Anyone interested in true SPR community meeting?

[uptowngirl]

"I guess we can no longer say "SPAR did..." anything, ever, then."

- perhaps there was a twinkle of realization in there somewhere.....but then it faded. Individuals can't speak for SPAR. They don't all have the same point of view, despite what your handler has been telling you. When a official action or opinion is had, it's discussed at one of the various public meetings or in it's newsletter.

And the majority of the neighborhood's residents opinion is not even taken into consideration. That is THE issue

[uptowngirl]

"Neither of us can truly say that the community did or did not get it’s way."

- those that cared enough to sign thier name or show up did not. what other way would you measured it?

"past history with petitions and giving correct information is not very good"

- i've stated before that i have a copy of that petition in question in my email and i'd be happy to share it with anyone that's interetsed. BUT......that would dispell your conspiracy theory, so naturally noone asked to see it. Like always, as long as it sounds damning it doesn't have to be accurate.

"I have to call BS on that statement."

- anyone who cared to show up to the last Board meeting would know how members there are. Yes, they are the largest, and have well over 100. That's not BS. Clearly shown by the signatures as well.

I suppose "effective" is up to the eye of the beholder. I know other orgs are/have done great things too. This isn't a competition. For example, 3 projects in the works now: Main St improvements, major Park renovations, Main St Business enhancements wouldn't be happening or wouldn't be in the stage that they are now without thier them.

Arguing about this is not appealing. But....yet again I am (ha).

This is why I am calling BS- SPAR takes alot of credit for others work, and personally I am getting sick and tired of it. Normally I do not care (well at least I have learned to let it go since in the end all that is important is the betterment in the neighborhood) but for anyone to justify SPAR and the leadership by claiming other orgs works....well I am going to call BS. Did SPAR do the rose arbor? NOPE, they collected matching funds from neighbors but that is it, did they do the dog park, nope, did they do the restoration of the statues, create the fountain or bleachers in Klutho? Nope. SPAR should quit claiming others work as their own as a justification to bully the neighborhood.

[fsu813]

I don't know why you feel the need to make a list....again, this isn't a competition. At least it shouldn't be. I haven't seen them take credit for anything they didn't do or assist in, including those things you mentioned.

Perhaps you can cite a recent example for me. I'd be curious.




Chrisufwgator,

"....so we know which capacity you're acting in when you do something"

- similar to what Lake, I, and others were commenting on yesterday with MetroJax, about how when a Board member takes a position on a ceratin issue or gives thier individual opinion...it's not an officially endoresed statement.

[CS Foltz]

stephendare............to me this why MJ and similar sites have the power to invoke passion as well as discussion. Since we all live in JACKSONVILLE, what effects one neighborhood will, if not already, effect the others!

[strider]

FSU813: I don't know why you feel the need to make a list....again, this isn't a competition. At least it shouldn't be. I haven't seen them take credit for anything they didn't do or assist in, including those things you mentioned.

Perhaps you can cite a recent example for me. I'd be curious.

SPAR Council has made many lists of their claimed many and varied accomplishments.  They also have references to various things "they" have accomplished in SPAR Speaks, the newsletter, and just letters to various people.  In a recent one, it was very much implied that SPAR Council had promoted the formation of various additional community groups.  At least one of those groups took exception as they were here first.  Not to mention that some of these new groups chose to be under a different non-profit rather than SPAR Council.

Many times, it is not a cut and dried statement that "we did this" but a very much implied "look at this great thing we have because of us" and SPAR Council has this bad habit of doing it without giving proper credit.  Even with large projects like Main Street, it can be easily seen that newer residents who have not followed events here for many years would easily be lead to believe it was all SPAR Council’s doing while in reality, their part was small, still important, but small.  And as you can see, it is not just me, but a number of others feel this way as well.

You often do not get told about this occurring because most do indeed realize it is not a competition.  Too bad Louise and Company often seems to think it is.

[CS Foltz]

strider.............I got no problem with any horn honking.........but when you take credit for the music, you had better be the writer of the music!

[ChriswUfGator]

Oh it's even better than that...

Louise's letter to President Obama, taking credit for anything and everything from the renovation of Main St. to the formation of the garden club (founded ca. 1922 vs. SPAR founded ca. 1974, LMFAO!), and so much more, just sums everything up.

But Strider, don't feel left out, she also took time to write a couple paragraphs on how your social services businesses are responsible for an influx of weirdos that has caused all the problems around here. ROFL

I mean...this thing just speaks for itself;

Dear President-Elect Obama,

What an exciting time we are in, and what an optimism you and your promises of urban renewal bring to the Springfield National Historic District in Jacksonville, Florida, and areas like ours nationwide.

