Blackstone is Fresno’s glorious street. ‘It may not be pretty, but it has everything’ | Opinion
Blackstone, Fresno’s glorious street
Thank you, Mr. Warszawski, for your walk and report on Blackstone Avenue. I love that street!
It may not be pretty, but it has everything you need. You didn’t mention the sewing machine and vacuum repair places; or the upholsterers, thrift stores, Mexican restaurants, etc.
If a Fresnan needs something, I think they won’t find it in River Park, but on Blackstone. May it live long and prosper!
Nancy Schultz, Fresno
No streetlights, lots of crime
A while back, I submitted a letter to the editor alluding to all the times I and others have called the police to report a crime, only for our calls to go unanswered. Last Saturday, I saw firsthand that the situation hasn’t improved; in fact, it’s gotten worse.
My friend and her elderly mother own a small home in the Tower District, and several thieves took advantage of the fact that this city of half a million people effectively has no streetlights to attempt to steal one of their cars.
They were scared off by a neighbor, but because the police didn’t bother answering the call, the thieves simply returned a few hours later and tried again.
Sadly, that wasn’t the first time. My friend and her mother have already dealt with this repeatedly — presumably from the same thieves. Somehow, again, they’ll have to scrape together money they don’t have to fix cars that’ll probably only be vandalized or stolen shortly after.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: In a city where most of us effectively have no streetlights and no law enforcement, what are we paying for?
Michael Meyerhofer, Fresno
Valley Children’s has lot its focus
We agree with Marek Warszawski regarding Valley Children’s Hospital. This “nonprofit” has lost focus on health care funding and prioritizes spending on naming rights at Fresno State’s stadium and over the top salaries for senior executives.
All the fundraising by volunteers that includes The Fresno Bee gives the impression that Valley Children’s Hospital is the Central Valley version of St. Jude’s, and is sadly not the case.
We appreciate Councilmembers (Miguel) Arias and (Garry) Bredefeld for their efforts to seek accountability in this serious matter. Through it all we must continue to support the doctors, nurses, staff and technicians for their lifesaving efforts.
Our goals should always be to make Valley Children’s Hospital No. 1 in pediatric care.
Thomas and Eileen Ruppert, Fresno
Stop glorifying Hamas terrorists
I’m tired of anti-Israel protesters being called “courageous” and “brave” as in a recent Bee article. They’re neither. They’re shallow, bigoted cowards who hide behind scarves and masks while screaming hateful antisemitic language.
Even worse are their apologists, adults who should know better. If those kids shouted hatred towards Blacks or gays, they’d be gone in an hour, but it’s all right to denigrate and harass Jews while glorifying Hamas. They must be so proud of a terrorist organization that rapes women, burns babies, uses children as human shields, and hospitals and schools as military centers.
These kids want to make a difference, so here’s how to do it: denounce the Oct. 7 massacre and demand that Hamas surrender. Otherwise, they’re actually pro-war and pro-death, encouraging Hamas to continue barbarities that violate every known international law.
Hamas, not Israel, is responsible for the Palestinian deaths, but, sadly, it doesn’t care; it wants more and the protesters either don’t understand that or also don’t care. Israel does, and wants to end it, and it should be ended, but on Israel’s terms.
Any other way will simply lead to more death and destruction, encouraged by shirkers who never learned right from wrong.
Larry Parmeter, Fresno