Letters: Livermore council | Recall Price | San Ramon schools | New Haven schools | Lafayette council | Pleasanton council | Fremont mayor | Family farms

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Wang and Dunbar
for Livermore council

Any Livermore candidate who says we need a park downtown isn’t being straight with you. We already have Stockman’s Park, Carnegie Park, Livermorium Plaza, Bankhead Plaza and Lizzie Fountain Park.

What we do need downtown is parking. Instead of a park, we could build another garage superstructure. They’re expensive, and people dislike those concrete labyrinths.

Luckily, there is a better way. If workers lived close in walkable communities, they would not need cars to contribute to traffic congestion.

The trouble is, a downtown park would block the very sort of responsible housing development. That’s what this is about: a scheme to block affordable housing. Anyone behind it seems to value Livermore workers less than the dirt that would fill that new park.

If you want candidates who have the foresight to make Livermore better for everyone, I recommend voting for Kristie Wang and Steven Dunbar for City Council.

Alan Marling
Livermore

Recall Pamela Price
as Alameda County DA

On Nov. 5, Alameda County voters should vote yes and recall Pamela Price as District Attorney.

When Price was voted into office her position was for a six-year term. Now, only two years into that term, the Alameda County DA has turned into the public defender protecting criminals and not victims.

Due to rampant crime in our county, Gov. Newsom offered state resources to Price. Yet Price refused his help. Rep. Eric Swalwell called for Price’s recall because she gives “bad guys a green light to hurt people.” The DA of San Francisco, Brooke Jenkins, has said Price’s policies have only led to an increase in crime. Price’s own lawyers voted overwhelmingly to recall her. And all 14 police unions in our county have demanded her recall.

Vote yes and recall Pamela Price on Nov. 5.

Simon Lee
Dublin

Reelect Shelley Clark
for San Ramon schools

I’ve attended San Ramon Valley Unified School District board meetings and heard Shelley Clark in action. She advocates for all students, creating a safe and welcoming environment.

When the issue of banning a book was under discussion, she articulated the need for a clear policy that supports learning and does not allow for fear-based book banning. Her balanced and listening approach is needed.

Let’s reelect Shelley Clark for SRVUSD board, Area 2.

Rev. Kim Risedorph
Danville

Vote for JP Sahi for
New Haven schools

Jatinder (JP) Sahi is running for New Haven Unified School District trustee, Area 1 in Union City. She is currently the chair of the School Site Council and has contributed to several district initiatives. She participated in the superintendent hiring process, served on the renaming committee for Alvarado Middle School, and chaired the 7-11 Advisory Committee, which reviewed and made recommendations on the district’s surplus property. Recently, JP also chaired a parent advisory group to help immigrant families navigate the schools and district processes.

JP is knowledgeable on the issues facing the district and is a hard worker. She is committed to addressing post-pandemic challenges; advancing diversity, equity and inclusion; and providing more professional development and resources for our teachers. She wants to tackle these issues with proactive, inclusive solutions that support all students.

Let us vote for Jatinder Sahi and make her our district trustee.

Subru Bhat
Union City

Vote for Gina Dawson
for Lafayette council

Experience matters. Lafayette Mayor Gina Dawson is a local leader who has worked tirelessly for 16 years to build a better community. She’s fair and detailed, and listens to all voices while reflecting the values of our city.

I co-founded Save Lafayette Trees with Gina and saw firsthand how important community safety is to her. She helped save hundreds of irreplaceable heritage oaks from unnecessary destruction and successfully fought for better gas pipeline safety.

Her fight for what’s right has continued for the last four years while serving on the City Council. I applaud her experience and commitment and urge you to vote for her this election. She’s the right choice for Lafayette.

Michael Dawson
Lafayette

Vote for Arkin, Gaidos
for Pleasanton council

Pleasanton is fortunate to have Valerie Arkin on the City Council (District 2).

She served many years with the Pleasanton school board and now represents residents on the City Council. She has demonstrated a high degree of integrity, competence, intelligence and understanding of complex issues. She is known for fairness, kindness and respect to all involved. She does not accept money from developers or other special interests. She can be counted on to represent residents on issues such as protecting the historic downtown, and not approving extreme development that does not fit with infrastructure, the water supply, environmental needs and the quality of life in Pleasanton.

Matt Gaidos, prosecuting attorney with Alameda County, long-time resident and member of the Planning Commission is running for City Council, District 4, and also deserves our vote.

Susan Reid
Pleasanton

Bacon is best choice
for Fremont mayor

Re: “For Fremont: Salwan, Keng, Zhang and Liu” (Page A8, Oct 6).

Vinnie Bacon has never accepted money from real estate developers.

Bacon, who holds master’s degrees in municipal planning and transportation engineering and has previously served on the Fremont City Council, will ensure that we grow responsibly. Who am I supporting for Fremont’s next mayor? Vinnie Bacon, obviously.

Jorge Castillo
Fremont

Sonoma County measure
threatens family farms

Re: “We should all support Sonoma County measure” (Page A6, Oct. 29).

I support the humane and healthful treatment of animals that provide food in the form of eggs, milk and meat. We owe it to them.

I do not support Measure J because it threatens so many of our Sonoma farmers who have medium-sized farms and are doing the best job possible to treat their animals well.

If these ranches and farms go, we will be forced to choose inhumane and environmentally poisonous factory farms.

Another aspect of this measure is the support of developers for it. They want that land for development. Would you rather see cows chewing on green grass or another development eating up our precious green spaces?

This is a complex issue. Again, if our legislators were doing their job, we wouldn’t have to vote on such poorly constructed and narrowly framed measures.

Pamela Dernham
Oakland