My name is Louise DeSpain, and I am the Executive Director of the Springfield Preservation and Revitalization (SPAR) Council (www.sparcouncil.org). As indicated, Springfield is a National Historic District, and is located on the northern edge of the City of Jacksonville’s downtown Central Business District.

Like many urban neighborhoods, Springfield began declining in the 1950’s, endured racial conflict in the 1960s, and continued into physical, economic and educational deterioration, with increases in crime, drug usage/addiction, and teen birth/infant mortality rates well into the 1990s.

I believe you have familiarity with our neighborhood, as your Jacksonville campaign headquarters were located in one of our Klutho-designed historic structures at 1830 N. Main Street. Our community may not have been pretty when you visited, but SPAR’s hope is that soon, it will be pretty (but we've done SUCH a good job!), safe and enriching for all its residents.

Through resident commitment, municipal, state and federal programs, and with recent support from our District 7 Councilmember, Dr. Johnny Gaffney, Springfield has made much progress doing all of the “right” things:       (yeah, that's why you're apologizing to Obama for even having to look at the place, right?)

- In 1987, a one-mile square area founded in 1869 and containing a significant number of homes and commercial buildings constructed from the 1890s-1920s, was designated the Springfield National Historic District (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Springfield,_Jacksonville,_Florida);

- In 1994, the Springfield area and many of its surrounding neighborhoods were designated a Federal Empowerment Zone;

- In 1995, the State of Florida passed similar legislation designating the area a Florida Enterprise Zone. SPAR now fundraises in three key areas, Residential Safety & Maintenance, Commercial Corridor Revitalization, and Hogan’s Creek Parks Revitalization, through the Enterprise Zone’s Community Contribution Tax Credit program (§220.183 F.S.);

- In 2001, the Springfield Historic District Zoning Overlay was enacted, protecting the community from new infiltration of inappropriate land uses; (Insert Joe and Gloria's picture here)

- Since 2003, the City of Jacksonville has invested more than $20M on streetscape improvement, including new underground utility, sewer and stormwater infrastructure, on our two main commercial corridors, Main Street and 8th Street;

- Between the mid-1990s and the mid-2000s, SHARP grants and façade grants were available to support existing, and attract new, residents and businesses in the area;

- Springfield has been working closely with its primary “economic engines,” UF/Shands Jacksonville, Florida Community College at Jacksonville (FCCJ) and Bethel Baptist.

o UF/Shands is the Northeast Florida region’s indigent-care facility and Level 1 Trauma Center. The University of Florida has its Medical, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Dentistry schools at this location, and has constructed a $150M proton-therapy cancer treatment center on the Historic District’s border. In conjunction with the County and State Boards of Health, the new federal Veterans Administration facility, and our own Darnell Cookman Middle School of the Medical Arts, Springfield is becoming a regional health and wellness cluster; (Wait a second, wasn't she actually opposed to additional VA presence?)

o FCCJ is the region’s community college focused on transitional jobs and career pathways, and has recently been designated a State College that will offer four-year workforce training and bachelor’s degrees;

- The community has attracted a couple of private developers who are affecting positive change â€" SRG Homes & Neighborhoods (srghomes.com) builds historically-appropriate, single- and multi-family infill homes, and utilizes Empowerment and FLEnterprise Zone credits. (on lots that become vacant due to our code-enforcement call-ins, how convenient!) And Cesery Cos. is building the first new building on Main Street â€" a 47,000 square foot mixed-use project â€" in 40 years, that is expected to add 12 full-time jobs to the area;

- SPAR has been in close partnership with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) for the past three years. Springfield hosts a monthly Sheriff’s Advisory Committee (SHADCO) meeting, and SPAR, working with private partners, has funded in excess of $500,000 of community policing over that time period;

- Since 2006, SPAR has worked closely with the City of Jacksonville’s Code Compliance division to enforce municipal code violations in the community that continue to cause blight and deterioration. (Yeah I'll say so, they sure keep COJ's phones ringing off the hook with bogus complaints!) SPAR has a very successful Block Captains program and ,with the support of private partners, funded in excess of $500,000 of litter and trash removal;

- SPAR has expressed its interest in partnering with the City of Jacksonville’s Housing and Neighborhoods department to implement the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, and specifically HERA 2008 §2301(c)(3)(D) and 24 CFR 570.201(d), within the portion of the 32206 ZIP targeted area that is overlapped by the Historic District;       Yes, I'd like more power please! Holy crap, if you think condo boards are bad, you better hope THIS doesn't happen...

