SPAR's "RED ALERT" aimed at neighbors...uses Proton Lab staff and faculty ?!?

[sheclown]

Lack of transparency in this neighborhood organization has hurt everyone.  We are forced to go to a very public forum in order to be heard.  This trend started after the SPAR election two years ago when there were accusations of election fraud.  Instead of dealing with the disgruntled citizenry of Springfield, SPAR clamped down on communicating with the neighborhood.  You can look to the beginnings of the SPAR revolt when it deals with shutting down the forum.

Then last year when the board decided not to hold elections, they became even less communicative and controlled the information even more.  

Certain things happen when leaders operate in a vacuum.  Historic structures get torn down, dangerous policy gets advocated and etc.

SPAR does not have the power to hurt me and Joe nor our business.  It does have the power to destroy forward progress of the neighborhood by its actions.

[sheclown]

that is so true, springfielder.

Btw.  Where are the SPAR representatives?

There's a SPAR meeting tomorrow night (10/29/09).  7:00pm  1321 N. Main Street.  I'm sure there will be SPAR representatives there.

And will there be a venue for open discussion about neighborhood issues, or will it be a PR session?

We won't be there, Joe can't go....

[Dan B]

This is what Sheclown wants:

More transparency in neighborhood affairs
Stop the scare tactics and lies ie: RED ALERTS, illegal rooming houses, loopholes
Treat all businesses and residents as equal shareholders in Springfield's future

Thats a very fair list, and one many of the people in the neighborhood agree with. However, what about the proliferation of these sober houses?

Why not just make them available as regular single family rentals? There is actually a market for such a thing, and at least a few of your houses are in desirable areas. You would still have rental income, and you would suck much of the wind from SPAR, and other sails.

[sheclown]

wow, Dan.  That is so ugly.  These guys are so great, and I love them very much.  They are my family.

[Dan B]

I may or may not be nice regardless, as its really not about me, nor is it about you. Its really almost not even about Joe and Gloria. Its about a business model that has been created, in which 'do-gooder' organizations can come into our neighborhood and house people without inspections, supervision, or appropriate zoning.

Keep in mind, we are talking about an at-risk groups of people here.

Its simply not the same as 4 or 5 roommates. The people living in these 'sober-houses' aren't choosing their roommates, they have no control over who they live with and even share a bedroom with. So when something bad happens, they are at the discretion of the land lord to solve it. In a roommate situation, the roommates are making decisions and working together. If there is a problem, often people are asked to leave or leave on their own accord to solve the problem.

[Dan B]

wow, Dan.  That is so ugly.  These guys are so great, and I love them very much.  They are my family.

Its not ugly at all. I have no beef with the guys. Frankly, I woldnt even care if they were to chose to lease the house on their own. But that isnt whats happening.

[sheclown]

Its simply not the same as 4 or 5 roommates. The people living in these 'sober-houses' aren't choosing their roommates, they have no control over who they live with and even share a bedroom with. So when something bad happens, they are at the discretion of the land lord to solve it. In a roommate situation, the roommates are making decisions and working together. If there is a problem, often people are asked to leave or leave on their own accord to solve the problem.

...funny that sounds like my family when I was growing up...

[cindi]

is there a reason the same email keeps getting posted over and over within the thread?

[zoo]

Sheclown: Lack of transparency in this neighborhood organization has hurt everyone.

The information is accessible; just pick up the phone and call 353-SPAR (you can ask over the phone, and/or make an appt to receive further clarification re: your questions).

What some in the community have a problem with is HOW it is made available -- in limited print, electronic and in-person methods -- and that it is not consistently delivered to their doorstep or their computer screen. This is a resource issue that SPAR has called for help on repeatedly, and help is still welcome.

I happen to agree that better outbound communication is needed and that use of the internet for such purpose has had its problems over the past few years. However, that is not synonymous with "the organization isn't transparent," because the information is available. And the claim that anything has "hurt everyone" is more hyperbole.

Sheclown: And will there be a venue for open discussion about neighborhood issues, or will it be a PR session?

So, it's as I guessed. SPAR can't win. The organization is "not transparent", but then when it communicates about its initiatives, it's "a PR session."

I don't believe open discussion is on the agenda for this particular General Meeting. I believe much of the meeting will be taken up by HDR Engineering presenting early concepts for the revitalization of the Creek and its park system from Liberty to 8th Sts. Call 353-SPAR if you'd like to know what the other agenda items are, as I've filled my SPAR-Gen-Mtg-allocated brain cells with "Woohoo, can't wait to hear what COJ, SPAR, HDR and PPS have in mind for the parks!!!"

