Downtown Gamechanger

[ronchamblin]

I think in many ways I agree with your points Ron.

Nothing has been addressed to the causes of downtown's decay, nor has there been any acknowledgement of or interest in the question of why previous attempts at revitalization failed.

The larger ethos of cities and land use---the one driven slowly and relentlessly by economy, federal spending and technology, is generally driving people back towards the cores of cities.  But Jville hasn't looked into which of its policies are still forcing suburban sprawl, so while we will continue to see the larger trend back towards the cores, we will experience it even slower and less well articulated unless we make a few changes.

Likewise we are still trying to force a complex self organizing system to materialize at the behest of a few, under qualified people, instead of allowing it to happen naturally.  A panel of 12 people simply do not have the organizing capacity to control or even establish something as complex as an organic self organized urban economy.

Also, (and this is partially because of the age of the people attempting to decide the future) absolutely no one downtown is incorporating the importance of technology into the future.  Most of the panels are composed of people in their fifties and sixties, with the younger members being in their forties.  Very few of them even understand how modern communications and social networking actually work, much less the working of internet connections, or the transmission of data.

I don't think there is a single person on any of the panels who has even heard of Li Fi, or looked at comparative delivery speeds for data with european cities or even much faster american cities.  Its like having EPCOT designed by Jules Verne or CERN designed by a Swiss watchmaker from the 1930s.

If what we are designing for is the future, our design teams are presently trying to correct the failures to design for the ideal version of 1990 (as seen from 1970).  Two different notions with predictably wide difference in outcomes.

Some progress is being made, especially in the realm of returning some sense of ownership of the core back to the artistically creative class, and that is a good thing.

But if we want a vibrant future, youth ownership of the core is vital in several other areas as well.  Most of them tech enabled.  The creative engineers, the best of our budding entrepreneurs, the most forward thinking of our tradesmen must also find the infrastructure and welcome that they need to thrive in the urban core.

Presently they are still being penalized, and both economic and technological reasons keep them in the business villages of the south side.

Penalized parking, penalized in digital infrastructure, and penalized in terms of building inventory and red tape to open downtown or in the core.

But as I mentioned earlier, these things are easily fixed, its just that the prism through which we view our problems and opportunities has been broken for a few decades.

Well said SD.  I agree.  I intend to expand on some of your points.  For the time being, given that I am less familiar with social media and the Internet aspects of high tech ... I will focus on other factors as related to the core situation.

[ronchamblin]

You've said SD (Stephen)... "But Jville hasn't looked into which of its policies are still forcing suburban sprawl, so while we will continue to see the larger trend back towards the cores, we will experience it even slower and less well articulated unless we make a few changes."   We "must" make the necessary and significant changes. 

Although the equation analogy introduced earlier might prove interesting ... and it would be fun to create an actual mathematical formula relating all factors ... it would be tedious.  Therefore, I suggest a more efficient path to clarity about the journey by proceeding with the simple analogy of "positives" and "negatives" ... actions, policies, or conditions that either facilitate or impede. 

The following -- and I invite offers of elimination, addition, or revision -- are my suggestions of primary issues or aspects affecting the journey, followed by the particulars affecting each.

First, a little review.   If we ... those having interest in, and set with the responsibility for, core revitalization ... are convinced that revitalization (the achievement of genuine vibrancy and infill in the core) has, for at least two decades, been possible, and is possible now, then we can comfortably assume "we" have failed.  We cannot rest our minds any longer by blaming the economy.  We cannot blame anything but ourselves.  The realization that "we" are at fault, and ultimately responsible, should be quite fun for most of us, as most humans love solving somewhat difficult problems.  Additionally, I suggest that we are set to confront not merely a problem, but, in some aspects, more of a predicament.  Predicaments imply entrenched, long standing, infrastructures, both in mindset and in physical attributes.  The nature of predicaments contain the reality that they offer fewer options to solution.  Therefore, any possible options for the predicaments must be sought with diligence, held as valuable, and when possible and appropriate, surely acted upon.

(This manner of thinking aloud, giving perhaps the presumption that I actually know what I am talking about, is only the consequence of ... well, I must admit that I cannot remain silent on ideas affecting certain problems, and I can think only in certain ways.  Therefore, please pardon any perceived bold assumption via my words that I offer much in the way of truth or value.  My inclination to think in a simple manner is an attribute of what I call "thinking out loud" and is not meant to talk down to anyone; that is, I assume that most of you already know what I'm talking about.  Many of you know so much more about the issues than I do.)

Because the issue of revitalization involves complexities greater than first expected, my posts will be arriving at various times, offering suggestions according to state of mind and time available.   

The first of the factors affecting the "problem" is FREEDOM:  The idea of freedom, and its influence upon the dynamics of a core seeking vibrancy and infill is so pervasive that I shall begin with this factor ... realizing that within it lies other factors that can be covered in detail later.   

If we assume there exists a population of individuals who have the dreams, the resources, and the abilities to move into the core as residents, entrepreneurs, businesses, and investor/renovators; and if we acknowledge that they are not doing so ... given the evidence over some decades ... then we might inquire as to why not; that is, why they choose other options. 

The critical energy sought and needed, lies within the individual. A motivated individual desiring to enter, invest in, and encourage core vibrancy is much like the oil upon a table attempting travel to the opposite edge (vibrancy).  Even though the table is slightly tilted in favor of the oil, a lack of favorable infrastructure, or excessive obstacles or restrictions will slow or block its progress.  And even with an improved tilt, a very slight opposing breeze can prevent the oil's progress.  A negative effect of cold ambient, causing high viscosity, will overcome the positive effect of greater tilt, resulting in no movement to goal.  The point is that, as SD has suggested above, unless significant and specific changes are made, the oil will sit unmoved for years, never completing its journey.

