Letters to the Editor

Editor:

I am a city gardener with the SF Recreation and Park Department. Presently, I work in Golden Gate Park, Section 2 - John McLaren Rhododendron Dell or Rhody Dell for short. I have been gardening for Rec. and Park for more than six years now.

Other gardeners have told me that about 25 years ago, Golden Gate Park had about 130 or so gardeners. Today, my understanding is it's around 50 to 60. That's not enough!

We are overextended and cannot possibly do all this work. I have talked to some upper management people and it seems to go nowhere. We need at least 50 more gardeners.

There are two gardeners who come to my "beat" on a fairly recent basis and help do work that is definitely needed. They are relentless in their efforts and I admire them greatly. I have had lots of jobs and worked with all kinds of people in my life, and I believe they are in the top one percent of employees I have had the pleasure of working with.

Besides workers, we need more tools, equipment, materials, supplies and so on.

As well, Rec. and Park should stop putting PVC pipes in the ground as they deteriorate after awhile and don't do well under strong water pressure. Let's also get rid of the galvanized iron pipes, too. They do well with strong water pressure, but they rust in a limited amount of years.

The answer is simple: put in high-quality, heavy-duty copper pipes that never rust and do well under pressure. Initially, the copper pipes are more expensive but in the long term, it's extremely worthwhile.

In my own case, there are two parts to the Rhody Dell and I need at least one other gardener to work with to clear out blackberry, ivy and other weeds and invasive plants. I also have the Azalea Hill to deal with.

I have used a gas-powered blade on a weed-eater to cut down unwanted foliage, but the reality is that there is way too much work.

The best I can accomplish is keeping it more or less clean as it is impossible to replant azaleas.

I phoned the office of SF Supervisor Jake McGoldrick, the District 1 supervisor who oversees most of the park, and told one of the secretaries the situation here. Since most of this park is in District 1, hopefully, some positive actions will take place.

I have been told volunteers might help, but that is a "hit and miss" opportunity. I have worked with volunteers lots of times and I almost always enjoy it - the camaraderie is excellent - however it will not be able to replace city gardeners.

G.L. Hastings

Editor:

I was pleased to find an article in your September issue about Playland at the Beach, by Pat Swendsen. I remember and agree with nearly everything she wrote in her fine article.

I wonder if she remembers those generous free tickets we all got from Safeway each year that let us ride for free on the cheap rides and for half price on others. During the Depression years, that really made a difference.

I was not around in 1972 when Playland was torn down or later, to see the trampolines, but I do remember that it was already in pretty bad shape in 1947, the last time I ever saw it. I wonder if it was revamped between those years.

I don't live in the Richmond District, but I enjoy reading the Richmond ReView and most of the other neighborhood newspapers. I drove a Yellow cab for a couple of years immediately after World War II and remember waiting for fares at Playland. At that time Yellow's fare to anywhere from anywhere in San Francisco was a flat $1.35. They also had customer phones and cab stands throughout the city, which helped to insure cab service in the neighborhoods - something that is needed today.

I am hoping some of your readers might be able to help me in my search for information regarding Richmond District theaters, past and present.

I currently have a San Francisco oriented web site (www.sfchangehappens-books.com) on the Internet that features San Francisco theaters, along with some "mini histories" of some old San Francisco businesses and attractions (Crystal Palace Market, Sutro Baths, Whitcomb Hotel and The Emporium downtown store).

I would appreciate information and the loan of any old photos of any San Francisco theater to add to my site. Credit will be given for photos used.

Bernard C. Winn

Editor:

Thank you for your recent statement regarding the troubles in Palestine/Israel. It has been long overdue that acknowledgement be made of the fundamental and ongoing injustice that has perpetuated over there, and of the pivotal role which the United States has played in sustaining and exacerbating this disgrace.

Perhaps there are some in our government who want to do the right thing, but are afraid of political consequences (American public opinion). If so, then a courageous and truthful statement such as that recent editorial is just what the doctor ordered.

I must say that if you sent over a stack of previous editorials, there would be scarcely one which would not infuriate me, with which I wouldn't vociferously disagree. Not this time.

Thank you again. You did the right thing.

Michael Blanc

Editor:

Paul Kozakiewicz states that after the Sept. 11 attack on our country he decided to take a look at the situation in the Middle East and the relationship cultivated between the U.S. and Israel.

Apparently he didn't notice that our president said the attack did not cause us (the U.S.) to look at nations or religions but we were especially looking to end terrorism worldwide. Ignoring that, Kozakiewicz has written his conclusions about a totally different subject after reading some obvious Arafat propaganda.

He would do better to start his research by digging up a biography of Theodore Hertzel; a study of Josephus (Wars and Antiquities of the Hebrews) and, if Christian, read his own Bible. That's how old the situation is in the Middle East.

You want strings attached, well take a look at the ropes that have been attached when we asked Israel to return lands, and they did, to some of their countless enemies.

During the Gulf War when our enemies sent missiles into Israel, we jerked the rope and asked them to not retaliate. And they did not.

All over America, various religions have Americans saying: "God bless America." It's written in the Good Book that God will bless those that bless Israel.

Kozakiewicz should study terrorism, including the Holy War declared years ago against America.

Catherine Treadgold

Editor:

Thank you for offering a perspective on the Israel-Palestinian conflict that provides balance to the biased, under-reporting found throughout most of the media.

Mr. Tuchow's characterization of former Israeli Prime Minister Barak's peace proposal as "generous" doesn't hold up given that Israel has systematically cut up the land with roads, checkpoints and settlements, thus dividing the Palestinians' territory and assuring their continued subordination to Israeli authority.

Israel's policy toward the Palestinians seems to be one that is demoralizing and humiliating. The notion that Arafat can be in complete control of all Palestinians and can prevent any violence from occurring is an unrealistic expectation which the Israeli government cynically exploits to avoid negotiating a fair resolution.

What I would like to see is a thorough examination of the reasons the Middle East conflict is not vigorously debated in the public forum of the United States, by either elected officials or journalists; and, whether it is realistic to presume that the United States can be the "broker for peace" in the Middle East. How many individuals would be content to have a dispute settled by the best friend of their adversary?

Ray Lucas