Measure B fails to
prioritize academics

Measure B is a $195 million bond (pretty word for tax) to paint, repair and update Antioch schools. Two prior bonds (taxes) were passed to do the same thing.

Students in Antioch schools are scoring poorly on state testing. For Example: Black Diamond Middle School Math: 8% proficiency. This means 92% of the students are below grade level. Only two students in a classroom of 25 can do math at grade level on average. Reading: 18% proficiency Less than five students in a classroom of 25 can read at grade level. Other schools in the Antioch School District aren’t much better. This is a travesty.

Our school district has a superintendent, principals and curriculum coordinators with master’s degrees, and they can’t figure out how to help our students succeed. The Antioch school administrators and school board should make academics a priority, not aesthetics.

Our children deserve a better education. Vote no on Measure B.

Lynette Solorio
Antioch

Unions favor Miley
for county supervisor

Your February 13 editorial discussing the District 4 Supervisorial race emphasized the role candidate Jennifer Esteen has played in public employee unions.

You neglected to mention that both public employee unions to which she belongs have endorsed her opponent, Nate Miley.

Dale Silva
Fairview

A right to speak,
but no call to listen

Re: “Man spews anti-Jewish hate at meeting” (Page B1, Feb. 22).

I join in the outrage over the hate speech delivered at a recent Walnut Creek City Council meeting.

Here is one solution to put such vile remarks in their place: Immediately upon hearing any hate speech in the council chamber, the council members quietly walk out, returning only when the speaker is done. Those in the audience should do so too.

There may be a constitutional right to free speech at City Hall, but there is no constitutional right to be heard.

Mark Peters
Walnut Creek

Kennedy would chart
new course for nation

I’m a mom of three young children in the East Bay. I’d like to introduce to my fellow residents our independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Many American families, like my own, are feeling increasingly distressed economically due to inflation and lack of job security. Kennedy recognizes that the average American’s quality of life has not improved since the 1960s. A massive military machine and rampant corruption have contributed significantly to the decline of the middle class. His proposed economic policies are centered around ensuring that hard-working individuals can lead a decent life. Kennedy plans to, among other things, make housing more affordable by backing 3% home mortgages with tax-free bonds, support small businesses by redirecting regulatory scrutiny onto large corporations, and expand free child care to millions of families.

I call on everyone to support Kennedy, as his presidency will reform and revitalize our nation.

Scarlett Fang
Danville

Deny hate speech
a council audience

Re: “Man spews anti-Jewish hate at meeting” (Page B1, Feb. 22).

The First Amendment guarantees all Americans the right to speak freely, even at the Walnut Creek City Council meetings.

There is nothing (to my knowledge) in the U.S. Constitution that forces the council members to listen to a Nazi moron’s diatribe.

Esteemed members, when he begins his ranting, leave the room for a couple of minutes. He’ll have his 120 seconds of notoriety and you will have a couple of minutes of peace and reflection. You will have also made a massive statement of your disgust for him and his ilk.

Robin Hall
Walnut Creek

Church’s attributes are
needed in neighborhood

Re: “2 private Catholic schools will shutter amid Diocese of Oakland’s bankruptcy” (Page A1, Feb. 24 ).

I sadly read the Feb. 24 article regarding the closure of my alma mater, St. Anthony’s School in Oakland, due to the diocesan bankruptcy. It maintains that “officials at the diocese attributed the closure to more than just financial constraints.” Rather, dwindling enrollment was due to “rising homelessness, unemployment and human trafficking in the surrounding San Antonio neighborhood.”

It seems to me this is where the hope and resources presented by the church and its institutions should be the most visible and accessible.

James Erickson
Brentwood

Alabama embryo ruling
wastes resources

The United States, including Alabama, once counted a Black person as three-fifths of a human. How much of a human will the eggs be? Maybe Alabama will make sperm a partial person whether it fertilizes an egg or not. A woman who miscarries can be charged with involuntary manslaughter. A technician who forgets to turn on the refrigerator housing embryos is a murderer. If the utility company turns off the power, they will be an accessory to murder.

Alabama must find a better way to use its resources than looking into wombs.

Norman Weiss
Orinda

]]> 10368689 2024-02-29T16:30:33+00:00 2024-02-29T11:28:04+00:00 https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/02/29/letters-1632/ Fri, 01 Mar 2024 00:00:57 +0000 https://www.mercurynews.com/?p=10368726 Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.

Elect Sally Lieber as
District 5 supervisor

As a long-time Santa Clara County resident and community advocate, I wholeheartedly endorse Sally Lieber for District 5 representative to the county Board of Supervisors. I have known Sally since her early days of serving on the Mountain View City Council. She has also been mayor of Mountain View and a state Assembly member. Sally currently serves on the state Board of Equalization.

