It’s ironic that when all Encinitas fees, including building permit fees and fees for seniors at the community center, fees paid to the city by Yoga or surf school instructors, have all recently been raised; only sports leagues are not subject to fees for using public facilities in Encinitas.

The sports leagues are a special interest group. So are those who advocate for community gardens. We all have some “special interests.” It seems completely unfair to put one group of people, and many of those on the leagues are not Encinitas residents, before the needs of others.

The Quail Gardens site is land dedicated as a park, and given to the people, through the City of Encinitas when Encinitas Ranch was given the okay for development. Land was dedicated for a school, for a park, and for a Golf Course. We only got the golf course, which is catering to another special interest group, out of the price range of many.

For the three man majority on Council, Stocks, Dalager and Bond, all pro-development, to now say they want to keep the land to sale for a profit seems disingenuous, and contrary to what was promised to the citizens by our sometimes “unfair city.” The recent three-man Councilmember vote disallowing a community garden at the Quail Gardens site is another violation of the public trust.

A community garden could be part of the legacy of those serving on Council. Dan Dalager, you are up for re-election next year. Our city can do better!