English Civil War Re-Enactment, Flickr.com PhotoThe battle in Jordan, as this blog first reported exclusively, started with two competing sets of agendas. Then there were two different sets of bylaws. Now, in an amazing development also reported on the IBNN blog...
It appears there are two different factions at odds with each other, each declaring themselves the "true" JACC board. For purposes of clarity, I have labeled these factions the "New Majority" and the "Old Majority." The New Majority is led by attorney Kip Browne, now possessing the title of chairman, with strong backing from Anne McCandless (now possessing the title of secretary) and an overwhelming majority of newly-elected JACC board members. (By my rough count, they have 9 on their side, versus 4 or possibly five on the other side)
The "Old Majority" at this point appears to be led by Ben Myers, attorney, click here for an informative Daily Planet article. Ben Myers held the title of Vice-Chair prior to the January 14 "board battle," but Myers (as well as E.B. Brown, and Steve Jackson) have made repeated assertions of improper, even "illegal" procedure associated with that meeting.
Therefore it appears Ben Myers might believe himself to be Vice-Chair and would not agree Kip Brown, McCandless, etc. are the JACC executive officers.
Committed To Fairness...And Not Getting Served With A Lawuit
If Ben Myers, Steve Jackson, E.B. Browne, and/or Jerry Moore or others involved in this controversy wish to state their points of view, their factual assertions, this blog is committed to publishing that information in a fair and impartial manner. It would be best to write it out in an email and send it to hoffx106@umn.edu, though the "comment threads" are also open and comments are usually approved quickly. I have also told Jerry Moore this via Facebook, and recent "friend" additions show Moore's Facebook profile is active.
JACC Versus JACC For The Heart Of A Troubled Neighborhood
IBNN is reporting JACC executive director Jerry Moore "has been served a letter of termination from the new board." IBNN speculates Jerry Moore may soon be removed from the Northside Marketing Task Force, but IBNN is quite openly anti-Jerry Moore, and therefore this might be a case of wishful thinking.
IBNN further reports "former (sic) vice-chair of Jacc Ben Myers" wrote a "letter to the community" and the letter states "The JACC offices have been temporarily moved to Jordan New Life Church." IBNN also reports "in a phone call to (the) executive director of Jordan New Life Hub, Julie Leerssen, informing her on the board change, she stated, 'I received a call from Ben Myers requesting that Jordan New Life Hub receive the mail for JACC.' "
One of my sources reported in an email that Ben Myers signed the letter as Vice-Chair and "he said feel free to contact Jerry Moore, or Chair E.B. Browne."
The Johnny Northside blog thanks IBNN for providing this info, and repeats the info for clarity in these important developing events. IBNN is also reporting--and I have independent confirmation of this--a press conference will take place Saturday, January 17, at 2 PM at the JACC office on 2009 James Avenue. I was specifically told "bloggers" as well as mainstream media are welcome to attend and to ask questions.
JNS EXCLUSIVE INFO: City Reportedly Recognizes "New Majority" As Legitimate JACC Board
According to one of my sources, "The City has issued it's (sic) official recognition of the new board/new chair." The source does not know if NRP has recognized the new board/chair as the legitimate neighborhood government of Jordan.
This may be a good time to elaborate on the power inherent in a neighborhood association, and why this matters, and why two competing neighborhood associations can be fairly characterized as a situation like "civil war." Neighborhood associations are not merely clubs or gatherings of like-minded individuals. Rather, these associations still retain the latent governmental powers of inincorporated townships.
In undeveloped rural areas, this grassroots power and authority is much more visible, obvious and less "latent." Issues might include whether to install modern sewer systems or just keep letting folks have their own septic tanks, and whether Big Jed needs to haul the 12 plus cars out of his mama's yard, as these rusting wrecks are visible from the gravel road, though it is probably reasonable to let Big Jed wait until spring, when the weather will be nicer, and hope in the meantime scrap metal prices rise.
(These are real, not made-up examples, though I changed the name)
Clearly, in big metropolitan areas, this neighborhood governmental power-retention situation happens with the forebearance of the larger governmental units, whose powers are much greater, and the neighborhood entities are subject to these greater powers.
But it is convenient and efficient for larger governmental entities--like cities, counties, even the State of Minnesota--to have government at the grassroots level. Expressions of needs and desires can be "aggregated" through small governmental units, resources and authority can be distributed and delegated, and--to sum it all up--stuff gets done and people have a voice.
The dramatic situation in Jordan is so rare that, really, some academic might want to write a paper on it in the next few years. This just doesn't happen very often. As Spock would say on Star Trek: FASCINATING.
Intrigue Over Missing Computers, Files, Copier/Fax
One of my sources left me a telephone message saying "it has been reported that the missing property from the JACC office has turned up at the Jordan New Life Church" and also that we (presumably the "new board" or "New Majority") will be "attempting to retrieve our property."
This information is unconfirmed, but all the same I'd like to point out I predicted this very development in my previous blog post, click here. The seizure of records and office equipment always seemed more like a "power play" than larceny or even an attempt to cover something up.
Here's another prediction: this whole mess is heading to court, (some more) and the front page of the Star Tribune.
Well...the local section.
And Now I'd Like To Recite Some Poetry
The Flickr.com photo, above, of the English Civil War has a little piece of verse associated with it, which is as follows:
Lay by your pleading,
Law lies a bleeding;
Burn all your studies down, and
Throw away your reading.
Small pow'r the word has,
And can afford us
Not half so much privilege as
The sword does.
(The rest of the poem is linked here for those who are interested)
3 comments:
Aside from all the other issues exposed by this brouhaha I think it is important to understand that
whatever activities the neighborhood staff or board are participating in or financial dealings they may have, the board can and will be held financially responsible.
Any board member has the right and the responsibility to know and understand the financial dealings
of the organization. Any staff person who delays or refuses to provide such information should be fired.
This means that if there are some financial shenanigans on the part of the staff or board each and every board member can be sued and held financially responsible!
this is pretty serious stuff. The
"old majority" may want to think
carefully about their action. The staff cannot be held liable for financial actions, however, if there are board members who choose to back the actions of the staff and stick with the "old majority" they could legally and financially
be be "left holding the bag" for the shenanigans of the staff!
Aside from all the other issues exposed by this brouhaha I think it is important to understand that
whatever activities the neighborhood staff or board are participating in or financial dealings they may have, the board can and will be held financially responsible.
Any board member has the right and the responsibility to know and understand the financial dealings
of the organization. Any staff person who delays or refuses to provide such information should be fired.
This means that if there are some financial shenanigans on the part of the staff or board each and every board member can be sued and held financially responsible!
this is pretty serious stuff. The
"old majority" may want to think
carefully about their action. The staff cannot be held liable for financial actions, however, if there are board members who choose to back the actions of the staff and stick with the "old majority" they could legally and financially
be be "left holding the bag" for the shenanigans of the staff!
asking another nonprofit to accept the mail like that sounds like something along the lines of mail fraud. Plus why would another nonprofit agree to accept the mail, doesn't that sound awfully suspicious? Would Julie Leersen call another nonprofit and ask them to accept the mail for Jordan New Life Hub? so odd!
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