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East Bay should prepnow for refinery closing
Re: “Oil refinery delivers ‘intent to idle’ notice” (Page A1, April 17).
News of the possible closure by April 2026 of the Valero refinery in Benicia came as a shock to residents and has been a major topic of conversation here.
Benicia city officials put Valero tax revenues at 16%-17% of the city’s annual budget, which could represent a major hit to public safety, park maintenance and other services. Other refineries in Southern California are slated for possible or certain closure as well.
The upside of refinery closures will ultimately be a cleaner environment with fewer climate-related disasters. However, this will present formidable financial difficulties for refinery employees and local governments currently dependent on their revenue.
Possible revenue replacements include solar facilities and other cleaner industries. Local governments, and state lawmakers and policymakers, as well as workers who could be displaced, still have time to start planning for a post-refinery era.
Christine StevensBenicia
Trump, DOGE must stopcutting critical services
I read recently that Donald Trump and DOGE are cutting the funding that helps the National Weather Service to collect and publish its forecasts.
While we in the Bay Area may not see an immediate effect, this will be felt elsewhere in the nation. We have numerous government programs that provide valuable services to the public without our understanding their value. Much of this work can be considered akin to regular or routine maintenance on a car. Without this, the car will continue to run for a time, but then break down, leaving you stranded and subject to costly repair bills.
For public agencies, this information allows them to warn us of coming storms. Don’t cut this life-saving service.
Roger WoodFremont
Let’s devote resourcesto education on Africa
On May 8, the Political Science Department of Diablo Valley College held a meeting in observance of Africa Day with the theme of providing educational opportunities to African and African American students.
Academics, professionals and students participated and emphasized that while the world was facing wars and armed conflicts, it is high time for the United Nations, the states, academic institutions and individuals to demand that education as an instrument of peace devote more efforts and resources to education. Africa has suffered from colonialism and apartheid, and helping it must be prioritized.
The same principle must be applied to African American students. According to statistics, African American students need more resources and opportunities. Government resources should be used to provide education.
Communities must demand that elected officials devote attention and resources to these urgent goals and needs. I hope there will be a response.
Amer AraimWalnut Creek
Alcatraz a perfectlanding spot for Trump
Re: “Reopening Alcatraz no easy task” (Page A1, May 6).
So Donald Trump wants to reopen Alcatraz Prison, shuttered in 1963 due to enormous costs. This is an excellent idea, with a twist.
If and when justice is ever served and Trump is incarcerated for his many crimes, it would be fitting that he be rehomed there, within those decaying, rusty walls, all alone. His living areas could be retrofitted with floor-to-ceiling mirrors so he can continue his self-adoration day and night. And just think of those magnificent 360-degree views all around for his personal enjoyment, too. A home like no other, a Mar-a-Lago West.
For the doubtful reading this, there is precedent: Spandau Prison (Germany 1940s) where high-ranking Nazi Rudolf Hess was housed, all alone in his final years.
Marilynn Gray-RaineDanville
Walters columns makemonotonous placeholder
I’m tired of seeing Dan Walters in the Opinion section of the East Bay Times multiple times a week. Walters’ never-ending haranguing of the Legislature, and particularly of Gov. Newsom, is beyond tiresome.
Dewayne GuidingerConcord
Admission of Afrikanersmocks refugee system
Re: “Trump officials seek to bring 1st White Afrikaner refugees to U.S.” (Page A4, May 10).
The article outlines the Trump executive order allowing the admission of White Afrikaners from South Africa as refugees.
This right-wing version of White privilege ignores the hundreds of thousands of true refugees waiting years for shelter in the United States. It wants all of us to ignore the centuries of colonial theft of African lands and decades of racist South African apartheid polices denying Black Africans full rights of citizenship, ownership of land and freedom of movement. Redistribution of stolen lands is appropriate and still does not rectify the massive ownership of the South African economy by Whites.
This attempts to erase the racist past of the White community. It is promoted by South African Elon Musk. I remain embarrassed as an American with our “Whites only” immigration policies. The Statue of Liberty weeps.
Scott LoeligerBenicia