One might ask ... freedom for whom ... and from what?  Freedom "for" any entity, individual, or group attempting to make the journey, and freedom "from" any infrastructural condition, policy, legislation, group, or bureaucrat set to obstruct it. 

The few projects I've attempted in the core have been met with an overall good experience.  The professionalism and expertise of the team in the Ed Ball building has been impressive.  Only rarely has the occasional inexperienced bureaucrat, feeling his or her momentary and subtle power, and perhaps ignorance, successfully obstructed unreasonably.  Fortunately, in most cases, his or her superior intervened with that most rare attribute called common sense, forcing a focus on getting the job done.  Praise one of the gods.

As a general objective, if we are to acknowledge the goal of a greatly increased population in the core then we might encourage a certain mood of freedom within the various agencies ... within the entire governmental environment, encouraging all departments and bureaucrats involved with zoning, permitting, building codes ... in fact, all individuals potentially affecting progress ... to be firm regarding safety, engineering, and other important issues ... but to be reasonable .... facilitating when possible ... and avoiding the tendency to obstruct simply because obstruction is possible.  Because it is impossible to establish perfect regulations and laws to achieve safety, aesthetics, and facility, we should remember our ultimate goal is to move forward, and to be wary of  potential damage to real progress via blind adherence to the letter of the law or regulation.     

In the Soviet Union, during the Stalinist times of the 30's and 40's ... anyone who delayed, obstructed, or sabotaged process or machinery, or any industrial effort, was called a "wrecker".  Once convicted or accused of being a "wrecker", the individual was either sent to a work camp or, if they were lucky, executed.    

While the zoning, permitting, inspections etc can obviously affect "freedom", the following less obvious issues or conditions ... we might call them infrastructural ... can also restrict the freedom of anyone, or any business, from engaging the core efficiently, or at all.  Deficient or ultimately obstructive infrastructural conditions ... streets, buildings, moods, attitudes, regulations, or monuments, can form formidable obstacles to progress, and because they represent entrenched, permanent entities, they should be considered predicaments instead of problems.  As mentioned above, predicaments offer fewer options than mere problems.  Predicaments, because they are more formidable obstructions to change, often create moods of toleration and acceptance, or even defeat, until drastic measures or actions remove them.
   
One particular infrastructural freedom issue relates to the ratio, within the core, of city blocks that are inviting and facilitating to residents and businesses -- as compared to those that are not; that is, those that offer no opportunity to increase the population in the core every day of the week, all day, and into the evening.     

If we are to suggest that the north core is limited on the south by the river, on the north by Union, on the east by Liberty street, on the west by Jefferson Street, we might have about 110 city blocks within.  As the ratio of city blocks thought to be relatively useless for the promotion of all-day, every day vibrancy via a permanent population, drifts in the direction preventing vibrancy, then the predicament becomes more formidable, and might offer a slight glimpse into one part of the essence of our failure to move at a reasonable pace toward vibrancy and infill. 

The various local and federal courthouses, sheriff / jail compounds, JEA, the various other municipal buildings ... in fact, any city blocks failing to promote continual population intensity ... negatively affect the ratio ... prevent true vibrancy, and therefore make the predicament more entrenched and difficult.

Although according to some descriptions one might consider the jail and the sheriff's office compounds, and even the First Baptist Church, to be slightly out of the core, they are, for all practical purposes, in it ... increasingly so, if and when core vibrancy begins to spread outward. 

(Will proceed soon ... sorry about the rambling .. must get to work this morning)

[ronchamblin]

Where are we?  Oh ....

What other factors affect core progress?  What about parking, parking tickets, mass transit, the homeless, the vagrant, the fugitive, and the unemployed populations?  And what are the societal consequences of our arrogant, unfair, and unjust "justice" system?  Is there true leadership in our local government and in our justice system?  What about traffic congestion, smart signals, the dearth of business friendly sidewalks? 

Positives and Negatives !!  A "core" offers, at any moment in time, a large and complex set of attributes or characteristics, ranging from infrastructure to regulations ... to cultural events, moods and attitudes -- some acting as positives, some as negatives -- to potential residents, entrepreneurs, businesses, investors, and visitors.  The point is that the sum of these positives and negatives ultimately determine progress toward the goal of core vibrancy.  Only when positives are increased so as to overcome negatives by a good margin will the resultant attractiveness allow significant movement on the journey to true vibrancy and infill.  Anyone not understanding this is either a fool, or too comfortably enjoying the status quo to gather the interest to think about it. 

Excessive comfort, obsession with money or power, too often breeds a mind not apt to think critically about important issues ... and if they do show signs of thinking, they engage only half of an issue's aspects, with the inevitable flawed conclusions.  And when these incompetent individuals are in the "justice" system, it usually results in the abuse of, or the destruction of, the lives of the most vulnerable in society.  Anyone who thinks that certain segments or individuals in our justice system, by allowing abuse and unfairness, are not partly responsible for our inability to move toward vibrancy should reconsider this dynamic.   

Thank goodness for the individuals in our local environment who do have the ability to think critically about all aspects of issues, but they are overcome by those who cannot.  What, in our local environment allows or encourages the accumulation, within the various agencies and governmental power structures, of this unfortunate population of individuals who, via complacency or excessive comfort ... or obsession with a temporary power ... cannot perceive essential realities regarding our core issue?

Must get with some customers .. shall return soon.

[ronchamblin]

Thanks Stephen. 

[ronchamblin]

Core Positives and Negatives??  Given that the courthouse, the jail, and the sheriff's compound are in the city core, and if our objective is to increase core positives, we might inquire as to what these structures add to, or detract from, the city core.  Of course, they are where they are, so no matter whether we view them as symbols of justice or injustice, we must endure the predicament of their presence, even though they don't actually do what our ideal city blocks should do, which is to provide sidewalk vibrancy by way of a high population of "people" in the core .. every day, all day, and into the night.

