Dear Editor:

I find it mind boggling how Cristina Garcia remains in the Assembly with legislation she introduces or re-introduces.

Shut down the two golf courses in Downey? Replace them with affordable housing? There is no lack of access to parks or open spaces available to nongolfers in Downey. Our past and current council members have made sure of that.

The number of 921 golf courses in California that Garcia attests to is, at the least, a minimal number to the state’s population. Yes, there was a decline in 2006, not due to lack of space but lack of income that most had to choose between golf and putting gas in their cars. Sorta like today! When the pandemic hit, there appeared to be an uptick of “new” golfers because golfing was one of the few activities allowed under a controlled environment with its pandemic rules and policies and procedures that were strictly adhered to.

If memory serves me correctly, the annual revenue for Rio Hondo Golf Course helped subsidize those parks and open spaces that everyone in Downey and the surrounding communities does benefit from should they choose to do so.

I would suggest that Cristina Garcia looks at properties of businesses that have been shut down for a few years. Or maybe look at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall behind Los Amigos Golf Course. Tear that facility down and build affordable housing. Or maybe even look at the Rancho Los Amigos south campus. Leave our two golf courses alone.

Course superintendents are cognizant and sensitive to the climate changes and its effects, and they continue to do their part in making a course environmentally friendly.

If the rumors are true and there is an exodus from California, there will be plenty of housing and spaces without eliminating public golf courses.

Nix AB 1910. Find another way.

Alexa Davis
Downey