QuoteBy Drew Dixon
A major Hemming Park overhaul involving the investment of hundreds of thousands of dollars will commercialize the downtown gathering place by adding a restaurant and bar and a new stage area.
Friends of Hemming Park CEO Vince Cavin said Thursday his group is prepared to spend about $85,000 to turn cargo containers into a bar and restaurant facility that will be located on the southeast corner of Hemming Park at Laura and Monroe streets. Planning also is underway to build a permanent 50-foot-by-50-foot stage at the west end of the park under the Skyway people mover.
The recycling of cargo containers by converting them into buildings is a hot trend. The restaurant and bar would be created by linking two of those structures into an "L" shape and be run by the ownership that operates Black Sheep Restaurant in Riverside, Cavin said.
"These are structures that the city would ultimately own. Over the course of a year, I'm expecting to invest about $500,000 into the park, infrastructure-wise. That's my expectation, and I think that proves we're really committed to making this a key destination for Jacksonville," Cavin said.
Full article: http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2015-10-09/story/major-hemming-park-overhaul-include-additions-restaurant-bar-and-new
QuoteBlack Sheep owners Allan DeVault and Jon Insetta had been talking with Friends of Hemming Park for weeks about the restaurant and bar project that will be called "The Black Sheep Kiosk."
Horrible name, but an awesome idea!
Wow, what a great idea. Things are looking up for Hemming Park.
Curry seems like he is a bit more hospitable to Friends of Hemming.
Hemming Park seems to be taking the place of the landing with the live acts, things to do, etc. Might be a good time to revamp the landing, while there's another place to visit.
Quote from: Dapperdan on October 09, 2015, 10:52:53 AM
Curry seems like he is a bit more hospitable to Friends of Hemming.
there is some thought that Council isn't
Friends of Hemming, FTW.
These guys are just killing it on the Northbank.
How they've transformed, and continue to transform, what is arguably the most important block in our city, in barely a year's time is just incredible.
Awesome job, friends.
Now, let's get that bare-bones, no-frills Skyway station up and running to connect Brooklyn with Hemming.
Quote from: KenFSU on October 09, 2015, 12:31:28 PM
Now, let's get that bare-bones, no-frills Skyway station up and running to connect Brooklyn with Hemming.
Is it just a few of us that seem delusional or is this an absolute no-brainer?
Stephen, when you mentioned a few weeks back that Jon Insetta's long-awaited return to the core was pending, was this what you meant? Or is there a brick and mortar space coming too?
Quote from: Non-RedNeck Westsider on October 09, 2015, 03:11:36 PM
Quote from: KenFSU on October 09, 2015, 12:31:28 PM
Now, let's get that bare-bones, no-frills Skyway station up and running to connect Brooklyn with Hemming.
Is it just a few of us that seem delusional or is this an absolute no-brainer?
Oh it is a no-brainer but the the JTA has neglected the Skyway for so long that I don't see it happening. It should have extended to the stadium by now as well.
Quote from: Wacca Pilatka on October 09, 2015, 05:39:21 PM
Stephen, when you mentioned a few weeks back that Jon Insetta's long-awaited return to the core was pending, was this what you meant? Or is there a brick and mortar space coming too?
B&M still to come.
http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2015/10/09/black-sheep-move-into-downtown-represents-larger.html
Quote from: johnnyliar on October 09, 2015, 07:49:37 AM
QuoteBlack Sheep owners Allan DeVault and Jon Insetta had been talking with Friends of Hemming Park for weeks about the restaurant and bar project that will be called "The Black Sheep Kiosk."
Horrible name, but an awesome idea!
Thanks and we promise that won't be the name.
ProjectMaximus, thanks for the info!
P.S. Big fan of the plan to add a stage fronting the Skyway.
Perfect location, and adds such an awesome backdrop to what's happening on stage.
Here are a couple of the renders from the Hemming article I wrote for MJ last year that show what a stage in this location could look like.
Not to brag, but I *kinda* Nostradamus'd the Black Sheep kiosk in the same article.
