Letters to the Editor

Editor:

To enhance the city's bond program, the SF Public Library has applied for state Proposition 14 funds for five branch library projects, including the renovation of the Richmond/Senator Milton Marks Branch Library.

The branch will be 50 percent larger and completely renovated to include seismic strengthening, accessibility improvements, energy-efficiency and technology upgrades. The historic integrity of the 1914 Carnegie landmark building will be maintained and restored to its original grandeur.

Many people are contacting state board members and their state legislators and urging them to support the application for the Richmond Branch (#3059 for $5.9 million). State board members need to know why we need a renewed branch, how families will use the library, that the library is vital to the revitalization of the community, how important the new library is to children and local schools, and that San Francisco deserves its share of state funding.

The state board will make its decision soon. To have your voice heard, contact:

California Public Library Construction & Renovation Board
c/o State Librarian Susan Hildreth
914 Capitol Mall, Room 220
Sacramento, CA  95814
Phone: (916) 654-0174
Fax: (916) 654-0064
e-mail: shildreth@library.ca.gov
Paul Underwood
Acting City Librarian

Editor:

When I read articles in the ReView about cleanliness on the street as a policy or budgeting issue, it makes me start thinking about issues we can control individually without spending more money.

Often, when I go out in the morning, there are little globules of spit already on the sidewalk. And the litter - someone had to throw it there. If all the readers of the ReView participated in a grassroots effort to reduce this, we would already have a slightly cleaner neighborhood.

Another thing I find is people walking into me on the sidewalk because they're not looking where they're going. Life is stressful and there is a lot to do in a short time. I come from a small town where people said "hi" to each other on the sidewalk. I guess this is not something we do in a big city, but if we could manage not to run into each other, that might help. Recently, a woman walked right into me in a pharmacy. I felt so bad.

I guess this is my vision of how the Richmond could be a better neighborhood. Maybe the ReView could host a contest and readers could write essays about their visions for the neighborhood. I, for one, would be interested to hear what people are thinking about.

Andrea Rubin

Editor:

Milton Marks III was my student at Presidio Middle School. Even then, he was a very caring leader who knew how to use his abilities to help others.

Marks is running for re-election as a trustee of our City College. He was elected vice-president of the board in recognition of his leadership and concern for faculty and students. He has worked toward open governance; supporting students on various issues, such as resisting fee increases; developing significant environmental improvements; protecting the rights of working men and women to get prevailing wages; and establishing opportunities for students to share ideas with him.

City College is a key to the education of nearly 100,000 students annually. It is important that we retain committed, proven leadership which is responsive to community concerns and needs.

I am voting for Milton Marks for College Board. I am pleased to report that the Richmond District Democratic Club voted to endorse him.  I hope readers of the Richmond ReView will vote for him too.

Hene Kelly
President, Richmond District Democratic Club

Editor:

In the excitement of the November presidential election, some San Francisco voters may overlook our city's propositions. Don't forget to vote "yes" on Proposition A, the $200 million housing and homeless bond.

The last housing bond, passed in 1996, created more than 5,000 units of affordable housing. San Francisco needs to replenish its housing funds - federal and state matching funds would add to the pool of housing funds created by Prop. A.

Today, only 12 percent of San Francisco residents can afford the average priced home. Even many of our teachers, police and firefighters cannot afford to live here. Prop. A could help some of them stay or return to San Francisco.

I work with The Arc of San Francisco, which helps people with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities, to find housing. With San Francisco rents skyrocketing, The Arc decided to build its own apartment building.

Now, thanks to funding from the City, foundations and private donors, some lucky people with disabilities have truly affordable housing, with on-site services. We need Prop. A to pass in order to apply for city assistance for our next housing project.

Mayor Gavin Newsom and the Board of Supervisors strongly support Prop. A, but the proposition requires a two-thirds majority vote to pass so your vote is crucial. Please support Prop. A.

Russell Cramer