SPAR revolt?

[strider]

Yes, what "Spar Council" seems to want to see happen in Springfield is not in sync with reality, but that is because the few people who have any real input have only their own special interests in mind.  They see the world only in how it benefits them, not for the greater good.

It would be interesting to hear what people think "SPAR Council seems to want to see happen in Springfield" and compare it to what the residents want to see happen.
I have tried to figure out what the residents want to happen but am not sure if there is a majority who agrees on common goals.
Some of the more obvious goals like reduce crime, have clean streets, parks and alleys I think both SPAR and residents agree upon.

The point is that only a few seem in on these decisions.  Yes, there seem to be shared goals, though it also seems that how you get to those goals are different.  Also, a goal can encompass a wide range of things - the details can be vastly different.  Like believing that to get rid of crime, you must remove all of the poor from an area.  Some believe it, others know better.

[strider]

Several urban planning savy professionals who have run for the SPAR board. Some were successful, some were not, but the same core issues remain.

To change the leadership one must convince the broad SPAR membership -- who votes for the board--that these issues exist and need remedied. Thus, I would assert that discussion of issues remains relevant.

Both certainly must be done.  It sometimes seems that the same people who are calling for change (not just on this forum) alternate between that and saying how great certain people (like Louise) are - you can't have both.  Either you want change in the organization, which really is the people running it, or not.

[jbm32206]

The SPAR council needs to be revisited, their goals and mission need to be revisited and the manner in which they handle business needs to be revisited. Members should have a say in what's being done, and for the most part, we don't. That needs to change.

True, the board has done good things, but they also pretty much exclude it's members from being more active. Pretty much all that happens is, we pay dues, we can attend meetings and cannot always voice our thoughts or opinions....and that must change. The members are voted into the positions (and that's another sore subject for another thread) but even all of them aren't included in all of the voting and business...that too must change.

Yes, Ms. DeSpain has done some very good things for Springfield, she's a formidable figure in this community...but with all due respect, she's seriously out of touch with what the neighborhood people want and or need. She was given the position she now holds, with no regards to what the membership wants, and that's wrong too.

[JaxByDefault]

Ms. DeSpain has done some very good things for Springfield, she's a formidable figure in this community...but with all due respect, she's seriously out of touch with what the neighborhood people want and or need. She was given the position she now holds, with no regards to what the membership wants, and that's wrong too.

In terms of leadership, SPAR is not immune to the truths of the business world. A certain executive may be just the person to head a start-up or negotiate a merger. However, another executive may be better equipped to handle rapid expansion, a re-tooling, or even a downsizing. Changing leadership does not diminish past accomplishments, it is a smart response to changing needs.

[jbm32206]

I agree with you, that a change in leadership takes nothing away from the good that has been accomplished, and there have been some great things done.

[Springfield Girl]

The few vocal, negative posters here that are demonizing and misrepresenting SPAR should look into the facts. SPAR is a neighborhood organization run by volunteers. Their board is just like any other board, made up of volunteers that meet once a month. Anyone can come to any meeting and be heard. By the way everyone is welcome at the monthly roundtable meeting, block captain meeting, SHADCO meeting, and Women's Club meeting also. The SPAR staff are in the office to collect information, answer questions and help residents and businesses when they can. SPAR, or any other organization for that matter does not have the power to be everything to everyone, it's just not realistic. If you attend any of the functions or meetings in Springfield you will see the same people working, VOLUNTEERING over and over again. This group is very diverse but the one thing they have in common is they are doers. We, as residents, are SPAR. On a recent cleanup that my family took on in the park I had several people come over to see what we were doing and comment that they would have helped if they had known and complained that SPAR didn't inform anyone. Well how could they have, when it was just something we felt was needed and instead of talking about it just did it. I'm so tired of hearing people say that SPAR doesn't represent them. What if your views are not in line with the majority of residents? What if they are but it is not known because you do not show up at anything to make your opinion known. SPAR cannot read your minds. Get out and get involved. Work for issues you believe in and quit griping when things don't go your way. We are a diverse neighborhood and will never all agree on anything. That's what makes us unique.

