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Local food grower apologizes for earlier remarks and urges land set‑aside for agriculture
Summary
Mike Lever apologized for divisive remarks he made at a prior meeting and urged the Salida City Council to be intentional about setting aside land for agriculture to preserve soil and water resources and local food production.
Mike Lever, who identified himself as a food grower, designer, educator and artist, used the citizen‑comment period to apologize for divisive remarks he made at a previous council meeting about the South Arc/Vander Ranch development and to urge the council to consider setting land aside for agriculture.
"I would like to apologize," Lever said, acknowledging that his prior comments were "divisive and rooted in fear." He told the council his concern is long‑term soil and water sustainability: perennial grasslands are being replaced by annual crops that hold less soil in dry conditions, he said, and he warned that aquifers and topsoil depletion could worsen extreme conditions in the future.
Lever said his intent is to safeguard the community and that he wants to continue participating in discussions about the South Arc development in a respectful way. Mayor Catali noted the apology and the council thanked Lever for returning to speak.
Context: Lever framed his apology within a broader conversation about development in the South Arc area and the city’s responsibilities for balancing growth with local food security and land stewardship.
