"It has been my honor and privilege to work with all the great people of Springfield for the past ten years. Our work has made this a much better community, and the many people who want to move here bears out that truth.
It has also been my great honor and privilege to work with our public servants and all the dedicated staff who have helped Springfield in so many ways that I could not begin to mention them all. Dr. Gaffney (our city councilman), Mayor John Peyton, and Sheriff John Rutherford have given their own time, money, and the time and commitment of countless others. Without those priceless partnerships, we could not be where we are today, and we are certainly a long way from where we were ten years ago.
I will be stepping down as the Executive Director of SPAR at the end of March. Springfield is full of young, talented, enthusiastic, and idealistic people who are anxious to step up and contribute to their community. They can take revitalization to levels that I have only dreamed of.
My sincere thanks to everyone who loves this beautiful Historic District; it deserves all the love it can be given. The Sprigfield Community and you will always hold a special place in my heart. Thanks to each and every one!
Louise DeSpain"
What she did was good for the overall future of the district, but she apparently a number of times was too nosey and what not.
Now, if only we can get a mayor to do good for the city's future.
So FSU813....what was it that you said in the thread where it where someone asked about the rumor? Oh yeah, "rumors & speculation. great." So much for that, huh?
As for Ms. DeSpain making it public that she's retired from that position, I wish her well.
Quote from: Springfielder on February 22, 2010, 03:42:42 PM
So FSU813....what was it that you said in the thread where it where someone asked about the rumor? Oh yeah, "rumors & speculation. great." So much for that, huh?
As for Ms. DeSpain making it public that she's retired from that position, I wish her well.
b/c you know something doesn't mean you have to talk about it. thought i was appropriate to hold off discussion until she released an offical statement.
So why did you jump in with the "rumors & speculation. great." as if the rumor wasn't true, if it was a matter of you just not wanting to talk about it, then why try to discredit what was clearly true? And why not discuss it, what was the need for secrecy? Everything else is discussed.
Oh God, who cares? She retired, it now sounds like another cat fight getting started.
"Any truth to this rumor? I've heard it from several Springfield neighbors, that she's submitted a letter of resignation. If this is true, then IMO, there shouldn't be anyone placed into that position and it should be disolved. There's no need for that position.
I've also heard rumor that sights are now being set upon the Womens club, and that there's an effort being set in place to 'take that over.' Haven't we (Springfield) had enough battles? Isn't it time to stop this 'in-house' fighting and work towards an amicable solution?"
that was the orginal post. as you can see in the bold, the majority of it was not directly related to a resignation.
Quote from: stephendare on February 22, 2010, 04:07:42 PM
Tom? Meet Jerry.
Hows your own stray cat thing going with bos? ;)
I'm trying to get the troll kicked off here, because it is apprent that the admin on here isn't doing a damn thing about it.
As for that original post on the other thread, by livein32206
QuoteAny truth to this rumor? I've heard it from several Springfield neighbors, that she's submitted a letter of resignation. If this is true, then IMO, there shouldn't be anyone placed into that position and it should be disolved. There's no need for that position.
I've also heard rumor that sights are now being set upon the Womens club, and that there's an effort being set in place to 'take that over.' Haven't we (Springfield) had enough battles? Isn't it time to stop this 'in-house' fighting and work towards an amicable solution?
It would seem that they heard some talk and were asking others if they knew anything about it and/or if it were true. They also went on to ask about another rumor (or part of the same one) that they wanted to know about. So....what's your point?
OK.............Aunt Euabell is leaving...........my question is what is next for SPAR? Will they still continue or will they shut the doors and if so, what organization will step up to the line taking into account SPAR's downfall and missinformational direction? Is there another organization willing to set the tone, take the lead and provide direction?
SPAR isn't going to shut down, that I can say with a great degree of certainty. Hopefully things will move towards a more amicable working relationship with the neighborhood.
Quote from: Springfielder on February 22, 2010, 04:16:58 PM
As for that original post on the other thread, by livein32206QuoteAny truth to this rumor? I've heard it from several Springfield neighbors, that she's submitted a letter of resignation. If this is true, then IMO, there shouldn't be anyone placed into that position and it should be disolved. There's no need for that position.
I've also heard rumor that sights are now being set upon the Womens club, and that there's an effort being set in place to 'take that over.' Haven't we (Springfield) had enough battles? Isn't it time to stop this 'in-house' fighting and work towards an amicable solution?
It would seem that they heard some talk and were asking others if they knew anything about it and/or if it were true. They also went on to ask about another rumor (or part of the same one) that they wanted to know about. So....what's your point?
