Dear Editor:
During the City Council’s last two study sessions on Bonfante
Gardens, discussion was held on the topic of the public
perceptions.
Dear Editor:
During the City Council’s last two study sessions on Bonfante Gardens, discussion was held on the topic of the public perceptions. Comments like “The city is “helping the park again” or probably more accurately, “helping Michael Bonfante again” have been made. After discussing this further with Michael, we have written this letter, hoping to clear up the perception that Michael is benefiting from the sale of land or continued operation of the park.
Michael – like most of us – is a very proud and private person. He had a dream of creating a place where people could experience all of the beauty and peace that horticulture and a harmonious environment could provide. A place that people could visit with their children to learn about the many aspects of the environment in a fun and entertaining way. He hoped to inspire a love and appreciation for the environment as well as educating. He believed in his vision so strongly that he spent many years in research, planning and building it to the highest of standards. It was built with much energy, care, and expense.
We all know that the park cost about $120 million to build over the years and that the debt is $70 million. We are not sure where the difference of $50 million came from, but we assume that it came from Michael’s own resources.
To clear up the restructure situation, more than one third of the total $70 million debt is owed to Michael and Claudia Bonfante. They took out personal loans that were secured by their own personal property. Michael and Claudia, as well as Bonfante Nursery, which is owned by them, will receive none of the cash generated by the planned sale of 33 acres to Shapell, which is the essence of the Bonfante Gardens financial restructure.
The 34-acre Bonfante Nursery parcel, south of Hecker Pass and north of Bonfante Gardens, is now owned by their creditors, and shortly, their former residence will also be owned by their creditors.
The city was instrumental in assuring that the non-profit 501c3 Bonfante Gardens was reorganized to become successful. They believed that the pro-bono Board of Directors was key in providing the input and the guidance that the park needed to begin to contribute to the community and achieve its potential. Michael stepped back from the controls and became part of a seven-person Board. That board makes decisions together as a team, instead of Michael making the decisions all on his own. That alone, had to be a great step of faith for Michael.
We have all worked hard to jump over or break through the roadblocks, bad press, misunderstandings and misperceptions that cloud this issue. We care enough to do whatever we can to ensure that the concerns of the community, the city, the press, and the Eagle Ridge Homeowners are addressed and where possible, reconciled. We believe enough in the vision the overall benefit to the community and the education segment to continue on this path until we become successful. Bonfante Gardens is worth it.
Knowing all of this, we are not sure how anyone can believe that the restructure will financially help Michael and his family. It will not, and it will surely cost them considerably. What Michael will get is settlement of the debt issue, and most of all, the belief that the 501c3 park will be saved and continue to enrich and educate the people who visit, thus accomplishing the vision.
We are willing to discuss this with anyone in the community and invite your calls.
Bob Kraemer, on behalf of Bonfante Gardens Board of Directors
Submitted Wednesday, April 7 to ed****@ga****.com
