Urban Jacksonville

I know many have taken you to the woodshed on your quote about why should someone come to Springfield, but did you notice that your “answer” was the first “question” on the FOLIO cover page? Another reason to think before saying the first thing that pops into your head.

Many of us are working really hard to make this neighborhood known for other things besides crime and drugs, and we could use your help. At least don’t make our job even harder.

Kathryn, how can you say that he is making your job harder? You are trying to make the neigborhood known for other things besides crime and drugs, right? So what exactly are you doing to accomplish this? If anything, he is making it easier by bringing attention to the problems you face. The sqeaky wheel gets the grease, don’t you agree?

You should be thanking him for being honest; for putting his neck on the line. He loves this city, and he wants to get rid of the crime and drugs. This can only be achieved by building awareness through the community, and being honest about the problems.

Instead of standing by and pushing the problems under the rug for the sake of good publicity, why not acknowledge the problems, and deal with them, head on. No bullshitting and beating around the bush. No politics, just good old fashioned neighborhood concern. Fight back, and stop the complacency!

Kudos to you Joey!

As a block captain and volunteer for SPAR, I do quite a lot for Springfield thank you, along with a lot of other hard working neighbors. Come to a block captain meeting, SHADCO meeting or other SPAR function and you will see first hand what we do. Check out the SPAR forum board and you will see the many issues that we are working on here.

We are fully aware of the problems in our neighborhood and are facing them head on and working to fix them. Instead of snappy soundbites to the media that reinforce the negative perceptions of our neighborhood, we are talking to politicians, law enforcement, city officials and anyone else to help us in our fight. The problems are well-known here, we are working hard as hell to fix them.

Hmmm, SPR complacent?

Vocal, aggressive, persistent, protective, hard-working, community activist, got-your-back, freaky involved…those are how I would describe my kick-ass-and-take-names neighbors.

Phil

Kathryn, my apologies if I made your efforts seem inadequate. That was not my intention. I was merely trying to stick up for Joey. I sincerely applaud your hard work and determination. We are all in this together. Though I am not a Springfield resident, I do own and live in a home in an up and coming nieghborhood in Mayport. I am sure you must have heard about Mayports problems with drugs, poverty, and prostitution. I am frustrated with the lack of attention from law enforcement and city officials when drug trafficking and lewd behavior is transpiring in plain view, so close to where our children play. I hope to learn much from you and your hard work in cleaning up Springfield.

Kathryn is one of the last people anyone can accuse complacency or of not working to improve the neighborhood :-) She has been known to move mountains in her spare time!

My step-dad used to tell me that one “aww-shit” instantly wiped out ten “atta-boys”. I’m afraid my good friend Joey is now living proof of that axiom.

Joey has, by and large, been great for the neighborhood. I’m fairly certain Kathryn agrees. This one issue will pass, and Joey will continue to be a loud, positive voice for the neighborhood.

Kick-ass photo, by the way.

Joey Rocks
and this blog is the best examply of approachable journalism in the city.

Whats awesome is that Joey is honest enough that he has invited dialogue about what he has to say, (and has said) instead of simply saying it, and then never mentioning it in his own column.

That takes courage and a frankness that most people don’t posess in the tiniest degree, and I think it is admirable in the extreme. Im sure it has occurred to everyone on here how easy it is to delete comments that you don’t like from a website.

Joey has demonstrated a brilliant commitment to public dialogue, and I for one am impressed and proud of his personal stand.

Urban Jacksonville is far and away the best website about daily life in this city and it is precisely because of instincts like this that creates Joey’s excellence.

Id like to see the Editorial boards of any of the local publications voluntarily submit their opinions to the same honest scrutiny that Joey Marchy has. Its a pretty damn safe bet that they never will.

Thanks again Joey for personal honesty, openness to debate, and integrity.

Stephen Dare.

