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Oakley residents
step up for students
Back in February, a tremendous display of civic pride began in the community of Oakley. I have been privileged to witness the galvanizing strength of a true community as five new, enthusiastic school board members have been seated, while a district, teachers and staff have worked together to get their students back into the classroom next week.
It takes courage to run for public office; it took even more when, with almost no notice, more than 20 citizens stepped up to fill the void, showing their true “servant hearts” to lead their community.
I will watch from the front row now as this community and its new school board grow and learn together.
While many media outlets chose to focus on the scandalous side of this story (“Entire Oakley school board resigns,” Page B1, Feb. 21), the citizens of Oakley chose to pull up their boots and get to work. Bravo, Oakley.
Mike Maxwell
Danville
Blower bans mean little
without enforcement
The news item regarding Alameda banning leaf blowers (“Alameda might ban leaf blowers for yard cleanup,” Page B1, April 6) mentions that Berkeley banned leaf blowers in 1991.
True. Berkeley looks good on paper, but such a law is useless without enforcement. Over the past 15 years, the “ban” has been ignored. Gas blowers are ubiquitous. They disturb the peace, stir up fungus on dead leaves and disrupt birdlife. Every weekend, my neighbor’s gardener blasts dirt and detritus from that garden into ours, making us run to close all the windows. A dusty, noisy world isn’t good for any of us.
Kathryn Jordan
Berkeley
UConn women’s perfect
seasons overlooked
Wes Goldberg is incorrect to suggest that Gonzaga would have had the first perfect record in college basketball in 45 years (“Scouts laud Suggs, viable draft target for Warriors,” Page C1, April 7).
The University of Connecticut Women’s basketball team had back-to-back perfect records in 2008-9 and again in 2009-10. Do only men’s sports count?
Don Mahoney
Moraga
Astros earned fans’
jeers by cheating
In the article “After enduring fan taunts, Astros’ Baker pleads for end to jeers” (Page C1, April 7) manager Dusty Baker asks fans to relent; “enough is enough.”
It is only six games into the first season fans have attended games. The Astros have left a scar in baseball forever. Fans will let Baker know when it’s enough. Baker complains about fan hatred and says that we have all cheated. Except for cheaters themselves, people indeed hate cheaters. Especially in pro sports. The Astros stole wins, and ruined careers of earnest competitors. I don’t agree that everyone has cheated in school, sports. So that rationale in asking for empathy is bizarre.
Baker says that the Astros have paid the price. Banning the manager and GM were token moves. The players still have their rings, propped up salaries from inflated statistics, and their title. Baker has been good for MLB, making his statements disappointing.
What will the kids think? That cheating has consequences.
Rich Arzaga
San Ramon
Confusing objections
to corporate politics
I find it curious that there is outrage on the part of conservatives with corporations that have spoken against various states’ attempts to limit access to voting. As I recall, that group was pleased with the passage of Citizen’s United, a ruling that specifically related to the idea that restricting political contributions by corporations was an infringement on their right to free speech—as manifested in financial support for candidates and causes. Hence, they were seen as “people,” able to speak with their money as is the case for individuals.
Once you allow corporations full involvement in the political process, you also have to accept their right to pass judgment on the laws and policies that have resulted from that participation. Apparently, acceptance of the cash is fine but that must also include acquiescence to every policy, irrespective of its societal harm. Sorry GOP, those tricks are for kids.
Ron Kuhlmann
Danville
Donor scam shows
Trump hasn’t changed
Once again Donald Trump and his campaign have been caught in yet another scam.
It seems Trump supporters who didn’t read the fine print — really fine print on donation forms — and thought they were making a one-time donation, were duped into agreeing to monthly or even weekly donations, amounting to millions of dollars in Trump’s coffers.
I wonder if anyone is surprised. In Trump’s case, once a con man, always a con man.
Caroline Rackowski
Morgan Hill