If evidence persuades us, or educates us, to the opinion that these structures increasingly represent symbols of injustice, we can either accept and endure the predicament, while thousands continue to suffer the ruinous consequences of such an abusive system, or we can seek change within the structures so as to bring relief to those who suffer most by the predicament. 

My rather poor opinion of our local "justice" system is shaped by recent evidence related to three victims of the system.  My opinion is not a consequence of any actions against me personally.  The point is that I have, without seeking, been made aware of distinct and separate incidents wherein three individuals ... good decent citizens, two white and one black ... each attempting to work and survive in our city, were ruined ... set back years financially ... by our indifferent, arrogant, and abusive local "justice" system.  The most recent incident involves a black man who was arrested several days ago .. released after payment of bail. 

The system, specifically the state attorney's office, is attempting to ruin this man by placing unreasonable charges and maximum bail.  Even with the minor infringements, one attorney said that, normally the cost would be $10,000, but he would take care of it for $6,000.  I suggested that the attorney was a vulture ... a thief ..., seeking to put a man in debt for several years so that he could buy better whores and more drugs.  In any case, we did not seek this particular thief's services ... who, by the way, was referred by another attorney, who perhaps did not have the stomach to contribute to the further ruining of this poor fellow -- who is basically a decent and hardworking individual.   

The point is that if I discover, without effort, three instances of abuse and indifference perpetrated by our "justice" system, I wonder about how many other individuals have unnecessarily suffered ruinous consequences after having been caught up in the "system".  Our "justice" system is apparently rigged to financially benefit a population of individuals comfortably enjoying its ongoing arrogance and abuse ... individuals enjoying the exercise of the powers given by the mechanisms of the system. 

I want to stress that I know individuals within the sheriff's office, the department of corrections, the state attorney's office, the law profession, and even an assortment of judges ... who are the finest professionals one could ask for ... each exhibiting levels of integrity, ability, dedication, and honesty well above what one would expect.  Dale Carson is one of the few professionals who is concerned, competent, and quite effective in solutions, while also being very reasonable in fees.  A rarity in my view. 

However, anyone who dares to think about it should know by now that within any system not having the benefit of strong, knowledgeable, and concerned leadership, there can evolve within it a population of workers and bureaucrats who, by surrendering to the most addictive and appalling of human habits of indifference and abusive inclinations, can cause extreme and undeserving hardships to the most vulnerable in our society ... those who've unfortunately come under their charge.

Must get to work ... will continue with this very interesting subject on issues affecting the journey of our city core. Apologize for my interrupted stuff.  Will be back soon to clarify what is not already clear ... hopefully.

[ronchamblin]

Well ... I'm not getting much feedback or conversation on this thread.  Oh well .... my own fault.  Makes sense .... I've always known ... I sorta suffer mentally. 

Meanwhile .. onward  ... to our journey to core vibrancy.   

Where were we?  Oh ... I was beginning to attempt relating things like whether the "legal" structures ... the jail, the courthouses, the sheriff's compound, and the state attorney's office (prosecutor's offices too?) ... all existing in our core, are symbols of justice, or symbols of injustice.  I suggest that most thinking humans, if they were to be informed of the realities of our local justice system ... if they were to know of the realities of cases of abuse and indifference in our justice system, they would be concerned -- and therefore they might view these core structures as lacking as symbols of justice -- unless of course they are too comfortable ..  perhaps profiting from their part in the system to even think about the issue.

Who am I to make the suggestion that the system too often serves not justice, but injustice?  Why should any of us be concerned ... especially when we have not suffered personally?   Perhaps those of us who sit comfortably distant from it should simply let the arrogance, the indifference to justice, and the abuse continue.  But how can we, the comfortable citizen, watch from afar as some of the vulnerable ... and our community and core as a whole ...suffer the ruinuouse consequences of a system favoring the moneyed and connected, while ensuring an already underprivileged, struggling to survive, is perpetually forced to struggle.  The connected and wealthy, if they find themselves fleetingly engaging the system on the wrong side, usually avoid the usual incarceration for weeks, months, or years ... as the system "works".  However the economically vulnerable are made more vulnerable as they become trapped in a system forcing long jail stays while waiting ... losing whatever job and properties they might have had.

I suspect that the occasional evidences and rumors of injustice, indifference, and abuse I've encountered would be supported and  confirmed if the jail had glass walls and video/sound cameras throughout ... if the "system" allowed convenient visits to those incarcerated, and easy access to all records ... if all court conversations were recorded or available in complete transcript.  Further confirmation would exist if all communication of anyone engaged in cases -- police, prosecutors, attorneys, judges etc ... that is, email, phone, office voice recordings, and written ... was offered for all interested citizens to see, both those incarcerated, and those still free. 

The system workers hide their destructive and reprehensible behavior behind walls of secrecy and privilege as they financially impair the vulnerable, who attempt to rise ... to recover from past mistakes ... or simply to escape from abominable conditions set by race, color, or predicament of birth .. a vulnerable held back and ultimately destroyed by a system run by arrogant, insensitive, and abusive bureaucrats who've gravitated to their positions because they already possessed the mental inclinations to abuse, control, and destroy those less favored by societal conditions.   

Once again, I must say that I personally know fine, intelligent, competent, and concerned individuals in our law enforcement and our justice system...individuals sensitive to the welfare of those caught up in the system.  These competent and concerned individuals attempt to assist and save the vulnerable from the actions of the abusers and the incompetents.  The problem ... as with imbalances in any organization ... is that the good offered by these individuals is too often overcome by the destructive and abusive actions of a stabilized population of incompetents. 
   
