SPAR's Main Street Property Enhancement Program

[jason_contentdg]

^Hopefully Valerio's is one of them...

[ChriswUfGator]

Jeremy.

Thanks for both taking the time to explain it, as well as your work in trying to get it done.  You have a very challenging environment that you are working in, and it wouldnt be fair to you not to recognize that fact or even notice that you seem to be plugging along very consistently despite the adversity.

I enjoyed taking a walk with you around the neighborhood last week or so.  

Its got to be tough to deal with so many self inflicted problems on behalf of an organization when you had no part in the architecture of the problems in the first place.

True, which is why we may need to hold off in thinking certain things must be disingenuous if we don't get the answers we like on demand, no matter which organization they come from.

We're only talking about Jeremy, Jason, not SPAR. I don't think HE is responsible for the mess over there, and nor do I think he has the answers to the questions I've asked, and I doubt they'd even tell him if he went and asked.

But aside from him, the rest of that organization is about as disingenuous as you can get. To wit, here we have a much-publicized grant program that a year later hasn't disbursed a single grant, despite SPAR having already received the money. What am I supposed to say to that? "Good job!"?

[CityLife]

Jeremy.

Thanks for both taking the time to explain it, as well as your work in trying to get it done.  You have a very challenging environment that you are working in, and it wouldnt be fair to you not to recognize that fact or even notice that you seem to be plugging along very consistently despite the adversity.

I enjoyed taking a walk with you around the neighborhood last week or so. 

Its got to be tough to deal with so many self inflicted problems on behalf of an organization when you had no part in the architecture of the problems in the first place.

No matter what side of the Springfield spectrum people are on, they all agree that one of the biggest issues with SPAR is communication. There are a lot of good things the organization does that go unrecognized, or unsaid. Also, many contentious issues were exacerbated by failing to communicate properly. That is something that is actively being worked on and should be improved in the near future. The SPAR Facebook page is a start.

I enjoyed the walk as well. I am not to familiar with the artists in the area and it was nice getting to know where many of them live. It would be great if they would become more visible within the community.

[ChriswUfGator]

Mayor Peyton,

When will the courthouse be completed?

President Obama,

When will we withdraw from Iraq?


Just giving you a hard time Chris, like I said we will put the information out there when we are ready. We are actively working to make things happen and some projects should be breaking ground shortly.

I'll take that beer at the next MetroJacksonville meeting. A Duke's might ease the pain of having to deal with all of you madmen. j/k

I'll be there to buy it, you should definitely stop by. Again, no hard feelings, and nothing personal against you at all. The meetings are fun. Well, when they're not getting attacked by 20 drunken 'ladies' trying to punch Stephen in the balls. LOL

[jason_contentdg]

Well, it was started in what? September or October, so that was hardly a year ago.  And these things take time....there still has to be COA applications for anyone wanting to make an improvement.

I'm hardly a cheerleader for SPAR, but things don't always go as smoothly as planned, and I doubt you would be all over Jeremy and this particular program had it been done by anyone else.

[CityLife]

Jeremy.

Thanks for both taking the time to explain it, as well as your work in trying to get it done.  You have a very challenging environment that you are working in, and it wouldnt be fair to you not to recognize that fact or even notice that you seem to be plugging along very consistently despite the adversity.

I enjoyed taking a walk with you around the neighborhood last week or so.  

Its got to be tough to deal with so many self inflicted problems on behalf of an organization when you had no part in the architecture of the problems in the first place.

True, which is why we may need to hold off in thinking certain things must be disingenuous if we don't get the answers we like on demand, no matter which organization they come from.

We're only talking about Jeremy, Jason, not SPAR. I don't think HE is responsible for the mess over there, and nor do I think he has the answers to the questions I've asked, and I doubt they'd even tell him if he went and asked.

But aside from him, the rest of that organization is about as disingenuous as you can get. To wit, here we have a much-publicized grant program that a year later hasn't disbursed a single grant, despite SPAR having already received the money. What am I supposed to say to that? "Good job!"?

Uh... I know every in and out about the program, if there was a question to be answered I could answer it.

SPAR doesn't have a dollar of money from the program. We are essentially a conduit for businesses to donate products to other businesses.

[Miss Fixit]

Not that it helps to pick on poor Jeremy who is probably the one positive person at the organization, trying to actually get something done.

I know, I kind of feel bad, as he's apparently the only nice one over there. I really do owe him a drink sometime, and I don't think he's responsible for the current condition of this grant program. I again reiterate I have no problem with him personally at all, and am not aiming any of my comments at him personally.

Sometimes it just sucks to be the messenger.

Aw, come on ChrisuFGator, I think you kind of enjoy delivering your messages!
I know you've verbally swatted at me a couple of time on MJ...maybe I should come drink a beer with you and CityLife.
Seriously (I was serious about the beer, too), everyone should step back and take a deep breath.  Things WILL change at SPAR Council, but change is going to take some time.  I imagine there are a lot of things going on behind the scenes right now that will please (to some small degree) even that organization's harshest critics.  I'm not saying everyone is going to be happy about everything that SPAR does or supports, but that there will be a new attitude at the very least.

