Letter to the Editor: Sheila Cameron's Statements About Global Grind Are Untrue

Dear Editor,

We are the owners and operators of , located in front of the most beautiful library in the nation, the .  We are writing today to express our thoughts and opinions on the recent bashing we have received from ex-Mayor/ex-Council member Sheila Cameron at the recent city of Encinitas (COE) Council meeting on April 25, 2012. You can view the entire segments on the COE website and fast forward to 30 minutes into the meeting. 

Sheila Cameron's opinions led to a published article in the North County Times and you can read it here, along with the dozens of comments from the community. Global Grind does not agree with her stated opinions and fabricated untruths. Please understand the opinions stated are from Cameron and not of the current Council or city of Encinitas.

We would like to make it very clear that we respect our relationship with the city of Encinitas and we have always been in compliance with our contractual obligations as we understand it. Everything that we offer at GG is there to serve and provide for our patrons. 

The COE published a "Request for Proposal" and Global Grind Coffee won the bid in 2009.  We complied with not only the City requirements but the San Diego Health Department requirements to legally operate a coffee concession in front of the Encinitas Library. We built that would fit the specific needs of this unique space in front of the library with several weeks of thought, care and needed due diligence. So much thought, in fact, that we selected awning/umbrella colors that were subdued earth tones that would not take away from the amazing structure that Manuel Oncina created.   

Cameron stated, "This is not a college campus and it looks like crap, this is a beautiful architectural building that cost the citizens of Encinitas over twenty-two million dollars."  We are the citizens of Encinitas and we pay the taxes of which she speaks.

We are local residents of this beautiful city, we source local products from our town and we work diligently to strengthen our community and bridge relationships. We receive fresh baked goods from local pastry chef Nikki Schafer, locally solar roasted coffee from Cafe Moto, Organic GoodOnYa Bars and love from Pizzicato. There is a reason that city of Encinitas made the informed decision to grant us the opportunity to run a coffee cart in this magical area in 2009.  We feel that we have proven ourselves to the COE and our patrons (both GG and library), also we have met and exceeded our annual minimum fee that is revenue to the COE.

We feel that it is a shame that an individual that was so involved in our city wouldn't have the forethought to come and speak with us about her concerns. We are both fighting the same fight, aren't we?  We both want to keep this 'jewel' of a city and library well maintained and harmonious.

We share a vision for our library, which not only celebrates the beauty of the structure itself, but also the usefulness of its design. A building is more than just the structure, it’s how we choose to use it. The thriving courtyard is just that because the Friends of the Encinitas Library has two bookshelves and a free cart in addition to our coffee cart with a plethora of quality items.

We want to know if the community shares our vision. What do you think readers? We invite you to come on down and see for yourself.  Does it look like crap and trash as stated by former mayor Cameron or should we be collecting signatures to amend a clause in our contract to support reclaimed D-Eco bags? Bags that are sold for the intent of bagging your coffee cart items as well as carrying books from the library and bookstore. Not to mention the fact of creating awareness of reducing waste and being more aware of our footprint.

Please come and try a locally roasted cup of Organic Blue Sky and have a chat, we are very friendly.

Sincerely,

Shawn Sbrega & Danielle Stewart

P.S. If you are interested in learning more about D-Eco bags contact decogoods@gmail.com or if you are a retailer interested in selling these beauties, please say hello <3