If justice is to be, many of the individuals who've contributed the most to reduce and hold our "justice" system to one of "injustice" would themselves be held accountable ... would be charged, prosecuted, and held in jail for perhaps one year so as to improve their perceptions of reality.  Discomfort seems to encourage critical thinking and sensitivity to the welfare of others.         

An interesting experiment would be to buy a full page ad in the TU, and one in Folio, requesting all citizens who've endured foul play or abuse to themselves, relatives or friends ... as a consequence of some "engagement" with the police, with the department of corrections (jail), the prosecutors office, attorneys, or judges ... to come forward and offer a full written report of same.  I would expect a huge response from the citizenry ... so much so that a small group would have to sort through and organize all the reports. 

But in this imaginary solution there would be no charges or court sessions, as in the usual sense, because the current habits and procedures are too entrenched in secrecy, indifference, and the profit motive, to allow fairness or justice.  The road to justice would begin by first clearly documenting, for all to see ... via the citizen's reports ... each of the cases seeming to have the most validity.

Then, and this would be interesting, the employee of the "justice" system, accused of excessive arrogance, of indifference, of abuse, and ultimately of destroying the chances of real justice, would be encouraged to meet with the citizen affected, along with other citizens, so that the victim could freely confront them, without being silenced by arrogance or absurd rules, by a judge, or anyone else.  During the questioning, there might emerge, if the facts support it, clear evidence of abuse and injustice ... clear wrongdoing on the part of the individual employee of the justice system.   

But, there is hope, as these structures of "justice" occupying our core, not being easily removed from it, can be changed to symbols of justice, if we are to give proper attention to, and seek the removal of, the mechanisms allowing for the abusive, unfair, and somewhat corrupt nature of these institutions, which exert a greater assortment of negatives to our core, and to our city, than most might realize.

I am not too familiar with the legal system, and really don't have time to be.  I am also not familiar with how to make a good soup ... but I know a bad soup when I taste it.  I suspect that I am joined by others in the opinion that our local justice system has evolved to one of the most oppressive, arrogant, and abusive systems one can contrive, destroying the lives of the vulnerable who get remotely close to it ... even for the most innocuous reasons. 

Sorry about the repetitions.  Must get to work. No time to polish. Will return soon with some ideas shaped to solutions ... which concern leadership in the various agencies and offices.  The leadership is ultimately responsible for the descent to arrogance and abuse.  Leadership sets the tone, and allows the evolution and stability of abusive conditions.  I will suggest why the use of keywords and phrases such as "fighting crime" ... and "hard on crime" ... "making the streets safe for the citizen" ... etc ... are all balloons of emotion .... properly fitting the shallow minds in most campaigns, but ultimately allowing for erroneous decisions regarding the achievement of true justice.  As everyone knows, as emotions rise, accurate thinking descends ... the ability to perceive all aspects of issues is thwarted.  Must run to work.   

[ronchamblin]

Onward to discussing factors affecting progress to revitalization.  Where were we ... Oh ... about increasing positives and decreasing negatives in the core.       

Any system or organization, without strong, principled, and persistent leadership tends to evolve downward, to levels at least unsatisfactory, if not shameful ... shaped by the least desirable of human tendencies.  Left alone, the unprincipled bureaucrat (attorneys, officials, prosecutors, etc) especially those of mediocre intellect, and/or held stupid by greed and/or excessive drugs and alcohol, will tend to obstruct progress, avoid fairness and justice, and abuse the unfortunate victims affected by their decisions or indifference.

Only strong and persistent leadership from a principled top dog ... or top cat (female of the species) ... can, by example and instruction, encourage and enforce principled and proper decisions affecting the individuals who've engaged the "justice" system.  The failure of any system, agency, or organization, is the fault of leadership, especially so if the "leader" has been in power for more than a year or two.  No other opinion survives close scrutiny.  Vote the incompetent individuals out, or appoint new ones.   

The mediocre bureaucrat ... either leader or typical worker ... usually confronts criticism by shifting blame to fellow bureaucrats, or to the victims over which they hold temporary power ... thus perpetuating the existence of a system wrought by ignorance, abuse, and oppression.   

So that the reader might avoid the opinion that I imagine the abuse perpetrated by the mental mediocrities within our local "justice" system, I offer the following recent evidence of local abuse and greed. 

An individual, a white male of the species, through some kind of sex offense charge about eight or ten years ago, was put on eight years of probation.  I don't know the specifics. He was also required to attend counseling for the entire time.

About last November, four months before his probation was to end (March), his probation officer, a black female of the species, put a violation on him unnecessarily, without good cause ... frivolously.  He was arrested, held without the possibility of bail for about six or seven weeks.  He lost his job, as his employer had to hire a replacement quickly so as to engage tasks formerly covered by him.  He had to pay $2,500, which he didn't have, to an attorney to represent him.

When the court event arrived, the judge saw the ridiculous nature of the probation officer's decision, and simply threw it out.  If the violation had been real, his probation could have been extended, which apparently is what the PO wanted. 

He had been required to visit and pay for a counselor for the entire eight years of probation.  Currently the probation officer says that she will violate his probation again if he does not, within several days, supply a document showing that he has completed assigned counseling.  The counselor, also a female of the species, says that she will not provide one.  Why?  Don't know.  Does she hope that he will be violated, thereby possibly extending her student's payments for a year or two more?  Greed?  This fellow, a good man, has been hindered in finding a job during all of these years, finally found a decent one, was working hard, and the arrogant and abusive PO acted to ruin his life further by fabricating a non-existent scenario.  Imaginations and assumptions within this incompetent allowed her to violate this man's probation, forcing a six or seven week stay in jail.  And after the judge threw it out, she does not have to answer to anyone.  The point is ... How many of these instances of abuse of power occur?  How many lives are ruined by this indifference and abuse by mentally warped bureaucrats?  I suspect many ... of various types and degrees ... all preventable with proper leadership.  Any leader or department head, who allows this kind of individual to serve the citizen under his or her watch, does not deserve to be in a leadership position.  Vote the incompetent out.  If I had been king or queen of the agency or office within which idiots like this PO worked, and if I had discovered the above event, I would have this idiot up against the wall ... answering questions like ... "What is your purpose sir .. or Ms? What are you here for?  Are you here to apply fairness and justice ... to attempt to improve society, or to destroy it, and the occasional citizen?