[ChriswUfGator]

Well, it was started in what? September or October, so that was hardly a year ago.  And these things take time....there still has to be COA applications for anyone wanting to make an improvement.

I'm hardly a cheerleader for SPAR, but things don't always go as smoothly as planned, and I doubt you would be all over Jeremy and this particular program had it been done by anyone else.

The program was announced in September, and it was stated at that time it had already been in the hopper for a number of months. So yeah, considering we're nearly in April of the following year, it really has been that long.

Regarding the rest of your post, admittedly I do have a special place in my heart for SPAR. But I'm entitled, as they certainly earned it. And I'm not all over Jeremy, I have no problem with him personally at all. Again, sometimes it just sucks to be the messenger.

[CityLife]

^Hopefully Valerio's is one of them...

Yes it is. It would have been done a long time ago if not for a certain paint company in your neck of the woods (workwise).

Glen is working on some stuff now and will hopefully get rolling soon.

[CityLife]

Well, it was started in what? September or October, so that was hardly a year ago.  And these things take time....there still has to be COA applications for anyone wanting to make an improvement.

I'm hardly a cheerleader for SPAR, but things don't always go as smoothly as planned, and I doubt you would be all over Jeremy and this particular program had it been done by anyone else.

The program was announced in September, and it was stated at that time it had already been in the hopper for a number of months. So yeah, considering we're nearly in April of the following year, it really has been that long.

Regarding the rest of your post, admittedly I do have a special place in my heart for SPAR. But I'm entitled, as they certainly earned it. And I'm not all over Jeremy, I have no problem with him personally at all. Again, sometimes it just sucks to be the messenger.

The only thing that sucks about being the messenger is the waste of time. I can handle the heat though. No sweating here...

[ChriswUfGator]

Not that it helps to pick on poor Jeremy who is probably the one positive person at the organization, trying to actually get something done.

I know, I kind of feel bad, as he's apparently the only nice one over there. I really do owe him a drink sometime, and I don't think he's responsible for the current condition of this grant program. I again reiterate I have no problem with him personally at all, and am not aiming any of my comments at him personally.

Sometimes it just sucks to be the messenger.

Aw, come on ChrisuFGator, I think you kind of enjoy delivering your messages!
I know you've verbally swatted at me a couple of time on MJ...maybe I should come drink a beer with you and CityLife.
Seriously (I was serious about the beer, too), everyone should step back and take a deep breath.  Things WILL change at SPAR Council, but change is going to take some time.  I imagine there are a lot of things going on behind the scenes right now that will please (to some small degree) even that organization's harshest critics.  I'm not saying everyone is going to be happy about everything that SPAR does or supports, but that there will be a new attitude at the very least.

I do hope they change. I was not much heartened by their email to COJ, sandbagging the block captain who dared to send a public safety issue to a public official without kissing SPAR's ring first. That started to seem like more of the same.

[ChriswUfGator]

Well, it was started in what? September or October, so that was hardly a year ago.  And these things take time....there still has to be COA applications for anyone wanting to make an improvement.

I'm hardly a cheerleader for SPAR, but things don't always go as smoothly as planned, and I doubt you would be all over Jeremy and this particular program had it been done by anyone else.

The program was announced in September, and it was stated at that time it had already been in the hopper for a number of months. So yeah, considering we're nearly in April of the following year, it really has been that long.

Regarding the rest of your post, admittedly I do have a special place in my heart for SPAR. But I'm entitled, as they certainly earned it. And I'm not all over Jeremy, I have no problem with him personally at all. Again, sometimes it just sucks to be the messenger.

The only thing that sucks about being the messenger is the waste of time. I can handle the heat though. No sweating here...

In your case, I imagine the thing that sucks the most is who you're delivering the message for. LOL! Again, no hard feelings personally. Not such a fan of your employer though. Which reminds me, the bartender at 3 Layers was recently asked to deliver a SPAR message to Stephen, I wonder if Stephen's gotten it yet?

[KuroiKetsunoHana]

Which reminds me, the bartender at 3 Layers was recently asked to deliver a SPAR message to Stephen, I wonder if Stephen's gotten it yet?

what, these people can't use email?

[strider]

OK, All I really wanted was an answer or two and I got this when I finally made it home! Citylife, you are in a very difficult position as I believe you were "forced" to announce this program earlier than planned as something good had to be announced.  And, if I understand this program in any way, it is not an easy one to make work.  In addition, no one typically likes to give answers over there at SPAR Council, so it makes it doubly hard. You should have just posted (even VIA PM) an answer to me yesterday....just sayin'.... I also sent you a PM.

Miss Fixit:  good to hear there are changes coming.  We can only hope that they are really changes and that they include the cessation of certain polices or it won't help much.  Oh, and improved communication might help a bit too!

[hooplady]

what, these people can't use email?

Actually, many of them do not.  It's part of the digital divide, which just adds to the miscommunication on both sides.  Many are them (us? because I often feel this way myself) do not keep up with the world in real-time and do not understand why anyone would want to.

It's kind of ironic that so many individuals who were willing to brave the "wild west" of Springfield in its early days are now so perplexed and possibly terrified of the "wild west" that exists here on the internet.