Great minds... ;)
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2014-oct-hemming-plaza-vs-nycs-bryant-park-a-tale-of-two-parks/page/
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/3619106333_NzzvgSP-M.jpg)
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/3619106349_TBnq65r-M.jpg)
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/3619106474_hvcbb2s-M.jpg)
KenFSU - I reread your article this morning. Very well thought out and detailed. I too have no issue with stage and kiosks, but have a question. Before they do this has a master plan been discussed and drawn up? If not, then they may do things that don't work in the future, such as elevation of the stage. The plan you developed is great. Wish the city would find funding to move further in that direction.
Why no entrances or exits into the park on the north and south sides? Kind of weird for just entrances on the west and east side; what if there is an emergency of sorts? Need more entrance/exits.
^ there are currently entrances at all four corners of the park...plus in the middle on the north side.
I'm sure Ken's sketches are purely conceptual
Looks really good and a great idea.
Quote from: johnnyliar on October 09, 2015, 07:49:37 AM
QuoteBlack Sheep owners Allan DeVault and Jon Insetta had been talking with Friends of Hemming Park for weeks about the restaurant and bar project that will be called "The Black Sheep Kiosk."
Horrible name, but an awesome idea!
It is a bad name. What about Black Lamb? Its a baby Black Sheep .
Are there any plans to open the Library Garage to the public 24/7, or at least until 2 a.m.? Could some of the funding for the Park go toward staffing that garage? I believe it would be a great incentive for downtown visitors to have easily-accessible and secure designated parking, especially during concerts and other events like Art Walk.
There is free garage parking during Art Walk at the LAZ garage across from the courthouse, its about 3-4 blocks from Hemming Plaza. I think its 24 hour parking but not sure.
"Parking is free after 6 p.m. Art Walk night at meters and at the LAZ garage on the corner of Clay and Adams streets. Click below for even more options."
Even though the park is managed by a non-profit, it remains public property.
If there is available public space for a "restaurant," shouldn't this be issued as a RFP or something like all the other food vendors at public parks?
Shouldn't other restaurants be invited to "bid" on the same space? Doesn't seem right to have a private company given access to public property without a public proposal period.
^Compare what Friends of Hemming Park has done with the space over the last year versus what the public sector has done with Hemming over the last 30 years.
After doing that, I think the question kind of answers itself.
Quote from: whyisjohngalt on October 13, 2015, 06:51:37 PM
Even though the park is managed by a non-profit, it remains public property.
If there is available public space for a "restaurant," shouldn't this be issued as a RFP or something like all the other food vendors at public parks?
Shouldn't other restaurants be invited to "bid" on the same space? Doesn't seem right to have a private company given access to public property without a public proposal period.
Why should there be an RFP ? ? ? I presume one reason for allowing the management of the Park by a nonprofit was to allow for some flexibility and creativity.
Quote from: whyisjohngalt on October 13, 2015, 06:51:37 PM
Even though the park is managed by a non-profit, it remains public property.
If there is available public space for a "restaurant," shouldn't this be issued as a RFP or something like all the other food vendors at public parks?
Shouldn't other restaurants be invited to "bid" on the same space? Doesn't seem right to have a private company given access to public property without a public proposal period.
Others definitely know more about this, but I'm sure the city's contract with FOH has language that specifies that FOH can contract with other parties on the city's behalf without the need of an RFP. I am all for RFPs, but in this situation it's tough to be upset about what is happening. Look at that timeline and tell me we would be anywhere close to a restaurant opening for business that quickly with an RFP. I also think that an RFP would just be delaying the inevitable. Black Sheep has deep pockets and they have some good people at the helm. They may have won anyway.
Update: An RFP was issued at Hemming earlier this year (http://www.hemmingpark.org/food-vendor-rfp/). Only one project responded and it has failed to produce any tangible results so far. This new effort is a different approach to try and activate the space.
There are still many moving pieces to deal with before we'll see this open, but the announcement was probably made this early in the game to keep momentum from the recent donations going and to show the vision for the future. Maybe they should have left the specific vendor's name out and kept it more general in nature until they were further along (more vision casting than specific project announcement), but what's done is done and I wish them the best.
In the initial RFP the vendor was responsible for the buildout of restaurant area and equipment.
If the $85,000 from FoH is to provide that, then this is an entirely different proposal. It's good that they have the process to create RFP's standardized so it shouldn't be hard to execute and follow proper procedure for public spaces.
It's clear that a formal RFP would delay the process but it's important to not set the "backroom deal" precedent with public space.
Re: 30 year results. This park didn't have a comparable budget so it's really not fair to compare to now.
