Concerning the recent East Bay Times story “Housing group finds its CASA isn’t their casa,” when will civic leaders understand business, economics and finances? Rent increases of 5 percent plus cost-of-living each year is not affordable. Cost-of-living is the average increase of costs for goods and services in a given year. Most pay increases follow this measure. Five percent is the amount that landlords want in profit, yet it is already in the price of rent.
By California law, landlords must maintain their buildings and renew rental units between occupants. They already know their mortgage, insurance and taxes. These costs plus profit sets the cost of a unit. They update the rent each time a lease ends. Leave rent increases at cost-of-living. Landlords can still charge for damage, and insurance pays for any unexpected costs. Otherwise, everyone will have to move or downsize every 10 years.
— Randy Watkins, Alameda
Parking fees, tickets punish workers’, customers’ loyalty
Why are we punishing our customers and our employees? With downtown Walnut Creek parking, based on the parking fees and surveillance in place, the message is clearly to punish, not welcome or support, loyalty.
The experience is deterring retail shoppers from visiting our stores and restaurants and making it difficult for our employees to find parking just to go to work, often finding themselves docked for being late because they cannot find parking due to the bottleneck. For our shoppers: a $45 meter ticket if going beyond two hours, a $25 fee in the Broadway Plaza complex after five hours?? We need to invest in the community — employees to consumers. It starts with parking ease for all without penalization.
— Erin and Jim Meyers, Walnut Creek
Politicians ranting against Jews have no place in U.S.
The recent East Bay Times article “Top Democrat seeks apology from Omar” cites more of the deep anti-Semitism of U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minnesota, for recently calling into question the loyalty of fellow American citizens because of their political views, including support for the U.S.-Israeli relationship.
America has welcomed immigrants from around the globe, many of whom continue to maintain strong ties to the culture and language of their homelands. Omar berates only Jewish Americans for supporting the Jewish national homeland while not complaining about similar support from any other group supporting their ancestral home. This is the very definition of anti-Semitism: holding Jews to a standard of behavior that is asked of no other group.
Americans of diverse religious and political views support Israel because we have shared Western moral and ethical values. Politicians ranting against Jews as the source of America’s problems have no place in America; forced retractions are meaningless.
— Fred Korr, Oakland
Input needed from drivers slowed by Mt. Diablo cyclists
Wanted: Drivers who have followed slow-moving cyclists up Mount Diablo and become frustrated as they waited behind them, unable to pass safely due to the many blind curves.
After more than three years of discussion and planning, a corrective action plan has been proposed by California State Parks, the Bike Turnout Project Evaluation Form: Additional bike turnouts can be added to the roads. The new bike turnouts would minimize delays for drivers and maximize safety for cyclists.
However, State Parks leaders may not fund them without the enthusiastic support of drivers. We’re asking drivers to share accounts of delays behind cyclists and near-miss collisions with downhill-bound cyclists when trying to pass. These stories will help convince State Parks that the bike turnouts will enhance future visits and save lives. Emails can be sent to Lisa.Mangat@parks.ca.gov. Go to mountdiablocyclists.org for more information.
— Gregg Sorensen, Vice President, Mount Diablo Cyclists, Walnut Creek
Urge legislators to tax Viagra just like menstrual products
California is one of 35 states that imposes an unfair tax on menstrual health products. When Viagra is tax-free but menstrual products are taxed, it sends an appalling message about our state’s values. We need to end this unjust practice by passing Assembly Bill 31 in the California Legislature.
As a high school student, I’ve witnessed how this tax disproportionately impacts marginalized groups — including young people. Students are frustrated with the already-high cost of period products, and it’s clear that menstruating individuals, especially those still in school, shouldn’t have to worry about being able to have basic necessities. Equitable access to these products is crucial. I ask that you join me in calling your state Assembly member and senator, and asking them to advance AB31: a bill exempting tampons, sanitary napkins, menstrual sponges and menstrual cups from sales tax.
— Lily Conable, student member, Alameda Unified School District Board of Education, Alameda
Uptick in cancer rate shows need to prevent exposure
I’m writing to address the rising cancer rates in the United States, despite billions of dollars poured into research. Life choices such as diet and possibly exposure to phones and wireless devices have been found to contribute to this issue.
The American Cancer Society “estimated 1,735,350 new cancer cases diagnosed” in 2018, and in 2019, they predict 1,762,450 more. This jump of about 27,000 cases is enough to show that we’re far from a solution. As a 19-year-old college student in Walnut Creek, I’ve personally experienced the effects of these devastating cancer rates, and I’m awaiting a change in regulations to prevent carcinogenic exposure to our public.
— Lydia Rider, Walnut Creek
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