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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSupplemental Communication from Mauro Iacoboni recvd 0329201 Gloria Harper From:Marc Loopesko <MLOOPESKO@roadrunner.com> Sent:Sunday, March 29, 2020 10:00 AM To:Gloria Harper Subject:External Email : FW: Re: Seal Beach Decision to close Edison Park Community Gardens On Mar 28, 2020 12:26 PM, Mauro Iacoboni <yackaboney@gmail.com> wrote: Kevin, I'm following up on our conversation on Friday regarding the closure of Edison Park with this email. Along with many others who use the gardens on a regular basis, I was confused and very disappointed to hear the news of the decision to close the gardens. I understand the concern to have protective measures in place during these troubled times but I'm not convinced that the actions regarding closure of the gardens are well founded when compared to other "allowed" activity which is perhaps significantly more dangerous in terms of contracting coronavirus. I have only seen at times one or two cars, and rarely three cars parked in the lot adjacent to the gardens. I hardy ever see more than a few people gardening, and those that I do see are busy at work and are not using the time for socializing. While gardening, my observation is that we have been following safe distancing of greater than six feet at all times, for the entire time I have used the gardens. Everyone keeps their distance and even if there is someone in the very next plot, he/she is always more than 6 ft away from you. I believe that the following activities could be even more dangerous for individuals to contract the virus than closure of the gardens, as follows:  Simply walking down the street and passing others. It would be almost impossible to pass someone on the sidewalk and have them be less than 6 ft away from you.   Going into a restaurant and ordering or picking up take-out food; or having a worker hand you an ice cream or smoothie, etc.   Going to a grocery store and waiting on line to pay.   Going into a Bank, etc The above examples are certainly important activities that we must have the ability to do, but I also believe that the garden is something that we must 2 maintain also, because it provides people with ability to grow their own vegetables. If I remember correctly, when I first signed up for a garden plot the city structured the requirements in the form of a rental agreement that we were all asked to sign and pay a yearly rental fee. We are RENTING our garden plots. This being the case, I don't understand how the agreement could be modified without allowing people the ability to comment and or present their case in opposition to closure of the gardens. I have discussed the garden closure with other gardeners and a number of us have talked about an appropriate refund for the amount of time the gardens are closed and any crop damage. I don't have much planted right now but I know that a lot of other people do, and they stand to lose a lot more. I have copied my City Councilman Mike Varipapa as well as Mayor Schelly Sustarsic, Mayor Pro Tem Joe Kalmick, Public Works Director Steve Myrter on this email for their information. It doesn't have to be this way. I think the City should just reconsider their decision to close the gardens and keep them open for use during these troubled times, perhaps with some controls. I trust that the City will do the right thing!!! Thank You, Mauro Iacoboni -Plot 104 453 Schooner Way CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.