Elderly Fresno resident: I fear falling on the city’s unsafe sidewalks | Opinion

Fresno’s sidewalks are unsafe

“Safety upgrades made on one of Fresno’s most dangerous roads. ‘Dramatic improvements’,” (fresnobee.com, Aug. 7, 2024)

Why do so many people walk in the streets? It is because there are no corner curb cuts within islands, despite state laws requiring them; sidewalks that are in terrible shape; trees or shrubbery that makes them impassable; and cars, trucks and campers blocking the sidewalks while parked.

I am approaching 70 years old. In the past two years I have had three major surgeries. After all three, walking was the primary rehabilitation strategy. My primary fear was falling, and I found it unsafe to walk on the sidewalks in my neighborhood.

I am one of many elderly individuals walking in the streets — instead of on the sidewalks — for this reason. It is amazing to me that there aren’t more citizens hit by vehicles in these areas.

We must make repairs.

Brian L. Baker

Fresno

God welcomes all

“Fresno celebrates 36th annual Fresno Rainbow Pride Parade and Festival (Video),” (fresnobee.com, June 6)

June invites Catholics to contemplate the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and we remember something very beautiful: His heart is open to everyone.

As our society turns its attention to the experiences of LGBTQ+ persons during Pride Month, this is a good moment to show the kindness and compassion of Jesus. Our LGBTQ+ brothers and sisters are part of our families and our parishes. They are welcomed and loved by God. Let’s reject hatred, bullying and anything that hurts the dignity of another person.

God doesn’t divide humanity into “worthy” and “unworthy.” Instead, He invites each of us — gay, straight, married, single, clergy, lay — to ongoing conversion. Conversion is not a burden placed on one group; it is the lifelong journey of every disciple. When we recognize the dignity of other persons, we are not endorsing every choice they make; we are honoring the God who made them. Love does not require agreement. Love requires seeing Christ in the other.

If there’s room in Jesus’ heart for everyone, there must be room in his church for all to feel loved and welcome. As Pope Leo XIV says, “You’re all welcome, and let’s get to know one another and respect one another.”

Fr Misael Avila

Turlock

Valadao’s misplaced priorities

“Will Rep. David Valadao serve his constituents or continue funding ICE? | Opinion,” (fresnobee.com, May 31)

Rep. David Valadao and other politicians in Washington have misplaced priorities. Instead of focusing on lowering the cost of gas, housing and healthcare for constituents like me, Valadao recently voted to give an additional $70 billion of our tax dollars to President Donald Trump’s cruel and dangerous immigration enforcement agenda.

Our communities need a path to U.S. citizenship, not more detention and deportation.

Last month, I traveled to D.C. with my union and met with Valadao’s congressional staff to demand a vote against the reconciliation bill. As a dairy farmer, I can’t help but feel that he cares more about his cows than the people who elected him. Sadly, most of us struggle to afford the milk, meat and cheese produced by those very cows.

Valadao needs to get his priorities straight. This November, I’m voting him out of Congress.

Robert Biggs

Tulare

Invest in education

“Fresno Unified deepens projected budget cuts as enrollment declines persist,” (fresnobee.com, June 4)

In every article I read about budget cuts in the Central Valley, the cuts are always aimed at education costs. The increase is about policing and incarceration.

Nobody wants more criminal activity, but we pay more and more to enforce, arrest and incarcerate criminals. If we focused instead on education, we might reduce criminal activity.

Mark Curfman

Fresno

Public safety requires investment

“Fresno Police fatal shooting will get review by California Department of Justice,” (fresnobee.com, May 20, 2022)

California’s Department of Justice (DOJ) special agents play a critical role in public safety, supporting local police and sheriff’s departments, investigating complex criminal operations and helping connect cases that cross jurisdictional lines. But too many of these positions are sitting vacant. That is not just a staffing issue, it is a public safety issue.

One example is DOJ’s Fentanyl Enforcement Program team based out of the Dublin Regional Office, which covers a region that spans from Merced to the Oregon border. That team has two vacant special agent positions, making it harder to support local agencies, identify suppliers and stop fentanyl before it reaches more communities.

The broader Dublin office has a 58% vacancy rate for special agents. California cannot ask DOJ special agents to fight fentanyl, organized crime and complex criminal operations without providing the staffing, pay and support needed to do the job. Public safety requires investment.

Ben Greenhagen

California DOJ Special Agent

President, Association of Special Agents