Sally is honest, ethical, fair, collaborative, communicative and transparent in her decision-making and actions.

Sally has been the thoughtful champion for a variety of issues. When elected, Sally will be a pair of pragmatic boots on the ground. Sally has neither been bullied by nor beholden to self-serving special-interest groups, individuals or industries and will continue to champion important issues for those represented in District 5 and the county. Please vote for Sally Lieber for the Board of Supervisors, District 5.

Elinor Stetson
Sunnyvale

Casey is strongest
S.J. council candidate

George Casey is the best candidate for all of District 10.

He was the best candidate two years ago, when the other council members appointed someone else to temporarily serve our district, and he’s the best by far now. His life has been spent attaining the skills that will serve all of us in this position. He grew up in a couple of homes in two separate parts of the district, attained a high-quality education, including a law degree, master’s in urban planning and a master’s in real estate. He has used that knowledge and his negotiating skills to serve all of us for several years on the Planning Commission. He truly understands how the city functions and will use his negotiating skills to protect our neighborhoods while supporting Mayor Matt Mahan’s agenda to address crime, homelessness, and blight.

It’s time for us to select a strong council member.

Rich Crowley
San Jose

Tara Sreekrishnan for
Assembly District 26

Climate change is the issue of our times. We must elect leaders to the Legislature to reduce emissions and limit overall temperature increases.

Tara Sreekrishnan supports and champions the need for California to draw down carbon and move to a renewables economy. Her priorities include transitioning to solar, wind, EV adoption, sustainability and green buildings. Of particular note has been her effort to highlight the emissions from the Santa Clara Lehigh Southwest Cement Plant, and to move the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors to dramatically increase oversight of the plant’s emissions reductions with a goal toward eventual closure.

Tara, a strong millennial voice and advocate for the environment, will work with the Legislature to champion change and push for climate solutions. Her proven record of leadership with grassroots environmental groups and youth is needed in the state Assembly.

Please join me in voting for Tara.

Carrie Levin
Sunnyvale

Return Zoe Lofgren’s
expertise to Congress

I am proud to serve with Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, the chair of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation and one of the most respected members of Congress. She is an expert on immigration law, science policy and a former chair of the House Ethics Committee.

I’m disgusted by Charlene Nijmeh’s campaign that is centered on disinformation — including the recent distribution of flyers with pictures of Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries with the candidate, clearly meant to mislead voters. Both Pelosi and Jeffries endorse Zoe Lofgren.

Disinformation destroys democracy. Voters must stand with truth and vote to reelect Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren.

Rep. Anna Eshoo

Menlo Park

Liccardo will get things
done in Congress

Sam Liccardo’s recent eight years as a get-things-done mayor of San José showcased how effective he would be in Congress. Liccardo’s successful leadership of the nation’s then-10th largest city ⏤ from homeless mitigation to the high cost of living ⏤ was a doctoral treatise on how a major metropolitan area can prosper in difficult times. He explains online how he will do it again as a new member of the House.

Some may view District 16 as a Palo Alto and North County preserve. It is not. District 16 has evolved with exciting potential. With changes to California’s district maps following the 2020 census, District 16 is an engine of accomplishment and challenge from metropolitan San José to high-tech in Santa Clara County. Sam Liccardo has a track record of successfully dealing with the multifaceted demands of 2024 unmatched by any other candidate in this election.

John Heagerty
San Jose

Simitian best prepared
for seat in House

Re: “Crowded field raises more than $4M in bid to replace Rep. Eshoo” (Page A1, Feb. 16).

The article on the run for Anna Eshoo’s open congressional seat is a good comparison of candidate positions on important issues, including climate change.

Because of its urgency, climate change is the most important issue in this race for U.S. Congress. Please vote for Joe Simitian.

Rob Hogue
Menlo Park

House needs Lofgren
on agricultural policy

If we want the Salinas Valley to continue as the “Salad Bowl of the World,” we’d better elect to Congress a politician who supports agriculture.

Rep. Zoe Lofgren is a staunch advocate for the agricultural industry. She has experience, vision and a track record of support for AgTech.

She has already secured emergency relief for growers impacted by the 2023 storms and helped get $2.8 billion in support for farmers impacted by natural disasters, along with emergency USDA loans.

Addressing the agricultural labor crisis, she authored the Farm Workforce Modernization Act — the first agriculture labor reform legislation to pass the House since 1986. It helps grant 1.5 million farmworkers legal status, protects them and gives flexibility to employers.

She has led bipartisan efforts in crop science, precision agriculture and other research projects. She wants to reform specialty crop insurance.