“Instead of snappy soundbites to the media that reinforce the negative perceptions of our neighborhood, we are talking to politicians, law enforcement, city officials and anyone else to help us in our fight”

What kind of attitude is this? Don’t mention anything to the media and certainly nobody will ever figure out that there are crime and drug problems in the area. It’s the #1 thing anyone thinks about when deciding to move to an area and it takes the average visitor about 10 minutes to size things up. Homeless people, scantily clad women getting dropped off in the middle of the street and walking around the block, almost drive thru service for drugs at some lower income housing, arsons, homeowners who can’t keep anything on their front porches, groups of people hanging out on vacant lots drinking in the middle of the day… etc etc. Springfield won’t be known for other things until those elements are almost completely gone and there is still a long journey ahead.

It’s a shame he gets attacked and all he did was tell the truth. An accurate picture of Springfield. Much good…Much bad. Wake up and smell the crack kids. It’s there. There are most certainly drugs, despair and extreme poverty right next door to those beautiful, beautiful $300k plus houses. Its still there. All he did is say how he felt. I would rather somebody show me both sides of the coin than get the standard issue Springfield rethoric. One drive around the area at 10pm will confirm there are still extreme problems. I know…I often do it for fun sometimes. There are men on the corners, women walking to “work” and many tired and sleepy people laying about. But… we wouldn’t want people to actualy realize that before they purchase a home in the area, right?

Recognize the yin and yang in your own backyard before lashing out at somebody for not using the laminated talking points provided by SRG or SPAR. I say kudos for not being a talking head and keeping things balanced. It is what it is and right now, it ain’t for everybody.

Exactly, they asked his opinion. No one should ever need to run their opinions through someone else before voicing them, if he did, he’d be no better than the TU or any other media outlet. I imagine he was chosen because he might actually offer more truthful opinions about the area because he hasn’t pulled punches in the past.

Just because his “springfield experience” is different from someone elses doesn’t mean that he is wrong. I’m sure someone at SPAR is drafting up a 12 page reply to send to the Folio about how Joey hasn’t been in the area long enough and possibly has historically inaccurate windows in his house and that people certainly come here for more than crack (we’ve got weed and meth too).

I read the Folio when I eat lunch at Larry’s Giant Subs in Jax Beach. When the surf is shitty.

I have to take offense to Travis’ comment. My windows ARE historically accurate. Broken, but accurate. Ha ha ha! Thanks for the kind words Travis.

This has been one of the best things that has happened to my blog in a long time. I appreciate all the discussion, whether it was in favor of what I said or in opposition.

No one should ever need to run their opinions through someone else before voicing them, if he did, he’d be no better than the TU or any other media outlet. I imagine he was chosen because he might actually offer more truthful opinions about the area because he hasn’t pulled punches in the past.

So True. Well said. Honestly, when I was answering those questions, I never thought of the implications of my answers. I wasn’t trying to be controversial. I wasn’t trying to be mean. It was simply what came out of my mouth when I opened it.

I LOVE Springfield, I think I have said this before. Some people say I hurt Springfield, and for that I am sorry. That wasn’t my intention.

You are lucky to have a smart young man that is willing to live [in Springfield] and give [his time] in starting this web site. Joey is my son I am a carpenter/superintendent. I have worked on these majestic homes from time to time, in the last thirty five years, many times I PRAY Springfield will be rebuilt. Now this time to me it really looks as if there\’s a solid chance. It will not happen with blinder\’s on half the residents. This city needs change, what more perfect example than to start in Springfield. Killing will not stand up to the laws we should live by. Working a honest days pay is the only way and in Springfield many do this one day at a time and recently I worked there and had to turn down many young men that needed work.

Wow, and now they’re digging into you over at the spar forum. I really love the whole “Springfield is a friendly and happy place and if you don’t agree, well FUCK YOU AND I HOPE YOU BURN IN HELL!” thing. And the “but no need to air all our dirty laundry” had me in fits. Oh yes, no one would certainly think that Springfield has a serious crime problem just by looking at it, it’s all your fault Joey, you’ve ruined everyone’s hopes and dreams by telling them that there’s crime here! You and your confounded opinions have undone the work of dozens, SPAR will disband and the neighborhood will sink into chaos, the streets will run red with blood, or at least it’ll pool nicely in the potholes. SRG will no longer be able to sustain their sales and Craig Van Horn will NEVER give us a Starbucks now.

