Letters: Why more passengers at Oakland Airport — whatever it’s named — is bad for the city
Readers also comment on California, U.S. foreign aid, boxed wine, Oakland city leaders and apartments at Caltrain stations. The article suggests that increasing passenger numbers at Oakland Airport, or whatever it's named, is bad for the city as it seeks to boost revenue by changing its name and upgrading its terminal lobbies and restrooms. However, the Port of Oakland plans to build a new terminal to accommodate 55% more flights, which will exacerbate California's climate emission targets and exacerbate air and noise pollution in East Oakland, which already has some of the worst air pollution in California. The article also mentions that California is the fifth largest economy in the world and provides the U.S. and other countries with many of their agricultural products. The author praises Californian pride and acknowledges that much of what is good about the world or the United States often starts in California, despite the state's low federal budget allocation of less than 1% of the federal budget for foreign aid. She suggests that Caltrain executive Joseph Navarro should not be charged for building a secret apartment for $42,000 at a Caltrain station, but instead he should be required to build 10,000 more apartments at the same cost.
Publié : il y a 2 mois par Chronicle readers dans Travel
Regarding “Oakland Airport is looking to spur passenger growth. Here’s its audacious plan” (East Bay, SFChronicle.com, March 29): The Oakland airport seeks to drum up more airline business by changing its name and upgrading the terminal lobbies and restrooms. The article doesn’t mention that, while air traffic is down, the Port of Oakland plans to build a huge new terminal to accommodate 55% more flights.
What will that do for California’s climate emission targets? How much more air and noise pollution will that add in East Oakland, which already has some of the worst air pollution in California?
Regarding “Which is the best state in America? Not so fast, California” (Open Forum, SFChronicle.com, March 28): Bravo to Joe Matthews. His opening line sum up why I’m proud to be a Californian: “I’m not really American, and I couldn’t be prouder of that.”
I also consider myself an American and a world citizen. I recognize that much of what is really good about the world or the United States often started in our state.
California is the fifth largest economy in the world and provides the U.S. and other countries with many of their agricultural products. The University of California is the No. 1 public university in the world.
Yes, we can do better. But we are special and valuable and important. We should not apologize for that.
How much of the federal budget is allocated for foreign aid? Less than 1%. Despite this, polls show that most Americans think foreign aid constitutes around 25% of the budget.
More than 700 million people faced hunger in 2022, and one child died every 4.4 seconds in 2021 from poverty, lack of clean water, hunger and preventable diseases. The U.N. has made it a top goal to eradicate global poverty by 2030. It is difficult to see this goal met at our current progress.
Regarding “California boxed wine for $100: Will people buy it?” (Wine, Beer & Spirits, SFChronicle.com, March 27): Whatever one feels about the quality or social acceptability of wines packaged in a box, it is important to remember the plastic bag inside the box.
The cardboard box is recyclable, but the plastic bag is not. It will end up in the trash and add to the growing amount of microplastics in everything around us and inside of us.
Regarding “Four unsolicited tips for new Oakland Police Chief Floyd Mitchell” (Open Forum, SFChronicle.com, March 27): The four tips for Oakland’s new top cop — prioritize community engagement, don’t challenge the federal monitor, learn to “wear it” on Mondays and advocate for more resources — should be inscribed into a marble plaque and placed in Mayor Sheng Thao’s office and those of our City Council members.
Regarding “Ex-Caltrain pair accused of building themselves homes inside stations with public funds” (Bay Area, SFChronicle.com, March 28): Caltrain executive Joseph Navarro should not be charged for building a secret apartment for $42,000 at a Caltrain station. Instead, he should be required to build 10,000 more apartments at the same cost.