Want District 18’s agricultural industry to flourish? Vote Zoe Lofgren.

Jim White
Salinas

Lee will represent
the underrepresented

I would like to provide a perspective from a California citizen concerning the upcoming election for U.S. Senate. I believe that Barbara Lee is the best candidate running for the position due to her extensive experience in Congress and her diverse background.

As a woman of color who has experienced hardships ranging from having an abortion in a dark alley to being raised in a segregated town, she is equipped with the skills and knowledge to advocate for California and our diverse communities in it — being a double minority herself. She has advocated for low-income, BIPOC communities for decades now, and I am confident that her influence will benefit the California population as a U.S. senator.

Anaya Sayal
San Ramon

Burnham brings science
background to Zone 7

Alan Burnham will undoubtedly do a great job on the Zone 7 Board. He combines strong technical skills with a proven commitment to public service. Alan is an excellent candidate who will make sure that Zone 7 decisions are the best for those in its service district. He warrants our vote.

Alan is an accomplished scientist who also understands systems engineering concepts, which are an important part of Zone 7 decision-making and operations. He digs into the issues behind staff reports to make sure their implications on important decisions are well-founded. During his professional career, he has often recognized solutions missed by others.

Alan has consistently contributed to his community. He founded Quest Science Center and provides low-cost space for the Tri-Valley Haven Food Pantry and the CommonPoint Nonprofit Center. He helped shape Livermore’s downtown redevelopment and was selected to Livermore’s General Plan Advisory Committee.

Bob Woerner
Livermore

Political rhetoric should
unite us, not divide

I’m very alarmed by the highly charged political rhetoric that pits us against one another. I see most of this anger-driven hatred coming from the far right today. Everyone who serves in a public role has a duty to unite us, to serve the common good, not divide us.

This is unhealthy. We need each other in more ways than we can imagine. We are connected to the whole world. We enrich one another in so many different ways. This is why we have to be on guard against leaders who urge us to fear others based on race, gender, religion, political affiliation or nationality.

We, the people need to come out in a huge show of solidarity and unity to declare our love for our country, for democracy and inclusion.

Gregory Fite
Hayward

Vote for candidates
who will support Mahan

Citizens for Fiscal Responsibility (CFR) believes city government should focus on crime, cleaning streets, homelessness and holding government accountable for prudently spending our tax dollars. We agree with Mayor Mahan’s 2022 statement that “all residents should live in a city that is safe, clean and full of opportunity.” The mayor has worked diligently to fulfill campaign promises supporting that belief and deserves reelection.

As for this year’s crop of City Council candidates, CFR endorses the following as most likely to support Mayor Mahan’s goals of reducing crime, cleaning up our streets, supplying quick-build housing to move our unhoused residents off the streets as quickly as possible, and measuring and holding our government accountable: District 4: David Cohen; District 6: Michael Mulcahy; District 8: George Casey.

For similar reasons, we endorse Madison Nguyen for Santa Clara County Supervisor in District 2.

We urge you to support these candidates with your votes.

Pat Waite
President, Citizens for Fiscal Responsibility
San Jose

Support bill allowing
public campaign funds

Re: “Super PACs pour more than $16M into race” (Page A1, Feb. 27).

Super PACs have poured more than $16 million into the race for California’s U.S. Senate seat and candidates have raised more than $1 million, including almost $700,000 from outside groups, for the 26th District Assembly seat.

Court decisions, including the Citizens United ruling, have opened the floodgates to unlimited spending. It isn’t surprising that candidates hold fundraisers in wealthy communities and actively court the richest donors. The result: The concerns of the majority of citizens are often dismissed, creating cynicism and distrust of government.

One way to return power to regular people is a system of public financing of campaigns so candidates aren’t beholden to big money. However, California presently prohibits public financing in most cities and counties. SB 24 would remove that prohibition and give public entities the option to act. The public and this newspaper should support it.

Brian Carr
San Jose

Shoor is progressive
choice for District 6

Alex Shoor is a knowledgeable, progressive Democrat and my choice for San Jose City Council District 6.

As a mother, teacher and longtime union leader, I want a councilmember who deeply understands the biggest issues facing our community and has the experience and policy know-how to get things done.

Unlike other candidates, Alex’s policy views and platform are detailed, clear and accessible. He is clear in both his vision for our city and the steps he will take to get us there. I’ve seen too many families leave San Jose due to soaring housing costs. Alex has practical, detailed plans that will reduce costs for existing housing and support well-planned new development. I want a safe San Jose where my children and students will be able to grow up and one day have homes of their own.

Please join me in voting for Alex Shoor for District 6.