I hope you’re happy, you evil blogger. Next time someone asks you your opinion, you better just tell them what someone else thinks! Oh, and don’t even think about going to the softball games now, some of them are likely to go all Queen Anne on you with a bat.

For whatever it’s worth, this is what I posted on the SPAR Council website:

How unusual for southernnolabell to mind-read others and make a grandiose, sweeping and caustic evaluation of a situation only to have to revisit it some time later and throttle back her vitriol.

Forgive me–I hate to introduce negativity towards others who, like me, are intensely passionate about Springfield growing to realize its aspirations. (In fact, I met friends of yours at a get-together last weekend who vouched for you–!) But I think there’s a measured, reasonable way to respond to things you disagree with.

I know Joey is extremely passionate and active in getting the word out about the transformation of downtown Jacksonville and, in particular, Springfield–and it’s apparent he’s feeling a little sheepish about what he said. I agree with all here–of the tremendous pool of potentially positive things to mention, he did, as my grandpops would say, show Springfield’s donkey.

It’s not that what he said didn’t have some grains of truth–it’s that by focusing on those things, he (in a VERY public forum) negated so much of the good.

And I’m sure he’s sorry. What’s done is done, so let’s understand it as public relations damage by an apologetic party, but not completely villify that person, who shares our passion for the neighborhood. For anyone who has paid attention to his site, I believe the site was the impetus very recently to getting Petra Management to cleaning up their homeless base camp property near 3rd and Main.

Thanks all–let’s agree when we agree and disagree respectfully when we need to disagree ..

Ed

Wow, we sure have some vocal & passionate folks out there in the hood. That is a great thing. But, let’s not take it out on Joey personally.

Travis,

I will be playing softball in Klutho Park August 5th at 9:00am. Hope to see you there.

I only see two people who really let joey have it that bad. Certainly two people dont speak for everyone in the neighborhood.

what if those two people were interviewed and published in a paper about their neighborhood though??

Pay no attention to the Lolas.

They hate everybody for 15 minutes.

Stephen Dare

It’s no wonder that southernnolabell has an ex-husband. Just my opinion though.

the real question is what she did with the body.

(and I mean, AFTER she ate him of course.)

Wow. People are quick to dismiss comments as being uneducated. I guess some people just don’t quite get sarcasm.

From my outside view I see Joey as being a very vocal advocate about Springfield and the Downtown area. I think addressing the bad aspects of the area whether it is through sarcasm or not is an important way to keep the conversation going and to bring about positive change. A new paint job and new windows (historically accurate, of course) won’t solve all of the areas problems.

Joey – though you definitely don’t need a “supporter” – your terrific blog “speaks” volumes – I have always been one because of the outstanding work and articles on this blog. It’s a “stand alone” resource for timely, accurate, quality information about Springfield and those issues and events which affect it. When we did meet – at a meeting to discuss improved communications for SPAR and the community (little ironic) – I was greatly impressed with your heart and humor but most especially with your commitment. For you and your wife to choose to live in Springfield, renovate a house AND raise a family here IS the most committed anyone could be to Springfield and its future.

With most misunderstandings and misperceptions, you need the whole context and with your blog, character and personality, you form a great image for Springfield.

I personally and professionally appreciate you and your blog.

Brenda Boydston
(“someone at SPAR”)

Apparently what you SHOULD have said:

Describe your neighborhood in one word:

Paradise….no! Heaven!

What is your neighborhood known for?

Its glittering white castles on the beautiful green hills overlooking the prisitine flower fields that grow naturally in the unnaturally clean recesses of the neighborhood.

And the unnaturally GOOD and kind neighbors. If you didn’t know better, you would think that the women who run the neighborhood were secretly NUNS who have devoted their lives to improving the lives of children of the neighborhood. In their off hours, the plant flowers and repaint their neighbors houses.

And our spotless crimefree street corners. All day and night, volunteers man the corners, giving shiny silver dollars to children to encourage acts of selflessness and volunteerism.

