Ernest Hancock
IPFS Letters to the Editor • Food
City of Orlando might allow Vegetable Gardens
• LetterSubject: Re: From CityofOrlando.net
Date: January 11, 2013 8:26:42 AM MST
To: (Friend of Ernie :)
Dear Citizen,
Thank you for reaching out to us on the topic of residential
gardening. I would like to clarify some information regarding this
topic that has been inaccurately reported by some media outlets.
The City has put the Helvingston’s code violation case on hold and
they will not be fined or held to any compliance schedule under that
originally issued code violation.
This case has brought forward the need for the City to make changes to
our code to better reflect our commitment to environmental
responsibility and we are currently in the process of drafting
amendments to this code that will encourage the use of residential
vegetable gardens as a sustainable source of producing food.
To reiterate, the Helvingston’s will not be fined and not held to any
compliance schedule under the originally issued code violation. That
case is on hold. Since then, City staff has been meeting with the
community and residents (including the Helvingston’s) to fully
understand the issue and get input from the entire community. Using
the input from several community, neighborhood and round table
meetings, the City is in the process of drafting recommendations and
guidelines to amend the existing code to allow for front yard
vegetable gardening in residential districts.
The City remains committed to sustainability and working together to
make Orlando one of the most environmentally conscious cities in the
country. To learn more about the City's sustainability efforts,
please visit cityoforlando.net.
Sincerely,
Buddy Dyer
Mayor
On Wed, Jan 9, 2013 at 10:44 PM, gary59@cox.net
Why in the world is your city threatening to fine someone for growing a
vegetable garden?
Such fascist behavior is giving your city a bad name.
I for one will not bring my grandchildren to such a place.
Shame on you.
Gary
“When the truth is replaced by silence”, the Soviet dissident Yevgeny
Yevtushenko said, “the silence is a lie”.
Florida has a very broad public records law. As a result, any
written communication created or received by the City of
Orlando officials and employees will be made available to the
public and media, upon request, unless otherwise exempt.
Under Florida law, email addresses are public records.
If you do not want your email address released in response
to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to
this office. Instead, contact our office by phone or in writing.
“When the truth is replaced by silence”, the Soviet dissident Yevgeny Yevtushenko said, “the silence is a lie”.





1 Comments in Response to City of Orlando might allow Vegetable Gardens
We may allow it . . . if it pleases us.