Sarah Ciccarello
San Jose

Bernstein will prioritize
climate in Congress

I’m writing in support of Joby Bernstein’s congressional bid in the 16th District.

The need for young, forward-thinking leaders like Joby is critical, as they prioritize long-term impacts over short-term gains. As an avid backpacker witnessing climate change’s direct effects on our natural landscapes, for me this issue is deeply personal. Our future demands bold action, and Joby Bernstein offers the visionary leadership necessary to guide us toward a sustainable path.

Michael Sauvage
Palo Alto

Election letters cutoff

Wednesday at noon is the last day to submit letters pertaining to the March 5 election. To submit a letter, please fill out the form at eastbaytimes.com/letters-to-the-editor. We do not accept letters by email.

Vote no on
Alameda Measure E

Measure E is a regressive, exorbitant tax on some homeowners of an astounding almost $2,000 a year.

At $0.585 per square foot, that is $1,170 per year for a 2,000-square-foot house and $1,755 per year for a 3,000-square-foot house. Ironically, the tax contains a cap that means owners of very large buildings will pay less per square foot.

It is being sold as an “educate the children” measure, but it is entirely unnecessary. Having taught math in high school, I can attest that money is not the issue. The issue is resource allocation and a top-heavy bureaucracy. This measure will only feed that bureaucratic beast.

Please vote no.

Jack Knutson
Fremont

Biden should accelerate
nation’s climate strategy

A “New Biden administration proposal would slow down nation’s shift to electric vehicles,” (Page A1, Feb. 18) by not limiting sales of gasoline-powered vehicles until 2030.

That would drastically postpone President Biden’s most ambitious strategy to combat climate change. Our planet is reaching the tipping point of irreversible climate change if immediate action is not taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Melting ice is diluting Arctic saltwater which will shut down the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation mechanism that keeps interconnected ocean currents flowing.

That will disrupt the climate globally with freezing temperatures in Europe, shifting Asian monsoon rainfall patterns, and reversing Amazon rainy and dry seasons with powerful storms, heavy rainfall and extreme heat.

President Biden should restrict tailpipe emissions.

Republicans in Congress should support the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, H.R. 5744, which would establish a gradually increasing fee on carbon that would be returned to every adult in equal payments.

Mark Altgelt
Vallejo

Pump up coverage
of women’s sports

Re: “Female ump works game in spring training” (Page C4, Feb. 25).

Hip hip hurray for Jen Pawol, a woman who was covered in the Sports Section. No photo, but hey, it is national news that a woman umpires a major league game — albeit, a spring training game.

I would like to see more coverage of women’s and girls’ sports. It is out there.

Miriam Schalit
Hayward

Demand that U.S.
support cease-fire

On Feb. 20, the United States was the only country out of 15 to veto a UN Security Council resolution draft that would call for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza.

Since the terrible Oct. 7 Hamas attack, there have been almost 30,000 Palestinians killed, there is starvation and disease, and Gaza has been destroyed. It is obvious that policies must change in order to create a two-state solution and an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestine. This is required for there to be peace with justice in the area, and it must start with a cease-fire now.

What can you and I do? Contact our president, our senators and representatives, and insist on a cease-fire now, an end to the supply of U.S. weapons for Israel, and continued involvement until peace and justice are achieved. Without a change in policies, a larger Mideast war can easily occur.

Arlene Reed
Diablo

Support candidates who
value women’s health

The World Health Organization states that “abortion is a human right and an essential health service that must be respected, protected and fulfilled.”

An estimated one in four pregnancies end in spontaneous miscarriage. In states that criminalize abortion, many women are afraid to seek the care that they need fearing that they will be arrested. Healthcare providers are afraid to provide care fearing fines, loss of license and arrest. Thus, in states that ban abortions there is an increase in maternal morbidity and mortality.

What can we do? Vote for candidates that will support reproductive freedom on a state level.

Danielle Wohl
Orinda

Election letters cutoff

Wednesday at noon is the deadline to submit letters pertaining to the March 5 election. To submit a letter, please fill out the form at mercurynews.com/letters-to-the-editor. We do not accept letters by email.

S.J. Council needs
a leader like Wright

Lenka Wright is the right choice for San Jose City Council District 10. Lenka is an accomplished leader who has seen what works, and what doesn’t work, in local government. She’s dedicated to improving the safety and quality of life for all San Jose residents.

I support Lenka because of her commitment to our community. Some candidates seek your vote to support the mayor. Lenka’s not running as someone’s political ally, she’ll be an independent voice on the council focused on serving the residents of the Almaden, Blossom Valley and Santa Teresa neighborhoods and the needs of all San Joseans. We need a councilmember who will work to reduce homelessness, improve public safety, and deliver the services that we as residents should expect from the city. All neighborhoods will benefit from Lenka’s professional and personal dedication, knowledge and skills.