At two am, you can often see them stopping cars and DEMANDING that even STRANGERS take gifts of welcome from our neighborhood committee!

Is your neighborhood in its ascension or decline.

How could Heaven ascend higher? Sacrelige!!!!

Describe a typical resident:
Barbara Bush, Elton John, Paris Hilton.
Martha Stewart, Elsa Klensch, and Brad Pitt. (Also Princess Gertrude of Sweden keeps a little chalet on Market Street)

How many blocks to the closest coffee shop?
All the homes have espresso makers standard in their homes. And for literate interesting discussion, SPAR houses a large well equipped library which hosts brilliant discussions led by the most famous experts in their fields. Kofi Annan, Walter Kronkite, Dick Cheney, and John Dean have all been recent forum leaders.

Or if you prefer, there are hundreds of cozy little spots all up and down Main Street which serve odd, “Only in Springfield” fare and some of the best coffee in western civilization. Not to mention the amazingly well supported restaurants of Main Street and the new Starbucks at 8th and Pearl.

How many miles to the closest mall?

Springfield doesn’t do “Malls”. Too common. Everyone here orders online from the best stores in the nation and has them delivered. Mostly Springfield supports all of the small boutiques and shops in the area.

Whats the closest body of water?

The restored Hogan’s Creek Canal. ITs beautiful.

Wheres the best place to eat?
Too many wonderful, nutty ‘springfield originals’ to choose from. Because of the weird unstoppable support and love of the SPAR members, the finest and most experimental chefs and dining establishments flourished here. Its like dining along the Seine in Paris!

Why should someone visit your neighborhood?
Because they are lucky enough to be invited.

Most interesting resident? Because of privacy requirements on the deed restricted properties in the exclusive Springfield Westside, we cannot divulge the identities of the most interesting residents, but suffice it to say that even the Queen of England would be proud to live next door to several of them.

On a scale from 1 to 10, rate the quality of life in springfield.

100~! (and rising!)

Stephen, I tell you this as a friend… You spent WAY too much time writing that. :D

lol. Im a fast typist!

Stephen, way too lengthy…all that never would have made it into Folio.

just trying to cover all the bases.

I think I can speak from experience. Except for Joe Marchy Sr. I have probably know Urban Jax longer than anyone here. In saying that, vouching for Joey, there has never been a malicious bone in his body.

Pre – meditated?
To gain interest in http://www.urbanjacksonville.info…….
then you don’t know Joey.
One of the most modest people I’ve ever met. Would rather be anonymous at UJ except for times like this when a response is due from him.

Old school peeps call it “Joey the Jackass”….and that’s the way it will stay. Doesn’t give a fuck about criticism as long as it can stimulate thought or action or resources or focus or conversation or uproar…..as long as he thinks “That is the truth”

…….better than ODB “I teach the truth to the youth; I say HEY youth, here’s the truth better start wearin’ bullet proof”.

Joey stepped out and did something I’ve wanted to do since I first came through about 15 years ago…move to Springfield. His family took the risk of all risks here in Jacksonville, “let’s gamble on Springfield”.
Oh, he’s in it now, when it couldn’t matter more.
So he’s gonna shit on Springfield for fucking fun,

to get recognition from Folio?

It IS Joey……..and he will always speak the truth so get used to hearing it people or help him clean it up. He, his wife, and son could not be better representatives of your neighborhood.

And a lot of people here, and at SPAR and wherever, who act loud at the beginning of the conversation, then seem to feel the need to come to Joey’s rescue when the smoke clears.

Why the change in perspective? Evolution in thought, or the interesting people stopped watching?

Think about your blind reaction before you criticize something that was more realized.

hmmmm…

I have come around a little to his point of view, but at the same time, I disagree with his answer. I NEVER made it personal. I think the world of Joey, and have been one of the biggest boosters of his blog since day 1.

So I will stop here and assume you arent talking about me.