Strong, effective, and principled leadership requires ... forgive me ... a reasonably high level of intellect.  Surprised?  Why is this so?  Well . first of all, the top dog or cat must be able to distinguish between the emotionally charged goals of "fighting crime", "making the streets safe", "saving our children", and "being hard on crime" .... and the most important goal ... which is "justice". 

The primary goal is "not" to fight crime, to be hard on crime, to make the streets safe, or to save the children.  The goal is "justice" ... which, if properly achieved, would accomplish all of the above.  The greater intellect in leadership would allow the following perception -- when we seek and achieve "justice" as the primary goal, we accomplish all the emotionally tainted goals shouted out in campaigns.

I don't know the structure of the state attorney's office, and how it relates to the prosecutor's office or the probation program.  However, surely, within the structures, there is an individual positioned at the helm ... in leadership, held responsible for all decisions and actions below.  This individual is ultimately at fault in our local system, as he or she has certainly failed to rise to the challenge set by he goal of justice.  This individual ... apparently as a consequence of lacking that rare combination of common sense and intellect, is limited to perceiving only perhaps 60% of a total scenario.  This limitation allows one to be excessively impressed by the emotionally charged phrases like "fighting crime", "fighting drugs" etc.  As emotions rise, rational thinking descends. 

By some set of dynamics in campaigning, with its emotional hoopla of "fighting crime etc", intellectual mediocrities too often are elected to important positions in our "justice" system.  And these mediocrities continue tenure, unfortunately doing great harm to the lives of citizens who've become trapped in the "justice" system.  These elected mediocrities do great harm as they grossly obstruct real justice ... all the while allowing system bureaucrats to destroy the efforts of affected citizens to rise to productive levels in our local society.

It appears that the leadership has no clue, and apparently little concern, about the decisions and actions of those over whom they reign.  It is more likely that the leadership "knows" what is going on, but their lack the mental equipment allows them to actually believe that "all is good".  Shameful.  Vote the incompetent out.

I want to continue on this track before continuing on to other aspects of the effort to bring true vibrancy to the core. There is more to be said about the "justice" system however.  I have some more specific scenarios of abuse to offer.  ...  must run to work.

[ronchamblin]

My god (lots out there .... pick one) ... I just read over my recent posts and found that I have bounced here to there on the core problem.  A summary for better focus.

True revitalization will have occurred only when core population has increased to a point wherein a natural energy provides a vibrancy nobody can ignore or restrain.  Little else matters other than the number of "people" living and working in the core.  Event visitors, although important for the overall process, are secondary as compared to "permanent" people. 

We must prepare the infrastructure to encourage and allow "permanent occupiers" in the form of residents, workers, investor/renovators, entrepreneurs, businesses etc.

Individuals having a passioned purpose is the key ... those having the dreams, the abilities, and the resources.  Connecting with and facilitating the individual is crucial.  Of all the above factors, only the "facilitating" factor is within the control of any powers in our city.  The "connecting" factor exists, but is of lesser importance.  Massaging the facilitating factor by increasing infrastructural attractiveness, by ensuring freedom ... and removing obstructions, and in general increasing any positives and decreasing negatives will assist an easier process for potential residents, entrepreneurs, workers, and businesses.   

I digress to describe an unfortunate situation of about two years ago to illustrate another event wherein "justice" was almost thwarted by a manipulative attorney ... working the "justice" system. 

One of my employees was in an auto crash which totalled her auto.  The driver of the other vehicle caused the crash.  She was shaken up, and although a little sore, began to wonder about the possibility of long term injury, knowing that at some point she must sign some kind liability release.  I suggested an x-ray etc .. and time, to ensure complete normalcy.  Soon however, perhaps encouraged by a friend, an attorney visited her place of work to discuss the potential problem of having to attempt proper financial recovery for any damages exceeding the cost of the auto.

In any case, an attorney arrived, and they sat at a table to talk.  She asked that I listen in.  I did so ... listening ... asking few questions.  I began to perceive however his purpose.  This attorney, over many minutes, began to urge her to fabricate, to fake it, to lie ... so as to build a case of injury, even though there was absolutely no evidence of any.  To me, the sensible thing would be to seek, via medical checks, any evidence of injury, and wait a few weeks to determine if there was in fact injury.  But this fellow encouraged her to lie ... to deceive ... to fake an injury.

Once I determined his motive, I stood up and said  something like .... "I wouldn't do a fucking thing with this fellow."  I walked away.  She then ended her effort to obtain "advice" from this fellow, who, as I recall, worked for Morgan and Morgan.  I don't wish to trash Morgan and Morgan, as I've heard some excellent feedback from individuals obtaining their services.  Every profession, every company, has its scoundrels to drag society downward.  This particular viper, apparently pulled from the bottom of their pits and sent to "assist" my employee was set to inject his poisons into the mix ... lies, fabrications, and distortions ... all for his own profit ... nothing for honesty or justice.  If his attempt had been successful, who would have suffered the consequences in the end ... after he walked off with a handsome "percentage" of whatever the insurance company was forced to pay? 

