SPAR Board Members

[strider]

Spar Council can have up to 15 directors.  It is actually down five compared to the beginning of the year.  You should know this, Zoo, as you were the fifteenth and were appointed.

is elected annually

seems to be a large part of the difference between RAP and SPAR Council.

[zoo]

Candidates are nominated based on the strategic needs of the organization

This is a commonality, as is that board decisions are based on a majority vote of the board. (Though, if it were up to you, it would also be a large part of the difference between the two).

[Dan B]

Hmmm...well I like the fact that they have such a large number of board members.  More hands to do the work and more points of view to bring balance.  Or is Riverside that much larger than Springfield?

Riverside/Avondale is much larger than Springfield, both by structure, and by population.

[ChriswUfGator]

What do you think of the members of the RAP board? I mean, we hear a lot of your thoughts on Springfield (the section you have posted in more than any other, in fact), even though its a community that you have never lived in, and seem to have owned 1 house in 6 years ago, but nothing of the community you currently hang your hat in.

So how about it?

As anyone would tell you, RAP is strong, independent, and isn't dominated by one individual on the board or otherwise.

More importantly, RAP is actually effective, transparent, and honest. To wit, they just stopped wealthy developer and Renaissance Group owner Carlton Jones from demolishing a historic office building on Riverside Ave. that was originally one of the first clinics at the turn of the century. He wanted to tear it down and replace it with a CVS. RAP went to bat and put the kybosh on it.

That is...unlike SPAR, whose director is out cashing checks from developers, while actively emailing COJ to kvetch about why she isn't allowed to tear down historic structures as fast as she wants. So spare me your B.S., there is really no comparison. And you haven't really checked up on my post history if you think I'm only active on the SPR forum.

[strider]

Candidates are nominated based on the strategic needs of the organization

This is a commonality, as is that board decisions are based on a majority vote of the board. (Though, if it were up to you, it would also be a large part of the difference between the two).

And somehow, this is still very, very true.....

Spar Council can have up to 15 directors.  It is actually down five compared to the beginning of the year.  You should know this, Zoo, as you were the fifteenth and were appointed.

is elected annually

seems to be a large part of the difference between RAP and SPAR Council.

The bottom line is transparency and somehow I actually believe that RAP can and does follow their own by-laws.  Can you say the same thing for SPAR Council?  (Remember, the proof is in writing)

[ChriswUfGator]

Yeah, the proof's in writing alright Strider...

But it doesn't seem to matter around these parts. The same small group of people just resorts to the same B.S. over and over again. They can't dispute the proof, because Louise hoisted herself on her own petard, and it came straight from the horse's mouth. So instead they just completely ignore it, and personally attack anyone who tries to discuss it. Cause', you know, that's valid logic 

Ahem...*cough*...*cough*...Dan B...*cough*...*cough*

[ChriswUfGator]

its a community that you have never lived in, and seem to have owned 1 house in 6 years ago, but nothing of the community you currently hang your hat in.

I just noticed your excessively careful wording. You're the most disingenuous person I've seen online.

'Only' 1 "house" huh? Thinking back, that may *technically* be true, I think may only have had 1 "house" in Springfield, on Hubbard Street. And yeah, I sold that one. So I guess that's your disingenuous way of ignoring all the multi-unit apartment buildings? What, I guess they don't count since they weren't "houses"?

Do you have any low you don't stoop to in your crusades against people whose opinions you don't like? Or in order to try and deflect attention from where it ought to be? Which namely, is Louise's emails...

[Dan B]

I have no interest in defending Louise. I am against future demolition. I called her, and I told her. We didnt yell at one another, she didnt tell me I was wrong. I wasnt banned from the building.

If everyone who believed that all demolition needs to stop did the same, then we would perhaps make up some ground on the issue, instead of doing each other in on the forum boards, or listening to a guy who once owned a house in Springfield tell us all how dumb we are for living here.

[Dan B]

its a community that you have never lived in, and seem to have owned 1 house in 6 years ago, but nothing of the community you currently hang your hat in.

I just noticed your excessively careful wording. You're the most disingenuous person I've seen online.

'Only' 1 "house" huh? Thinking back, that may *technically* be true, I think may only have had 1 "house" in Springfield, on Hubbard Street. And yeah, I sold that one. So I guess that's your disingenuous way of ignoring all the multi-unit apartment buildings? What, I guess they don't count since they weren't "houses"?

Do you have any low you don't stoop to in your crusades against people whose opinions you don't like? Or in order to try and deflect attention from where it ought to be? Which namely, is Louise's emails...

Actually, I believe your house on Hubbard was north of Springfield.

Your house on 1st is the only one that was technically in Springfield, and this may come as a shocker to you, but I lived here when you owned it, and I always wondered what it would take to turn that block around. I found it sad that the owners would let them fall into such disrepair, and still contiue shoving people into them.

At least Joe and Gloria shine their places up a bit.

[ChriswUfGator]

its a community that you have never lived in, and seem to have owned 1 house in 6 years ago, but nothing of the community you currently hang your hat in.

I just noticed your excessively careful wording. You're the most disingenuous person I've seen online.

'Only' 1 "house" huh? Thinking back, that may *technically* be true, I think may only have had 1 "house" in Springfield, on Hubbard Street. And yeah, I sold that one. So I guess that's your disingenuous way of ignoring all the multi-unit apartment buildings? What, I guess they don't count since they weren't "houses"?