MAY i please take this time to PRAY for the young child of GOD that was I ingerd an
nd to pray

CARPENTER i///I WAS GOING TO TRY TO SOFTEN MY WORDING
ON THE SITE””’ITURENED ON TH NEWS AND REALIZED THOUGH THE CITY OF JACJSONVILLE AS MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED AS IN JERUSLAM

I pray to JESUS FOR THE FAMILY AND THE YOUNG LADY STRUCK IN HER YOUTH GOD BLESS YOU ALL

PLEASE HELP
JOSEPH J MARCHY

I’ve always had a soft spot for those who dare announce that the Emperor is, indeed, naked. Joey is obviously one of those people. Anytime you swim upstream you’re going to upset a few people.

To those that feel Joey was been treated unfairly, I would suggest you refrain from doing the same to those that defend the neighborhood.

Just because someone wants a balanced view of the neighborhood presented, doesn’t mean they are oblivious to the negative, or wear rose-colored glasses. They merely understand that if THEY don’t present the positive aspects, no one will.

Do you really think the folks in Bay Meadows, Mandarin or Julington Creek are going to extoll the merits of living in Springfriend? I assure you they will not.

The problem is when the topic at hand is bypassed for personal insults and accusations, which have no place in a civil discourse.

Yes, please refrain from any additional “bashing of others” in my defense.

The problem is when the topic at hand is bypassed for personal insults and accusations, which have no place in a civil discourse.

I agree with this 100%. I appreciate people coming to my aid, but I think it’s time to move on.

“And a lot of people here, and at SPAR and wherever, who act loud at the beginning of the conversation, then seem to feel the need to come to Joey’s rescue when the smoke clears”

That kind of generalizing, don’t you think? As a member of SPAR Council (the Treasurer…or “Glorified Bean Counter”) AND a friend of Joey’s, I can state a reasonable, respectful objection to one of his answers and still retain my friendship and respect for the guy.

However, once the dialogue degressed into personal attacks on Joey, hell yah I (and Dan) felt the need to try to get people to temper their posts. I may be mistaken, but I believe Dan and I were the only SPAR Board members to post, the remaining being residents of SPR, most of whom stated their opinions without getting personal…a few who did not. The same few who often tend to “go for the jugular” as Steven stated earlier.

Leave SPAR Council out of it. We’ve got more important things to worry about such as working to improve the parks/Greenway, foster communication between SPR and the various city agencies (monthly Roundtable), address abandoned/problem structures, work with LT Brown & JSO to address crime, etc, etc…than to draft a response to Folio.

Phil

I have only recently started reading this website, and I have to admit that I am hooked on it. The articles are interesting, but even better are the comments by so many.

Let me preface my comments by saying that I have no ties to Springfield, in fact I don’t even live in Duval county, I live in Orange Park. When I moved to the area, I made my decision on where I would live based on some very important criteria.
1) location-proximity to work
2) safety of the neighborhoods (I live in a gated community)
3. Quality of schools
4. Real estate values (will my home appreciate)

These are what most people consider when they are looking for a place to live and raise a family. It is obvious to me that most of you are in Springfield for one reason, and one reason only. You moved there out of greed. You saw potential for investment, not in a community, but in real estate. You found large square footage at a very reduced price and you lapped it up as quick as you could.

Nothing wrong with that, but don’t get on a soapbox now and claim your heart bleeds for the community. You want change in the community and everyone to speak well about it so you can reap the benefit of your financial investment. Just be honest and quit trying to sound so noble. Most intelligent people can see right through you.

Thank you MCM for enlightning us on your knowledge of why many of the residents of the Springy bought here. For me, it was because I did not want to live in your suburbia. (1) I’m a mile from work, (2) I feel safe here, (3) I don’t have the need for good schools(although we have them) and (4) the house I bought 10 years ago has appreciated very nicely.
For some, maybe greed is the reason they bought here, but for me and many of my neighbors, that is NOT the case.

“I don’t give them Hell. I just tell the truth about them and they think it’s Hell.”

Glad you are enjoying the blog and thanks for joining the conversation.

I bought a house in Springfield because I wanted to live close to downtown in a historic neighborhood and I coudn’t afford RIverside or San Marco.