I'm sure some will say "Right, general discussion isn't on the agenda." You're welcome to that negative interpretation. But like any other org, SPAR must have an agenda for all of its meetings to keep them on-task and focused, which ultimately enables the org to move toward implementation of revitalization strategies. Everyone on here knows open conversations about the District can last weeks or longer!

I hope everyone who gives a hoot about Springfield plans to attend (except, of course, Strider, who I'll save the energy of reminding us again that he's not permitted).

[fsu813]

For anyone interested in this issue, please attend the SPAR meeting tomorrow evening at the SPAR building. 7PM.

We'll see if anyone has anything to say about this then, which would be the most appropriate setting to raise concerns of SPAR conduct.

My guess is noone will.

Which would tell you all you need to know.

[cindi]

For anyone interested in this issue, please attend the SPAR meeting tomorrow evening at the SPAR building. 7PM.

We'll see if anyone has anything to say about this then, which would be the most appropriate setting to raise concerns of SPAR conduct.

My guess is noone will.

Which would tell you all you need to know.

in the past these meetings have not lent themselves to an "open forum". everything must have been submitted and put on the agenda, even then - there were times when certain board members were not afforded the opportunity to speak due in part to those that were not board members but were allowed to speak taking up the meeting time.  but hey, everyone can show up and stare at each other, that should be fun.

[Springfielder]

For anyone interested in this issue, please attend the SPAR meeting tomorrow evening at the SPAR building. 7PM.

We'll see if anyone has anything to say about this then, which would be the most appropriate setting to raise concerns of SPAR conduct.

My guess is noone will.

Which would tell you all you need to know.

in the past these meetings have not lent themselves to an "open forum". everything must have been submitted and put on the agenda, even then - there were times when certain board members were not afforded the opportunity to speak due in part to those that were not board members but were allowed to speak taking up the meeting time.  but hey, everyone can show up and stare at each other, that should be fun.

Exactly, and that's part of the problem, it's usually not open forum.

[ChriswUfGator]

is there a reason the same email keeps getting posted over and over within the thread?

Yeah, there is.

It's intended to bring the discussion back on point, because all the Sparbarians keep deflecting attention away from the real and valid issues presented by the Executive Director having sold out the organization's entire purpose for existence.

During all of these discussions, the Sparbarians have employed a wide variety of methods to distract from the scandal engulfing the group, including personally attacking whoever happens to disagree with them, all while simultaneously kvetching about how there are too many personal attacks on the forum. ROFL

So the point of re-posting the emails in which Louise, among other things, is found waging a closed-doors battle against neighbors and fellow spar members, whining about how she can't tear down these damned historic properties fast enough, then demanding that COJ pass new whatever new legislation that she wants whenever she wants it, and instructing other Sparbarians to call in bogus code enforcement complaints against people she doesn't like, not to mention sending private letters and e-mails to members of the COJ city council in an attempt to discredit other Spar members who disagree with her.

Oh and then there's the hilarious "RED ALERT" system for, of all things, a silly boarding house... like that's really a big problem in a neighborhood where prostitutes still walk the sidewalks in open daylight, and where 1/3 of the neighborhood has been demolished under SPAR's 'historic preservation' reign. Oh, and with most of the resulting vacant lots winding up in the hands of the same wealthy developer who, coincidentally enough, writes her giant $150k checks every year. LMFAO!

The whole thing is really just ridiculous. You can argue with me, and try and discredit whoever disagrees with the rooming house issues, or SPAR's gaffes, but those e-mails are straight from the horse's mouth, leaving little room for argument. Which of course, is why everyone resorts to personally attacking people in first place, because they can't attack Louise's own words that came straight from the source.

So yes I think it's actually quite helpful to keep re-posting them. It turns the focus away from being a personality contest and back to the actual issues at hand here.

[jason_contentdg]

^ You do realize the email that is continuously posted is not the one from Louise, right?

[ChriswUfGator]

^ You do realize the email that is continuously posted is not the one from Louise, right?

There are a dozen emails from her, and she's ultimately behind this "RED ALERT" thing. The one being posted accomplishes the same effect, of bringing the discussion back on point. There are like 10 threads where all these issues have blown up, it's hard to keep it all straight, but my statements generally apply to all of them.