Of course it would have been the average Joe in society who has to pay the increased premiums.  It would have been the client, who would have had to accept the process of lying for money.  It would have been society in general for having one more case of fraud and greed upon it.  And the attorney profits on this kind of thing so as to buy another home, a Porsche, or better drugs. 

We witness herein a microcosm of the shift of wealth from the average Joe and Josephine to professionals positioned to financially rape citizens of the middle and lower classes.  The point is that this event illustrates the degree to which the occasional attorney has allowed our system of "justice" to descend to lies and thievery ... to total indifference to the goal of justice.  Doesn't the law "profession" have some kind of association that watches over the behavior and ethics of attorneys?  If there is such an association, please encourage them to take a closer look at what some of their associates are doing in the name of "professional" assistance to the citizen.

What does the above have to do with core revitalization?  Look at the number of buildings in the core involved in the "justice" system.  We are talking about attorneys ... defense, prosecuting, judges etc., and how these individuals have the responsibility to, and the ability to, ensure that our current core structures housing the "justice" system, are forced to be maintained as systems of justice and integrity.   

A reminder that I know many fine attorneys on both sides of the fence ... attorneys of impeccable ethics and abilities.  We need more of these ... and less of the scoundrels.

Here I go again ... my short time this morning absorbed with the "justice" system.  I will talk with my counselor about problem.  Must get to work. 

Next post  ....onward to the goal of revitalization. 

[ronchamblin]

The wild animal ... wandering ... searching for a place to live and hunt in nature, must accept a new environment it cannot change.  The animal measures and compares ... perceiving positives and negatives, and either remains to live and hunt, or travels to the next forest, jungle or savannah to seek better amenities such as food, hunting opportunities, shelter, social interaction, sex ... seeking not only less danger from formidable carnivores, but also less interaction with humans, the animal exhibiting the most cruel, irrational, and destructive behavior of all animals.  And if the animal was inclined to the gay or lesbian style ... the search would include a community having an ARO.   

Sound familiar?  The human animal also compares cities, the suburbs and city cores, for the best amenities for survival.  However, whereas the powerful and relentless ... and sometimes gentle ... forces of nature, shapes forests or savannahs to stable and balanced environments, providing the best environment for the various animals shaped for it, a city core is void of nature's benevolent pressures to evolve to optimum conditions for those seeking to live and hunt within.  There are very few natural forces, descended from the pressures of nature, benevolent to optimum change within a city core -- no natural force to encourage an evolution toward amenities that ultimately invite and encourage a population of humans to desire working, investing, and living within it.

In the core, the reliable and beneficial forces of nature have been replaced by human decisions too often shaped by a general ignorance ... shaped by overly generous portions of stupidity ... shaped by a passion for wealth at any cost to society ... shaped by self serving motives limited to the next day's profits in money, prestige, and power ... shaped by an indifference to the ideal of justice for all inhabitants within the city ... shaped by the irrational, as offered by excessive impressions emanating from the religious establishment.

Just as the animal avoids investing time and energy in a forest or savannah offering no food in trees or plants, prey on the ground, or shelter in the tree or the earth ... the potential human investor or resident will certainly, of necessity for survival, avoid a city core not offering an infrastructure or set of amenities matching his or her needs.

If the core community does not have the benefit of the forces of nature as it attempts to provide an environment suitable for potential residents and investors, what force can be relied upon to do the job? 

Ultimately, given the meandering paths taken by the population in and around the core, and the failure of this population to progress with respectable efficiency toward the achievement of true vibrancy and infill in the core ... even after decades of attention to it ... the rational thinker should realize that the primary cause has been a lack of strong and enlightened "leadership".  What is the nature of leadership, and where does it exist?

If we could answer the question posed by the last sentence, we could not only begin to assign blame but, more important, we could begin to determine how best to light some fires under the asses of some who exist too comfortably in their assumption that they are actually doing their job in city hall ... and in the chambers of the business elites.

Of course the attributes of strong and effective leadership emerges, and are held ready, in the mind of the potential leader ... and unless he or she is overwhelmed with the details of the everyday doings of their office or position ... the qualities of it bursts forth unrestrained, making few compromises ... to influence all around, above, and below ... so that they too, might see the best path to the goals set by his or her vision. 

As any "vision" approaches a shape and condition wherein it cannot be refuted or improved upon, given all other options ... it becomes close to the truth of the matter in all respects.  The truth of it provides a power in the mind of one who possesses it ... a power that gives him or her, the strength, the will, and the ability to overcome all those who oppose it.
 
Must get to work this morning.  Can anybody help me on the problem of the idea of "leadership"?  In our current predicament, I can see no other aspect more important than that of leadership.  I am convinced that without strong, enlightened, and effective leadership ... nothing will happen ... nothing can happen; that is, regarding the efforts to increase the rate of progress along the road to core vibrancy and infill. 

[ronchamblin]

Addendum to above:

Of course, all the rhetoric about revitalization, and about the importance of leadership, is for the most part irrelevant unless we believe that revitalization of the core is possible.  If it is possible, and if it has been possible for decades, then we can assume that failure has occurred, and occurs still.  Failure of any system to achieve possible and desirable objectives or journeys, can only be a consequence of a failure of leadership ... which in turn, can only be a consequence of a general apathy, preoccupation of a population humored by society's toys, and/or ignorance within the population as a whole ... as it is they who vote for and choose the leadership.  Desirable and necessary movement or change within any system, business, environment, or city .... can only be forced and achieved by strong and effective leadership.     

   

[ronchamblin]

Thanks so much for engaging the subject Stephen.  I need feedback so as to determine the rate at which my mental condition descends to that of the imbecile or the insane. 

Your questions:

Is it the homeless, the criminal and the poor who are the problem?

