Local Mobile Detailers plan peaceful protest against Ordinance 4-21
SANTA MARIA, Calif. - Local mobile detailers marched through the city of Santa Maria in a peaceful protest against Ordinance 4-21 this afternoon.
Organizers of the march said this was an effort to keep their services throughout Santa Maria and Orcutt.
Protestors said if the city council implements the Santa Maria municipal code to regulate mobile car washes, this could affect small business owners.
They believe this would impact some 150 to 300 families who need the income.
The march began near North Broadway and ended at City Hall.
Organizers of the event said their goal is to open a dialogue with the council and share how this impacts all these families that depend on this type of work.
"I've had this business for over four years now. I think it's really hard for us what they're asking for. So we have to stand for ourselves in the community and make a difference here. you know, we're not just going to let it go," said Aldo Baez, who participated in the march.
in light of today's event, the City of Santa Maria responded with the following statement:
"The City wants to help mobile commercial car washes to prosper, with reasonable regulations for safety, fairness, and to protect the environment from uncontained wastewaster discharged onto the street.
The City is not trying to put anybody out of business. The goal is to have mobile commercial washers return to being mobile, not stationary on a street, which is what drives many of the complaints we receive.
Code Enforcement staff contacted about 40 mobile car wash operations since last June after the City Council asked us to do outreach. The City Council on March 16th voted 4-1 to direct staff to establish regulations on mobile car washes."
The Santa Maria City Council is expected to vote on chapter 4-21 on April 6.
