From: Anthony Bugica
Sent: Wednesday, May 20, 2026 2:06 PM
To: City Council <[email protected]>
Cc:
Subject: Letter of Support for A&M BBQ
Dear Sebastopol City Council,
My name is Tony Bugica, and I wanted to take a moment to share my support for Kris Austin, his family, and the team at A&M BBQ.
I have known Kris as someone who genuinely cares about his family, employees, customers, and the community around him. He is not a large corporation or outside investor — he is a hardworking local business owner trying to build something meaningful for his family and for the community he calls home.
Small businesses are never easy to build, especially in today’s environment. The people behind A&M BBQ have worked incredibly hard to create a place that many in the community enjoy and support. Beyond serving great food, they have consistently shown up for local events, fundraisers, schools, and community causes. They have contributed positively to the local economy while creating jobs and opportunities for others.
I fully understand and respect the concerns raised by neighboring residents regarding smoke, traffic, and operational impacts. Those concerns deserve attention and thoughtful solutions. At the same time, I believe Kris and his team have shown a willingness to listen, communicate, and work toward a responsible path forward.
What stands out to me most is that they are not ignoring the situation. They have openly acknowledged the challenges and are actively working toward relocating to a more appropriate long-term location while trying to keep their employees working and their business alive during that transition.
I respectfully ask the Council to consider allowing reasonable time and flexibility for A&M BBQ to continue working toward solutions and relocation rather than forcing an outcome that could permanently close a locally owned family business.
Communities are strengthened by people willing to work hard, employ others, contribute locally, and improve when challenges arise. I believe Kris Austin and the A&M BBQ team deserve the opportunity to do exactly that.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Respectfully,
Tony Bugica
Thanks,
Tony