<\/p>\n
Sheryl Davis, pictured in 2024, was\u00a0once San Francisco\u2019s most powerful civil rights watchdog. On Monday, she was arrested after District Attorney Brooke Jenkins filed a raft of felony financial misconduct charges against her.<\/p>\n
Manuel Orbegozo\/For the S.F. Chronicle<\/p>\n
James Spingola, pictured in 2018, is the former CEO of Collective Impact, a nonprofit Davis funded. He was also arrested on felony financial misconduct charges on Monday.<\/p>\n
Santiago Mejia\/S.F. Chronicle<\/p>\n
Regarding \u201cTop S.F. official who led Dream Keeper equity program charged with felonies: \u2018abuse of power\u2019\u201d<\/a> (San Francisco, SFChronicle.com, March 30): The arrest of Sheryl Davis and James Spingola demands what our justice system requires: a fair and full investigation, and the presumption of innocence until guilt is proven.\u00a0<\/p>\n That standard must be applied with integrity, however, because there is more at stake than a criminal case.<\/p>\n San Francisco\u2019s African American community has endured decades of displacement, divestment and erasure. Our population has declined dramatically. Our neighborhoods have been transformed beyond recognition.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Against that tide, programs like the Dream Keeper Initiative represented a rare and intentional investment in Black life in this city \u2014 an acknowledgment that the promise of San Francisco must extend to all its residents.\u00a0<\/p>\n The alleged actions of individuals, however serious, must not become ammunition against an entire community, nor be used to further malign Black leadership or to justify rolling back investments in African American education, housing, economic development and community health.<\/p>\n San Francisco Chronicle Logo<\/p>\n Make us a Preferred Source to get more of our news when you search.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Add Preferred Source<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n The mission behind these investments is bigger than any individual. No scandal should be permitted to erase the legitimate needs that gave rise to them, and San Franciscans of conscience must not allow that to happen.<\/p>\n The Rev. Devon Jerome Crawford, senior pastor, Third Baptist Church of San Francisco<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Diablo Canyon unnecessary\u00a0<\/p>\n Regarding \u201cCalifornia should extend Diablo Canyon nuclear plant\u2019s lifespan to address state\u2019s energy needs\u201d<\/a> (Open Forum, SFChronicle.com, March 30): Renewable generation plus storage is a more cost-effective, flexible option for power than keeping Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant running.<\/p>\n There was plenty of excess generating capacity before Diablo Canyon\u2019s life extension was approved, and more is added every year.\u00a0<\/p>\n Renewables and storage also create many more good-paying jobs than Diablo Canyon, where many of the employees are temporary contractors. Extending the life of Diablo Canyon will postpone, not eliminate, its decommissioning, which will cost ratepayers $4 billion.<\/p>\n In the meantime, additional spent nuclear fuel will be created and stored on site, creating a long-term hazard with no existing solution.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Only Chavez could lead<\/p>\n Regarding \u201cWhy is the Filipino American who co-founded the UFW with Cesar Chavez nearly forgotten?\u201d<\/a> (Opinion, SFChronicle.com, March 26): It certainly is easy to Monday morning quarterback a movement that had a lot of moving parts.<\/p>\n From the Filipino American farm workers to Dolores Huerta and the volunteers and intellectuals who supported the movement, all were instrumental in shaping the message to the American public.<\/p>\n But it was left to Cesar Chavez to carry the message forward and be the leader of an emerging union to fight the agricultural industry that had subjugated workers in the fields.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Could someone else have carried the banner of the United Farm Workers and kept it from imploding into acrimony and infighting amongst all the powerful personalities?<\/p>\n No. That task was left to Chavez.<\/p>\n Yes, change the name of all the parks, public buildings and streets named after him and banish his name as an iconic leader.<\/p>\n That can\u2019t change how the UFW became a force, not despite Chavez, but because of him.<\/p>\n Sergio Carabarin, San Jose<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n No kings in Oakland\u00a0<\/p>\n