Bee readers react to Daylight Saving Time, Thanksgiving food prices, state homeless funds

Invitation for Newsom

“California: Newsom halts $1 billion homeless funds,” (sacbee.com, Nov. 3)

Berkeley is a city that really does have a plan to reduce homelessness — and our plan is working.

In 2017, I co-authored the Pathways Project to end homelessness in Berkeley, and it’s a blueprint our city has followed successfully: reduce the inflow, increase housing opportunities and create an unbroken, compassionate path from homelessness to being rehoused. We passed local ballot measures to provide over $100 million to transition unhoused neighbors into permanent supportive housing — putting up real local dollars to achieve our ambitious goals.

After just a few years, including during the pandemic, the results are clear: Alameda County saw homelessness increase almost 25%, while homelessness in Berkeley decreased 5%.

I invite Gov. Gavin Newsom to come to Berkeley to hear how we’ve made actual progress toward ending homelessness and learn how the state can help.

Sophie Hahn

Berkeley City Council Member

A suggestion

“California: Newsom halts $1 billion homeless funds,” (sacbee.com, Nov. 3)

Gov. Newsom blames “local leaders for failing to address the homeless and affordable housing crises.” Addressing affordability doesn’t completely solve the homelessness crisis, but the latter can’t be solved without addressing the former.

On my short street, there are three “granny units” made possible by zoning changes. They do not affect the street’s residential nature and are occupied by retired parents or grown children. Beyond building homeless shelters, such permanent units could be part of the solution. They could be forcefully encouraged by the state, counties and cities at a fraction of the cost and on a much greater scale than public alternatives. As incentives, what about offering no increase in property taxes due to the addition of such units as well as streamlined and inexpensive planning and permitting processes?

Edric Cane

Carmichael

Wasted money

“Sacramento at odds with itself at toxic homeless encampment,” (sacbee.com, Nov. 8)

I sympathize with the homeless individuals being forced off the city lot on Colfax Avenue. But I think an even bigger issue is that after “the city had already spent more than $600,000 to pave only half the lot, the project was scuttled.” Look at the aerial photo in that article, and tell me how it can cost more than half a million dollars to pave that tiny area.

When the city keeps blowing money on overpriced contracts like this, there will never be a solution to anything.

William G. Trankle

Elk Grove

A mistake

“Didn’t California vote for permanent Dayight Saving Time?” (sacbee.com, Nov. 4)

The successful ballot measure to move to permanent daylight saving time is a mistake. The federal government did this in the late 1970s due to gasoline shortages. But people quickly discovered that this change posed great dangers to children, who had to go to school in the dark.

The U.S. Senate having once again passed a bill to move to permanent daylight saving time is a mistake.

Sharon-Jane Matthews

Sacramento

Party of progress

“Why are liberal voters upset with the CA Democratic Party?” (sacbee.com, Oct. 30)

Democrats know we can make a difference, and we don’t have to incite fear to do it.

Fear is driving a bad element in our society, and it is housed in our Republican Party. The solution is not dissolution. Parties are not perfect, but Democrats are not trying to restrict democracy, fair wages, voting or women’s bodies.

We have generations of work we need to do to rebalance our world. Head-in-the-sand gun waving is not the solution.

Scott Steward

Davis

Proven solutions

“First-time buyers in Sacramento, California can’t afford homes,” (sacbee.com, Oct. 31)

The housing crisis is hitting first-time home buyers and renters. Across America, 11 million renters pay over 50% of their income for rent, making it impossible to save money for a down payment on a home. Sacramento’s situation is a reflection of the country’s housing crisis, but there are proven solutions: The expanded child tax credit lifted millions out of poverty and created hope for families now able to pay bills, buy food and begin to save. We can ask our representatives to renew it.

How about a renters’ tax credit to give low-income folks a ladder out of poverty? More first-time home buyer programs can be passed. This isn’t rocket science!

Willie Dickerson

Snohomish, Wash.

Education is key

“Investigation: Chronic water shortages increase, yet California regulators are unprepared,” (sacbee.com, Nov. 5)

Farmers need greater incentives to sequester carbon. While there is a tremendous amount of innovation taking place in the agricultural industry, most growers are still applying harmful practices that don’t contribute to a viable, long-term, sustainable solution.

Many farmers are looking for help, as they’re aware that something must change but they’re not sure how to go about it. Education will be key.

Deac Jones

Founder, Andaman Ag Corporation

Corte Madera

New tradition

“Thanksgiving food items will cost you more money this year,” (sacbee.com, Nov. 1)

With the high cost of food, people are turning to pizza for their Thanksgiving dinner. Instead of spending on exorbitant prices, getting up at the crack of dawn to stuff a turkey, slaving in a hot kitchen for hours, trying to make everything come out at the same time and scrubbing pots and pans for days, order a pizza! We can still count our blessings without cranberry sauce.

With an added slice of pumpkin pie, I believe this will be my new Thanksgiving tradition.

Claire Gliddon

Fair Oaks

This story was originally published November 13, 2022 at 5:00 AM.