Correspondence- #32 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Middleton, Samuel From: OLIVOS, GAY D <go2863@att.com> Sent: Tuesday, February 7, 2023 10:51 AM To: eComment Cc: OLIVOS, GAY D Subject: Item 32 - Unpermitted and Unsafe Sidewalk Food Vendors - OPPOSITION TO "STREET VENDORS" WHEN WILL IT CEASE? Good evening, Mayor, and Councilmembers: Let me begin by saying: I love Santa Ana - she is my home. I stand behind her good and bad and will continue to do so. I am addressing the council today regarding my dismay on the street vendors and in favor of taking them off our city properties. It should be noted that I am heavily involved with the City of Santa Ana Parks and Recreation — I am literally at either the Salgado Center or at the Jerome Center five days out of the week — sometimes six days out of the week, during the baseball and football season. I have all my three grandsons playing sports and I am too proud to put into words to see my grandsons play who are 6th Generation "Santaneros". In doing so, I have seen quite a bit of good qualities within our parks and some improvements we need which is a different agenda all together. I bring this to your attention since during my daily visits to these parks I do see what we term as "paleteros" and I always contribute to their business. They work hard in the heat, in the cold, walking endlessly throughout the park. They clearly display their business license and one can easily state they work tirelessly. More often than not, we, the parents, and families in attendance purchase from them — we respect and love "our paleteros" This is not the agenda of these "street vendors" — entirely different group of individuals who have their shoulders back and literally can become combative on their stance - entitlement individuals I might add. They set up their "shop" on City of Santa Ana sidewalks which we pay for. They set up their tents, generators, chairs without any care at all for Santa Ana. Their patrons leave their trash throughout the neighborhood and block our sidewalks. Recently, they are now playing music which echoes within the neighborhood — disturbance on so many levels. Why, I ask are we allowing this? Why have we allowed them to station themselves on Santa Ana property without any repercussions? Cars stop with their blinkers on, literally get off their vehicle to purchase whatever item(s) the vendor is selling. No care at all for the driver behind you or the people — mainly children who are trying to cross the street. It must cease. There has been quite a bit of discussion on various social media platforms both for and against "street vendors". The main argument for those who are in "favor" of street vendors have claimed that they have a "right" to support their families. And this is a true and valid statement. However, this is not about preventing any vendor from supporting their families but rather holding these "street vendors" accountable. All "street vendors" should open up a business the right way - get a business license, pay taxes, involve the health inspectors, and more importantly do not set up their business on the City of Santa Ana property and station themselves all day. Unlike the "paleteros" in our parks who are walking and who abide by the rules.