I just want to point out on point, and this isn’t an attempt to make you angry. You state in point #4 on your reasons for moving to Orange Park:

4. Real estate values (will my home appreciate)

How does moving to Springfield for appreciation home values make one more greedy than moving to OP for appreciating home values? I’m just not sure I see the reasoning behind the statement:

most of you are in Springfield for one reason, and one reason only. You moved there out of greed.

I think you will find, as you continue to read this blog, Springfield has one of the liveliest neighborhood communities in the city. I have more friends in Springfield than any other neighbor I have ever lived in.

Again thanks for your input and I hope to see you joining the conversation again!

Joey, you must be a fairly intelligent person, and I don’t want to make you angry; however, don’t take my comments out of context. You are taking one statement that I made, that must have touched a nerve, and either quit reading, or chose to ignore the two (2) sentences following, and the final paragraph. I thought that my comments were very clear and easy to understand. Undoubtably I assumed to much, so let me try to explain them for you Springies.

On point #1–The final paragraph began with the statement “nothing wrong with that”. I don’t have a problem with a person making a profit off of his investment. Just be man enough to admit that. Like I said, don’t try to come off as a noble crusader for the preservation of a great historic district.

On point #2–Someone stated that they feel safe. I would bet that that is a minority opinion. Most people in the greater Jax area would be surprised by that statement. You spoke of issues in your story that deal with “safety” (crime, drugs, prostitution)

On point #3–Schools- Springfield and Duval county school system–enough said.

That brings us to point #4. I stand by my statement.

if you look at the 4 criteria, why would any intelligent person not reach the same conclusion I did.

Like I said, I am not trying to make you angry, just trying to get you to be honest.

Buying a home is the cornerstone of the American Dream. It is perfectly natural to evaluate this decison with profit and value in mind.

What is unfortunate is that MCM cannot conceive of a perspective that gives considerable weight to other factors.

Speculation is rampant in every city in America. I suppose MCM would charge every home owner with “greed.” And some would argue that is correct.

But dont single out Springfield for this venom. If you want to see the most terrible manifestations of this greed, look out your window at the suburban stucco nightmare.

If you want to understand Springfield (or the surging interest in urban renewal nationwide) try looking at what makes it unique, not the negative aspects it shares with every neighborhood in America.
Try and understand the people whose values dont align so closely with yours. Whose committment to those values have been demonstrated over and again, through countless efforts…individual and collective
Dont project the dollar signs that cloud your vision into everyone else’s eyes.

The proof is in the pudding. Your hooked on Urban Jacksonville…not Suburban Clay County.

The residents of Jacksonville’s urban core, and places like them all over the country, take thier neighborhoods into thier own hands and committ to re-building them.

They empower themselves to create a COMMUNITY. And sometimes they get paid. Welcome to the American Dream…maybe next time you will bet on a better horse.

Yep. Point taken. Again, welcome.

mcm, its clear you really have no idea what you are talking about, but you pull off sanctimonious ass very well, so you have that going for you.

Everyone in Springfield is here for a great many varied reasons, and I wont even claim to know them all.

I am here because it is close to work, I love old homes, there is an incredible sense of community here, and yes, dare I say it, an economic upside of saving an old neighborhood in the urban core.

Whats funny is, we (my wife and I) started driving through this neighborhood not to plot the future of our bank accounts, but to uncover her past. Her great grand parents used to live in Springfield and she wanted to see where those houses were. Interesting this is, Springfield is a tie to almost everyone who has any Jacksonville lineage. Springfield was the heart of this city for the better part of 80 years, only to be abandoned by its denizens for expressways and cookie cutter houses where they can go home and giggle to themselves about all of the problems “they” are having in their “dangerous” neighborhoods, not realizing the house next door is a grow house, and their best friend beats his wife.

Springfield has its trials and tribulations, no doubt. What I do know is, my neighbors have my back in ways that you could never possibly understand. My kids go to quality schools and I dont sit in the soul sucking traffic on US 17 or blanding everyday to go to my job, which is downtown.

Perhaps one day I will opt for the cookie cutter life, with its commute, and “peace”. For now, I will stick with some of the best people I have ever met in my life, and their greed. Thanks.