Importance of backing high-speed rail despite its setbacks and costs | Opinion

We need to keep backing HSR

I am writing in response to the recent article in The Bee titled “California should stop high-speed rail work now, cut the losses and move on.”

First, it is important to recognize that the high-speed rail project is a long-term investment in California’s future. The project will create jobs, reduce congestion on highways, and decrease carbon emissions.

Second, the high-speed rail project has already made significant progress. To stop the project now would mean wasting the money that has already been invested and missing out on the potential benefits of the project.

Finally, it is worth noting that many other countries have successfully implemented high-speed rail systems. Japan, France, and China are just a few examples of countries that have reaped the benefits of high-speed rail.

All in all, while the high-speed rail project in California may face challenges, it is important to keep in mind the long-term benefits it will bring to the state and I urge stakeholders to continue supporting this project and to ensure its success.

Sam Hall, Fresno

Rogan brought needed light

The Bee published a report on Fresno being mentioned in Joe Rogan’s podcast on March 4. This article could be used to be a cry for help to the mayor of Fresno. According AOL, there is an estimated 4,216 homeless people in Fresno and Madera county, with 80% of them living in Fresno.

Fresno is known for drug abuse and the many recent overdoses, including fentanyl.

I think it’s important that the homeless problem in Fresno was brought to light, and I hope this will push not only the mayor and residents of Fresno to work together to provide mental health care and more AA meetings for those who are struggling to combat the root cause of those living on the streets, but California as a whole to fight the drug and homelessness problems throughout the many beloved cities in CA.

I appreciate the fact that there was also a report written about it, keeping this problem in headlines! I will suggest that we can add ways the community can help assist in this problem would be beneficial for readers.

Nicole Nevins, Clovis

Absurd rule on election money

In absurd fashion, the Fresno County Board of Supervisors has voted to initiate “declaratory action” against two election challengers who wish to finance their campaigns by transferring money from their Fresno City Council campaign committees. The board seems to believe that the transfer of money violates a county ordinance. The absurdity is twofold.

First, the “declaratory action” does not seek to vindicate the rights of any board member or resident of the county. The action only seeks to restrict the rights of election challengers. Since the action aims broadly at restricting the rights of election challengers, the entire board should have recused itself from voting on the matter.

Second, the board is presenting the “declaratory action” to the California Fair Political Practices Commission, which has already said that it does not decide questions of local law, including county ordinances. All the commission can say is that if the local law does apply, then the state law does not apply. The commission cannot say whether the county ordinance in this case is constitutional and whether the ordinance properly applies to any particular election challenger.

Accordingly, the board's “declaratory action” will accomplish nothing, going down as another amateur-hour political stunt.

Richard Oberto, Fresno

Trying to live courageously

Andrew Fiala’s article, “Academic freedom means courageous thinking, not conformity to political whims,” is fascinating. I agree with Fiala that academic freedom should be about courageous thinking.

First, as a college student, my experience has helped me develop a willingness to venture out more of my opinions on various topics while also gaining knowledge of them. For example, I am in a political science course and developing more opinions on such topics while learning throughout the course.

Secondly, many college students change their majors throughout college, most likely due to thinking of what interests them. Academic freedom allows college students to explore what they wish to have as a career. It gives the freedom to change, like how personality changes and develops as someone ages and gains more experience in life.

Chloe Palmer-Barreto, Coarsegold

Tobacco regulation protects youth

In response to the Feb. 28 editorial, “California’s nanny state comes in two proposed laws. One makes sense”: Assembly Bill 935 prohibits the sale of any tobacco products to anyone born on or after Jan 1, 2007. I believe this ban will be instrumental in providing a deterrent from these unnecessary additions and cancers we all know tobacco causes.

Also, youth are and will continue to be the biggest target for the tobacco industry. With tobacco products specifically marketed for our youth with kid-friendly candy flavors like cotton candy, Sour Patch kids, and Captain Crunch cereal vaping pens and e-cigarettes. I respectively disagree with you that a 16-year-old, “has a sacred right to choose.” Unfortunately so does our U.S. Supreme Court.

Kristie Papaleo, Fresno

Challenges to going all EV

Regarding the article “Can red states overcome their hatred of California and embrace electric cars?” by Noah Bierman, I disagree with his claim. The reasons for not liking EVs go beyond being red or blue, such as our infrastructure, power grid, lithium mining, convenience, etc.

Using information found on California’s energy website, you can find the average power usage of EVs with a little research and quick math. As of 2021, electric cars took up only 1% of all the energy produced in California. If all about 26 million licensed drivers in California drove their EVs the average of 14,000 miles per year, it would take up about 45% of the total power generated in CA in 2021. That is only one reason why such a goal as the ban of new gas-powered vehicles in 2035 will be difficult to reach, let alone the others mentioned above.

There is a lot of progress to be made in a short time, and whether someone is red or blue, the facts and problems can still be seen.

Corey Bradley, Fresno

Solution for special needs busing

First, I feel extremely fortunate I did not experience the plight parents of special needs children go through. I can’t imagine having a student with special needs, then having to face difficulties.

Now facts. I work for CUSD.Every morning we receive an email, “Bus # ** is running late. Please do not mark students tardy.” Minutes later “Sorry, bus # ** is also running late.” Why? The lack of drivers. Currently, qualified office staff is pulled to fulfill constant bus requests. If teachers want to take students on an educational field trip, they can’t leave before 9 a.m. and if out of town (Madera) they must be picked up by 1:00 p.m.. Again, the lack of drivers to take kiddos home after school.

When boundaries changed, parents in a certain neighborhood didn’t want their students walking to school. Their solution? They gathered and decided student’s safety was more important, so they made the decision to pay for a bus to transport their students.

Here is my suggestion to Little Miracles. First, this is not 2010. Hire a qualified driver and purchase a van to transport your students. Your eight students do not supersede the rights of hundreds of others.

Cynthia M. Woods, Clovis