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Not enough to be recognized in SF

Re: “Philz flag flap shows LGBTQ entitlement” (Page A10, April 19).

I read a letter to the editor in that April 19 paper saying that the LGBTQ community must feel “entitled” since there was such a big flap over Philz’s Coffee’s feeble attempt to remove Rainbow Flags from their stores.

I was lucky enough to grow up in the open-minded Bay Area, but it was not easy being an out and proud lesbian in the early 1980s, or in general. I have been discriminated against because I am a woman and a lesbian. So, I guess that I should spend all of my time in San Francisco and feel lucky to be recognized?

No. I have worked too hard all of my life to be a good person and to give back, so you are darned right I feel entitled.

Kathy Woofter
Livermore

Measure H keeps focus on quality schools

As parents of alumni of the Lafayette School District, we write to express our strong support for Measure H. Our families’ connection to Lafayette’s TK–8 schools spans many years, and we have seen firsthand the impact of locally funded support on educational quality. Strong academics, along with enrichment in music, art and science, helped shape our children into well-rounded individuals prepared for high school, college and beyond.

We have been involved in past parcel tax campaigns and have worked alongside dedicated parents, educators and community members to sustain excellent schools. These efforts, in partnership with Lafayette Partners in Education, help bridge the gap of inadequate state funding.

Measure H will fund excellent teachers, manageable class sizes and essential programs. We urge our community to vote yes on Measure H on June 2.

Meredith Meade, former Lafayette School District Board Member, Dan Meade, 
Suzy Pak, former Lafayette School District Board Member, and Mark Gundacker
Lafayette

Measure H will sustain Lafayette’s schools

I’ve lived most of my life in Lafayette — as a student, a parent, and as a volunteer with the Lafayette Historical Society, LPIE and the Friends of the Library. I’ve seen firsthand how our schools are the heart of what makes this community special.

Today, I’m concerned. California does not fully fund our K-8 students in Lafayette. Our district has made difficult cuts and operated responsibly, but those steps alone are no longer enough.

Measure H protects what we’ve built together. It replaces an expiring measure and maintains stable, local funding for strong academics, excellent teachers and well-rounded programs.

As a teacher, parent, grandparent and former School Board member, I know the lifelong impact of outstanding Lafayette schools. Even for those without children in the system, strong schools sustain a strong community.

A senior tax exemption is available.

Please join me in supporting Measure H.

Mary McCosker
Lafayette

El Cerrito doesn’t need a new library

Proponents of a new El Cerrito library fail to justify the need for a library.

They say it’s needed to have a place where we can read to our toddlers, but we do that in our homes. They say it’s a place for teens to study and learn skills, but we have schools for that. They say it’s needed for seniors to learn about culture, community and financial security, but seniors have much better alternatives than libraries for those activities. They say it’s needed to teach literacy skills, but again, that’s why we have schools. And they say it can be used for youth programs and community meetings, but all those programs and meetings have been in place for decades, using existing facilities.

In short, El Cerrito doesn’t need a new library; it just needs a remodeling plan for the existing one, at a price taxpayers can afford.

Dick Patterson
El Cerrito

Sustainable fashion can help the planet

In an era of climate deregulating legislation, it is up to us — everyday citizens — to take action against climate change.

As a high schooler, my generation is victim to fast fashion: constantly changing trends create a forever desire for more. Compounding this, our consumerist economy allows us to purchase something we really don’t need with the click of a button. What we don’t see is the impact — fast fashion makes up 10% of carbon emissions annually.

The simplest ways to take action are to consume less, buy secondhand, or invest in sustainable brands. The alternatives are endless, but they are all rooted in an active effort to be more conscious.

Climate change directly affects my future. I’ve spoken about fast fashion at booths, hosted clothing-recycling workshops, organized clothing drives, and now I implore you to take action. Be conscious, stop consuming and play a part in protecting our Earth.

Archita Khandelwal
Fremont

Speak out against plutonium pit plan

On May 12, there will be a public hearing in Livermore regarding the federal government’s plutonium pit production plan — a plan Livermore Lab is directly involved in.

Plutonium pits are a key component of nuclear weapons and are dangerous. The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has failed to provide evidence that producing new plutonium pits is necessary. It has also failed to address concerns about the plan’s impact on the public and the environment.

The NNSA-hosted public hearing on May 12 is at Garre Vineyard from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. We encourage the public to attend this hearing and give oral comments.

Nuha Maflahi
Livermore