S.A.M.B.A.'s speaker gets (deliberately?) misquoted.

[Springfielder]

I had already Gaffney, he did nothing....so I've contacted CW Johnson and she wants to meet with any neighbors who want to discuss this and she wants photos....if you want to join me in helping to resolve this, let me know

[CS Foltz]

Springfield is in Gaffeny's world? I am confused............City wants their tax money,but won't provide minimum services to clean trash? Sounds to me like you guys and gals need to start putting the heat on someones feet down City Hall way.......JEA won't install lights when business's request them .....kids I think it is past time to start organizing! Band together and do what you can do....as in start raising hell till you get some kind of responce from those bufoons! They want your votes but don't want to do the job they were elected to do? Time for a big change people! Ms Glorious maybe one route but I would plan other avenues also!

[tufsu1]

I think its time for CS to run!

[Livein32206]

I'm glad that someone has taken the iniative to do something about the alley lighting issue. Our council member for our neighborhood hasn't helped and if council member Johnson can, then I for one will support her efforts. I will go out this evening and check the alleys in my area and make a list of those with lights out, and hope that everyone else will do the same. As this is indeed, a safety factor and these lights need to be properly maintained by the city. Many of us have lighting on our houses, which is an addition to the city lighting, not as a replacement.

I'm against closing the alleys, that would also create a safety factor. I understand the problems that those on the west side have due to the hookers and drug dealing/usage that's much more prominant than the east side, but I'd still be against closing the alleys.

[chris farley]

The alley task force is working furiously on this issue

[Dan B]

For the record, SPAR has always been steadfast against ally closure. Where the issue was, was in some statements Louise made at a public hearing. I actually took Louise to task on this issue back when it came up several years ago. I dont remember the specifics, but in the long run it didnt matter.

The two incidents were, the developers of 10th and Market wanted to take ownership of the ally behind their building. It wasn't being maintained, and they wanted to fence the remainder of the ally off for use by the buildings residents (half of the ally was lost when the school was built in the 1920s).

The effort failed.

This coincided with a battle over an ally that the Sanctuary tried to take ownership over. The Sanctuary had the support of the city council rep at the time, but eventually conceded the point due to staunch opposition by the Ally Task force (I believe the chair was Joanne Tredenick at the time). I cant remember how Rita Reagan was involved, but I seem to remember she was on the board of The Sanctuary at the time, but I could be mistaken.

[fsu813]

Ms. Tredenick is still the chair of the Alley Task Force.


I hope all those that have spoken passionately about this issue will call 353-7727 to get involved, or go to the office at 1321 Main Street. M-Th 9am-3pm.

[Springfielder]

I hope all those that have spoken passionately about this issue will call 353-7727 to get involved, or go to the office at 1321 Main Street. M-Th 9am-3pm.

Why, when the issue with JEA and the alley lights has been known for months, with no resolution. Just as Gaffney's office has known about this for months, and nothing. I just feel that with the problem not having been resolved, that it's time to see if someone else can make any headway. Not everyone that's passionate about their neighborhood and the safety of themselves and their neighbors, feels the need to call or rely upon spar.

[CS Foltz]

tufsu.......the thought has crossed my mind, but I am old and I don't allways work and play well with others! I have a habit of putting my foot down hard when dealing with idiots and someone in that position needs to be flexible and meet the other side halfway...............don't think I could do that without stepping on peoples toes, ankles, knees or groin.........my fuse is too short!

[fsu813]

I hope all those that have spoken passionately about this issue will call 353-7727 to get involved, or go to the office at 1321 Main Street. M-Th 9am-3pm.

Why, when the issue with JEA and the alley lights has been known for months, with no resolution. Just as Gaffney's office has known about this for months, and nothing. I just feel that with the problem not having been resolved, that it's time to see if someone else can make any headway. Not everyone that's passionate about their neighborhood and the safety of themselves and their neighbors, feels the need to call or rely upon spar.

before you go it alone, i'd check to see if headway has been made, and if so, what. as you know, 90% of the work done on these issues is behind the scenes. perhaps your efforts can make a significant difference and push it over the top.

[Springfielder]

I hope all those that have spoken passionately about this issue will call 353-7727 to get involved, or go to the office at 1321 Main Street. M-Th 9am-3pm.

Why, when the issue with JEA and the alley lights has been known for months, with no resolution. Just as Gaffney's office has known about this for months, and nothing. I just feel that with the problem not having been resolved, that it's time to see if someone else can make any headway. Not everyone that's passionate about their neighborhood and the safety of themselves and their neighbors, feels the need to call or rely upon spar.

before you go it alone, i'd check to see if headway has been made, and if so, what. as you know, 90% of the work done on these issues is behind the scenes. perhaps your efforts can make a significant difference and push it over the top.

If headway had been made, then JEA would be out replacing the lights, which is not the case.

[Livein32206]

I don't get it, why would anyone wait to see if they made headway, when SPAR and councilman Gaffney knew about the problem at good five to six months ago? Now that the word is out that people are looking to others for help, something might happen. Why should it take such a long time for this to be resolved? Why is SPAR or even the councilman allowing JEA to ignore their responsibility? The light poles are on public/city property and are NOT the responsibility of property owners to replace burned out bulbs. Why has JEA been removing light fixtures from poles, leaving the alleyways in the dark and placing neighbors at risk?

[fsu813]

Springfielder,

Nevermind. I forgot who I was talking to.

Livein,

There was a newspaper story on this sometime ago, actually. This affects Riverside & Avondale too, perhaps other areas if my memory serves me right. So it's been public for a while. If it were as easy as you make it sound, then i'm sure you'll have no problem fixing the problem! Though, I would still recommend checking to see what has already been done, what plans are in place, etc to address the issue. I assume you wouldn't want to duplicate anything, especially a tact or avenue that failed previously.

[jason_contentdg]

Well, we know now that a Springfield resident took it on themselves to contact Glorious Johnson, whom seemed to have only just now heard about the issue, and is already planning on meeting on site.  While, Dr. Gaffney never responded to the email, months ago.  Maybe he was already working behind the scenes on the issue...

[Springfielder]

FSU813....funny thing is, the reason spar and Gaffney already knew about this issue because that resident (and block captain, which was clearly stated) sent a letter to them, of which there was never a response. So if there's any progress made? I also makes one wonder...why didn't Gaffney's office have the decency to respond to the letter and keep that resident informed with more than just a quick note by his secretary that he'd look into it and then nothing more? Or why was it that spar simply never responded at all?

The original letter was mailed to: Gaffney, SPAR, Peyton and all council members and was dated November 25, 2009. So tell me, who exactly dropped the ball here? Tell me just how one would have faith that the issue was being resolved when there was no response?

So there you have it, a resident and block captain does contact spar, and what response....nothing! And you wonder why there's lack of trust.