- The Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) submitted an operational grant application to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to provide a more reliable and frequent trolley service from the residential areas of the community to/from its nearby economic and employment centers;

- SPAR has recently partnered with the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) to receive board training and a grant to employ a Commercial Corridor coordinator and Americorps assistant. LISC and the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) named Springfield one of the top five emerging urban markets nationwide along with Bedford-Stuyvesant in Brooklyn, and communities in Philadelphia, Detroit and Minneapolis (yes, we're getting compared to bed-stuy, brooklyn, and detroit, but naturally, we've still done SUCH a good job) ;

- Springfield has a 27-acre string of parks that adjoin the Historic District and Jacksonville’s central business district. The park system contains Hogan’s Creek, which flows into the St. Johns River, one of 14 American Heritage Rivers, and contains remnants of a stormwater management systems engineered in 1928. In 2006, Springfield hosted the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra for an outdoor concert and holds 4th of July “throwback” baseball games and other events on an annual basis; (I never knew SPAR paid for the Symphony Orchestra! Man, who knew! Clearly credit where credit is due...)

- The City of Jacksonville has included a one-block area of this park system in its list of ash clean-up sites, as a result of an EPA lawsuit; (yes, because getting sued by the EPA is always something you want to brag about to the President...)

- SPAR has grown the organizational capacity of the neighborhood, which now has a merchants and business association (SAMBA), an animal rescue group (SACARC), a Mommies Group, a Garden Club, the first Girl Scouts of America troop in 50 years, and more; (WOW, talk about credit-taking! Who knew that SPAR started the Garden Club? Especially since the Garden Club was founded in 1922, and SPAR was founded in 1974. Time-travel is definitely one hell of an accomplishment!)

- Springfield is the home of four excellent youth programs/centers including The Bridge (modeling its programs on the Harlem Children’s Zone), The Sanctuary (the subject of NPR spoken-word-artist Al Letson’s “Summer at Sanctuary” â€" stateofthereunion.com), The Boys’ and Girls’ Club, and the Robert F. Kennedy Community Center (municipal);

- Springfield, and more specifically the Klutho Building at 1830 N. Main St., is the home of Operation New Hope, which created the nationally-recognized Ready4Work program for ex-offenders; and, (so wait a second...apparently we don't mind convicted felons running around, but those awful recovering alcoholics and community service orgs that I just don't like, are responsible for ALL the problems around here!)

- Is adjacent to, and has close relationships with, nearby successful urban Jacksonville CDCs, including Ron Pauline’s MetroNorth CDC (metronorthcdc.org) and Paul Tutwiler’s Northwest Jacksonville CDC (northwestjaxcdc.org). (I wonder if they would agree as to how close their relationship is?)

As you can see, SPAR, in partnership with the public and private organizations at the local, state and national levels, has taken a very comprehensive approach to revitalization, because we know we must provide an environment where pride and economic success can be achieved by all of our residents (Yup, that's why we call in bogus complaints and oppose zoning variances when new businesses want to open up in our neighborhood!). Despite our progress, we also face many hurdles ahead: (like we might finally be forced to hold elections!)

- Underfunded Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) needs in Springfield; our neighborhood’s “gateway” is blighted by a 1960s hotel that makes our community look more like Beirut than an urban National Historic District. This hotel at 901 N. Main St. is privately-owned, and is a Superfund site (FLSFN0407139) for which “an eligible response site (ERS) exclusion decision has been made;” (OK, I gotta agree with her there, the Park View is an eyesore and a half)

- Environmental contamination throughout the 27-acre park system that has been known about, but considered too large/costly a problem to fix, since 1993; Hogan’s Creek contamination flowing into the St. Johns River; un-maintained park infrastructure - deteriorated or destroyed stormwater system results in regular flooding and sewer overflows in the community;

- FDOT rejected Springfield’s trolley grant. The JTA has been exploring streetcar, a transit option that is proven to result in economic development, but anticipates transportation funding will be directed toward suburban road development;

- In today’s banking climate, the re-development of Springfield’s commercial corridors is more severely handicapped â€" by lack of available credit and developer incentives â€" than it would have otherwise been by what much of the retailing industry considers “undesirable demographics;”

- Lack of municipal funding for CPTED-based crime prevention measures, trash and litter control, public space maintenance and youth programming in the urban core neighborhoods â€" Jacksonville has been unable to identify adequate funding for programs mandated by ordinance (Zero Tolerance on Litter), nor can our private partners sustain their investment in municipal services in today’s economy; (how much trash could you pick up in all that time you spend feuding with your own neighbors)

- The high concentration of social service organizations in and near our District does not adequately serve a city of Jacksonville’s size, resulting in an overflow of under-served homeless and mentally-challenged persons into the community; and (yes, please refer to those photos of Joe and Gloria included for the CIA's convenience)

- Springfield’s greatest hurdle is the speed at which government, at any level, operates. (Yup, as stated in multiple e-mails to every city official imaginable, we just can't tear these damned historic houses down fast enough!)

