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World-class universities basis of economic ‘luck’
Re: “California’s lucky economy has 2nd fastest GDP growth to start 2026” (Aug. 9).
California’s “luck” comes from our universities: Stanford and UC Berkeley in the north and UCLA, USC and California Institute of Technology in the south.
Without those engineering student pipelines supplying bright young employees, Silicon Valley would be covered in vineyards.
Alan BrooksLivermore
Reelect Sanwong as East Bay parks director
Residents of southern Alameda County are fortunate to be represented by Olivia Sanwong on the East Bay Regional Park District board, Ward 5.
Director Sanwong was elected president of the park district board by her colleagues. Her sweet and collegial nature is backed by an incisive intellect. Her degrees in mathematics and business make her a quick study when it comes to crucial budget decisions.
Her past years of service on the Park Advisory Committee and Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation District have equipped her with a deep background.
In working with community partner organizations with conflicting interests, Director Sanwong has shown an even-handed approach, appointing a mountain bike advocate to advise her on Pleasanton Ridge trail management.
Having grown up near the county fairgrounds, she is deeply rooted in her community.
Please vote to retain Olivia Sanwong for EBRPD Ward 5 in the November election.
Amelia MarshallOakland
Pleasant Hill can’t tax way out of deficit
The city of Pleasant Hill is heading toward a fiscal cliff, yet leadership continues to take no meaningful action. Under the approved budget, the city will run a $4.1 million annual deficit, completely depleting its General Fund reserves by July 2029.
Despite steady revenue growth, city leadership wrongly labels this crisis a “revenue problem.” The real driver is unchecked spending: employee compensation and health benefits consume about 75% of operating expenses. Instead of reining in escalating costs, leadership appears set on asking voters to approve sales and property tax hikes.
Relying on tax increases in the current economic climate to cover structural overspending is planning for fiscal failure. Pleasant Hill needs expenditure discipline and real structural reform, not higher taxes on struggling families.
Aiden MartinPleasant Hill
Union City wants your hazardous waste
Did you know that items like leftover paint, pesticides, old electronics and computers are hazardous waste and do not belong in the trash can? You can bring all of your household hazardous waste to the free hazardous waste collection event in Union City on Sunday, August 16, from 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
Register for a drop-off time at www.stopwaste.org/hhw-unioncity, and you’ll receive the event location address and packing instructions. The event is free for all Alameda County homeowners and renters. There are dedicated drop-off times and a separate process for business owners.
This event is sponsored by Alameda County Household Hazardous Waste with support from Union City and StopWaste — a public agency whose mission is to reduce waste in Alameda County.
Robin PlutchokUnion City
Shared ideals can save US democracy
If we are going to save our democracy, we the people need to unify around shared ideals.
We can all agree that we don’t want a corrupt government. We want a level playing field where we all have an equal chance to better ourselves.
No one should be above the law. I think most Americans agree that our Constitution needs to be the law for everyone. That document, more than anything else, protects our freedom.
We all want orderly borders, decent health care, access to education and to feed the truly needy. We want our elections to be transparent, free and fair. We want our tax dollars wisely spent for our benefit. We want news we can trust.
We have to reject the forces that have pitted us against each other. If we work together regardless of party or tribe, we can take our country back.
Jay OwenCastro Valley