Please vote for Lenka Wright for City Council. She’s the leader we need.

Dennis Hawkins

San Jose

Elect Liccardo to take
homeless fight national

The nation is finally waking up to the nationwide crisis of homelessness. The spike of 12% last year means there are now over 653,000 Americans homeless.

We need Congress to act, which is why I support Sam Liccardo for Congress. As mayor of San Jose, he brought innovation and results. In Congress, he’ll bring his experience and commitment to the homeless crisis.

If you think we need federal action on homelessness, please join with me in support of Sam Liccardo.

Kathryn Zazueta
San Jose

Dixon’s unique qualities
needed in House

A congressional seat is a unique office, in that our representative is selected at a very local level, but the work required once in office is anything but local in scope. This is an office at the national level, but it is masquerading as just a step up from that of a local city council member, county supervisor, state senator or mayor. It is nothing of the sort. We need someone with deeper, broader and highly technical experience in different, critical areas to protect not just our district, but our nation.

Peter Dixon’s singular background shows a career of committed public service, in the Marines, at the State Department, at a legislative nonprofit and in cybersecurity software spaces.

Daily headlines show Russia and China working to undermine our technological security. Why not elect someone with the highest level of legislative, military and cybersecurity knowledge to represent us?

Peter Dixon is that person.

Christine Czarnecki
Palo Alto

Join law enforcement
in supporting Stebbins

There are important facts to consider about the candidates for Superior Court judge and why the vast courtroom experience of Deputy District Attorney Johnene Linda Stebbins makes her the most qualified candidate:

Stebbins is the only candidate endorsed by every law enforcement agency in the county in the March 5 primary: including 10 police officer associations, Peace Officers Research Association of California, California Narcotic Officers’ Association and the Deputy Sheriffs’ Association. Only two agencies dual-endorsed her and her opponent.

It is telling that law enforcement supports Stebbins over her opponent considering that he is the second in command in the district attorney’s office.

Lon Allan
Monte Sereno

Support parcel tax
to retain teachers

Re: “Los Gatos-Saratoga school district puts new parcel tax on May ballot” (Feb. 1).

I’m writing to express my support for the recently proposed measure to raise parcel taxes in the Los Gatos-Saratoga school district, aimed at benefiting the teachers.

Our teachers play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our community through the education they provide to our students. Ensuring they receive fair compensation isn’t just a matter of equity but a strategic investment in the quality of education our students receive.

I’m heartened to see the Los Gatos and Saratoga communities rallying in favor of the parcel tax increase. By enhancing teacher salaries, we can retain experienced and dedicated educators, fostering a positive learning environment and securing the delivery of high-quality education for students like myself.

I urge our community to support this important initiative in the upcoming May ballot. Investing in our teachers is an investment in the future of our students and the overall well-being of our community.

Marco Li
Palo Alto

Election letters cutoff

Wednesday is the last day to submit letters pertaining to the March 5 election. To submit a letter, please fill out the form at eastbaytimes.com/letters-to-the-editor. We do not accept letters by email.

Measure B will throw
good money after bad

Please be aware of Measure B on the ballot. The Antioch School Board wants you to approve a $195 million bond, resulting in more taxes on your property until 2059. That’s right: $195 million to paint schools, fix walkways, etc. You will pay $48.00 per $100,000 of home assessed value.

Two bonds were already passed (Measure C in 2008) and (Measure B in 2012) to update and fix schools. What happened to the money already collected?

Our children are scoring terribly on state testing. Many of Antioch’s schools are below the 20th percentile in math. Reading is nearly as bad. Not one cent of bond money goes to improve this and our education leaders want us to trust them with $195 million.

Paint won’t improve reading or math. I know. I taught public schools for 37 years.

Daniel Solorio
Antioch

Alameda schools
need Measure E

It is paramount that Alameda pass the Measure E school parcel tax on March 5. This measure provides 20% of the Alameda Unified School District budget and impacts the basic needs of our district, like attracting and retaining teachers, sustaining academic programs, supporting struggling students and preparing students for college and/or careers.

I am the executive director of the Alameda Education Foundation, which supports public schools by providing programming and financial resources. But AEF — or any community organization — cannot possibly generate the $24,000,000 in annual funding that is needed to prevent devastating cuts to the very foundation of our children’s education. That level of support depends on all of us.

Measure E renews Alameda’s two existing parcel taxes by wrapping them into one measure. It does not increase what we pay now. Please vote yes on Measure E. We can’t do it without you.