Do you have any low you don't stoop to in your crusades against people whose opinions you don't like? Or in order to try and deflect attention from where it ought to be? Which namely, is Louise's emails...

Actually, I believe your house on Hubbard was north of Springfield.

Your house on 1st is the only one that was technically in Springfield, and this may come as a shocker to you, but I lived here when you owned it, and I always wondered what it would take to turn that block around. I found it sad that the owners would let them fall into such disrepair, and still contiue shoving people into them.

At least Joe and Gloria shine the place up a bit.

You're missing a few in your analysis, Dan. The only actual "house" I ever owned in S'field was directly across from the education center on Hubbard, not on 1st. The 1st St. place was apartments, not a house. And I had other places on Hubbard, but apartments also, not a house. Either way, Hubbard or 1st, it's still in S'field. Along with a bunch of others I can think of off the top of my head. I think you have me pegged for someone else, or you're confused about which property.

But if we are actually talking about the same one on 1st Street, then you ought to know that when I owned that nightmare, I really tried to make it nice. It got trashed by lack of maintenance the last couple years, but that's under a different owner, I got out of that place. When I had it, I replaced something like 5 a/c units from theft. Finally I poured big cement pads and sunk rebar cages into the concrete, with the condensers inside. And guess what? Even then, some douchebags came with a torch and got them. Before Wayne Smith died, I dunno if you remember Smith's Superior Heating & Cooling, he was constantly having to invent new ways to save my condensers from winding up at Berman Brothers.

Honestly, I can't believe you are actually blaming me for not living over there. If an a/c unit can't stay put for a week, then WTF would happen to my car? Ugh...this is going where I don't want it to go. I am not trying to bash the neighborhood, I think it has a lot of potential or I wouldn't have messed with it in the first place. I did put my money where my mouth is, so quit questioning my motives. But I couldn't deal with the B.S. and headaches of living there.

[Dan B]

Its odd, but I have had the same units for over 6 years!

Oh sure, I have had a few things nicked, but by and large, I have found living in Springfield to be an incredibly rewarding experience.

If you would come spend some time over here with some people that lived here, you would hear the good and the bad of it. While  we are fairly self-deprecating, we still love our neighborhood.

[ChriswUfGator]

I have no interest in defending Louise. I am against future demolition. I called her, and I told her. We didnt yell at one another, she didnt tell me I was wrong. I wasnt banned from the building.

If everyone who believed that all demolition needs to stop did the same, then we would perhaps make up some ground on the issue, instead of doing each other in on the forum boards, or listening to a guy who once owned a house in Springfield tell us all how dumb we are for living here.

Nobody said you're dumb for living there.

And again, I only owned one "house", but I guess multiple apartment buildings don't count for squat? This is getting tedious.

And if you say you're not defending SPAR, then quit defending. I'm against demolition, and can't stand the fact that the only preservation group over there is in bed with developers who make their living off the demolition of the same housing stock the group exists to protect. SRG's entire business model depends on gorging itself with vacant lots. I think there's a connection there.

But if you want people to quit "doing each other in", you should be the first, since you're the main one doing it.

[ChriswUfGator]

Its odd, but I have had the same units for over 6 years!

Oh sure, I have had a few things nicked, but by and large, I have found living in Springfield to be an incredibly rewarding experience.

If you would come spend some time over here with some people that lived here, you would hear the good and the bad of it. While  we are fairly self-deprecating, we still love our neighborhood.

Well looking back with 20-20 hindsight, I'm sure there'd be less problems if I'd lived in Springfield and had apartments in Riverside, rather than vice-versa. I'll give you that one. I think if you're around a lot, then you can keep an eye on stuff. I never had too much problems once the tenants were in, it was while the work was getting done that everything sprouted legs. Paint sprayers, a/c condensers, air handlers, water heaters, random tools. Anything with metal in it.

[grimss]

More importantly, RAP is actually effective, transparent, and honest. To wit, they just stopped wealthy developer and Renaissance Group owner Carlton Jones from demolishing a historic office building on Riverside Ave. that was originally one of the first clinics at the turn of the century. He wanted to tear it down and replace it with a CVS. RAP went to bat and put the kybosh on it.

Regrettably, this isn't yet a done deal.  The developer is actively courting council members to overturn the expected JHPC denial.

That said, RAP is right in the middle of another proposed demolition on Greenwood Avenue. The owner of a 1920 bungalow (actually quite cute--and intact until he started disconnecting sewer and electrical lines, and removing all appliances in preparation for demolition) wants to tear down the house so he doesn't have to maintain it; he says he wants to grass it and keep the property for his grandchildren.  It needs a new roof--$6K--but would cost only $5K to tear it down. 

Anyway, the owner is quite prominent and well-connected, and is already planning to appeal the JHPC's denial to the CC.  RAP is, of course, fighting the demolition, but the whole thing's been a major soap opera so far.

[Dan B]

Grimms,

Random question.

SPAR and RAP are actually a lot more similar than many have given credit for. I know several Springfield residents who maintain their membership to RAP, even though they no longer live there. And conversly, I see riverside people at Springfield functions and places of business all the time.

So since there is a common cause, and we both have similar issue (house demolition, crime, awful roads, ect) Has there ever been any talk about maybe doing some sort of a merger, and increase the historic urban cores ability to work together on common issues?