Quote from: whyisjohngalt on October 14, 2015, 02:08:00 PM
It's clear that a formal RFP would delay the process but it's important to not set the "backroom deal" precedent with public space.
You're not serious?
'Backroom' deals are done in the open all the time and putting out an RFP by limiting the pool of eligible bidders.
I'm thrilled with the choice. There are only a few groups of people with the know-how and the financing and the desire to make the core of Jacksonville a desirable place. Jon is one of those people and he brings along others that share his vision.
The City's contract with Friends of Hemming Park is clear that "pre-approval of sub-contractors [by the City] is not required."
There has already been a public process to select Friends of Hemming Park as the manager for the park. They should be able to act as the manager of a building would and choose the partners they want based on their own criteria.
I think it's a great choice.
http://news.wjct.org/post/hemming-park-security-concerns-hampering-revitalization-friends-say (http://news.wjct.org/post/hemming-park-security-concerns-hampering-revitalization-friends-say)
Semi-private? Why couldn't they either lower the scope of cost to a sustainable level or reissue an RFP with part ownership included?
Wasn't the removal of the permanent seats supposed to eliminate this?
QuoteThe park operators say they need around $800,000 a year to run the park and another $200,000 to keep up with planned improvements. But the park makes only half of the $1 million price tag in donations, sponsorships and concessions revenue.
Friends of Hemming Park also told Gulliford that aside from financing, lingering security issues are hindering revitalization efforts.
According to park officials, 600,000 visitors spent close to $200,000 in the park last year. But, Gulliford says loitering, profanity, smoking and the threat of violence could keep those numbers from growing.
"You know what I resent about this is good people being victimized by bad conduct of people that are there for the wrong reasons," Gulliford says.
Suggestions tossed out at Wednesday's meeting included banning profanity, installing art pieces on stoops where people frequently sleep or sit, and possibly building a fence around the park to enforce the new rules.
The only solution to this problem is moving the missions and shelters out of the core along with any straggler homeless people. As long as those people are in the area there will always be the issues that come with them.
Other cities have shipped their homeless to us by the bus loads, why don't we return the favor ;P
Just to be clear, I wasn't advocating the busing of people out by bus loads. Most people in the park aren't homeless anyway. I remember the conversations about removing seats as a method to getting rid of the population some didn't want and believing it wasn't going to work. The park is literally a retaining wall convention. People of all ages and kinds can find a spot to relax regardless of whether there are permanent seats or not. With that said, the park is a lot better now than it was a year or two ago. Because of the regular rotation of food trucks, I now spend more time visiting the park than I did when I worked one block away from it.
QuoteWith that said, the park is a lot better now than it was a year or two ago. Because of the regular rotation of food trucks, I now spend more time visiting the park than I did when I worked one block away from it.
It's the cost of the food trucks - which could be in a parking lot without the $1 million price tag - that needs to be addressed. The winning proposal said that they would hold events to cover their costs and generate fundraising revenue. If they can't do that, then they either need to lower their costs - which were obviously based on erroneous projections - or return the park for another RFP to be issued. It makes no sense for the city to change ownership and policies to accommodate a group that won on unattainable pretenses.
There's no doubt that the park is in better condition than a year ago, but there are still many things that could be improved upon. The flat concrete layout of the park is really uninspiring and doesn't really add much to the area aside from an empty place to host events. I would love to see something natural and multi-dimensional added to the park. Something similar to the Irish Hunger Memorial in NYC would be amazing, especially on nice days for lunch or an elevated view for a movie night (yes I know we don't have the money for something like this and finding a generous donor would be nearly impossible). Also, replacing the drab and boring "pond" with something more natural and eye-catching (this could probably be done relatively cheaply by simply retrofitting what's there and improving upon the design of the retaining walls.
I liked Khan's original concept for the shipyards due to its multidimensional form factor. There really isn't anything like this in Florida and it could be a great center piece / attraction for downtown. On a serious note to Lakes reply above, we just need to keep more "normal looking people" in the area around the clock, so that people from outside the area feel more comfortable and are more likely to visit / have a good experience.