Vicki Sedlack

Alameda

Prop. 1 will offer
treatment, not jail

I urge a yes vote on Proposition 1.

Sadly, my loved one with a serious mental illness is sitting in jail. If there had been enough trained professionals and bed space, he would have been put in a hospital and would now be getting care.

We need Proposition 1 to pass. We need beds and care instead of tents, the streets or jail for our loved ones.

Just in Contra Costa County, it’s estimated that we have 2,000 to 2,500 unhoused. More than 50% of the homeless have severe mental illness and/or substance use disorder issues. We need both enough inpatient and outpatient care.

On Christmas morning, I volunteered with a partner to take new socks to the homeless. The homeless weren’t hard to find. We found five people living in Civic Park.

Please vote yes on Proposition 1. It’s needed.

Miriam Glickman
Walnut Creek

A’s were never
Oakland’s team

Re: “Fans Fest brings out the cheers and jeers” (Page A1, Feb. 25 ).

I think some people’s consternation over the A’s departure for Las Vegas is misplaced. This baseball company is not “Our Team” and the owner is free to take his business elsewhere if he wants. It’s nothing new. The A’s left Philadelphia in 1954 and left Kansas City in 1963. Sometime in the future they may also leave Las Vegas.

It seems to me that the Coliseum location had a lot going for it as a place for a new stadium. It has good weather, immediate transit and highway access, and a place in a major media market. But I guess Las Vegas had people willing to put up big bucks to help build a new workplace for John Fisher’s Athletics Baseball Company. So, as they say, “Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.”

Ed Green
Oakland

Keep landlines for
when ‘big one’ hits

Re: “AT&T looks to pull the plug” (Page A1, Feb. 8).

What many don’t seem to think about regarding losing landlines is that when “the big one” hits, cell towers might collapse making cell phones worthless.

Without cell towers, the only way to make phone calls would be through landlines. Not with phones without cords attached, but bonafide telephones, hooked into the wall with the receiver attached, by a cord, to the base of the phone.

Then again, I suppose sarcasm would remind us that if the big one strikes, trying to make phone calls might be the least of our worries.

Please keep our landlines a viable resource of communication.

Betsy Sargent
Alamo

Letter leaves out
critical tax facts

Re: ”Top earners pay more than fair share” (Page A6, Feb. 20).

A recent letter to the editor repeats the same basic math errors as so many others.

Also, if 40 years ago the top 1% paid only 19% of the tax, you need to compare to what percent of total income they earned.  It’s no secret that wealth is now more concentrated in the top 1% than ever before. Just look at CEO salary compared to average worker, now and 40 years ago.

And don’t forget how Jeff Bezos paid so little tax a few years ago that he was actually eligible for the Child Tax Credit, only available to middle- and low-income taxpayers. Is that fair?

Mark Bole
Walnut Creek

Vote for Esteen for
Alameda County board

It’s time for change on the Alameda County Board of Supervisors.

We need Jennifer Esteen to replace Supervisor Nate Miley who has been on the Board for 23 years. Esteen is a psychiatric nurse and understands that when people are in a mental health crisis they need care in their community — not in jail.

She helped manage a $1 billion budget in her position as vice president of the Alameda Health System Board of Trustees and serves on the Eden Area Municipal Advisory Council. She understands the needs of residents of the unincorporated areas of Alameda County.

Supervisors don’t only represent their own district constituents. Their votes affect all of the county. We need a new supervisor who stands for housing the homeless and treating the mentally ill.

Micky Duxbury
Berkeley

Pricing based on
income a bad idea

Re: “Utilites’ fixed rate plan targeted” (Page A1, Feb. 22).

The East Bay Times article above cited that there is considerable opposition to charging utility user rates, “based on income” and “not usage.” This socialist redistribution scheme is so absurd that even Democrats oppose it. Should all consumer purchases be repriced based upon income? Grocery purchases, gasoline, restaurants, rents, houses and even cars? Would customers have to bring current tax returns?

When the successful are penalized everywhere they go, would this not discourage productivity? We always get less of what we penalize and more of what we subsidize. As most are “lower income” compared to “upper income,” would not the subsidies tend to greatly increase overall usage on our over-stressed utilities?

Mark Fernwood
Danville

Fine out of line
with Quest’s profits

Re: “Quest Diagnostics to pay $5M to settle charges” (Page B1, Feb. 15).

According to the article on Feb. 15, Quest Diagnostics agreed to pay $5 million to settle charges that it improperly disposed of hazardous chemicals, medical waste and patient information at multiple locations across the Bay Area and California. California Attorney General Rob Bonta said, “Let today’s settlement send a clear message that my office will hold corporations, including medical services providers, accountable.”

