From: Timothy Parker
Sent: Wednesday, August 14, 2024 9: 37 PM
To: jdacosta
Cc:
Subject: Outside Parklets
Dear City Council Members,
My name is Timothy Parker, owner of Chula Vista Brewery, a business I have proudly operated along Third Avenue for the past seven years. I am also a retired U. S. Navy veteran with 20 years of service. I was one of the first to open my establishment on Third Avenue and, like many others, was severely impacted by the COVID- 19 pandemic. During that challenging time, the City of Chula Vista provided much- needed support by allowing outdoor dining through the creation of parklets along Third Avenue and throughout the county.
Following the pandemic, the City formed a committee to regulate and enhance the appearance of these parklets. This responsibility was given to Eric Crockett and Kevin Pointer. Unfortunately, it has become apparent that they were working closely with Alan Castle, the true owner of Tavern and Vogue, who has been found guilty of bribery involving a city official. Together, they began to marginalize those who refused to participate in their questionable dealings, including myself and many other business owners. As a result, those who aligned with their interests were allowed to maintain their patios, while others were forced to remove theirs.
The outcome of this biased process has left many businesses, including mine, at a significant disadvantage. While a select few who sit on the board continue to benefit from outdoor dining space, the majority of us, who invested our own resources into these patios, were forced to dismantle them, losing both money and customer capacity. Adding insult to injury, taxpayer dollars and grant money have been used to support the expansion of patios for those favored by the committee, further deepening the inequality. The association also harass all food trucks that are not associated with them. While, letting businesses like 3 Punk have Food Truck Public Comments
Acosta - Received 9/ 9/ 2024
out all day from opening until close in front of there patio. The Vogue is taking up six parking spaces, they have so much space they created the storage unit in the street.
Moreover, these individuals have manipulated the downtown association for their own gain, pushing out military - owned businesses like mine and Fleet Reserve Association ( FRA) for short, El Comal, Brew Bar, and El Cocina, all of which have suffered or been f orced to close due to these unfair practices.
I am asking the City of Chula Vista to address this inequity. If outdoor dining is to be permitted, it should be made available to all businesses equally, without favoritism. Every business should have the same opportunity to utilize outdoor space, or none should. It is unacceptable for a small group to determine the fate of others, especially when it serves only their own interests.
I urge the City to rectify this situation and ensure that all businesses are treated fairly. The current state of affairs, w here a select few benefit at the expense of the majority, is not only unjust but also detrimental to the integrity of our business community.
Lastly, I believe it is essential to investigate how the downtown association is using taxpayer dollars to fund their one - sided media campaigns, while preventing others, like myself, from having a voice unless we bear the significant cost out of our own po ckets.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Timothy Parker
Owner, Chula Vista Brewery
Retired U. S. Navy Veteran
Public Comments
Acosta - Received 9/ 9/ 2024
Chula Vista Brewery
Timothy Parker
Parkert@chulavistabrewery. com
Public Comments
Acosta - Received 9/ 9/ 2024
Public Comments
Acosta - Received 9/ 9/ 2024
Public Comments
Acosta - Received 9/ 9/ 2024
Chula Vista Brewery
Timothy Parker
Parkert@chulavistabrewery. com
Public Comments
Acosta - Received 9/ 9/ 2024