Letters: Sleepy downtown | Artificial turf
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Bad photo to show
sleepy downtown S.J.
Re: “Poll: 80% decry big Bay Area downtowns” (Page A1, Oct. 1).
In response to the sensationalist headline that made for quite the hullabaloo (the article was forwarded to me by more than one person), I would argue that the editorial decision to feature the San Jose Museum of Art as the chosen cover photo was uncouth.
If there is one institution in downtown San Jose that is programming to include all people, cultures, ages and abilities with rich and colorful events, it’s this museum. Just last weekend, the museum raised $1 million for the arts and programs that create a colorful and vibrant world for the people of San Jose. They host City Dance events, First Fridays and other great events that are free and open to the public.
If you want to capture the dullness of downtown San Jose, there are many other images you could have used.
Alexandra Stein
San Jose
Newsom should sign
bills banning turf
Artificial turf manufacturers want you to believe fake grass is green. They want the city of Sunnyvale, the Fremont Union High School District and others to think fake grass for athletic fields saves water.
Well, the water being saved ends up water being polluted. Why? Because fake grass contains harmful chemicals called PFAS, or forever chemicals. These PFAS-laden plastic blades break down into microplastics that work their way into the ground, waterways and our bodies — for decades. A growing number of studies reveal long-term health effects. Stapling fake grass to the ground creates heat island effects that impact global warming. Real grass doesn’t.
Two bills are now on the governor’s desk to ban fake grass due to PFAS and extreme heat: AB 1423 and SB 676. Don’t be greenwashed. Contact your local municipality and governor to ban fake grass.
Carrie Levin
Sunnyvale
Prop. 47 should
be repealed
Re: “Retail theft attempt at Target ends in 4 arrests” (Page B3, Sept. 30).
Recently, you ran a story in which four people were arrested in connection with the attempted theft of nearly $2,000 worth of merchandise from a Target store in San Mateo.
What struck me was the following quote by the police: “It is worth noting that all four suspects expressed disappointment upon learning that they would not be cited and released but instead would be booked into jail.” That quote encapsulates what is at the heart of the retail theft issue — we have become so soft on crime that thieves expect to be released.
I believe the passage of Proposition 47 changing the law so that some low-level, nonviolent felonies can only be charged as misdemeanors has contributed to this mindset. It’s time to repeal this well-intentioned but harmful law.
Gregory Carlsted
San Jose
Senate candidates
should hold debates
Re: “California’s Senate candidates vow to work with Laphonza Butler” (October 3).
It’s good (if unsurprising) to see the various U.S. Senate candidates in Congress happily ready to work alongside Senator Butler in representing California. Her appointment probably has helped calm nerves as she probably won’t pursue a run herself for the Senate seat.
That being said, we are rapidly approaching the California primary, and campaigns for candidates on both sides of the aisle seem to do little to talk about policy specifics that directly affect California, such as energy policy, agricultural subsidies, tech expansion and California’s general semi-autonomy within the United States.
I’m hoping that the candidates can be corralled together in a forum or debate to give California voters more information on policy specifics they support. Well-moderated debates like the kind once hosted by the League of Women Voters would be a major boon to improve candidate familiarity and civic engagement.
Christopher Dooner
Sunnyvale