These groups do exist within the core, so they have a some impact on the "problem".  However, you might notice that I don't discuss these entities much, as I consider them to be "consequences", or the fallout, of the real problem ... which consists of conditions allowed to evolve over decades of societal mismanagement by those in positions to power and influence.  So ... a short answer to your short question, .... is "No".  A more considered answer ...  they are only an insignificant part... and actually more of a consequence.     

2.  Are the businesses and wealthier residents of means the (sole) solution?

I doubt if any one or two entities can provide the sole solution.  However, these entities play important parts in process and journey, having the necessary resources of both money and business mechanisms  ...  and momentum in the business world ... all very necessary to engage any effort to make progress on the journey.  The most important solution lies in "leadership", from both the political and the business arenas.   So .. the easy short answer is "No".

3)  Are people smart enough to make change?

Yes and No.  We have a lots of smart people in our local environment.  The very fact that we have failed .... that very few relevant changes have occurred over decades to force progress along the journey to genuine core vibrancy should answer this question.  Smart people can be quite useless without strong and effective leadership that focuses actions to achieve any goals. 

4)  Why are some people/criminal justice policies/litigious bastards so fucked up?  (SD ... I can't believe you used a four-letter word sir.)

A partial answer prolly (love that word) lies within my recent posts.  However, an expansion follows, with an effort to avoid four-letter words.  As you might suspect, every organization, agency, company, or department has within it individuals of high integrity who give all their energy to achieve fairness, justice, and the worthy goals set before them.  However, within these same organizations, lie a small population of individuals who, by some chance of nature, personal experiences, or abuse in their maturation, possess the most vile of human attributes, and these opportunistic and abusive individuals too often eagerly vent these attributes upon those held captive before them, whether on the street, in the jail cell, the courtroom, in the law office or in prison.  I suspect that some individuals, having certain less than admirable attributes, gravitate to jobs that seem "appropriate" for their inclination and need to control and abuse others.

So  .... in answer ... the "justice" system is so fucked up because .... here I go again ... of the lack of "leadership".  If the sheriff, the head prosecutor ... any of the top dogs in the system, allow continued and unrestrained excessive abuse, and behaviors and actions found to be counter to the achievement of real justice, then the fault in the system lies with these top dogs.   

In all the environments wherein the  "justice" game is played, from the street, through the law offices of prosecutor or defense, to the courts, and to the cell, and even to the streets following release, reigns too often a mood of arrogance, an attitude that might makes right, the assumption and confidence that power exercised in secret and with collaborators precludes the necessity for concern, honesty, integrity, or justice.

Although I have great respect for most individuals who work hard for fairness in our justice system, I have no respect for our justice system as a whole, and believe that some of those in the system who've been determined to have performed abusively, should be themselves prosecuted for indifference to justice .. for abuse to those caught up in the system, and incarcerated for terms appropriate to their offenses.  Perhaps their time in the cell will encourage them to avoid tendencies to abuse those who've been caught up in it for whatever reason, whether valid or not. 

It seems, without my trying to make it so, that the theme of "leadership" crops up in my meanderings.  I really believe that real progress ... a breakthrough ... waits for the appearance of a profound leader to exert his or her vision and plan of action.  We need a local Hitler perhaps ... or an FDR.

 

[ronchamblin]

Coffee this morning finds me wishing to elaborate on the forest or jungle analogy.  For us to continually, year after year, suggest that we need "investors in the core" .... or that we need this or that in the core ... is useless repetitive rhetoric.  It's like a jungle inviting monkeys to live among its trees when its trees bear no fruit suitable for monkeys.  A monkey thrown into the jungle will starve to death or it will quickly exit, travelling to the jungle offering fruits allowing it to survive.  If the jungle wants monkeys living within, then it had better somehow encourage nature to grow trees with the proper fruits for monkeys. 

If the jungle has too many tree-climbing carnivores, the monkey will of necessity exit that jungle area, and travel to another ... one offering more "positives" and fewer "negatives".  Infrastructure sir Stephen.  If the very effective system of nature is the architect, the decision maker, the power behind any changes to a jungle's infrastructure, what or who performs the same tasks in a city core? 

As the strong leadership provided by nature ensures the proper infrastructural habitat for a population of animals, the jungle achieves full "vibrancy and infill".  Without the proper infrastructural characteristics, there would be very few animals in the jungle.  Sound familiar?     

If nature provides leadership in the jungle so as to achieve proper infrastructure ... enhancing positives and removing negatives, who or what provides a similar leadership in our city core so that human animals, in the form of residents, investors, workers, will settle within?

We might wonder about the most important infrastructural components that, if allowed or encouraged to exist in the core, would be most effective in providing a more inviting habitat for the human animal.

Just as nothing happens in the jungle without the pressures of nature, nothing can happen in a city core attempting change ... attempting a balance and infrastructure suitable for inhabitants, without strong and effective leadership. 

We've witnessed decades of poor leadership.  What dynamics encourages this condition ... or prevents the emergence of proper leadership?

Getting to work ... will continue .... sorry about any repetitions.

[Adam White]

Coffee this morning finds me wishing to elaborate on the forest or jungle analogy.  For us to continually, year after year, suggest that we need "investors in the core" .... or that we need this or that in the core ... is useless repetitive rhetoric.  It's like a jungle inviting monkeys to live among its trees when its trees bear no fruit suitable for monkeys.  A monkey thrown into the jungle will starve to death or it will quickly exit, travelling to the jungle offering fruits allowing it to survive.  If the jungle wants monkeys living within, then it had better somehow encourage nature to grow trees with the proper fruits for monkeys. 

If the jungle has too many tree-climbing carnivores, the monkey will of necessity exit that jungle area, and travel to another ... one offering more "positives" and fewer "negatives".  Infrastructure sir Stephen.  If the very effective system of nature is the architect, the decision maker, the power behind any changes to a jungle's infrastructure, what or who performs the same tasks in a city core? 

