Opinion articles provide independent perspectives on key community issues, separate from our newsroom reporting.

Letters to the Editor

Letters: Crime, El Dorado development, four-point shots

Parks are no longer tranquil

Re “One dead, one sought in fight at Discovery Park show” (Page 3A, May 17): I always thought of parks as serene places to go to relax and commune with nature. They are places where wildlife could roam in safety.

There is very little serenity left within the city or county. Every park hosts large events with loud bands and food vendors. The Sacramento area has become so crowded that any public event is overshadowed by being squished in with a crowd of rude and unruly people.

There are appropriate places for large events and concerts and those places do not include trampling over and trampling under our precious parks.

Mary Bane, Sacramento

Move to L.A. if you want growth

Re “Builders fight slow El Dorado growth” (Page 1A, May 16): If we vote No on Measures E and G, as we are urged by slick expensive signs, and allow 4,263 new homes, we will by some magic miracle protect our open space. Not only that, we’ll make sure there is plenty of water for the future.

Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.

How can voting yes on a measure to limit this kind of sprawl endanger our open space and cut off our water? How stupid do they think we are?

Measures E and G may in fact be planning by popular vote. But if the current developer-controlled Board of Supervisors chooses to violate the plan and to ignore the true will of the people, let us control growth, pollution and traffic in whatever way we can.

To the voters of El Dorado County: if you really think so many new houses, more traffic gridlock, more water shortages are OK, please go back to L.A.

Mel Chapman, Placerville

El Dorado needs opportunity

The Yes-on-Measures E and G supporters seem to have their share of wealth and property in El Dorado County and want to limit opportunities for others. A yes vote is closer to no growth than slow growth.

There are very few good jobs in El Dorado County, and it is not a cheap county in which to own a home and live. The county needs some smart growth to provide opportunities for the residents.

I see a “no” vote as supporting the county economy.

Joe Pedroni, Placerville

Sawyer’s basketball wisdom

My 7-year-old grandson, Sawyer, and I agree that basketball should adopt a four-point shot. Today’s players are capable of making a field goal from half-court. The four-point field goal could be a real game changer.

George Galaich, Lincoln

EXTRA LETTERS ONLINE

Find them at:

sacbee.com/letters-to-the-editor

HOW TO SUBMIT

Online form (preferred):

www.sacbee.com/submit-letter

Other: Letters, P.O. Box 15779,

Sacramento, CA 95852

150-word limit. Include name, address and phone number. Letters may be edited for clarity, brevity and content.

This story was originally published May 21, 2016 at 5:30 AM with the headline "Letters: Crime, El Dorado development, four-point shots."

Get one year of unlimited digital access for $159.99
#ReadLocal

Only 44¢ per day

SUBSCRIBE NOW