My comments are in Blue, I have additional comments at the end that are not in Blue. Damon
Posted By BSG on 14 Sep 2009 04:29 PM
People lose interest when given an answer that seems crafted to just get rid of them. Not yes, but not exactly no either. A bunch of words with no meaning but a decidely arrogant tone. I don't think Bo was trying to come off as arrogant, if anything I read into Bo's words the frustration of having to deal with hearsay repeatedly. Unfortunately, I would say that Bo feels somewhat "handcuffed in what he can say openly and without some discussion with the Steering committee. Bo represents the Steering Committee, he is NOT the Steering committee. (this does effect one's choice of words when speaking or writting publicly) Why not give this guy some straight factual and fact-laden answers? (Same answer as before) For instance, has the proposal been written yet? In PROCESS, it's almost completed. We're waiting on the review of a proposed budget, word smithing and review of the application documents. The answer is either, a. NO or b. We don't know because we aren't involved in helping write the grant. No, Lehigh Acres has not been designated a weed and seed site yet. A proposal has not even been submitted. This is correct, you don't get designated as a Weed and Seed site until the application is approved and funding granted. Applications will be accepted in November and approval will come in January. (I think) We're in hurry up mode to get the "I's" dotted & "T's" crossed and the application submitted then we'll be waiting to hear acceptance. The proposal will spell out how the money is spent. Little of that will be spent on actual programs in Lehigh Acres. All of this money will be spent on dealing with the issues in the Weed and Seed area. The "actual programs" you mention may not be based in Lehigh but the dollars will be felt in Lehigh. Your words hint of bias. Most of the money will go for policing and police-initiated projects. Only 50% of the money may go for these type projects. The steering committee will justify where the dollars are spent. The short term goals of the program are to heighten community awareness of areas of high crime and to reduce that crime through a combination of policing and social programs. Corrcect, these areas is where the other 50% of the money is suppose to be spent. Success stories in Lehigh are the Neighborhood Watch Groups that have been formed to help keep our community safe. We expect more stories once the program is funded and we have specific goals that we are targeting. BSG, sounds like you have it all figured out. There is truth in your statements but it is not as bad as you make it sound.
Okay. There is probably more. My point is that it is wrong for you guys to keep putting out gibberish when citizens ask for updates and then expect people to be enthusiastic about the program. LAck of communication will kill this project faster than anything. I agree You should be putting out regular updates, filled with information, asking for volunteers, feedback, ideas, etc. Why not include reports from the Neighborhood Watch Groups?
All of these things are in our plans. One form of our outreach and providing information is our Newsletter. The 4th edition was just distributed about 2 weeks ago. I agree we need to get more information out and how to do this is a regular topic at our meetings.
This brings up a point and a problem that exists. The Weed and Seed effort is resident driven. (Yes, we’re getting help from LCSO to get this thing off and running but they (LCSO) are in a supportive role) Resident driven means VOLUNTEERS! Most if not all involved in the Steering Committee, Sub committees etc. have jobs to fulfill, families to build and foster, other commitments to service groups and may be involved in their church activities. To all of us this is a learning experience and many are thrust into unfamiliar roles. TIME (from these volunteers) is a big reason you may not see some of the things you ask for. Time is precious when so few step forward to do the work. Many have been asked to help, few are those who will donate serious effort. Talk is cheap! Writing takes effort and serious contemplation when you put it out in public and care about the results.
Robert Anderson will be able to get away with becoming the spokesperson for Weed and Seed if you continue to be closed mouthed about the progress of the grant proposal and keep giving people who asked an arrogant "blow off" answer to their questions. I think this will work itself out. Robert is not a spokesperson for Weed and Seed, period. Heck, I feel a little apprehensive about putting all of this down, for all to see, in repsonse to your questions. I guess I thought it was important enough to respond to. I still have a couple hours of work and play to accomplish tonight!
I'll attempt to answer some other questions and provide some information that seems to be "in demand".
The following is an excerpt from an email send to "William Parker" as a response to questions recently posted here and his email.
Misconception: Robert Anderson is not the webmaster for the new Weed and Seed website. Robert is a member of the committee (3) working on the site. The webmaster is actually an independent person providing services to the Weed and Seed project as community service. This person is interested in the project and does this type of work professionally. If there were more people working on this committee and website effort Robert’s influence would be lessened. I am disappointed that others have not stepped forward to help.
Misconception: Robert is going to “shut down” LAL as a source of Weed and Seed information. This will not happen, I guarantee it! LAL has many supporters and is an excellent avenue to distribute the Weed and Seed message. It is important that we get information out to the public about what is happening and we’ll use any avenue possible to do that. LAL will always be a website that you can get information about Weed and Seed in Lehigh Acres.
Status of Weed and Seed; Lehigh Project:
Work is proceeding in the field as well as in planning. We have been busy preparing for the application to the Dept of Justice. This is a very involved process and is not small undertaking as it is a very detailed and laborious process. The various sub committees have been working to determine goals, justification for those goals and developing action plans to achieve those goals. Some of the things accomplished so far are:
1. The number of neighborhood watch groups in the designated site area has doubled to 16.
2. Code enforcement has been focusing on “cleaning” up the neighborhoods. This effort has made good progress but the economic situation we are dealing with currently has made this effort more difficult.
3. We have established a monthly newsletter to help spread the word about Weed and Seed and how it can affect our community.
4. Social Services (Prevention, Intervention and Treatment subcommittee) has made significant strides to network with and strengthen relationships with other social services programs. A great deal of attention has been directed into this area because of the economic conditions that exist, this economy has created havoc in our homes, our neighborhoods and for law enforcement. All of this has resulted in higher demand for social services.
5. Law enforcement activities continue, there have been successes. I expect strong support from Mike Scott for continued focus on reducing the crime in Lehigh.
All of us want to see this effort to succeed, it will only succeed with a lot of help and support from the community and INDIVIDUALS that work hard to make it succeed. WE need more people involved in the process. If we fail it will be because not enough people care enough to join the effort.
I hope this answers a number of your questions. We'll get more information out. All of us appreciate everyone's interest in this effort. It is important, we may not get the funding from DOJ but the need is still there. One thing that has come out of this is a recognition of these issues in the community, I think this effort will somehow move forward regardless of the funding. It will just be slower.
Last, BSG. I appreciate your comments. Some of my comments may have seemed directed at you but they were more directed to people in general. You bring up good questions that require hard thought. I know you care and that is important.
Damon Shelor
Vice Chairman
Weed and Seed Steering Committee