Pickleball is just a passing phase. Soccer will always be universally beloved | Opinion

Invest in soccer, not fad sports

“Is pickleball coming to your neighborhood park? Fresno’s plan for the popular sport,” (fresnobee.com, June 20)

Municipalities should prioritize meeting the demand for soccer in underserved areas before investing in over-inflated fads like pickleball for several reasons. First, soccer is a globally beloved sport with widespread popularity, particularly among underserved communities. By investing in soccer facilities and programs, municipalities can promote inclusivity, diversity and social cohesion.

Second, soccer offers numerous physical, social and mental benefits, fostering teamwork, discipline and leadership. Addressing the demand for soccer in underserved areas can contribute to reducing health disparities and combating sedentary lifestyles. Third, underserved communities often lack access to quality sports infrastructure, limiting their recreational opportunities. Prioritizing soccer facilities can address this disparity, ensuring equitable access to sports and recreation for all residents, regardless of socio-economic status.

Finally, while trends like pickleball may attract attention, their long-term popularity is uncertain. Investing in fads carries the risk of costly infrastructure that might become underutilized over time. Prioritizing soccer, a well-established and enduring sport, ensures a more sustainable investment that will continue to benefit communities for generations.

Jonny Navarro

Fresno

Taking responsibility

“Fatal crash in Fresno puts spotlight on intersection some call deadly and confusing,” (fresnobee.com, April 13)

I have driven through the Fort Washington and Shepherd intersection multiple times recently, and I don’t understand why people say it’s confusing. It has the proper amount of signage, street lights and traffic signals as well as other traffic control measures. It comes down to the person driving the car, who is not paying attention or has a lack of understanding about how to operate their vehicle safely.

We can be bold and honest about the fact that, in this day and age, people are more concerned with what’s going on in their world than focusing on their ability to operate a car safely or responsibly. They will blame everybody else and not take responsibility for their actions. It’s much easier to blame someone else or something else than to take responsibility.

Why not stand up and say this driver made a mistake and they need take responsibility for their actions or lack thereof? As a society, we never blame the person, it’s always the fault of someone else or something else. Heaven forbid we actually take responsibility for our actions.

Duane Opie

Clovis

Reject oil money

“Triple-digit heat arrives in California’s Central Valley,” (fresnobee.com, June 29)

Hot enough for you? The future for your children and grandchildren depends, in part, on what politicians are doing today. How much money are they politicians taking from oil and gas contributors? While Democrats take about a fourth of the amount Republicans take, if Democrats say they are against future global warming then they should take nothing from oil and gas contributors.

According to Open Secrets, a non-profit organization that tracks data on campaign finance and lobbying, in 2022, Fresno-area Democrats received donations from oil and gas corporations. While Senator Alex Padilla took $13,000, Rep. Jim Costa took $105,900. It’s hard for me to believe that these elected officials care about the condition of the earth or the future of my descendants. As petroleum fuels account for the biggest contributions to global warming, our elected leaders shouldn’t be taking anything from the oil and gas industry.

I will be writing Padilla and Costa a letter asking them to return all 2022 oil and gas donations and reject all future donations.

Mike Starry

Fresno

Traffic laws ignored

“A second crash on Highway 99 keeps traffic snarled south of Fresno, CHP says,” (fresnobee.com, July 26)

Traffic enforcement seems to not happen any more. Maybe the laws have changed, but I remember when it was against the law to modify your exhaust system. Now, I hear cars that sound as loud as dragsters. It’s so silly to hear this loud exhaust coming from a small passenger car.

As for red lights, they seem to mean nothing to some people. I have occasion to drive into town two to three times a week and see cars running 50% of the red lights I stop at. Sometimes, it’s as many as three cars running a red at the same signal. It seems that stop signs are just a suggestion to many.

On the freeways, speed limit signs seem to mean as fast as your car will go. As for me, I drive at the limit: 65 miles per hour. I drive mostly in the far right lane, and still have cars tailgating me. Once, I was passed by a school bus. On the 180 and the 99, I have driven 80 mph just to keep up and not cause a problem by going too slow. On my street, in rural Fresno County, it’s a small two-lane with houses within 100 feet of the road. Yet cars drive by at 60 mph.

Jake Wilburn

Fresno

Be the change

“Fresno Unified sees 30% spike in homeless student population. ‘Everything is getting harder’,” (fresnobee.com, May 10)

I am well aware of the statistics I have read in regards to the increasing number of homeless people in the city. As a reader and subscriber of The Fresno Bee, I propose to elevate the usage of this platform to better the lives of others. I have served in community services and witnessed first-hand how many people in our community don’t have a shelter or a place to call home.

I am sure that a news article supporting non-profit organizations that are providing basic necessities to people in need could make a difference. More articles need to be posted in regards to organizations that are making a change in our community.

Mahatma Gandhi said, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”

Najat Zamzami

Fresno

Chávez’s legacy deserves to live on

“Yes, César Chávez was controversial. But streets in Fresno can still be named in his honor | Opinion,” (fresnobee.com, July 23)

I am just a little angry that there are still so many racists in Fresno who oppose naming a street after the great union leader César Chávez. They have called him “divisive,” yet he was anything but. If you thought he was divisive it’s because you’re anti-union.

In California, six cities have streets named after Chávez. States including Idaho, Michigan, Minnesota, Utah and Wisconsin have honored him. Schools and libraries nationwide have recognized him. It’s not so much an honor to Chávez as it is a recognition of farmworkers and their contributions to our society. We owe it to them to name a street after him.

How about UFW Boulevard? I think if this were a ballot proposal, voters in Fresno would say “yes” overwhelmingly.

Nancy Schultz

Fresno