Again, Mr. Obama, we are buoyed by your attention to the plight of the urban community and its residents and proponents. I am aware you recently held a “summit” in the capital with 2,000 community organizers â€" I look forward to hearing how their input, as well as that from Adolfo Carrion of the Office of Urban Policy and Melody Barnes of the Domestic Policy Council, will benefit communities nationwide like the Springfield Historic District. (wow, 2,000 different community orgs and SPAR wasn't even invited? But we're doing SUCH a good job...)

Springfield’s location makes it an optimal solution to Jacksonville’s economic and environmental sprawl, and the community supports the Obama-Biden Plan, and its focus on cities. We welcome you back to Springfield anytime you are in Northeast Florida. (nice to know SPAR declares the Springfield community are all Obama-Biden supporters)

Best regards,

Louise DeSpain, Executive Director
Springfield Preservation and Revitalization (SPAR) Council

Bwhaahahhaahhaahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaa..........

[CS Foltz]

I would guess from the letter that Mr Oboma is on the approved list? Which brings me back to just how many people in the Springfield area are members of SPAR? If it is a one square mile of area and that is broken down into a grid I would have to guess there are about 800 persons who live in that square.............  could be more could be less......but somewhere around there. Anyone got a better number?

[Springfielder]

I don't know why you feel the need to make a list....again, this isn't a competition. At least it shouldn't be. I haven't seen them take credit for anything they didn't do or assist in, including those things you mentioned.

Perhaps you can cite a recent example for me. I'd be curious.

This is the problem, you've asked for proof of this and that, and it's been given to you over and over. No matter what is presented, you always come back with how wonderful spar is, blowing off anything that others have stated. The Lord could come and present you with proof and you'd blow that off to.

This is exactly why, along with your blatantly obvious support of an organization that does not, and hasn't for years, represents the community of Historic Springfield; that this desire of yours to hold a community meeting to resolve the issues and concerns, is nothing but a pile of crap. You have proven over and over that no matter what is presented to you, which shows how spar has worked against not only the neighborhood as a whole, but even it's own membership, that you do not and refuse to see things for what they truly are. That's fine, you can stick with this mystical and oh so wonderful version you have of spar, but don't try and snow the rest of us into thinking that you want to see the fences mended, when you've clearly planted yourself on one side and blow off anyone from the other.

It's my opinion that this wanting to fix things, this desire to heal the neighborhood and bring all parties together and work things out, is a pile of crap. You've demonstrated over and over, that you have no sincere interest in what you claim to want...I, for one, have not seen where you have shown anything but contempt for anything that someone states, that differs with your unrealistic views of spar. That in of itself, shows how un-sincere your claim is to help resolve any uncomfortable issues.

[fsu813]

oh gosh.

Strider,

As you know, it's important for a non-profit to inform people what they are or have been involved in, so people can have an idea of what they do.

I think everyone would agree that they have indeed "promoted the formation of various additional groups". Very much so. This is a rather vague statement though, so "promoting" can be as simple as letting everyone know about the organization and what the latest is with them (ie, newsletter). Which would be true, would it not? Especially because thier newsletter reaches far more people than any other type of regular SPR correspsondance. That is promoting 101.

I see that as an example of how an opinion is formed and events (or words) are seen through pre-determined opinion. (ie, Spar is bad, so therefore everything is interpretted in a distrustful, negative way).

Your use of "implied" & "it is not a cut and dried statement" validate that they haven't exactly claimed specific credit for anything they haven't taken part in, but instead you have interpretted it that way.



Chrisufwgator,

Another great illustration of how something written in black & white can be seen different ways:

"SPAR has grown the organizational capacity of the neighborhood, which now has a merchants and business association (SAMBA), an animal rescue group (SACARC), a Mommies Group, a Garden Club, the first Girl Scouts of America troop in 50 years, and more"

I can see how someone could see it as them taking credit for the various groups, though I didn't take that way. It's a wording fopaw, trying to cram too much info into a bullit point. The difference is that you think it's a nefarious attempt, while someone without a vendetta would say "oh ok, that probably should have been clearer".


Springfielder,

I have to repsectfully disagree that "you've (I) asked for proof of this and that, and it's been given to you (me) over and over".

I'm not sure what proof you are referencing. Perhaps you could be more specific.


