Letters: How changing the Castro Theatre will destroy an integral part of S.F.’s gay community – San Francisco Chronicle
Regarding “Tense forum over Castro Theatre’s future” (Bay Area & Business, Aug. 14.): Another Planet Entertainment’s plan to convert the historic 100-year-old Castro Theatre into an entertainment venue is anathema to everything San Francisco stands for.
The Castro Theatre sits at the heart and foundation of San Francisco’s gay community, hosting all kinds of gay and neighborhood cultural events every year. The developers of the planned event center could care less. In fact, if approved and built, the proposed venue would disrupt, erode and eventually lead to the destruction of the Castro.
It should not be approved. I hope Supervisor Rafael Mandelman and Mayor London Breed are paying close attention to the depth and breadth of opposition to this project.
Gary Russ, San Francisco
Views are mainstream
Regarding “Extreme, and soon to win election” (Front Page, Aug. 13): The headlines on the article describe Morgan Hill school board candidate Dennis Delisle as “extreme” and “way out on the fringe.”
You cite his opposition to gay marriage. Most Californians voted against same-sex marriage in 2000 and 2008 — would you describe a majority as “extreme” and “way out”?
You quote Delisle as “frustrated seeing lower proficiency rates despite increased district spending” and that he wants schools to “get back to basics” and “spend less time on social engineering” and “more time on the basics of education.” You quote him saying, “With faith, integrity, persistence, moral character and hard work, you can accomplish your dreams in America.” What part do you consider as extreme and object to?
You cite him quoting an unnamed “founding father” who said the purpose of the schools is to teach the word of God. Who is the founding father — Jefferson, Washington, Madison? And did Delisle cite that quote? In fact most of the founders were Christians — not “way out.”
Acknowledging that African Americans are better off than Africans is not an endorsement of slavery.
Good journalism would have put the article on the opinion page — not a Front Page news story.
Barry Hammer, Arroyo Grande,
San Luis Obispo County
Open safe injection sites
Regarding “Tough call for Newsom on drug injection sites” (Bay Area & Business, Aug. 14): Joe Garofoli writes that Gov. Gavin Newsom may hesitate to OK pilot injection sites because it could be a political liability. Well, this voter is in downtown San Francisco several days a week and has stepped around needles and people lying on the sidewalk on more than one occasion.
I really want my fellow voters to understand that the status quo is not OK. It doesn’t matter what you think about drug use, the reality is that people are using these drugs and coming to harm, despite all consequences, laws and penalties.
Offering safe injection sites would increase the chances of preventing overdoses from turning fatal and also bring users into contact with help and potential intervention.
If you care about saving lives, injection sites are a good idea. If you just want cleaner sidewalks without seeing this activity, injection sites are a good idea there, too. Please join me in asking Newsom to approve this pilot program.
Katherine Falk, Oakland
Bridge traffic not good
Regarding “Traffic on Bay Bridge shows healthy rebound” (Front Page, Aug. 15): Your Monday headline is ironic at best. There is nothing “healthy” about congestion level traffic that indicates drivers are spewing more tons of global warming gases into the air as our state roasts and burns. Get back on to BART or a bus if you can.
Tom Lent, Berkeley