That's exactly what I was doing and it would appear that what I had heard was in fact true. Of course, and to no surprise, certain folks wanted to try and discredit me for asking what I felt was a very important piece of information that was spreading throughout the neighborhood. The snippy remarks that followed my original post, were just that, now that the rumor has been proven to be true.
On that, I am appreciative of the positive and good things that Louise DeSpain has done for the neighborhood. Nobody can deny that she wasn't instrumental in helping to make positive changes and fighting for improvements. I do feel that it's indeed time, to pass that torch. I wish her well and thank her for the good she's accomplished for the neighborhood.
RAP went through a similar situation when Bonnie Grissett retired after umpteen years. Bonnie (like Louise for SPAR) had become the face of RAP and, although she did a tremendous amount of good for our neighborhood, there was definitely a minority who felt she epitomized everything they didn't like about the organization. The organizational transition to the new E.D., Carmen Godwin, has been a major one, but in the end, it has made RAP (IMHO) a stronger, more effective and "friendlier" entity.
I suspect SPAR will go through similar growing pains. Louise has an encyclopedic knowledge of everything that's going on in Springfield, and filling her shoes won't be easy (or cheap, since SPAR probably won't be fortunate to find someone to work for free, as she did). However, with luck and a good amount of work by its board, SPAR should emerge from this in a better place.
i only hope whoever's next isn't as abrasive and implicitly racist--people keep saying louise did a lot ov good for the neighbourhood, but having lived here my entire life all i've seen is the interests ov the wealthy served at the expense ov people who'd lived in springfield for decades before i was born.
Implicitly racist - please provide examples when making such statements. It helps to add validity.
Quote from: stephendare on February 24, 2010, 09:10:49 PM
Quote from: nvrenuf on February 24, 2010, 09:07:01 PM
Implicitly racist - please provide examples when making such statements
Are you asking for someone to prove in public that the actions of SPAR have been implicitly racist? What purpose does this serve? Lets be about the future and move forward.
See my amended post. It helps to add validity to the statement rather than it just being an opinion. If they have nothing to add there's no real reason to make such comments. It's just inflammatory.
At least we could spell her name right, couldn't we? DeSpain.
<geez>
Quote from: stephendare on February 24, 2010, 09:08:56 PM
Quote from: KuroiKetsunoHana on February 24, 2010, 05:46:52 PM
i only hope whoever's next isn't as abrasive and implicitly racist--people keep saying louise did a lot ov good for the neighbourhood, but having lived here my entire life all i've seen is the interests ov the wealthy served at the expense ov people who'd lived in springfield for decades before i was born.
Great points, Kuroi!
But hopefully we all are remember for the good we did, and forgiven for the bad.
It's amazing how suddenly everything's forgiven and the world is once again wonderful. My, how you've made such a complete turn around.
Quote from: KuroiKetsunoHana on February 24, 2010, 05:46:52 PM
i only hope whoever's next isn't as abrasive and implicitly racist--people keep saying louise did a lot ov good for the neighbourhood, but having lived here my entire life all i've seen is the interests ov the wealthy served at the expense ov people who'd lived in springfield for decades before i was born.
This interview that was posted on MySpringfield.org kind of refutes the notion that only the wealthy have benefited from the work of Louise DeSpain.
Long-time Resident Profile Series
Name: Idela Miller
Age: 63
Status: Married to Cleveland “Spooky†Miller for 42 years
Location: East 7th
Occupation: Retired food service worker
Fun Fact: Idela enjoys carpentry and woodworking in her free time, which she learned from years of watching “This Old Houseâ€
Q: What brought you to Springfield ?
A: Cleveland and I moved to Jacksonville from Valdosta, Georgia in 1984. We had to move, you see. And at that time Springfield was the only neighborhood we could afford. We needed a decent size house, not a shack, and we couldn’t find that anywhere else.
We lived on the corner of 3rd and Laura Street for three years, and then moved here, to this house. We’ve lived in this house since that time, in 1987.
Q: What were some of your challenges or concerns at that time?
A: Let me tell you, it was bad. Real bad. The neighborhood was infested with drugs, drug dealers, prostitutes, and all kinds of crime. The streets looked like a garbage dump, with trash everywhere. Abandoned cars, tires, shopping carts were all around the neighborhood. Just trashy.
I was afraid to go out at night or early in the morning. Even just to walk around the outside my house. You never knew what was going to happen. It was bad.
Q: What kind of changes have you seen since 1984?
A: Goodness, I can’t even tell them all. So much, so much. The streets are clean. The drug dealers are gone. The crime is down, way down. I can go for walks without worrying about things now.