"....blowing off anything that others have stated" & "you have shown anything but contempt for anything that someone states, that differs with your unrealistic views"

Rather the contrary. I've agreed with many issues people have taken with the organization (ie, see above for an example), but instead of looking at them as sinister, deliberate, and evil, i've taken a more even-keeled perspective......mistakes happen, no organization is perfect, especially of this ilk, but they are not cruel intentions, rather they are grounded in the best interests of the 'hood. If you disagree with that basic premise (that they have the best interest of the 'hood in mind) then i understand how you would disagree with everything else too.

In fairness, the vast majority of the criticisms are given out by about 6 people, half of which let thier emotions get the best of logic & reason, the other half are too uninformed to know they are uniformed. Others have had critisicms too, of course. But the vast majority come from a a select few who you can count on being hyper-critical no matter what...which often results in questionable critisizisms.


"...that does not, and hasn't for years, represents the community"

- they are the largest organization in the community. if the largest organization doesn't represent the neighborhood, then who does?


"this desire to heal the neighborhood and bring all parties together and work things out, is a pile of crap" & "this desire of yours to hold a community meeting to resolve the issues and concerns, is nothing but a pile of crap"

- well hey. if it's pulled off, you certainly don't have to come. i guess if you have to be angry with & distrustful of someone, might as well be someone who you've never met, (myself) huh?

[Springfielder]

Trust me, I want no part of it.  As for what proof has been shown/stated...you're kidding.

[fsu813]

Stephen,

"What group has SPAR encouraged or help to begin? What percentage is that number of the total number of groups in springfield?"

- any group that they publicized in the early months or years of that group. Or any group that was disbanded/non-functioning for a time, in which they publicized thier rivitalization efforts. Not sure what the % is. What would you guess?

"How many paid members does spar have at the present time?
How many of them are 'active members'."

- like i said before, well over 100 paid members. What's your defintion of 'active'?

"How many copies of the newsletter are sent out?
How does this compare with the traffic numbers for springfield news in metrojacksonville.com, urbanjacksonville.com and myspringfield.com/forums. "

- the email version of the newsletter is sent our to about 500 people. The hard copy version is sent out to members and distriubuted to some neighborood businesses to re-distriubute as well. So, an educated guess would be about 200 or so there. The newsletter is also posted regularly to the Myspringfield.org website, as well as thier own (which is under construction right now). I have no idea how many hits Myspringfield receives or thier own (when not under construction). MetroJax's mission, responsibilites, and role isn't similar with SPAR's or any other neighborhood organization's, so i don't think that's a legit comparison.




What date was Riverside Avondale Preservation formed? Good grief. I'm not interested your minutia quiz, especially about other areas. I'm also not interested in rehashing contraversial stuff that went on years ago. I've said that many a time. I wasn't here, so i can't speak authortatively about it.

I don't see how that benefits anything or anyone now, except score settling.

It's not forward thinking, which is where my state of mind is. 

[strider]

 FSU813, you often promote and defend SPAR Council and their vision for Springfield.  You often give credit to them for all the positive things that they have done and will do.  You constantly insult and belittle those who speak against this "wonderful, all inclusive" organization.  Yet you often ignore presented facts, either disbelieve or discredit other's opinions and either have chosen to ignore or do not know the history behind it all.

You, and a few others, keep repeating, for instance, that the by-laws are being followed and reviewed  by LISC, yet a simple review of the by-laws and the various newsletters and SPAR Speaks shows beyond a shadow of a doubt that the by-laws are indeed being ignored. 

Again, if SPAR Council has "well over 100 members" why did Louise not say that at the recent Planning Commission meeting? Why use a lower number of whom she represented?  Why is the membership number a secret?  I can guess, but shouldn’t have to.

Oh, and I made a quick check, you are part of the team that helps place Proton patients, correct?  Then why  are you still promoting an illegal rooming house in Springfield to potential proton patients on the website? Not just in one place, but two?  Not that you and SPAR Council board members can be hypocritical or anything, but isn’t there a big push against illegal rooming houses going on?

You and your fellow “support SPAR Council at any cost” posters are doing a great job at accomplishing what needs to happen here.  Proving that Springfield needs another organization to step up and take over for a SPAR Council that has lost it’s way and no longer can perform it’s mandated mission.

[CS Foltz]

Looks to me like the current SPAR Organization was built on the bones of the original! I wonder if they took credit for that also!

[ChriswUfGator]

I just thought SPAR was SPAR. Didn't realize they'd had so many implosions and rebirths, only to implode again.

I guess that whole "learning from your past mistakes" thing hasn't caught on over there yet.