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To stop attacks on
events, extend car bans
Re: “Attack leads to security anxiety” (Page A1, Jan. 3).
In regard to the aftermath of the New Orleans vehicle attack on New Year’s Day, killing 14 people and injuring dozens, such attacks are getting to be more common throughout the world and last occurred in the United States in 2021 in Waukesha, Wisc., where six people were killed and 62 injured at a Christmas parade.
I suggest that non-participatory vehicles should be barred from the proximity of parades and other celebration areas. Since such events already limit vehicle traffic, expanding the protection zone should not be a problem. Government officials should think ahead on this issue and not wait for another tragedy.
John Kelly
Hayward
Legislation, mitigation
work together on climate
Re: “Snowpack gives hope for state’s water stock” (Page A1, Jan. 3).
The question of mitigation versus prevention is the most important of our generation.
It’s crazy to think that, in my 17 years living in California, we’ve been in a drought for 11. From these “weather whiplashes,” it’s clear the Earth has changed in ways that may be irreparable. And I’m always worried that, even if we as a society pass climate legislation, even if we become more sustainable, it won’t be enough. But when I see progress like real, collaborative government investment into off-stream reservoirs or even the possibilities of aquifer recharge, I feel as if they are more important than we think. Maybe, prevent climate change halfway, and we can mitigate the rest.
Things like these give me hope and also prove to me that prevention — and climate legislation — are all the more critical.
Shamak Gowdaa
Fremont
Director Rosario was
boon for East Bay parks
Dee Rosario served the East Bay Park District for 45 of its 90 years. He held many roles including park supervisor, fire lieutenant and, most recently, as an elected board director.
I’ve had the honor to observe him in the weeds: volunteering at park clean-ups, engaging with community stakeholders, and advocating for us — his constituents — at board meetings. At a 90th anniversary celebration last year, he reflected on his experience protecting the redwoods with poetic reverence for their importance to our history and our biome.
As he leaves office this month, let’s salute his legacy of preserving our environment and his commitment to diversity by expanding access to our parks in many ways. We were lucky to be represented by a leader with such thoughtful understanding, integrity and warmth.
Casey Farmer
Oakland
U.S. no longer needs
for-profit health system
I don’t think Americans need private, for-profit health insurance companies anymore.
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These companies often use words like “well” or “health” in their name in order for us to think that they care about our health, but their fiduciary duty is to their shareholders, not to their patients. I’m not against capitalism at all, and I own some of these companies’s stock in an index fund, but I just don’t think they’re necessary anymore. They’re just middlemen.
Let me give an analogy. Back in the day, if you wanted to buy a stock, you would have to pay a stock broker commission. Of course, that’s no longer true. You can just log onto your brokerage account and buy a stock commission-free.
Medicare is better because its administrative cost is only 2% and private insurance costs run from 12% to 18%.
Herb Swords
Albany
