PS - she moved to Springfield for the economics? You mean of committing fraud and stealing?

For obvious reasons in 1998 Springfield was a no. Now that I have lived here in Springfield since 2002, I would have a different opinion of the question.

I moved here for the economics.

Kimberly

In a fashion so typical of Jacksonville, any negative comment is met with defensiveness and denial. Your comments have (re)opened a dialog that can only help make Springfield a better neighborhood and Jacksonville a better city.

Regarding crime in Springfield, you know not that of which you speak. I am one of the “old-timers” in the neighborhood. I originally moved to Springfield in 1989, left in 1991 and returned in 1995 to stay. You do the math. I have SEEN the incredible changes in the neighborhood first hand. I remember a time when it was commonplace to hear gunshots, close by, almost every night and people shrugged and didn’t bother calling the police because it was normal. Now the gunshots are rare and EVERYONE calls them in. I remember when there were more whores and thugs walking the street than decent folks. Now the balance has shifted. I’m far more likely to see moms with strollers and joggers with their dogs than hoodlums and prostitutes. Springfield has come MILES from where it was when I first came to it. Do we still have a long way to go? Absolutely but don’t knock the progress that has already been made. I remember a time when I was afraid to come out of my front gate. I’m not afraid any more. And it wasn’t people like Travis, who seems to turn a blind eye to the problems around him, who helped turn things around. It was people like me, people like Downtownparks, PCollins. People with vision who fell in love with the area and the houses and collectively drew a line in the sand. People who, still today, stand shoulder to shoulder and say NO. No to the drug dealers, No to the whores, No to the petty thieves, No to the slum lords who don’t care who they rent to, No to more halfway houses and drug treatment centers. I stand with them. We’re not through saying NO. We may never stop. I love my house. I love my neighborhood. I love my neighbors and I will NEVER stop trying to make this a better place to live.

I am pretty sure the article asked what is the closest place to Springfield to get a cup of coffee, not where would I choose to drink my coffee. :)

Starbucks, Joe? Seriosuly, if you are gonna leave Springfield, at least cross the river and go to uncommon grounds! :-) Remember, Uncommon grounds donated coffee and muffins to the Springfield median clean up from a few months ago!

Its fine.

Not really negative sounding at all.

And Ryan Rummell (the person they interviewed for downtown, and the owner of TSI) listed a homeless person as the most interesting person downtown as well.

Whew. Total anarchy, disaster and springfield armageddon narrowly averted.

Stephen Dare.