However, the article mentioned that the company had revenues of $9.8 billion in 2022. I sure hope they have enough petty cash on hand to pay this whopping fine.

Mark Gabin
Concord

Election letters cutoff

Wednesday is the last day to submit letters pertaining to the March 5 election. To submit a letter, please fill out the form at mercurynews.com/letters-to-the-editor. We do not accept letters by email.

Profits for greedy
PG&E are no surprise

Re: “Profits at PG&E spark outrage” (Page A1, Feb. 23).

Outrage at PG&E profits? No one saw this coming? That’s hilarious.

The California Public Utilities Commission board is appointed by the governor. The governor and other lawmakers get PG&E campaign contributions. Every PG&E rate request is approved. Solar reimbursement was reduced to a quarter of what it was. How could this combination not result in sky-high profits?

Now there is outrage? Where was the outrage when the board was appointed? Where was the outrage when each rate hike was approved? Do you even think PG&E will reduce rates? Not a chance. There will be more increases coming. Everyone in California needs to pressure their representatives.

Tony Weir
Hollister

Prop. 1 pays for beds
but what of practitioners?

Re: “Newsom’s Prop. 1 for mental health deserves support” (Page A8, Feb. 18).

Proposition 1 is an attempt to manage the state’s mental health crisis and is very costly.

While I applaud its intention, it fails to acknowledge the severe shortage of qualified mental health practitioners in the state. Just ask anyone who’s tried to find a therapist on their own. They cannot be manufactured overnight. Educational subsidies are needed and should be included in this type of proposition to encourage people to enter the profession.

Without increasing mental health providers, any attempt to widen mental health services will be an abject failure.

Carol Peterson
Saratoga

Republicans should
follow their mantra

Re: “Ideology bisects Golden State” (Page A1, Feb. 21).

I’m old enough to remember a time when Republicans enthusiastically challenged their political opponents with the phrase “America, love it or leave it.” I believe that the time is nigh for Republicans to listen to themselves and heed their own advice.

The platform of the Republican Party, aka Donald Trump, criticizes everything, proposes nothing of substance, and enables a man proud to claim he’ll be a dictator whose first priority is to exact revenge on his detractors based on a pack of lies that no court in the land has deemed to be even remotely believable.

Republicans have repeatedly demanded that their political opponents respect them for their views. With the kind of track record they’ve established, why would anyone think they’re deserving of such respect?

Eugene Ely
San Jose

IVF ruling opens door
to all kinds of problems

Re: “Hospital puts pause on IVF after ruling stating that frozen embryos are children” (Page A4, Feb. 22).

Is Alabama about to break its income tax collection system and ruin its state budget?

If embryos are “children” then, presumably, Alabama taxpayers can claim them as dependents on their state income tax returns. People with no children might suddenly have five, 10, 15 or more and might amend earlier years’ returns to correct the errors on those returns, now revealed by Alabama’s Supreme Court.

Of course, dates of birth and Social Security numbers will have to be disclosed as “To Be Determined,” but Alabama’s Supreme Court — and, they believe, God — have spoken. Who can argue against that?

Howard Thomas
Los Gatos

Republicans have
ducked Ukraine issue

It is obscene. Congress is in recess for weeks on the orders of Donald Trump through his sycophant speaker, Rep. Mike Johnson.

Meanwhile, Ukraine is trying to maintain its existence against an assault from Russia.

How can Congress recess and avoid addressing the most significant geopolitical situation since 1939?

Kevin Goodwin
Lakeport

Hamas gains by
suffering in Gaza

Re: “Isolationist wing of GOP ignores lessons of history” (Page A9, Feb. 18).

In his op-ed, Bret Stephens fails to make his case. He can think of no moral or strategic argument in which hunger and disease among Gaza’s civilians serves anyone’s interests.

Stephens and sympathetic letter-writers don’t realize that each such letter lends support to Hamas, extending rather than shortening the invasion, tending to worsen rather than alleviate conditions in Gaza.

This specious argument against GOP intransigence is an embarrassment for democracy-minded voters.

Fred Gutmann
Cupertino

]]> 10361477 2024-02-26T16:00:01+00:00 2024-02-27T04:05:42+00:00 https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/02/23/letters-1624/ Sat, 24 Feb 2024 00:30:18 +0000 https://www.mercurynews.com/?p=10358299 Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.

Transparency needed
on local measures

Re: “We’re being duped by officials who write local ballot measures” (Page A6, Feb. 22).

Bravo Sandy McCabe and Michael Henn. California voters have long been misled by dishonest descriptions of general tax measures that are sold as a panacea to all manner of ills. In reality, revenue generated by these taxes disappears into the black hole of the general budget and goes to whatever pressure group has the most influence at city hall.

