Letters: Electric cars | Status quo | Firmer hand | Reforms hurt residents | Community service

East Bay Times Letters to the Editor for May 4, 2023

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Ample ways to make
electric cars accessible

Re: “State hits ambitious goal for electric cars” (Page B1, April 21).

It’s exciting to see that California now makes up 40% of all new electric vehicle sales nationwide and surpassed a bold electric vehicle goal two years sooner than expected. It speaks to the many reasons why EVs are so appealing, including the savings at the gas pump, overall better driving experience, and the reduction in maintenance costs and harmful emissions.

There are a growing number of ways to make EVs even more accessible, which is why I’m glad the author mentioned the tax incentives available through the Inflation Reduction Act. Readers should also be aware of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District’s Clean Cars for All program. For residents who qualify, the program provides up to $9,500 to retire their old vehicle when purchasing an EV. Others can use the incentive toward a public transit card or an e-bike.

David Pepper
Oakland

Don’t accept status quo
after Sophia tragedy

Re: “Probe county’s failures in case of Sophia Mason” (Page A12, April 30).

It is heartbreaking and sickening that the adults responsible for making sure children are safe failed miserably in Sophia Mason’s case. And to add to the disgust they are not taking responsibility for their failures or making changes so nothing like this happens again. Their job is to immediately look into complaints, and it is clear they don’t want to perform their duties. So why do any of them still have their jobs?

Laura Latt
San Ramon

Firmer hand effective
in our classrooms

Re: “Bill seeks to make booting students from class harder” (Page B1, April 30).

Kids should stay in school. But when you fail to punish kids who defy teachers, disrupt school activities or scare other students, what does this do to the other students in that class?

We had a few problem students in my classes when I was in primary school. In the early years, a child might be asked to stand in the corner for a while, contemplating what would happen when their parents found out. More misbehavior and they would sit with the dean, doing homework or busy work. In later years, we had a disciplinary high school for repeat offenders. That worked.

Protect one bad kid and ignore the rest of the class? How fair is that? We owe an obligation to the majority of good kids to ensure they learn.

Denise P. Kalm
Walnut Creek

DA’s reforms will end up
hurting county residents

Re: “Alameda County DA reforming racist system” (Page A6, April 27).

I truly believe that there is “systemic racism” within the whole United States, and it is totally illegal and unfair to those who suffer it.

But to fight it with systematic bigotry against law enforcement, which District Attorney Pamela Price constantly exhibits, is detrimental to the victims of crime who she is mandated to represent.

The District Attorney’s Office has lost numerous qualified personnel due directly to her actions, and the residents of Alameda County will suffer.

Christopher Lux
Retired Alameda County DA Inspector
San Ramon