SPAR revolt?

[jbm32206]

It seems that if all the time and effort spent arguing over which group is better than the other was spent in buying and rehabbing buildings in Springfield, things would be a lot farther along than they are now.

The people who are 'arguing' are in fact residents, who have either bought and fixed up or purchased a new home...and we're all the ones who have donated countless volunteer hours towards the betterment of Springfield and continue doing so. We're the ones who know how much it's changed, we're the ones who have poured our heart and souls, not to mention money, labor and ongoing effort into making this a real turn-around neighborhood.

Springfield has come a long, long way and as a whole, is much, much better than it once was 10 years ago. We still have some issues, but overall, this has turned into a great neighborhood, the crime has been reduced greatly and comments such as yours are ones made by people who really haven't a clue as to how much this area has changed.

[fatcat]

Springfield politics is a year round thanks giving diner party 

[uptowngirl]

Springfield politics is a year round thanks giving diner party 

SOOOO TRUE!

I just don’t get the argument here. The base issue is voting. Why would anyone argue about the right of members to vote, vs. the board just appointing members?

I personally could care less what went on 10 yrs ago (or whenever), but why take away the members voice? I personally did not renew my membership, and if it is determined SPAR does not change their mind about the wording mandating voting by the membership, and start following their own by-laws I will not renew my membership. I don't think SPAR cares, since they are obviously getting enough money from other places, but it may also impact my volunteerism to their programs too. I am not against anything else per se, but this needs to be fixed, and doesn't really seem like something to be argued over.

[fsu813]

I joined SPAR not too long ago, seems like I have a lot to look forward too! I love drama.

[strider]

Zoo made a couple of comments about how bad Springfield was in 2005 and how much better it is today. Let's see, what was main street like in 2005?  Was Boomtown still there?  Was Epicurean still open?  I do know that not too long before that, you could safely walk at night from 9th and Main to the Springfield Cafe(?) at Main and 5th.  You could, if you did it early enough, buy a gift at The Springfield Emporium, Catch dinner at the Epicurean and then go get a drink at Boomtown and then, if you were really brave, go get entertained at Eden.

But of course, the older organizations that apparently only laid some ground work had nothing to do with this.  And of course, are at fault for the fact that for years now, that same stretch of Main looks like a waste land?  See, Zoo’s statement "but when I showed up, the place still looked like hell" isn't exactly true.  It may have "looked like hell" again, but not still. 

Now, I guess I could blame the huge step backward that Main Street took a few years ago on SPAR Council, but I know that would not be fair.  There were many reasons.  Truthfully, I am not sure if SPAR Council has the answers to fix the problem and I am concerned about whether they are looking in the right places, but the issue is not one that can be fixed easily by any one organization or developer or anyone for that matter.

But I do believe it is important to insure that if a local organization says that commercial development is their goal and they also say they represent the entire community, then they sure as H...eck should at least give the entire community the chance to be heard. And a chance at being among those who make the decisions.

[strider]

This statement: On the other hand, I don't think that any of this will "solve" anything. Even back in the "glory days" when Stider and his "developer" buddies were running things, people were tripping over themselves to tell me how bad/useless SPAR was. Including many of the same people that are now posting about how great things used to be.

Besides being so far from the truth that the poster obviously  has no grip on reality, it also helps make the point that a select few are doing their best to minimize this issue and maximize the point that a couple of us are not very well liked by some in this community.  Odd that a couple of people on “our” side in this were among the most obviously against “us” before.  A common problem can bring people together that would not otherwise work together.  But ignore that part of this, it has no business here.

I never ran anything when it came to nieghborhood organizations.  I have no clue what “developer buddies”  he is talking about.  There were none.  I simply was an elected member of a board.  I did what was needed, but many more had been doing much more before I came along.  SPAR was in trouble.  HSCC was strong.  A merger happened.  HSCC and SPAR ceased to exist and now we have SPAR Council.  Or at least we are supposed to have.  Not SPAR, not HSCC, but SPAR Council.  With an elected board. That actually follows it’s own by-laws.  It is that what we are asking for again today.  Doesn’t seem like too much to expect.

[downtownparks]

Yup. I clearly have no grip on reality.

Its almost like if I believed halfway houses, detox centers, and empty store fronts are GREAT for the community and that Louise, Jack, and Mack are baaaaad for the community.

That would be a weird thing to believe.

[Ocklawaha]

Moderators there are. Only I have not yet begun to defile myself. A bottle of rum and a 5th of Rebel Yell later, someone else  can kill the bury that did we... HIC!

HEE HEE

My busy with railroads ande trens de Jacksonville Y mi cuidad.

OCKLAWAHA

[jbm32206]

Another moderator is also now here...and personal insults and attacks will not be tolerated. If they continue, the posts will be removed. If you cannot discuss this issue without making it a personal assault upon another, then don't bother posting.

[fsu813]

no blood, no foul.

[jbm32206]

I wasnt aware there were any personal attacks, aside from the emails I get from Stephen. I am speaking specifically to the issues. Sorry if you dont agree with my take on it.

Why assume my warning and/or request to keep the personal assaults out of the posts, were directed at you

[AlexS]

I am in favor of having elections and an open organization. I have asked that the topic of elections be added on tonight's SPAR Board agenda. The meeting is at 7pm and open to the public.
My recommendation to the full board will be to hold elections as originally outlined in the Articles of Incorporation. Nominations on Jan 15, 2009 and elections on Feb 19, 2009.

[jbm32206]

I am one of those who deeply respect his stance, and thank him for all of his hard work and effort!

Basically, that's all I want also, to have SPAR more open and to have the elections....I'm not wanting to get rid of anyone, I'm not wanting to see the organization fall apart. It needs to be more responsive to the community as a whole, and that includes holding elections and not all appointments. Let the membership have that input.

[downtownparks]

Besides being so far from the truth that the poster obviously  has no grip on reality, it also helps make the point that a select few are doing their best to minimize this issue and maximize the point that a couple of us are not very well liked by some in this community.

I personally dont care if you are liked, or not liked. Your full of bluster (among other things) and pissed about the hoops you had to jump through last year. It would no doubt make you a happy, happy man to be able to pass a little pain back along to SPAR, and those who back SPAR.

Odd that a couple of people on “our” side in this were among the most obviously against “us” before.  A common problem can bring people together that would not otherwise work together.  But ignore that part of this, it has no business here.

The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Nothing more, nothing less. Those few people "on your side" havent exactly come out and said "I love halfway houses, there should be one on every corner" you are a means to an end. Change, or pain for SPAR. Eitherway, cool.

I never ran anything when it came to nieghborhood organizations.  I have no clue what “developer buddies”  he is talking about.  There were none.

Really? What was Castles of Jacksonville? Glory Homes? Did you guys not build a couple of new homes? Were you not one of the few listed contractors on the list of approved contractors for those who applied for the SHARP grant?

...Not SPAR, not HSCC, but SPAR Council.  With an elected board. That actually follows it’s own by-laws.  It is that what we are asking for again today.  Doesn’t seem like too much to expect.

So are you going to join in order to vote when the elections are held?

[RiversideGator]

I just wonder if Strider or Stephen will join the organization so they can cast a vote....

Do you mean to say that, after all the talk, Stephen is not even a SPAR member?