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By Miriam Raftery
November 1, 2016 (Julian) -- "Chris Gardner has been the Jess Martin Park volunteer park host for 6 years, for the community of Julian, he is simply irreplaceable!" So reads a petition launched by Julian residents hoping to keep Gardner on site.
In exchange for his service, he and his wife, Jane, a retired nurse, live at the park in their RV, providing care and security 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, the petition states. Now the couple has been given just 30 days’ notice to find a new place to live. The county notice says the park is going in a “different direction” and needs someone with “different skills.”
“This is not an example of compassion and appreciation for free services; it is likely to leave two seniors and Jane's service dog in training - each beloved community members, entirely homeless right before winter,” states the petition.
The Gardners have gone far above and beyond expectations, residents say, working long hours to keep areas clean and safe including a playground, exercise path, skate park, picnic tables, ball fields, restrooms and more.
“Chris has not only kept the community/family-oriented park safe and clean, he has also watched out for our children for six years,” the petition states. ”There are many examples of his care and services; we have felt safe knowing that they were there when our teens skateboarded or when our car wouldn't start when it got dark.”
Noting that taxpayers support the community’s park, which is popular for sports, family celebrations, snow sledding, movie nights and more, the petition asks that the Gardners be allowed to keep their home at the park, even if another host is added for additional services—or at least they can find a suitable opportunity elsewhere.
East County Magazine asked Supervisor Dianne Jacob’s office for comment, but her office responded that she cannot comment on personal issues.
Read or sign petition:
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/keep-our-community-park-host-chris-gardner-of#scrollTo--undefined
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