Letters to the Editor

Editor:
Re: Richmond Review, July 2007 - "Battle erupts over plan to make holly tree landmark"

The beautiful holly in the backyard of a home on 27th Avenue is a very special tree that should be protected.

Several years after it was planted, the original property owner, Hille Hillstrom, returned to his home after fighting in World War I in Europe. Devastated by what he had seen on the battlefield, Hillstrom dedicated the holly as a memorial to peace. In these troubled times it is especially important that we preserve this tree, a reminder of the horrors of violence and war.

This holly is also an important part of a rare urban forest in a mid-block open space that is enjoyed by dozens of families in the neighborhood. It provides shade, attracts a variety of birds, and pollinates other trees in the area. It also serves as a wind and sound barrier, helps prevent soil erosion, and keeps the air clean.

Like so many of my neighbors, I have come to appreciate the special history and beauty of this holly. Rather than oppose its landmarking, the (owners) should be proud to assume responsibility for such an important tree, and be pleased to have this opportunity to preserve a Richmond District treasure.
Jean Barish

Editor:
"Fellow citizens, we cannot escape history." That is what Abraham Lincoln said. That is how Copland started a "Lincoln Portrait."

I found that thought echoing though my head when I read an interesting Ethics Commission report released recently concerning money attained by Supervisor Jake McGoldrick in his effort to derail the recall. It made me think of my history classes at the Star of the Sea, when I was a naive school boy learning about Lincoln. Lincoln believed in a government by the people, and for the people.

While looking over the campaign disclosure, I noted our government appears to be bought by developers. There are only four people in the report who live in District 1, the district he is supposed to represent. However, there are 14 who do not live in the district, five of which do not even have a San Francisco address.

So, is this a government by the people, and for the people?

No, it is not.

That is why our recall effort is good. Our local representative should help our community, not represent people and business interests from outside of the district or City. Then again, I might just be that naive school boy thinking of an idealist community.
Nicholas C. Belloni

Editor:
As a long-time Richmond District resident, I share your distress and concern about some of the choices of our supervisor Jake McGoldrick has made affecting the landscape and character of the neighborhood.

Frankly, I do not understand his vision at all. I am appalled and angry at the prospect of Geary Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and have yet to determine who benefits from what looks and smells like boondoggle to me.

However, it seems like a colossal waste of time, energy and money better spent elsewhere to recall a representative in the eleventh hour of his final term simply because I happen to disagree seriously with his choices.

As far as I know, McGoldrick is guilty of no crime and no corruption. I do not believe anyone is best served by recalling someone who will be out of office shortly anyway (January 2009) and who will be ineligible for another term. Better to let him go out in what, to me at least, is ignominy and disgrace, never to raise his fedora in public again.
D. Aarons