You couldn’t even believe the difference.
Q: When you look back, what memories of the neighborhood stick out in your mind?
A: I have both happy and sad memories.
On this block, about three houses down, two men were shot and killed. At the end of the block a baby was found dead in an apartment. The mother said someone climbed in the window and strangled her baby. Those happened the first year we moved in to this house, in 1987. Those are sad memories for me.
But I have happy memories too. I was excited when the houses started to be restored. It’s just made the neighborhood look so pretty. And the Christmas Home Tours are an always exciting times for me too. I like the lights, ribbons, and everything else; they always look so nice.
I can’t list all of them, you know, there are too many to name.
Q: What do you enjoy most about the neighborhood now?
A: Oh everything. The people. My neighbors are so loving, so caring and kind. I don’t know if I could live anywhere else and find neighbors like these. They have helped Cleveland and I with so much, I can’t even begin to thank them. I even have a neighbor, Annette, who I call my “adopted mother†because she watches over me so kindly.
I also like that it’s just a short drive to the hospital and the grocery store. So this location is very convenient for us.
Q: How do you see the neighborhood changing in the future?
A: Well, just more good things. More friendly neighbors and more positive things in the area.
Q: Anything that you’d like to say to you someone thinking about moving into the neighborhood, or your current neighbors?
A: I have the best neighbors and I can’t thank them enough. They know who they are.
To someone new, I’d just like to welcome them into the community. This is a beautiful place. We have beautiful people here. We work together to accomplish our goals, as neighbors. That’s what I have to say.
Quote from: stephendare on February 25, 2010, 10:10:48 AM
Thats a great post and interview City. But I dont think that the point you are addressing was ever made by the poster. They never said that 'only the wealthy have benefited'.
Its a counterproductive argument, I think.
Best to figure out how to move powerfully, fairly, and positively forward.
The poster was "implicitly" expressing that the work of Ms. DeSpain was only geared towards white people and those with money. So in that sense that is what the post implied. Or at least how I interpreted it.
You are right though, no need to waste time arguing about semantics and the past.
For that poster that tried to blast Ms. DeSpain, the SPAR office is open anytime you want to discuss your ideals for Springfield. Feel free to come in anytime.
I believe this has been covered often, but the policies that SPAR Council often subscribes to are somewhat prejudicial to the lower social economic groups and can be considered and sometimes are called "racist" by some. Frankly, it makes no difference if the polices are “racist†or that being somewhat racist is an untended consequence of the policy and the make up of the social economic groups, it is still wrong and we all hope that those polices are going to be changed in the future.
Working together is much better and beneficial to all than working against each other. It is hopefully time that SPAR Council learns that, regardless of whether Louise DeSpain is retiring or not.
Right wrong or indifferent..........Ms DeSpain is retiring! Time to pass the torch and see if SPAR can actually do something besides being anti-business (if the business does not meet their standards) and actually do something positive for the ENTIRE area..............but thats IMHO!
having once worked in the SPAR building (i was with the tragically poorly-run viva computers), i saw how she interacted with my boss and my black co-workers as opposed to how she interacted with me. i also live near a woman whose fence was run over by a drunk driver and who was accosted by her about how the fallen fence was an eyesore before she had a chance to do anything about it--the neighbour was also black and, yes, has lived in the neightbourhood since before i was born. i don't dent that some people who don't fit the WASP profile have benifitted from SPAR's actions, but i feel that these have been happy side effects rather than part ov SPAR's plans.
ultimately, the folks saying we should be more interested in the future than in arguïng about the mistakes ov the past (and whether or not they were mistakes) are right, but i'd like to feel comfortable that those same mistakes won't be made again.
I agree with your viewpoint...........mistakes are mistakes, unless something is learned from the mistakes then they become lessons in life! Time will tell I do believe!
So, what does THAT mean? Is she going to run Springfield from remote-control?
Quote from: stephendare on March 17, 2010, 07:45:55 PM
QuoteDear Dr. Gaffney,
Your words touched me very deeply last night at the Reception.
Springfield has indeed come such a long way, and so many wonderful things have happened that I feel humble to be a part of it.
Without you though, we could not have accomplished as much as we have. We know very well how important a Council person is to his District, and you have proven yourself to be exactly what you promised you would be. You will forever have my love and admiration because you are a caring person, not just a politician.
I wanted to say Thanks, but do not want to say Goodbye, because I think there are other things for us to accomplish together.
God bless and be with you,
Louise
Thank goodness we are operating in the sunshine, yall
There sure are a lot of pots calling the kettle black. You are from Jacksonville right?