An extraordinary night, last night, in Springfield -- 3 Layers -- standing room only. Trivia Extravaganza has reached cult status -- (people hyped up on strawberry cake & wine yelling out wrong answers & giggling)
-- but mostly Bill Killingsworth stopped by to take a walk with some of us from Preservation SOS.
Bill is a big dog in the city. He runs a lot of stuff. Building codes & inspections, planning & zoning, historic departments. He’s the boss of it all, and yet he took the time to look at this condemned house on Ionia and talk to us about preservation.
He spoke to us about mothballing, surveying and community involvement. We talked about the formal track and board & secure permits previous policies and new ideas.
He made us feel important and our issues seem significant.
It was all too much for Nicole last week when he called to set up this appointment. She later told me, “when he said he wanted to help, I couldn’t help it, I just started crying.â€
Sometimes when you are driving around on High Bulldozer Alert, with a hammer in one hand and a camera in another, you truly feel alone in the trenches. Last night, Bill Killingsworth showed us that we are not alone, that the city DOES care what happens in Springfield, and has the intelligence and wisdom to help.
(So, for those of you who saw my earlier post and PM’d me, yes, it was Bill Killingsworth, the tall and handsome city official, who went for a walk with us.)
Thank you - I needed some good news this week.
I certainly hope he makes some changes, as Code Enforcement is completely out of control. Someone should bring to his attention the fact that code enforcement threatened legal action against the owner of a property on walnut street, and told him he had no right to be on his own property to allow contractor inspections. Not coincidentally, the contractors all disagreed with the code official's finding that the house was unsound. He really needs to reign those people in, they have no idea what they're doing, and have no business telling property owners they can't be on their own land because "code enforcement says so"...
Quote from: stephendare on September 22, 2010, 12:53:04 PM
Bill Killingsworth is one of the best things that this city has going for it.
I agree with you Stephen. Wow. What a great guy.
Think about this...two important city officials have come out to walk with us down the streets of Springfield lately. Glorious Johnson & Bill Killingsworth.
That's pretty amazing as well.
Quote from: stephendare on September 22, 2010, 12:53:04 PM
Bill Killingsworth is one of the best things that this city has going for it.
Agreed. This guy really gets it.
Well if he has the pull to do something constructive...........let him commence pulling! City might not notice until it is too late for them to reign him in! I have toes crossed between him and Ms Glorious something might be taking place!!
I am grateful that people are listening. I am grateful for Bill Killingsworth's interest in Springfield and condemned properties. Aw, heck, I'm just grateful that things are moving in a positive direction!!!
It was certainly a very positive meeting, we shared ideas and explained that our main objective is to help preserve our historic district/houses and that we would like to have the various city departments (including the mayor), city council, and spar all on the same page when it comes to doing whatever is possible to save these houses. We explained that it's a new day and we simply cannot sit back and allow the continued demolition of house after house without being able to have more steps to prevent the loss of houses placed on the formal track simply because it's not restored yet but very much could be. We need to have all of these agencies, departments and organizations working towards the common goal and good of the neighborhood.
Miss Fixit posted this on another thread:
Quote
I spoke to Mr. Killingsworth during the meeting. It was my first time meeting him and I was thrilled by his obvious grasp of the issues. When I thanked him, he said something that really summed this issue up:
"It's the right thing to do."
He showed up at last night's HPC meeting and introduced the idea of board & secure permits, mothballing and preserving our historic fabric including halting demolitions.
It was the most amazing HPC meeting.
(The is no charisma quite like personal integrity)
Bill Killingsworth is awesome. He really gets it--understands what makes great neighborhoods. One of my questions for the mayoral candidates is going to be: Will you keep Killingsworth as Director of Planning and Development?
Kay..........that is a really good question! I had reservations in the beginning, but he has shown his worth to the COJ and then some!
Quote from: Kay on September 23, 2010, 01:49:43 PM
Bill Killingsworth is awesome. He really gets it--understands what makes great neighborhoods. One of my questions for the mayoral candidates is going to be: Will you keep Killingsworth as Director of Planning and Development?
me too.
Quote from: Springfielder on September 22, 2010, 03:41:42 PM
It was certainly a very positive meeting, we shared ideas and explained that our main objective is to help preserve our historic district/houses and that we would like to have the various city departments (including the mayor), city council, and spar all on the same page when it comes to doing whatever is possible to save these houses. We explained that it's a new day and we simply cannot sit back and allow the continued demolition of house after house without being able to have more steps to prevent the loss of houses placed on the formal track simply because it's not restored yet but very much could be. We need to have all of these agencies, departments and organizations working towards the common goal and good of the neighborhood.
absolutely.
Sounds like someone who not only gets it, but is seeking to make and create change in the Springfield area of Jax.
Quote from: Kay on September 23, 2010, 01:49:43 PM
Bill Killingsworth is awesome. He really gets it--understands what makes great neighborhoods. One of my questions for the mayoral candidates is going to be: Will you keep Killingsworth as Director of Planning and Development?
Seriously. This guy is one of the best things that Jacksonville's government has right now.
If the new mayor doesn't, there will an uproar, that's for certain.