(http://www.1100architect.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/irish-hunger-memorial-9-1100-architect.jpg)
(http://www.nycgo.com/images/uploadedimages/devnycvisitcom/venue/irishhunger_v3_460x285.jpg)
^JaxJag, you are not very PC with your comments about homeless people, but I gotta say I agree. It has improved but still feels more like an open air homeless shelter on some days than a park that everyone of all ages can go to and enjoy. Some days are better than others, but it's kind of hard to take a 5 year old to the park en route to Sweet Pete's or the library when there are 3 or 4 people talking or shouting at themselves with the constant smell of urine in the air.
I'd love to see them try to ban profanity. Talk about a PR nightmare for Jacksonville.
CCMjax I know it's not PC, but it's the truth. There's almost always a bit of truth behind stereotypes. Downtowns stereotype of being a homeless breeding ground is due to vagrants ease of access to the core. Our North bank core is literally surrounded by shelters/drop offs on every side but the south and the greyhound station drops them right into the center of downtown.
I consider myself pretty liberal and agree that these people need to be taken care of, but our city needs to condense the shelters into one area of downtown, move the greyhound station to the prime Osborne, and give the parks better security / better freedom of enforcement. Until that happens the vagrants will continue to converge in the center. And downtown will continue to have a vagrant problem.
(http://i.imgur.com/cXy5oMnh.jpg)
Wow! If Jerry Moran still follows this stuff, I bet he is feeling pretty good....everything he has been condemned for saying over the years is apparent to all. Finally, the rose colored glasses are off and everyone can see the Emperor's New Suit has been an illusion all along. Maybe now we can actually get something accomplished down here instead of just creating festivals, smoke and mirrors. Jerry, are you out there? :)
Let me help you out real quick.
Quote from: jaxjaguar on January 22, 2016, 01:46:19 PM
Our North bank core is literally figuratively surrounded by shelters/drop offs on every side but the south and the greyhound station drops them right into the center of downtown.
Ah, much better.
To those complaining about the homeless issue in Hemming, I'm curious how you are positively identifying the percentage of people in the park that are homeless during your short walk through. Are you guys out there taking surveys, or are you following each person around for multiple days to find out where, if anywhere, they live? Or do you have some way of verifying this condition just by looking at someone? I would be happy to help you identify homeless, if you would only teach me your methodology.
See my image attached above
Quote from: thelakelander on January 21, 2016, 10:00:30 PM
Suggestions tossed out at Wednesday's meeting included banning profanity, installing art pieces on stoops where people frequently sleep or sit, and possibly building a fence around the park to enforce the new rules.
[/quote]
Banning profanity alone won't result in a change, and removing more seating areas is stupid.
Posting clearly defined, enforceable rules, and having at least one security guard on hand with the authority to remove violators from the park is a no-brainer. I don't see a problem with installing a decorative, unobtrusive, chest-high wrought-iron fence around the park either to help established a boundary without killing sight lines.
Really though, the best thing that the city and FHP can do to make the park safe is to continue efforts to make Hemming desirable for everyone else. Eventually, the "desirables" will far outnumber the "miscreants" (the homeless should be free to use the park if they follow the rules) and the city will take pride and collective ownership over the park and the enforcement of its rules. Any efforts to make the park less attractive for the homeless is only going to make it less attractive to everyone else.
I'm at Hemming Park 2-3 times per week. And for the most part the "homeless" as we're assuming they are, while plentiful, are not a bother. Although, keeping the café available for those wanting to eat can occasionally be a problem. There generally seem to be a good mix of people - the "regulars" playing cards, business people enjoying a meal from a food truck, those reading by the fountain, passersby, etc.
There is usually JSO parked across the street on Monroe, but I have never seen them get involved in anything. Haven't seen the need for them too really. Would it be more appealing to have the park with less stragglers - perhaps. But its a public park. Everybody should be welcome to enjoy it. But if you're designating portions of the park for reading, café eating, food truck eating, anything else - then somebody should be enforcing that so those wanting to do those things can enjoy that area for those activities.
Having the music daily is a nice touch. Its usually very good and makes for a nice lunch - sitting, eating, relaxing to music. Hope that continues. The Bono's food truck folks said when Black Sheep comes in, they have to leave. Wasn't crazy about that. Think there's enough for more than just BLK SHP. Of course, I am just taking their work on that situation.
BTW - anyone know what happened to the hot dog lady who used to be in the park. Forced out? Left on own? Quit? Moved elsewhere?
