Letters: Ending the truck ban on I-580 will only spread the pain

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.

Ending I-580 truck
ban will spread pain

Caltrans launched a study on ending the truck ban on portions of I-580 in Oakland and San Leandro. The ban also keeps truck traffic off Route 13 through Montclair and Piedmont.

This wrongheaded idea was first floated in 2022 by Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley as a social justice issue. Residents along the I-880 corridor are exposed to noise and pollution from heavy trucks. Bringing truck noise and pollution to I-580 won’t correct any injustice. It merely subjects more people to that injustice. Spreading the pain to twice as many people does not diminish it. It increases it.

Lifting the ban would soon result in I-580 traffic resembling that on I-880 as evidenced by the effects of recent freeway widening around the Bay Area. Therefore, opening I-580 to trucks is only a temporary solution to I-880 congestion, but the negative health effects would be permanent.

Jim Mehner
Oakland

‘No Kings’ could launch
new era of activism

The “No Kings” protest offers everyone an opportunity to have their voice heard and is showing a younger generation that they have the ability to change the political standing of this country.

I think that many of the younger people of this country have succumbed to the idea that they have no real power in the political game of America due to a lack of real activism taking place, but the recent “No Kings” protests were not only displaying that real activism is possible but also building bridges toward a more united and free America. Every major city and many minor ones have seen large protests geared toward a single goal: a more democratic, fair and free America.

This is a real opportunity to deliver change to the nation, and if done right, could be used as an example for future generations.

Logan Perkins
Berkeley

Newsom shouldn’t
critique Trump ballroom

I find it laughable that Gavin Newsom is so critical of the addition of a ballroom to the White House, an addition that will not be paid for by any California taxpayers.

Apparently, our governor has forgotten that there is currently an addition being constructed at our state Capitol building at a projected cost of $1.1 billion of California taxpayers’ money. I’m guessing that not a lot of Californians are even aware of this project. And let’s not even get started on the significant cost overruns on the state’s high-speed rail project.

“Those who live in glass houses.”

Mark Blanchard
San Lorenzo

We need a Prop. 13
for local zoning fees

Re: “Horse lovers buck new idea” (Page A1, Oct. 29).

How can local governments justify such high permit fees ($10,000)? Does government provide some kind of service for this fee? Apparently not.

This appears to be anti-business and does not serve the public in any meaningful way. It’s just a way to fund the government, which is completely undeserved. And zoning appears to be driving businesses out of business. It’s just more bureaucratic stupidity.

Let’s roll back the fees, Proposition-13 style, and stop zoning from destroying businesses.

Gordon Brown
Clayton

NBA is taking part
in a TV shakedown

From the web: “To watch every Warriors game, you’ll need a combination of services: NBA League Pass for out-of-market games, and a live TV streaming service like Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, or FuboTV for nationally broadcast games on channels like NBC, ESPN and ABC. For local fans, a Peacock subscription with the NBC Sports Bay Area add-on can stream locally televised games.”

Is this necessary? It certainly is annoying. The greed is breathtaking.

Richard Kruger
Oakland

Trump’s designs to stay
in office inspire fear

Anyone who doesn’t think that Donald Trump and the Republican Party have no plans to stay in power for the foreseeable future has a lot of unused space between their ears.

Even though the Supreme Court has granted Trump immunity for any actions he takes while in office, it doesn’t apply to anyone else. How many laws have been broken and violated the Constitution? I believe most will go to jail with a new administration if they lose power. Trump has hinted several times that he wants another term. Even though the Constitution forbids it, that will not stop the Republican Party from trying.

Right now, I am very afraid for America.

Johnny Strawther
Antioch

Let’s rid White House
of worst tenant ever

We, the People, after 46 responsible tenants, trusted this tenant, who vetted so well but turned out to be our worst nightmare.

He doesn’t pay the rent, he’s alienated all the neighbors, can’t control his attack dogs, even though the rental agreement says no pets, cut down the trees on our property, and tore down half our house to build himself a master suite.

When you tell him he’s violated the rental agreement and you’re evicting him, he sues you for $230 million, and you can’t get him and his criminal pals out of your house.  He tells you he’s here to stay, and he uses the courts to his advantage.

At this point, he is a squatter and is difficult to get rid of. The best shot is to make him as uncomfortable as possible. Turn off the heat and lights, make a lot of noise and move someone else in.

Nancy Thornton
Concord