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Senator has transit tax worry backward
Re: “Transit bailout could imperil project” (Page A1, March 3).
State Sen. Dave Cortese’s concern that the state’s “bailout” loan to the Bay Area’s transit agencies may jeopardize Phase 2 of the “SVRT” project is backward.
Instead, it’s VTA’s breathtakingly irresponsible management of the downtown San Jose project (which, if they had just left the original design alone, would likely be constructed already, at a fraction of the total cost, and with local businesses now thriving) that may serve to jeopardize the upcoming ballot measure.
But for the success of that ballot measure and the presence of the state loan to help in the meantime, VTA might not have much of a BART system left to tie into.
Paul Medved
Alameda
Don’t dictate what the rich do with their money
Re: “Billionaires should look to past for guidance” (Page A6, March 4).
I see Nagavarapu Mohan has strong advice for our nation’s billionaires. Please understand our fertile free enterprise system is not a zero-sum system. If it were, our country would look like the 1985 USSR, Venezuela under Chavez and Maduro, and Cuba since Castro. Our system rewards those who strive and succeed, who pay vast sums in wages, services and often bestow the “wealth,” the benefits, of their creations to all of us. Our nation and economy benefit far more collectively than the billionaire creators of goods and services.
Whether inherited or earned, the wealth of billionaires is theirs, not yours or mine to manage. If they decide to be charitable, and nearly all do, then that is their decision, not yours or mine. Tax their income fairly; don’t confiscate their accumulated wealth and stifle future creative endeavors.
Bruce Mckendry
Benicia
Ex-manager’s complaint doesn’t hold water
Re: “Ex-East Bay parks director files claim” (Page B1, Feb. 14).
As a 27-year trail safety volunteer and close observer of the East Bay Regional Park District, I have never seen a better, more engaged and more dedicated board of directors than those currently serving.
In contrast, the policies of previous General Manager Sabrina Landreth were a disaster for the beloved parks agency. At a meeting in Kennedy Grove Regional Park on Oct. 3, Landreth announced her intention to plunder up to $42 million of voter-authorized Measure WW for unrelated capital projects.
Landreth was being compensated more than $400,000 a year, plus benefits.
On behalf of the Regional Parks Association, a watchdog group founded in 1947, I can state that there is no merit to Landreth’s ludicrous claims and disparagement of the board.
Amelia Marshall
Oakland
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