Lamorinda a tale of three cities on housing
Regarding “How Bay Area cities are still trying to cheat their way out of building housing” (Open Forum, SFChronicle.com, Feb. 1): An example of cities going around state rules can best be demonstrated by looking at Lamorinda — the three cities Lafayette, Orinda and Moraga.
All have very similar demographics. Lafayette for the past few years has added significant housing to the town and has more planned in its pipeline. Drive thorugh Orinda or Moraga, however, and you see no sign of major building of housing, especially affordable or middle income housing. And certainly no multi-unit buildings.
It is not for lack of land. Orinda's BART station offers a huge opportunity for housing as does Moraga, where many parcels in the downtown are empty.
Yet, one keeps scratching one's head wondering, where is the state in this?
Leonard Dorin, Lafayette
A true muckraker
Thanks to The Chronicle for publishing columns by Heather Knight, whose muckraking style reminds me of the journalists such as Jack Anderson who so eloquently spoke truth to power, named names, and held the feet of public officials to the fire.
Her latest column, “S.F. police took 15 hours to respond to a burglary at a bar. The owner is still waiting for results” (Bay Area, SFChronicle.com, Feb. 1) reminds me of two decades-old-movies that seem to have predicted where we are in San Francisco today: “Little Murders” by celebrated cartoonist Jules Pfeiffer, and “Escape from New York.” These prescient films depict an urban landscape where authorities are helpless in the face of rampant crime. In fact, in the latter, the residents of Manhattan are left totally to their own devices to survive their crime-ridden environment.
Sounds to me a lot like San Francisco where police do next to nothing to hold criminals accountable. My wife and I are lucky that we have a home in Davis to which we moved full time from our San Francisco home over two years ago. At least here we have the illusion of safety.
Paul Sheeran, Davis
Don’t diminish Doda
Regarding “Big disappointment” (Letters, SFChronicle.com, Feb. 1): I feel oddly inspired to speak up for Carol Doda's inclusion on a North Beach mural by recognizing Ms. Doda as someone who was much more to San Francisco than a stripper.
But letter writer Beth Elliott makes an excellent point. This painter would love to assist in the creation of Elliott's suggested mural to the multitude of marvelous women of the beat generation.
Carol Denney, Berkeley
Violence on television
Regarding “Why you absolutely should not watch the Tyre Nichols police killing video” (Open Forum, SFChronicle.com, Jan. 28): Julie Scelfo reports on the effects of people watching beating videos but pays no attention to the violence that is portrayed in TV police dramas. Police are routinely shown breaking into people's homes with weapons drawn, which is reminiscent of the Brionna Taylor shooting. Officers are routinely portrayed as treating suspects violently.
Yes, TV can be separated from reality, but how do the portrayals on TV inure us to the news reports showing similar situations? When TV violence is so commonplace how easy is it to see the reality and differentiate between television fantasy?
Bill Wagman, Davis
Ban weapons of war
Regarding “The Second Amendment is outdated. Fix it” (Letters, SFChronicle.com, Jan. 29): The letter was very well written and I wish this message could be spread out to more people nationwide.
The United States has to stop selling certain weapons! I am not a hunter nor do I ever want to own a gun, but I know there are some who hunt and rely on guns. I just don't understand why more folks don't see that an AK-47 and other automatic weapons are only for the purpose of war or murder.
I hope the writer of this letter also sends it on to our senators. I appreciate you printing it in the Sunday paper.
Amy deBenedictis, Lagunitas