1 DeBray, Cydrice
From: Cumala Harris < >
Sent: Saturday, April 5, 2025 10:00 AM
To: webCityClerk
Subject: Concerns Regarding Livestock Grazing at the Former Deer Ridge Golf Course Grazing CAUTION – EXTERNAL SENDER
To Whom It May Concern,
I am writing to express my concerns about the ongoing flyers and messaging regarding livestock grazing at the former Deer Ridge Golf Course, which I understand is now being discussed in upcoming City Council meetings.
While I respect the right of others to voice their opinions, I feel it is important to counter some of the misleading and alarmist claims being circulated about livestock grazing in our neighborhood. The claims about declining property values, public health risks, and the “unacceptable” presence of livestock are not supported by credible evidence. Moreover, these messages do not reflect the views of all Deer Ridge residents, including mine.
Here are a few key points I would like the City Council to consider:
•Livestock grazing is a well‐established, environmentally sustainable practice used across California for vegetation management, wildfire prevention, and land restoration. It provides a natural alternative to herbicides and heavy machinery, reducing fire risks while preserving the local ecosystem. •Grazing is part of a healthy ecosystem. Animals like goats and cattle help control invasive weeds, improve soil health, and promote biodiversity. Their waste is not just “poop” but a natural fertilizer that enriches the land, improves water retention, and supports plant growth.
•Health and safety concerns regarding livestock are often exaggerated. When managed properly—which there is no evidence to suggest it hasn’t been—livestock grazing poses minimal to no public health risks. These practices are widely used in other areas, including parks, schools, and open spaces, without issue. •The claim that grazing will lower property values is not universally supported. In fact, grazing can improve the visual appeal of overgrown properties and provide aesthetic benefits by maintaining an open, green space. If anyone has credible real estate data to the contrary, they should provide it. •Lastly, the suggestion that someone is profiting unfairly from the grazing program at the expense of homeowners is unfounded. Grazing contracts are legitimate services, much like landscaping or trash collection. It’s important not to reduce a standard, beneficial land management practice to a conspiracy theory.
In conclusion, I believe that the messaging being circulated is divisive and based on misinformation. I respectfully ask that the City Council ensure that the discussion around this issue is rooted in factual, evidence‐based considerations rather than fear‐mongering.
Thank you for your time and for considering my perspective. I look forward to seeing a thoughtful, informed discussion on this matter at the upcoming meeting.
Regards,
2 Cumala Harris
1 DeBray, Cydrice
From: Richard Garchar <r >
Sent: Sunday, April 6, 2025 8:24 PM
To: webCityClerk
Cc: =yCouncil Members
Subject: Deer Ridge
CAUTION – EXTERNAL SENDER
My name is Richard Garchar my home is located at 355 Foothill Dr. it is located on what once was the 9th hole of the golf course. My wife and I loved seeing the cows last year. Today we have the goats in our back yard. A great site for us and our grandkids. We only wish they would stay year round.
Today a flyer was placed on our doorstep seeking support to stop this grazing. Who are these people and what do they want? Without the grazing the weeds would be 3 to 4 feet tall. Do they want anther Pacific Palisades in Brentwood? Of course they would be the first to blame you if this happened. Do they want the fumes and dust from tractors tilling the weeds. Of course they would be the first to blame you for the fumes and dust too.
Funny, just this morning I told my wife that there would be people complaining about the goats and sure enough less than 12 hours later we got the flyer. I also told my wife that I could never sit on a City Council seat because it would be difficult to hear complaints for such common sense solutions to a potential fire problem.
Please count my vote in favor of the grazing. Bring on the cows. I have pictures of them on my office walls.
Sincerely
Richard Garchar
Sent from my iPhone