Visitors hang out in the quad outside the Montgomery Barracks in the Presidio in San Francisco in 2025. The Trump administration has fired all members of the Presidio Trust Board, which oversees the property.
Yalonda M. James/S.F. Chronicle
Regarding “Trump fires entire San Francisco Presidio Trust board, all Biden appointees” (San Francisco, SFChronicle.com, April 11): The Presidio is indeed a wonderful place and a gift to San Francisco. It is good that it is “paying for operations with revenue generated.”
But the Presidio Trust is exempt from San Francisco property taxes. How much revenue is the city not collecting on 1,500 acres of prime, bay-view property? And also, what is the opportunity cost of not developing it?
If only some of the fire-prone eucalyptus groves, derelict cavalry stables and open hillsides were sold for development, a dent could likely be put in the national debt.
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James Eyres, San Francisco
Out of control
Regarding “Eric Swalwell resigns from Congress” (Politics, SFChronicle.com, April 13): It was with great sorrow that I saw Eric Swalwell end his candidacy for governor of California and also resign from the House of Representatives. I was going to vote for him.
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What is it about these alpha-males in positions of great power? They all seem to be incapable of controlling themselves.
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Does political ambition go hand-in-hand with sexual predation? If so, that’s not the democracy I signed up for.
Christopher C. Burt, Oakland
Executive experience
Regarding “Eric Swalwell resigns from Congress” (Politics, SFChronicle.com, April 13): I was supporting Eric Swalwell in the California governor race, though I had concerns about whether he could manage a large state like ours.
In light of his departure, I am hoping the state’s Democratic leadership, editorial boards and voters will give Xavier Becerra another look. I believe he’s the only candidate who has run not one but two large government institutions — as secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Human Services and as California attorney general.
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When we look at the Democratic front-runners — Tom Steyer and Katie Porter — do Californians really want a governor who will have literally bought the election or one with questions about her temperament and is likely to have a revolving door of staff members?
Give animals space
Regarding “Mountain lions need more road crossings so they don’t end up in S.F. neighborhoods” (Open Forum, SFChronicle.com, April 11): When the mountain lion known as 157M made headlines, many of us wondered the same thing: How’d he get to San Francisco?
As a conservation biologist specializing in wildlife connectivity, I think a lot about how wildlife get around in an increasingly fragmented habitat. There are the obvious barriers like roads and freeways, where wildlife crossings can help. But poorly planned development with noise, light and fences in the wrong place also creates barriers for mountain lions and other animals, too.
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I’m buoyed that Highway 17 will soon get much-needed crossings to improve safety for drivers and wildlife. But I hope urban planners and elected officials will also consider making better land-use choices to improve wildlife connectivity. We can start by removing unnecessary fencing, avoiding new development in critical connectivity areas, and minimizing light and noise pollution.
There is enough room for humans and animals to coexist. It starts with us being better neighbors.
Tiffany Yap, San Francisco
Cut class sizes
Regarding “Over 60% of California kids can’t do math at their grade level. Here’s how we change that” (Open Forum, SFChronicle.com, April 12): A law that would help students do better at math isn’t about identifying struggling students, as the Open Forum recommends. What would help is a mandate for smaller class sizes.
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Guest opinions in Open Forum and Insight are produced by writers with expertise, personal experience or original insights on a subject of interest to our readers. Their views do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Chronicle editorial board, which is committed to providing a diversity of ideas to our readership.
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Currently, the state allows 33 students in kindergarten and 32 in first through third grades. I’m a teacher, and teachers know who is struggling. Adding a meaningless law does nothing to help.
Lowering class size allows teachers to do small group work instead of trying to manage chaos.