistaken, JaxByDefault, because at the time SPAR was still getting City grant money, SPAR was required to do annual audits for the city. Finnegans can correct me if I am wrong as he was the treasurer at the time.

[JaxByDefault]

Sounds fair. My only intent was to point out that the Springfield shark tank is pretty generous with their time. 

[uptowngirl]

Jaxby Default,

You are the voice of reason.

Why not take the free leagl help? Unless you really don;t care about following your own by-laws.

This is the root issue. I am sure everyone can come up with a complaint or two or three, but when SPAR quit following it's own by-laws it truly went to far for many.

Even if it is 10 or 12 people who have identified this issue, met on it, and tried to address it I think we can all agree: if SPAR can not follow it's own by-laws there are issues. I find it interesting that there has been some comments around "no one really cares but this small gorup of troublemakers". Maybe so. But this in and of itself is an issue. No one cares that an organization does not follow it's own rules? Well no one cared that CEO's were getting 50MM bonuses, or having retreats at a cost of 10K/night, or investing in toxic mortgages until it was too late either...Rules are made for a reason, benidng them may be OK, outright breaking them, and flaunting it in the face of the people one is supposed to be representing is outrageous.

[jbm32206]

and for the record, there were (are) Board members who totally disagree with not having elections. And do not understand why Alex was treated the way he was. I am, or was anyway, one of those peeps. I really liked having Alex on the Board.

Phil

Yeah, I've heard that...so if this is true (and yes, I heard other members were in agreement about the election or rather, lack there of) then why did things not change? Why then, was it only Alex that was bullied into resigning? Why haven't those others who felt that not having elections was wrong, not made a firm stance or stood up in support of Alex? Most of all...why are they still sitting on the board...just how much support did they really express or feel...makes me wonder. For to me, since Alex is the only one who was bullied into resigning, and the others who claim to support the need for elections...why weren't they bullied off the board, or why didn't they leave on their own in a show of support? I would suggest that it's because they have their own agenda which is more important than doing the right thing about the changing of bylaws and/or not having elections.