The continuance and frequent fits of anger produce in the soul a propensity to be angry; which ofttimes ends in choler, bitterness, and morosity, when the mid becomes ulcerated, peevish, and querulous, and is wounded by the least occurrence. -- Plutarch
Yesterday, in another moment of weakness, I ducked into the Luddite Bar & Grill for my usual carry-out order (barbecued bologna sandwich on Bunny, Cheetos and a Perrier), and while watching the anonymous patrons with paper sacks over their heads vainly trying to sharpen their stilettos while pouring Bud Light down their Big Johnson tank tops (Hint from Heloise: You really MUST cut both eye and pie holes in those used Rally's bags), I asked the Luddite's proprietor, EastdistEnded, if she would be attending the forthcoming neighborhood association summit conference.
Much to my surprise, instead of an answer I received a primal scream, as recorded in this passage from the SOLNA anonymous bash blog, the underlying reason for the existence of which finally – after all these months – begins to make sense.
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East Ender (a.k.a. Laura Oates) said...
This all seems strangely familiar. An umbrella organization of Neighborhood Associations…a united effort to effect change……Hmmmmmm. OH YEAH, I REMEMBER!!!
I've already traveled this road before. In fact, I laid the bricks. Ask around.
About two years ago I organized 4 neighborhood associations together to work in tandem to get things done that the City administration was ignoring. Like cleaning up the alleys and addressing dilapidated structures, and safety issues.
I brought together Main St., East Spring, East End, and Silver Grove to form a united “umbrella” organization that we were calling "The East Side Neighborhood Association Coalition" that would represent many voters so the administration would be compelled to pay attention to what we were calling for, and be responsive.
After only a few meetings (but a lot of talking) it was obvious the 'Tony' was sent out to break up the alliance by smooth talking some of the neighborhood associations, and making them feel "special".
They received special attention, special "awards", and special considerations and administration participation in events.
So, they succeeded in busting up the "Neighborhood Association Coalition" that was being created to help the neighborhoods.
A Republican neighborhood became the greatest supporters of a Democratic administration, and the other neighborhood became the favorite child, so-to-speak, and practically became a part of the administration.
Two Neighborhood Associations I helped to get on their feet. I was the one who put together the 501C3 application for Silver Grove and got them approved on the first shot! I did their demographics study and gave a presentation so they could have the data, and understand it, that they would need to apply for grants.
I fixed East Spring’s 501C3 application after it was sent back unapproved.I went to court with them about the body shop they worked so hard to get out of the neighborhood.
Yep, I’ve tried this before. Now someone has decided to take the ideas of this previous initiative and do it again, with changes I’m sure.
Not so sure I feel too “warm and fuzzy” about this.
In fact, I feel a bit violated.
Convince me why I shouldn't feel this way.
4:52 PM, February 28, 2006
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Yet another unforeseen twist in the conspiracy theory tale. Am I the only one wondering why EastdistEnded’s own neighborhood group wasn’t sufficiently valued to be ripe for such co-opting, given her pioneering activities?
Is the East End's CEO to blame? Or is she a victim of the Bad Guys in City Hall?
Wow.
It's not unlike watching a sugar cube dissolve, right before your eyes -- except that sugar's sweet ... not bitter.
Aesop, come quick. We need a moral -- STAT!
There's a lot that could be said about Laura's comments but she seems to be tearing herself down all by herself. I just hope she eventually gets the help she needs. It would probably be nice to have a conversation with the person she used to be.
ReplyDeleteIf I may step out of character for a moment and be blunt, my thoughts after reading her post are the same as NAC and Bluegill. I just about fell out of my chair. Sure seems to explain much.
ReplyDeleteParanoia, Big Destroia: The Sequel
ReplyDeleteHere's the latest.
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East Ender said...
The City actually paid about $10K a piece to do "Small Area Plans" of certain neighborhoods in the City. They know who's out there.
John Rosenbarger certainly has all this information at his fingertips. Lord knows they have maps of everything as well.
Wouldn't that have been the easiest route to go? Or one of the other suggestions mentioned by "yeah, okay,..."
Strange I got a call a couple of weeks ago from an older gentleman who said he was with the East Spring Street Neighborhood Assoc. and they wanted to know what my neighborhood boundaries were, "...just info for a little project they're doing".
Of course, none of this is connected, and new albanian really does want to make sure my organization, and input is included in any "summit".
Well, I'll be darned! We've tried to include you folks too, in the search and rescue mission we are on for the monies and the truth of what's happening in New Albany.
Obviously, we are all just little 'ol innocent people with questions that we can't seem to get answers to, and a little bit of mis-communication.
It's real frustrating isn't it?
When people won't give you the information you need, but insist that you go find it for yourself.
Well, speaking of getting information for ourselves, check out the Freedom of Speech blog at www.voiceofnewalbany.blogspot.com and read their latest posting.
Also, it will be re-printed here, in its entirety, with "Erik's" explicit permission.
Have a nice evening everyone.
11:21 PM, February 28, 2006
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Nothing defensive about that ...
For those tuning in late, "Erik" is the fictitious "college professor" created by some of EasdistEnded's attack dog co-conspirators for the purpose of anonymous character assassination.
How pathetic can it get? Stay tuned, and we'll continue to plumb the depths of the Luddite blogosphere in a neverending effort to answer the question:
Why?
From none other than the lips of Laura Oates herself: "The East End Neighborhood Association has disbanded." - Anonymous
ReplyDeleteWhat's left unsaid in the bitter diatribe against the neighborhood associations is that Laura's efforts on their behalf were not altogether altruistic. In at least one instance, she was quite well compensated for following the rules for 501(c)(3) applications.
ReplyDeleteWonder why that wasn't mentioned?