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Oakland must do more to boost waterfront
Re: “Jack London Square’s decline results from poor management” (Page A8, Feb. 1).
Thanks to Raymond Gallagher for highlighting the management problems that reduce patronage of Jack London Square businesses.
We used to go there every Sunday morning. We’d park in a big unpaved lot on the south end and enjoy the Farmers Market. Then they started regulating and charging for parking. Produce and other food sales were replaced by vendors of T-shirts and imported junk.
Last year, our nonprofit wanted to inquire about renting a venue. No one replied to my messages at “Visit Oakland.” Mismanagement, indeed.
But I am loving Barbara Lee as mayor. Can’t she initiate a task force of city staff, Port of Oakland officials and community stakeholders to bring the fun back to Jack London Square? Start with easy parking and good security. Then, how about family-oriented activities like free rides for kids on the water taxi? A local musicians’ showcase? History walks?
Let’s make our waterfront attractive again.
Amelia Marshall
Oakland
Walnut Creek could use a new Scott’s Seafood
Re: “Jack London Square’s decline results from poor management” (Page A8, Feb. 1).
The author of the opinion piece, Raymond Gallagher, is correct in his writing; however, he should not have closed the Walnut Creek Scott’s Seafood Restaurant.
There is more need than ever before for a Scott’s back in Walnut Creek — for a restaurant, banquet and party facilities business. Walnut Creek has become a “foodie” destination — I’m sure you’ve noticed.
Scott’s would be warmly welcomed back in Walnut Creek, and try to acquire your former location with free valet parking as before.
Randy Domercq
Walnut Creek
State’s budget woes need multipronged fix
Re: “Why California repeats boom and bust” (Page A8, Feb. 1).
Lanhee Chen’s opinion piece was long on analysis, but short on solutions to the state budget situation.
Here are some solutions: Enact a legislative special session to address the state budget and revenue reform. Adopt a sales tax on services; for example, Texas taxes escorts, bodyguards and pet grooming among many other services; Florida taxes the sale of service warranty contracts. Remove commercial properties from Proposition 13 property tax protections; businesses have saved billions since their properties do not turn over as often as residential properties. Require the Legislature to adopt State Auditor recommendations where practicable; reduce members’ per diem if they do not comply. Shift DMV fees to a revenue-neutral, mileage-based system as enacted in Oregon, Utah, Virginia and Vermont; note that EVs do not pay gasoline taxes.
By the way, a one-time tax on billionaires will not solve our structural deficit.
Truman Burns
Lafayette
Media continues to give Trump’s lies deference
So is everyone enjoying the Donald Trump show?
The ratings are great, he keeps the whole world on the edge of their seat as he keeps plowing ahead towards autocracy and ending our democracy.
Trump is the proverbial Eddie Haskell of our time, the chronic liar in the “Leave it to Beaver” TV series from the late 1950s. He was both charming and conciliatory to groups that were more powerful than him and cruel and unaccountable with fantastical lies to subordinates.
There’s never a dull moment with Trump, sending everyone down his rabbit holes of deceit. Starting with the accusation and conviction of the Central Park 5, who were exonerated of raping a young woman. Then there was the accusation that Barack Obama was not born in the United States. The press reported his lies over and over, giving him deference.
Now we have the collection of the Georgia ballots to find “some things.” Stop biting, the source is lying.
Zoe Simons
Concord
ICE needs protection, not assistance
Sanctuary states and cities have been approved by many federal judges.
That does not mean ICE cannot send in its own agents to arrest undocumented immigrants in states and cities with sanctuary policies. There is no requirement that state or local authorities should assist in these arrests.
The issue is the protests. If local and state elected officials continue to encourage these sometimes-violent protests without offering any protection to ICE agents who are just enforcing federal laws, what should be the consequences?
If a protester uses a vehicle to block road access, shouldn’t a city officer be there to move that vehicle, just as would occur in any other situation? If a protester is assaulting an ICE officer, shouldn’t a city officer be there to arrest that individual, just as it would occur in any situation where a citizen is being attacked?
ICE is not asking for assistance, only protection.
Philip La Scola
Livermore
‘Trumpery’ is a word for our times
I’m reading a book by Mark Twain written in 1867, in which he uses the word “trumpery.” I looked it up: from Middle French, “tromper,” to deceive — as in “tromp l’oeil.” First used in print in the 15th century, broadened in meaning over several centuries to mean: ostentatious, garish, gaudy, tasteless, worthless, garbage, vulgar; meant to deceive others into thinking one is better than one actually is. Popular in the “Gilded Age” and the era of Robber Barons. Not much used now.
I think it should be brought back into common usage and taught in public schools.
Steven James
Walnut Creek
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