Mayor Coonerty Respond to Concerns About Closing Public Space and Shutting Down the Drumme

From: kaplanks [at] hotmail.com
To: rcoonerty [at] ci.santa-cruz.ca.us
Subject: RE: Musicians Downtown
Date: Mon, 28 Jan 2008 16:16:42 -0800

Dear Mayor Ryan Coonerty:
"Ryan Coonerty"
RE: Musicians in Parking Lot Downtown at Farmer's Market

There is a big difference between a loiterer who appears to be "lying in wait" to do mischief ie: rob, steal or vandalize, and a group of musicians entertaining the community for free, while sitting under a tree. I would think the police would be able to discern the difference of intent.

I am just a passerby, who happens to enjoy the music and who exercises my first ammendment right to freedom of speech by contacting you, when I see a group of musicians no longer able to congregate as they have been doing for many years. It seems to me that the laws of "right of ways" and established "use over time" should allow the musicians to continue.

Sincerely,
Karen Kaplan




Subject: Downtown Lot
Date: Sun, 27 Jan 2008 21:39:51 -0800
From: RCoonerty [at] ci.santa-cruz.ca.us
To: kaplanks [at] hotmail.com


Thank you for writing. It helps to hear from citizens on issues such as this. The City Council, for many good reasons, can't tell the Police which laws to enforce and not enforce.

We did pass the Parking Lot ordinance in response to concerns from our city and downtown employees who were being harassed on a daily basis. It is a difficult balance the many uses and needs of people downtown.

All the best,

Ryan

Ryan Coonerty
Mayor
City of Santa Cruz