Voters reading the slick and pleasing descriptions of these measures in their official voter guide and ballot might conclude their hard-earned tax dollars are going to fix potholes, provide child care services, or build housing for the homeless. In fact, the money is going to places like paying for ever-increasing pensions and health care costs of city workers who retired 10 years ago. It is time to end this charade and provide transparency and integrity in how these measures are presented.

Matt Regan
Pleasant Hill

Lee will work for
peace in Senate

Congresswoman Barbara Lee voted against giving presidents the authority to wage endless war. She urged restraint from military action that “might spiral out of control” and “put innocent lives at risk.” She supported President Biden’s withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan to end the disastrous campaign. The 2023 repeal of authorization for the use of military force against Iraq marked a milestone in her House career.

Lee voted to reaffirm our “commitment to Israel’s security … condemning the barbaric war launched by Hamas and other terrorists” but calls for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza.

Lee supports U.S. involvement in the Ukraine-Russia conflict and aiding Ukraine “to preserve democracy” so Ukrainians “can live in peace and security” but opposed the decision to supply cluster munitions.

As a senator, Lee will work for world peace.

Melissa Weaver
Berkeley

Trump’s actions
make him unelectable

Even conservative icon Ronald Reagan would be considered too liberal to win the GOP nomination today. After all, Reagan backed a bipartisan compromise to save Social Security in 1983 and broke with his party’s hardliners to implement an arms control agreement with the then-Soviet Union in the late 1980s.

I used to vote Republican but that was when the GOP supported common-sense centrist policies and compromised with Democrats on hot-button issues like gun control and women’s health issues. Trump must not win again.

Arthur Straus
Walnut Creek

Thirsty pot plants
are bad for dry state

Re: “Did legal marijuana help or harm Californians?” (Page A1, Jan. 28).

In response to the front-page article Jan. 28 about marijuana, its use and sales, the article omitted water issues.

Marijuana is a thirsty plant. California has water shortages. A plant growing outside consumes about 6 gallons of water per day in the season, June-October. That is more than is used by wheat, corn or cotton. Later in the year, it requires less: 2.5-2.8 gallons per day per plant.

Growing indoors allows control of the environment. There are websites that assert the plants have been hybridized to need less water. These sites are from companies involved in the marijuana industry.

Do the math: If the outdoor plant needs 6 gallons and the indoor, hybridized plant needs slightly less, so what? These companies are growing hundreds or thousands of plants all of which need slightly less per plant, but a whole lot more per crop.

Carmelita Nager
Sunnyvale

Vanessa Sandoval has
council qualifications

On Jan. 18, I attended a District 2 in-person candidates forum at Southside Community Center. Hands down Vanessa Sandoval is the most experienced and qualified candidate for San Jose City Council representing District 2.

Her experience and qualifications are impressive, and so is her legacy as chief of staff for Councilmember Sergio Jimenez and working hand in hand with community members. As a mother and experienced, active member of San Jose, she has a vested interest in making her home city a safer, cleaner and more prosperous city.

Debbie Hilpert
San Jose

Vote for Nijmeh to
shake up status quo

Re: “Tribal chair Nijmeh makes push to unseat longtime 18th Congressmember Lofgren” (Page A1, Jan. 13).

Charlene Nijmeh’s candidacy for California District 18 representative has done something rarely seen in Bay Area congressional districts: A longtime incumbent stands challenged in a primary.

That is the whole purpose of the primaries, except that it is hardly ever met. The competitive primary implicitly raises questions of term limits as it is monumental for a challenger to overcome an incumbent’s name recognition.

Charlene’s background, a tribal chairwoman who founded a recycling business, is refreshing as well as unconventional. It is our chance to challenge the status quo. I hope people in California’s 18th District choose Charlene as their representative.

Marisol Diaz
San Jose

Support effort to
roll back utility tax

Re: “Utilities’ fixed-fees rate plan targeted” (Page A1, Feb. 22).

Thank you to the authors and co-authors of AB 1999, Assemblymembers Gail Pellerin, Marc Berman, Evan Low and Alex Lee, for listening to their constituents and taking action to stop the big utility tax.

The proposed utility tax is uncapped with the potential to grow. Even a $30 a month utility tax will increase bills on millions of working and middle-class households already reeling from PG&E rate increases (with no end in sight) and penalize rooftop solar and energy conservation.

It is imperative that our state legislators pass AB 1999 before the California Public Utilities Commissioners vote to set the monthly tax in June.

Please contact your state Assembly member and senator and ask them to co-sponsor AB 1999.

Rebecca Elliot
San Jose