About SPBuzz

[editing in progress]

I started SPBuzz in 2004.

The origin story is amusing (to me!). Our co-op announced that it would produce a newsletter and was soliciting articles. I wrote one that was accepted! And then it was announced that the newsletter was being cancelled - rumor had it that an article written by the then-president’s wife had been rejected, and that the whole project had been scrapped in the ensuing chaos!

I am not sure if that story was true, but it was plausible, given the irony that prevailed in our governance. And as I reflected on that irony, I thought up a quick dozen certain ironies that each deserved articles of their own! It didn’t take me long to decide to start publishing articles on my own.

My aim with SPBuzz has always been to elevate the level of discussion around the issues we face, and as such, I’ve had some remarkable success. Some examples that come to mind are:

• Got the Board to start recording individual votes in Board minutes
• Shined a spotlight on issues of voting fraud within our co-op
• Extensively researched and reported on issues pertaining to the proposed Air Rights deal in 2018
• Effectively advocated to open the then-disused Hester Street lot
• Reported and advocated for Seward Park’s then-closed Essex Street gates to be opened
• Many issues pertaining to our elections
• Identified and resolved problems with our Holiday Tips program

Many contentious issues are being faced by the Board, and I am not confident that my best interests are being represented. That is not to say that I think the Board is mis-representing me — but without better communication, I can't be sure.

We are all shareholders and all should be able to know what is going on and to voice our opinions accordingly. I created this site as a means of doing this. I think that this site offers a means of consolidating shareholder opinions on major issues and making them known to board members in an unequivocol way. Aside from having these topics addressed, this will also measure the Board's willingness to comply with clear shareholder communication.

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