[AlexS]

SPAR loves to conduct studies. When the studies do not say what they want them to say, they get grants for more studies. Many residents find the studies invasive and annoying, especially when their findings are swept under the rug. (However, MetroJacksonville did publish a good evaluation of the last study data.)

Can someone please provide a link to the MetroJacksonville evaluation of the last study data ?

[Springfield Girl]

SPAR loves to conduct studies. When the studies do not say what they want them to say, they get grants for more studies. Many residents find the studies invasive and annoying, especially when their findings are swept under the rug. (However, MetroJacksonville did publish a good evaluation of the last study data

So you think the studies are invasive and annoying but SPAR doesn't represent you. Maybe they should employ a crystal ball?

[Lunican]

Can someone please provide a link to the MetroJacksonville evaluation of the last study data ?

Article:
Is Springfield a viable retail market?

[Springfield Girl]

I'm sure Three Layers, Hola, The Pearl, Shantytown, The Chicken Koop, Jerome Brown's, Carl's, Mamma Mary's, KFC, Popeyes, Krystal and Chan's would say so.  Meeks Ross and Paulk, Baker Engineering, Springfield Cleaners, SRG and Dwellings seem to be doing just fine with their Springfield located businesses also. I'm sorry if I did not mention your business in this post. When you start counting you realize how many really are succeeding in our little one square mile. I've said all along that if someone offers a good or service that is desired they will get the support they need to grow and thrive. I have personally met many people that are interested in opening a business in Springfield but finding a viable location is hard. The people we need to focus on are the property owners. It would benefit them greatly if they would improve their properties and make them available for lease at a reasonable rate. I can wish can't I?

[AlexS]

For a while, board meeting notes had been published. Recently I didn't see them.

I agree, board meeting minutes should be published. I don't know why the recent ones were not published, but have published them now.
http://www.sparcouncil.org/forums/viewforum.php?f=18

[jbm32206]

This is what we want and we need SPAR to behind this and support it.

[JaxByDefault]

The few vocal, negative posters here that are demonizing and misrepresenting SPAR should look into the facts. SPAR is a neighborhood organization run by volunteers. Their board is just like any other board, made up of volunteers that meet once a month. Anyone can come to any meeting and be heard.

I have been to a few board (and other meetings). You can typically listen, but not speak. SPAR board meetings have an agenda they must get through, understandably. As noted, there are SPAR meetings for the neighborhood that are more open forum. Attendance is strong at these meetings as well as those of other SPR orgs, including SHADCO.


The conversation on this thread has turned into discussing issues facing SPR and SPAR. Some residents who feel disenfranchised --many of whom have stellar volunteer records in the neighborhoods--are voicing valid criticisms of SPAR. Their voices should be heard and ideas discussed (in civil tone). Open discussion, even on touchy issues, typically yields greater understanding and progress.

Get out and get involved. Work for issues you believe in and quit griping when things don't go your way. We are a diverse neighborhood and will never all agree on anything. That's what makes us unique.

The problem with name-blind message boards is that people often do not know the identities of other posters. Please be sensitive to the fact that many people who are participating in this discussion have logged hundreds or thousands of hours of volunteer work here in SPR.

[jbm32206]

That's exactly right, and making such statements merely reflect what one doesn't know. This will be a civil discussion, plain and simple. You may not like what someone else has to say, but they're certainly entitled to say it. So thank you, JaxByDefault....your points are right on.

[Springfield Girl]

I agree, so as someone who has been attending SPAR neighborhood and board meetings, being a member of many neighborhood organizations and volunteering on an regular basis since 2001 I'm pretty informed. To say that neighborhood meetings are well attended which is not the case makes me question your post. I have been attending board meetings for years and have always been allowed to speak. I am one of the biggest cheerleaders for Springfield and I do know many of the posters on this and the SPAR forum who are continually negative but when confronted with the fact that they do not attend meetings or functions use the excuse that they have to work. I understand that people have different responsibilities but you can't base your opinions on second hand information that is often filled with rumor and innuendo.