Re: “ ” (Page A1, Oct. 7). I support the bill to make it easier for retired teachers to return to the classroom.
I am a senior teacher who intends to continue teaching for many years if I can. That said, I strongly believe that we have to make the job of teaching more appealing by substantially increasing the pay for teachers and working to improve the workplace by decreasing the number of students in middle and high school classrooms. Every student deserves to have qualified teachers in their classrooms.
At West Contra Costa Unified School District, we do not have a qualified teacher in every classroom. We must find ways to acquire and retain new teachers. Retired teachers may help, but we must have new teachers to solve this problem.
It is hard to believe, but it has been a year since Meals on Wheels Diablo Region was displaced by a fire at our headquarters on Civic Drive in Walnut Creek. We had hoped to be back by now, but we still do not know what the future holds. As we mark the 1-year anniversary of the fire, it’s important to acknowledge the incredible flexibility, inventiveness and resiliency of our staff and volunteers.
For two months last year, they worked from parking lots, coffee shops, coworking spaces and home without any notice. We are stronger together. The main positive outcome is proving that we all support the mission of ensuring our older neighbors are able to remain nourished, safe and independent for as long as possible.
Re: “ ” (Page A1, Oct. 5). Your recent BART extension story missed some vital information.
Yes, the Bay Area wants the rail ring around the bay, but not this ultra-expensive, very deep single-bore design being pushed by VTA. South Bay communities do not trust VTA and are convinced that VTA cannot manage a project of this size. The ultra-deep, single-bore design VTA wants is more expensive, will take longer to build and is less safe.
Quick access to the surface is critical in an emergency, deeper tunnels are less safe for riders, employees and first responders. The better-engineered twin-bore design is vastly cheaper and will take less time to build. It’s time for a full review of options.
The VTA and BART boards should take a stand and insist on an independent cost/benefit analysis of the various designs before funding this poorly conceived, unsafe and costly project. Of course brutal murder and destruction of a sovereign country is a war crime and inhumane. Rape, murder, the abduction of children, and confiscation of property and resources are unthinkable.
But probably the biggest and most lasting tool the evil dictator has is mass migration. People don’t want to leave their country or their culture, but they run for their lives toward democratic countries and safety. The impact on these countries is enormous economically, culturally and politically.
If allowed to continue this despicable practice, the dictators of the world will win. Democracies will crumble and isn’t that the point? Dictators must be stopped now. Related Articles Re: “ ” and “ ” (Page A6, Oct.
5). I read two letters in Thursday’s paper stating that the Republicans ousted Speaker Keven McCarthy. Both letter writers are wrong.
The vote by Republicans against the ouster was 210. Democrats all voted for the ouster, 216 votes. Republicans for the ouster were eight.
So in fact the Democrats with the help of eight Republicans ousted the speaker. This may backfire on the Democrats as McCarthy worked with them in keeping the government open. The next speaker may not be so accommodating and the government may be closed the next time the budget is considered when we reach the can that has been kicked down the road.
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From: eastbaytimes
URL: https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2023/10/09/letters-1445/
