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Legislation offershope against disaster
Last week, I visited the office of my California senator, Tim Grayson, and urged him to vote yes on the Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act. This bill ensures that the state has funds to tackle the climate crisis — funds sourced from polluters.
As a high school student in Orinda, I attempt to maintain hope for the future, but when I read that my community has the potential for wildfires as severe as the recent fires in Los Angeles, I fear for the future.
I remember when bad air quality from distant wildfires caused my sister to have difficulty breathing. It forced my family to mask when outside and created fear about even walking the dog, which could not wear a mask to protect itself. There are thousands of stories like mine across the state.
Ayan MohapatraOrinda
Measure T deservesa yes from voters
Great schools make for strong communities. The residents of Walnut Creek, Lafayette, Orinda and Moraga have consistently supported local tax proposals to ensure our children have access to a high-quality public education.
Voting yes on Measure T provides locally controlled funding to Las Lomas, Acalanes, Campolindo and Miramonte high schools to prevent impending cuts and to make our high schools less dependent on unreliable and inadequate state funding.
I volunteer in our schools and with the Walnut Creek Education Foundation because I care deeply about the opportunity afforded to our children through our local public schools. Strong local schools set our students up for success, enhance our property values and strengthen our communities.
Vote yes on Measure T before May 6 to keep great teachers, high-quality programs, and diverse and rigorous course offerings for our students.
Katy GrantWalnut Creek
Can Lee deliverwith ‘more of same’
Re: “Barbara Lee elected Oakland’s next mayor, defeating Loren Taylor” (Page A1, April 19).
Oakland is plagued with high crime, lots of homeless people and a shortage of money. It has been run by “progressive” Democrats for years, and the voters have apparently just endorsed “more of the same” by electing Barbara Lee as the next mayor.
Of course, time will tell how this works out. Heaven knows the residents deserve better than their present situation.
Mike HellerWalnut Creek
Meta’s ethics vanishamid misinformation
According to Meta’s investor relations website, their mission “is to build the future of human connection and the technology that makes it possible.” This mission statement is a not-so-subtle departure from Facebook’s original mission statement of “to give people the power to share and make the world more open and connected.”
This change seems very close to a bait and switch whereby users who just desire to share and communicate with their friends are now subjected to a stream of algorithm-generated content which they are mostly not interested in nor asked to see. Is this the future of human connection?
Is the future of human communication generated by fake accounts, like social bots, that flood the platform seeking to fool Meta’s algorithms and thereby propagate false and misleading information?
Meta has lost its ethical and moral compass. Meta should stand up and re-embrace its original mission statement.
Lynne WeinshelbaumOakland
Homes need morethan defensible space
Re: “Move to reduce fire risk for houses OK’d” (Page B1, April 18).
Berkeley may mandate a 5-foot clear zone to mitigate wildfire risk. This is to help “harden” structures against wildfires.
Cal Fire and others have a more comprehensive list of measures they recommend, some “do it yourself “ or inexpensive, others can be costly. If your roof is worn out and leaking, Cal Fire recommends a fire-resistant roof. If you can afford to replace your roof, it will enhance your safety and give you peace of mind. Every hardened structure helps protect nearby homes.
Read the Cal Fire recommendations to understand your house’s vulnerabilities.
Roger EckerAlameda