It's not like this is the first park ever placed in a downtown. The way to reduce the actual and perceived number of homeless and what not is to increase the number of diners and downtown workers who stop in the park. This is accomplished by adding more gathering spaces and nodes of activity, not turning the park into Alcatraz with guards and fences.
Quote from: jaxjaguar on January 22, 2016, 01:46:19 PM
CCMjax I know it's not PC, but it's the truth. There's almost always a bit of truth behind stereotypes. Downtowns stereotype of being a homeless breeding ground is due to vagrants ease of access to the core. Our North bank core is literally surrounded by shelters/drop offs on every side but the south and the greyhound station drops them right into the center of downtown.
I consider myself pretty liberal and agree that these people need to be taken care of, but our city needs to condense the shelters into one area of downtown, move the greyhound station to the prime Osborne, and give the parks better security / better freedom of enforcement. Until that happens the vagrants will continue to converge in the center. And downtown will continue to have a vagrant problem.
I was applauding you for being un-PC, not attacking you for it. I agreed with what you were saying.
Quote from: ssky on January 22, 2016, 02:28:04 PM
Wow! If Jerry Moran still follows this stuff, I bet he is feeling pretty good....everything he has been condemned for saying over the years is apparent to all. Finally, the rose colored glasses are off and everyone can see the Emperor's New Suit has been an illusion all along. Maybe now we can actually get something accomplished down here instead of just creating festivals, smoke and mirrors. Jerry, are you out there? :)
What did Jerry say?
The goals for Hemming Plaza would be better served spending the money to relocate the feeding facilities to Philips Hwy.
I
Quote from: whyisjohngalt on January 23, 2016, 09:04:23 AM
Quote from: ssky on January 22, 2016, 02:28:04 PM
Wow! If Jerry Moran still follows this stuff, I bet he is feeling pretty good....everything he has been condemned for saying over the years is apparent to all. Finally, the rose colored glasses are off and everyone can see the Emperor's New Suit has been an illusion all along. Maybe now we can actually get something accomplished down here instead of just creating festivals, smoke and mirrors. Jerry, are you out there? :)
What did Jerry say?
Something really racist and/or classist.
Quote from: Adam White on January 23, 2016, 09:57:41 AM
Quote from: whyisjohngalt on January 23, 2016, 09:04:23 AM
What did Jerry say?
Something really racist and/or classist.
Is that a joke?
We have two sides to the issue. On one side, the voice for the homeless and on the other, the voice wanting a neat park to do stuff in downtown. One side is a voice for the less fortunate and the other is self interest driven.
Before the Hemming Plaza group, there was only a few voices saying - let's do something about this homeless situation and there is potential in this park. One voice was Jerry Moran's.
Now that the Friends of Hemming Plaza has shown the potential the space has - although unsustainably - more people are saying the same thing that Jerry said. And it's much more popular now.
Are you saying that more people are suddenly racist and / or classists for wanting the population addressed? Half of these posts about improving downtown would benefit from this issue being addressed.
Your opinion might be the same as his if you had the same experience that he has with the population or had a direct interest in getting the issue resolved. Then some faceless punk would perpetually be name calling you for having an unpopular opinion.
Quote from: whyisjohngalt on January 23, 2016, 10:26:10 AM
Quote from: Adam White on January 23, 2016, 09:57:41 AM
Quote from: whyisjohngalt on January 23, 2016, 09:04:23 AM
What did Jerry say?
Something really racist and/or classist.
Is that a joke?
We have two sides to the issue. On one side, the voice for the homeless and on the other, the voice wanting a neat park to do stuff in downtown. One side is a voice for the less fortunate and the other is self interest driven.
Before the Hemming Plaza group, there was only a few voices saying - let's do something about this homeless situation and there is potential in this park. One voice was Jerry Moran's.
Now that the Friends of Hemming Plaza has shown the potential the space has - although unsustainably - more people are saying the same thing that Jerry said. And it's much more popular now.
Are you saying that more people are suddenly racist and / or classists for wanting the population addressed? Half of these posts about improving downtown would benefit from this issue being addressed.
Your opinion might be the same as his if you had the same experience that he has with the population or had a direct interest in getting the issue resolved. Then some faceless punk would perpetually be name calling you for having an unpopular opinion.
