Opposition to the proposed Alhambra project isn’t about “NIMBYism” | Opinion

Legitimate concerns

“CEQA clash in East Sacramento over six-story complex,” (sacbee.com, April 11)

Opposition to the proposed Alhambra project isn’t about “NIMBYism.” It’s about a six‑story, block‑long building that ignores long‑standing planning rules meant to protect historic neighborhoods. We are not opposed to housing — we are opposed to poorly sited, market‑rate housing that worsens traffic, strains failing infrastructure and offers no real affordable housing.

Standing up to powerful developers’ interests takes courage and extreme effort.

Will Green MD

Sacramento

Proven stability

“Eric Swalwell drops out of governor’s race following sexual assault allegations,” (sacbee.com, April 12)

California’s unsettled governor’s race should remind Democrats that we cannot afford drama at the top of the ticket. With candidates dropping out and new controversies emerging, voters deserve a nominee whose record is solid and whose focus is on governing, not self-promotion.

Betty Yee offers proven stability. She is a calm, fiscally responsible adult in the room, precisely the kind of leader California needs in a volatile moment. Democrats and Independents should choose Yee.

Daniel E Cohen

Walnut Creek

End drunk driving

“Elk Grove Police Department to hold DUI, license checkpoint this weekend,” (sacbee.com, March 16)

Recently conducted DUI checkpoints remind us that drunk driving remains a stubborn problem in the Sacramento area. My sister, Irene Ruth Harris, was just 12 when she was killed by a repeat drunk driver. In her memory, I support families facing similar trauma as a victim advocate with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), while working towards solutions to end drunk driving for good.

Rhonda Campbell

Elverta

Fixing ADA enforcement

“1 woman sues 47 Sacramento businesses in 3 years. Lawmakers reach for solutions,” (sacbee.com, April 6)

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) litigation too often targets small businesses instead of meaningful compliance. While the ADA is essential to ensuring accessibility, its current enforcement structure allows a small number of plaintiffs and attorneys to file hundreds of near-identical lawsuits, placing significant financial strain on local businesses.

Many of these cases involve minor, easily fixable issues, yet businesses are forced into costly settlements simply to avoid prolonged litigation. That is not fairness; it is coercion.

California lawmakers should support practical reforms, such as Senate Bill 84, which would allow businesses to fix violations before being sued. We can uphold the intent of the ADA without enabling exploitation.

Victor Gomez

Hollister

Groundbreaking solutions

“UPDATE: Northern California under a flood advisory until early Sunday,” (sacbee.com, April 11)

Property insurance functions as our “financial first responder” after a disaster, allowing residents and communities to recover. Only 2% of California residents have flood insurance policies. Other countries offer hazard insurance to all homeowners at surprisingly low cost.

Sen. Adam Schiff has introduced federal legislation to incentivize insurers to offer all-perils coverage. Such innovation is currently unlikely in Washington, but California has the expertise, innovative spirit and scale to design groundbreaking solutions and document their feasibility.

Nicholas Pinter

Dept. of Earth and Planetary Sciences, UC Davis

Chair, Securing California’s Flood Future Panel