17 hours Ago By Letters to the Editor
Re: “ ” (Page B1, Dec. 19). In regard to the recent Bay Area News Group article, I’m encouraged to see Mayor Mahan and the city of San Jose demanding more accountability from its nonprofit partners on public money spent combating homelessness.
A state audit was completed earlier this year and found that the state and its partner cities like San Jose and San Diego had left behind a “data desert” lacking needed results and accountability. Per the state audit recommendations I asked for, San Jose is now striving to establish a model plan for homeless housing accountability for the rest of the state. That’s progress.
Re: “ ” (Page B1, Dec. 19). In the Dec.
19 Mercury News, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan points out that “property management” of housing for the homeless is a specialty that perhaps should be contracted out rather than left to nonprofit homeless providers. I know of an apartment complex built on church property in partnership with a nonprofit provider in which serious problems have ensued due to a lack of professional property management. Since one hopes that more of these affordable housing complexes will be built, the experience of this church (in my neighborhood) indicates that there is a serious need for specialized property management experienced with the homeless population to ensure the safety and habitability of such housing.
The city should start thinking about effective training and planning for this kind of property management. Re: “ ” (Page A1, Dec. 18).
Don’t be misled by more PG&E hyperbole. PG&E ratepayers will be on the hook for repaying the $15 billion federal loan it received for spending on — what, exactly? So my questions are: Will there be any oversight on how the money is spent? Were those who OK’d this loan aware that of PG&E rate hikes are due to spending on utility poles and wires? How does this “loan” not result in higher utility bills for already overburdened ratepayers? All loans have to be repaid. Grants are “gifts” with no repayment due.
I’m willing to bet PG&E shareholders will not be the ones footing the repayment costs. Did you know that the weeks of Christmas and New Year historically see a spike in unintentional shootings? As families come together for the holidays, it is more important than ever to securely store all firearms in the home. Curious children looking for presents may find instead a loaded firearm that can quickly turn into tragedy.
Increased alcohol consumption over the holidays can cause adults to have a lapse in judgment. If you’re hosting friends and family, store your firearms securely. If you’re visiting the homes of loved ones, ask about safe storage.
Related Articles There are mere days left for Congress to pass the FDA Modernization Act 3.0 ( ), which the Senate passed unanimously last week. This critical legislation, which promotes the development and use of animal testing alternatives for new drug approvals, would have a significant positive impact on human health and animal welfare.
In 2022, FDA Modernization Act 2.0 was signed into law by President Biden. This law removed the 84-year-old requirement that investigational new drugs undergo mandatory animal testing before human clinical trials.
Instead, the new law allows drug developers to use advanced, non-animal methods such as computer modeling and bioprinting. Although it has been nearly two years, the FDA has yet to update its regulations to comply with the law. The FDA Modernization Act 3.
0 would require the FDA to update its regulations within six months. Both humans and animals are suffering because of the FDA’s failure to act..