As the strong leadership provided by nature ensures the proper infrastructural habitat for a population of animals, the jungle achieves full "vibrancy and infill".  Without the proper infrastructural characteristics, there would be very few animals in the jungle.  Sound familiar?     

If nature provides leadership in the jungle so as to achieve proper infrastructure ... enhancing positives and removing negatives, who or what provides a similar leadership in our city core so that human animals, in the form of residents, investors, workers, will settle within?

We might wonder about the most important infrastructural components that, if allowed or encouraged to exist in the core, would be most effective in providing a more inviting habitat for the human animal.

Just as nothing happens in the jungle without the pressures of nature, nothing can happen in a city core attempting change ... attempting a balance and infrastructure suitable for inhabitants, without strong and effective leadership. 

We've witnessed decades of poor leadership.  What dynamics encourages this condition ... or prevents the emergence of proper leadership?

Getting to work ... will continue .... sorry about any repetitions.

Perhaps, what downtown needs is the kind of monkeys who will be willing to tough it out and live in a jungle with few resources. The kind of monkeys who won't be put off by having to travel a ways to get a banana. Then, over time, fruit will start to migrate to the jungle, as there will be a small, but burgeoning, population of monkeys. Over time, the fruit options will start to increase in number - and other, less adventurous, monkeys from outside the jungle will start to admire the community in the jungle and will move there. The price of trees will eventually go up and the original monkeys will be displaced, of course. But it happens. Just look at Riverside.

[ronchamblin]

Actually Sierra Delta, after I responded with what I thought was desired answers, I realized what you had asked, which was of course whether your summaries were close to what I had offered.  So ... yes, for the most part, your summary was right on .. although I must admit that it seems difficult to summarize.

Adam Whiskey (oops .. Alpha Whiskey) ... I enjoyed your analysis, and will respond prolly tomorrow during coffee, as I must now attack the work load today. 

[ronchamblin]

Alpha W ... seems to me that what you describe is basically what has stabilized within the core over recent years.  This stabilized, subdued, momentum does not provide enough energy for a sufficient rate of movement to vibrancy ... and certainly not the sought after threshold, after which there will be no need for expenditure of city or state tax revenue in the core to boost progress along the journey. 

Sure .. there are a few monkeys who, possessing certain characteristics, can live and work in the jungle ....er.... city core.  The problem is that our core lacks the ability ,,, or infrastructure ... to attract enough monkeys.  Only some, with perhaps unique qualities and needs, can survive in the core jungle. 

I presume most concerned citizens are set with the opinion that we are not satisfied with our relatively desolate core ... as compared to what it was and, as suggested by Sierra Delta, as compared to what is possible.  We want, I presume, a vibrant core.

We must recognize the importance of changing and developing the city core, even with occasional investments via taxpayer money, to allow a jungle environment to evolve that makes it "possible" for potential residents, workers, businesses, and investors to survive in the core.  Can one throw a fish into the desert, and expect it to survive? 

The very fact that so very few have jumped into the core in any manner, with the result that it is relatively desolate, should inform all of us that the core infrastructure is not right for entry ...that it pushes potential residents and businesses away simply because the core infrastructure cannot compete with outside options.  We must understand that other jungles, forests, and savannahs are drawing all the monkeys away from our core, which offers only limited fruit and shelter for their survival.

I have, over my ten years in the core, lost count (30 or so) of the number of small businesses that have opened up on Adams, Monroe, and Laura, and have fled within four months to two years ... weak and undernourished ... decimated some ... for lack of the ability to survive.  The jungle they selected did not have the food, shelter, social support, and other amenities for their survival.  What does this say about the status and essence of our core?   

Unless we make the necessary infrastructural changes and investments in the core, with some taxpayer assistance ... we should not waste our time with statements like ... "We need investors in the core" .. or "Why don't more businesses move into the core".  Statements and questions like these have occupied the speech of thousands over the decades ... and these statements are meaningless.

Again, if you throw a monkey into a jungle having too few attributes allowing survival, it will perish or it will flee ... searching for a habitat allowing survival.  We seem not to realize the importance of this kind of thinking.  And as you've said Alpha Whiskey, there will be some few monkeys who, having certain perhaps "supermonkey" abilities such as a wily intelligence, or brute strength (firepower) with which to confront carnivores ... or with the ability to survive on bark or certain leaves.  Yes ... these aberrations of nature can remain in the jungle.  Look at Jerry Moran. 

Actually, most should know by now that Jerry's LaCena Restaurant is leaving the core after over a dozen years.  He purchased a building on Edgewood, which is undergoing renovation.  Apparently the new owner of the Elk's Building is wanting to increase his lease by around 40%.  I suspect that the new owner will discover how difficult it will be to obtain this kind of rent in the core.  Perhaps he or she can in ten years or so.

I will miss Jerry, as he has been a good neighbor ... and a plus for the core overall ... surviving in the jungle.  I think he enjoyed the struggle and the environment overall.  However, I think the rent increase caused him to seek challenges and fun elsewhere.  Although many of us enjoy the struggles in life, as it sharpens the intellect, and increases the variety of tools within one's mental tool box, one can tire of the same kind of struggle after a while.

The news about the FSCJ living quarters in the building on Adams street is wonderful news.  This kind of "gift" to the core, if continued in kind, will provide one of the most powerful and much needed ingredients to the core .. that of "people".  Nothing happens in the core without the infusion of people ... by any means possible, as Malcolm X used to say.  Perhaps the "powers" can entice and encourage other entities to approximate this kind of investment in the core.

Gonna get to work.  Time to talk about the "infrastructure" word.  It keeps creeping up.  Any opinions as to what is meant by the word.  And specifics attached?