To the editor: Santa Monica’s neighborhood gardens aren’t a “wealthy individual’s playground,” with solely well-to-do residents renting these areas, however that might develop into the case if plot charges are raised by 200% to steadiness town’s finances, which is approach out of whack on account of different elements (“Community garden or ‘rich person’s playground’? Santa Monica gardeners fear 200% price hike,” June 17). And the rise would make solely a small dent within the metropolis’s finances issues.
Group gardens present many public items. For instance, they supply inexperienced open house, sorely missing in Santa Monica. They supply a spot to develop nutritious produce and flowers for a lot of residents who don’t have yards at their residence or apartment buildings. Town doesn’t have enough parks on a per capita foundation, so the small assortment of neighborhood gardens offers a spot for residents, in addition to pedestrians and drivers, to get pleasure from viewing the flowers and the number of vegetation. The gardeners work with town to offer extra produce to others. The vegetation helps to scrub the air and cut back the warmth island impact of town’s buildings and streets.
These are just a few of the general public advantages. Town ought to take note of these advantages earlier than imposing a really massive payment improve, making them obtainable solely to the rich.
Lizbeth Bell, Santa Monica
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To the editor: Thanks, Santa Monica! Right here I believed L.A. had the lock on short-sighted, inept management, however clearly that’s not the case. To assume {that a} 200% improve on plots of land used for wholesome residing, netting a whopping $30,000, would meaningfully assist offset Santa Monica’s $60-million deficit is laughable. Absolutely, the subsequent a part of this genius plan is to extend all city-related charges, like permits and parking tickets. Truthful is honest, proper?
Jeff Belated, Chatsworth
