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Many unique species of orchids, succulents, bromeliads, carnivorous plants, tillandsias, hoyas, terrarium plants, & all the supplies to grow them!
Tues - Sat • 10am - 5pm 7621 Fair Oaks Boulevard (around in back) Carmichael
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gaRdeN
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Gag order Garden volunteers must sign a no-comment agreement
flori-culture.com
by Debbie Arrington
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Photo by Debbie Arrington
OUtdOOR Living spEciaLists
Volunteers at William Land Park and McKinley Park worry that the guidelines will be applied to them, too. “It’s perhaps the clearest violation of the First Amendment right to free speech as I’ve ever encountered,” said Craig Powell, a retired attorney and leader of the Land Park Volunteer Corps, as well as Eye on Sacramento, a City Hall watchdog. “It’s also unbelievably dumb.” In its 10th season, the Land Park corps puts 75 to 200 volunteers to work every month, pulling weeds, renovating planting beds and performing other garden tasks in the city’s largest park. “If city officials tried to impose The Heritage Rose Garden in such rules on the corps, I would expect that Sacramento’s Historic City Cemetery attracts thousands our board of directors, myself included, would of visitors each spring. resign en masse and/or initiate a lawsuit against the city for suppression of our First Amendment freedoms,” Powell said. Judy McClaver, a longtime volunteer at A prickly situation has sprung up in Sacramento’s McKinley Park, received a warning from the city that most famous rose garden. her volunteer status could be suspended for failing to Volunteers at the Historic City Cemetery—home follow the chain of command after she complained to to the 500-bush Heritage Rose Garden as well as elected officials about two bodies found in the pond. two other major gardens—have balked at signing a “Who will do the work?” she said. “This is new six-page agreement outlining the details of their neighbors looking after their parks that the city does service. not do.” Included are restrictions on contacting “news The backlash has city officials pledging to take media or posting on social media concerning any another look at the agreement’s language. cemetery activities or City Cemetery policies and “The City of Sacramento greatly values its procedures without written authorization” from city volunteers, including those who donate their time, officials. energy and expertise to the City Cemetery,” spokesIn addition, any volunteer’s concerns must be man Tim Swanson said in a statement. “The City routed through city staff. The agreement reads: “I plans to take a close look at the form to make sure understand that even though I may not agree with its language is clear and responsive to everyone’s their response, I will respect and abide by their decineeds.” sion and directives.” Councilman Steve Hansen, whose district After a very public battle three years ago over the future of the cemetery gardens, volunteers interpreted includes the cemetery, has heard the volunteers’ concerns. “There should be no gag orders on volunthis restriction as a gag order. teers,” he said. “They’ve already lost volunteers,” said Jen Hansen noted the city plans to hire a new cemeHolden, a former volunteer. “The ones left signed the tery manager who will work with the volunteers. agreement and can’t talk to the media. They’re not “In the end, everybody should be treated with allowed to take photos of volunteer work and post on respect,” Hansen said. “We want a beautiful historic social media. They’re volunteering in a public space, cemetery with a rose garden and all the staff that not in authorized areas. … This is a 100 percent makes it special.” Ω power play.” Among those who refused to sign and is no longer volunteering is Heritage Rose Garden curator Anita Clevenger, a volunteer since 2003. Debbie Arrington, an award-winning garden writer and lifelong gardener, is co-creator of the Sacramento Digs gardening blog Word of the new volunteer guidelines quickly and website. spread through Sacramento’s garden community.