Does Sacramento’s Howard Chan deserve to be the highest paid city manager in the state? | Opinion

Chan’s salary

“Sacramento, CA, city manager has highest pay in state,” (sacbee.com, July 1)

At the time of Howard Chan’s initial appointment to his current position, he was the head of the city’s parking division, minimally qualifying him for appointment as city manager.

As recently as November 2022, the mayor and city council raised Chan’s salary to over $400,000. Now, at roughly $493,655 per year, Chan is the highest paid city manager in the state, and the article hints that yet another raise is currently being contemplated by Mayor Darrell Steinberg and the city council.

Since 2018, with the Steinberg-Chan team in place, the homeless population has quadrupled, 25 positions have been eliminated from the police department and many of our neighborhoods are unsafe. How can such compensation be justified?

Bill Motmans

Sacramento

Hypocritical justices

“California electeds blast Supreme Court’s ‘dangerous and horrifying’ anti-LGBTQ decision,” (sacbee.com, July 3)

The absurdity surrounding the 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis Supreme Court ruling is only outdone by the ruling in the college admissions case Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College.

In one ruling, the conservative majority of Supreme Court Justices want everyone to be colorblind. In other words, establishing zero race-based discrimination when it comes to college admission. Yet, in the other ruling, the same justices said it was OK for one group to discriminate against another group.

If you ever wonder why Americans lose faith in their country, this is one of those moments.

Anthony Lucas

Folsom

Protect our water

“California governor signs order for those hit by Tulare Lake,” (sacbee.com, March 31)

Ian James’ piece about Tulare Lake was moving and poignant. The Indigenous people of the Tachi Yokut Tribe understand the value of a more enlightened water policy. I applaud and support their activism to allow the reformed lake to be restored to its natural state.

It’s unbelievable that private interests were allowed to drain the lake, taking so much from Indigenous tribes and wildlife for private gain. Water is the lifeblood for us all, not just agriculture and private interests.

Storage into our aquifers via wetlands can mitigate the damage of human activity. Mother Nature is showing us the way. We need to listen and enact policies that protect this precious resource.

Theresa Ann Lown

Sacramento

This idea is a bust

“Speed enforced by aircraft? Here’s how it actually works, California Highway Patrol says,” (sacbee.com, June 30)

California is once again facing speed cameras on our roads with Assembly Bill 645. Like right turn cameras, speed cameras are about money, not safety. There is no independent verification that photo enforcement improves highway safety, reduces overall accidents or improves traffic congestion.

Don’t let California become more unaffordable than it already is under the false guise of public safety.

Gary A Incaudo

Sacramento

Union greed

“CA state workers protest after state offers 6% pay raises,” (sacbee.com, June 30)

As a retired state worker, I am a strong supporter of unions. We can thank unions for better working conditions and benefits, and we need unions to ensure employers don’t regress to times when labor protections were significantly less. However, union leaders seem to think they must justify the dues they collect by raising the bar for salary and benefits. Asking for a 30% raise is ludicrous.

I challenge any state worker who complains that they can’t live on their salary to go out and find higher pay, better benefits and more job protections in the private sector. I guarantee they won’t leave their state job because they know they won’t find a better one elsewhere.

Mary Bane

Sacramento

Deserved raise

“CA state workers protest after state offers 6% pay raises,” (sacbee.com, June 30)

Hundreds of California state workers descended Thursday on the State Capitol to protest what they call an “offensive” and “unfair” contract offer from the state. Over the course of three years, the state has offered 2% raises each year for a total of 6% overall.

Perhaps if the Service Employees International Union Local 1000 could vote for a raise behind closed doors — much like our Sacramento County Supervisors, who, by the way, have proved ineffective — they too could have the 26% raise they so desperately need.

Paul Koscheka

Antelope

Blow to education

“Supreme Court damages America by killing Affirmative Action,” (sacbee.com, July 1)

The Supreme Court’s decision to strike down affirmative action is a devastating blow to our education system across the country. Affirmative action has been a tool to break down systemic barriers, and we must continue to advance our ideals of inclusivity and opportunity for all.

Paul Bacon

Hallandale Beach, Fla.