Not a joke - a reference to the videos Jerry used to post online. And the commentary. He has said some very racist things in the past - regardless of his motivations.
I don't recall Jerry being either racist or classist; however, I clearly remember his growing frustration as his calls to action were repeatedly ignored on the basis of being prejudicial and lacking in empathy. He tried reasoning and logic; he presented cohesive proposals based upon his experiences as a downtown business owner; he served on countless committees and sub-committees created, for the most part, by self-proclaimed urban experts who spent their days in secure office buildings and their evenings in safe suburban homes while he put his own neck on the line night after night dealing with issues that threatened his restaurant, his customers and his employees.
Over the span of more-than-a-decade of little-to-no change and constant ridicule he became increasingly tired and disillusioned until, at least it seems, he withdrew from the cause. From what I, a longtime customer and friend of La Cena, have seen lately, Jerry is now focused solely on providing comfort and safety for his patrons and associates and delivering the culinary excellence he has been known for since 1983. I sincerely hope that these new voices for downtown improvement find a way to accomplish the goals Jerry began fighting for 15 years ago. I am sure he is rooting for you from his little kitchen on North Laura Street!
Quote from: ssky on January 23, 2016, 03:27:59 PM
I don't recall Jerry being either racist or classist; however, I clearly remember his growing frustration as his calls to action were repeatedly ignored on the basis of being prejudicial and lacking in empathy. He tried reasoning and logic; he presented cohesive proposals based upon his experiences as a downtown business owner; he served on countless committees and sub-committees created, for the most part, by self-proclaimed urban experts who spent their days in secure office buildings and their evenings in safe suburban homes while he put his own neck on the line night after night dealing with issues that threatened his restaurant, his customers and his employees.
Over the span of more-than-a-decade of little-to-no change and constant ridicule he became increasingly tired and disillusioned until, at least it seems, he withdrew from the cause. From what I, a longtime customer and friend of La Cena, have seen lately, Jerry is now focused solely on providing comfort and safety for his patrons and associates and delivering the culinary excellence he has been known for since 1983. I sincerely hope that these new voices for downtown improvement find a way to accomplish the goals Jerry began fighting for 15 years ago. I am sure he is rooting for you from his little kitchen on North Laura Street!
First of all, I never said Jerry was a racist or classist. I said he says stuff that is racist and classist - and I even said that I don't know what his motivations are. I don't like the way he treats human beings. That's the extent of it. I don't think there's any excuse for acting that way.
As far as your "suburban homes" comment. You don't know me and I don't know you. I'll leave it at that.
It's one thing to note that the homeless population downtown can be disruptive. It's another to think that the problem can be "solved" by just somehow chasing them out or making the park less attractive to humans. If Downtown Jacksonville pulled this off, it would be the first downtown in history to do so.
There are probably some things that could be done to curb some of the problematic behaviors associated with this population. Stronger police presence and cracking down on panhandling would be one. But the only real progress we've seen yet has been not in driving out the homeless, but in making the area more attractive to other people. No one cares about the homeless when it's Art Walk or One Spark.
Quote from: ssky on January 23, 2016, 03:27:59 PM
I don't recall Jerry being either racist or classist; however, I clearly remember his growing frustration as his calls to action were repeatedly ignored on the basis of being prejudicial and lacking in empathy. He tried reasoning and logic; he presented cohesive proposals based upon his experiences as a downtown business owner; he served on countless committees and sub-committees created, for the most part, by self-proclaimed urban experts who spent their days in secure office buildings and their evenings in safe suburban homes while he put his own neck on the line night after night dealing with issues that threatened his restaurant, his customers and his employees.
Over the span of more-than-a-decade of little-to-no change and constant ridicule he became increasingly tired and disillusioned until, at least it seems, he withdrew from the cause. From what I, a longtime customer and friend of La Cena, have seen lately, Jerry is now focused solely on providing comfort and safety for his patrons and associates and delivering the culinary excellence he has been known for since 1983. I sincerely hope that these new voices for downtown improvement find a way to accomplish the goals Jerry began fighting for 15 years ago. I am sure he is rooting for you from his little kitchen on North Laura Street!
It's a shame to hear he was discouraged. Looks like he's a man of action and perhaps if he was supported then we would be in a better place now. Perpetual discourse doesn't seem to accomplish the actions needed for real change.