Letters: Last thing Oakland needs is another mayoral coronation

Regarding “ ‘Unite us’: Top Oakland leaders urge Barbara Lee to run for mayor in new letter” (Politics, SFChronicle.com, Dec. 19): The news stories about Rep. Barbara Lee’s possible candidacy for Oakland mayor sound more like a coronation than an open election. We have a history of failures with such political coronations. 

The most obvious example was former Rep. Ron Dellums, who reluctantly agreed to run and proved to be a disinterested and ineffectual mayor. Another example was the coronation of Kamala Harris in the presidential election. 

The disappointing results of these coronations should serve as a reminder to the progressives and union leaders promoting Lee’s coronation that an open process for finding the most qualified candidate is what is needed. 

If Harris had won the presidential election, the case for Lee might be strong as she likely could have marshaled federal funds to help address Oakland’s problems. 

With Donald Trump as president, Lee — who has said her city is the most woke in the U.S. — will be a liability in dealing with the federal government. 

Oakland does not need a mayor who has to be persuaded to run by self-interested labor union leaders and progressives. Oakland needs leadership dedicated to finding solutions to problems and a willingness to take on the vested interests that are the source of our dysfunctional government. 

Robert Townsend, Oakland

S.F. still cheerful 

Regarding “San Francisco’s holiday spirit is around, however sparse” (Native Son, Dec. 21): San Francisco’s holiday ambiance still shines, albeit dimmer, in light of the city’s economic and real estate woes. 

While exploring the city during the holidays over the decades, I never tired of discovering well-designed decorated lobbies, lighted trees and buildings, and revelers at real fireplaces. The celebratory contributions of citizens add to the festive whole. 

Even with empty storefronts and buildings, their owners can contribute to the public realm. In Shanghai, streets are lit up with Christmas lights and adornments  — and China is not even a Christian nation. Decorations are just good for business. San Francisco needs to invest in its street décor — it’s a better use of tax dollars than many other things.

Yes, I miss the human-scaled Gold Dust Lounge, Lefty O’Doul’s and Capp’s Corner — natural incubators of holiday cheer. The lesson is that old-time institutions are worth fighting for rather than just yielding to economic forces. There should be a law. 

A special shout-out to good holiday contributors, like the Palace Hotel’s Garden Court, the Fairmont’s lobby, Huntington Park, the Ferry Building, Macy’s and Let Us Glow SF.

Howard Wong, San Francisco

Blame Safeway alone 

Regarding “Crime forces closure” (Letters to the Editor, Dec. 22): Letter writer Denis Morrissey seems to blame the whole Fillmore neighborhood for Safeway’s decision to leave. 

Neighborhood groups have been trying to work with Safeway to deal with the situation to no avail. Safeway won’t meet with them, won’t agree to sell to another supermarket or anyone who will promise to rent to a supermarket. I agree with those who think eminent domain could be a fair answer. 

The Fillmore deserves better, has suffered enormously from the oppressive redevelopment in the 1970s, which gave Safeway the sweet deal for the land.

Sheila Koren, San Francisco

Oligarchs taking over

Regarding “As Democrats rip Elon Musk, this Bay Area mayor wants to stay neutral” (Joe Garofoli, SFChronicle.com, Dec. 20): Mayor Raj Salwan of Fremont is afraid to cross Elon Musk for the same reason that ABC News, the Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times have surrendered to threats from him and Donald Trump: With the blessing of Supreme Court in Citizens United, the oligarchs have taken over. 

Musk didn’t even have to be elected to make the Republican Congress kowtow. 

With no platform other than crazy inflationary tariffs, vengeance, cutting taxes for the rich, eliminating programs that invest in our society, throwing out immigrants who are vital to the economy and canceling regulations to put profit over protections, let’s see how their cult of supporters feel when life isn’t better and the price of eggs doesn’t go down.

Tom Miller, Oakland