East Bay should now prepare for the closure of the refinery

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East Bay should prepare
Now for the closure of the refinery

Re: “The oil refinery gives the intention of” inactive notice “(page A1, April 17).

The news of the possible closure by April 2026 of the Valero refinery in Benicia was a shock for residents and was a major conversation subject here.

Benicia city officials have put Valero tax revenue at 16% at 17% of the city’s annual budget, which could represent a major success in public security, the maintenance of the park and other services. Other refineries in southern California are also provided for a possible or certain closure.

The advantage of refinery closures will ultimately be a cleaner environment with less disasters linked to the climate. However, this will present great financial difficulties for refinery employees and local governments which currently depend on their income.

Possible income replacements include solar installations and other cleaner industries. Local governments, legislators and state decision-makers, as well as workers who could be moved, still have time to start planning a post-radical era.

Christine Stevens
Benicia

Trump, Doge must stop
Cut critical services

I recently read that Donald Trump and Dogi reduce funding that helps the National Weather Service to collect and publish his forecasts.

Although we in the bay region cannot see an immediate effect, this will make us feel elsewhere in the country. We have many government programs that provide precious services to the public without understanding their value. A large part of this work can be considered as regular or routine maintenance on a car. Without this, the car will continue to operate for a while, but broken down, leaving you blocked and subject to expensive repair bills.

For public agencies, this information allows them to warn us of future storms. Do not cut this rescue service.

Roger Wood
Fremont

Devote resources
In education on Africa

On May 8, the Diablo Valley College political science department held a meeting for the observation of Africa’s day with the theme of the supply of educational opportunities to African and African-American students.

The academics, professionals and students participated and stressed that while the world was facing armed wars and conflicts, it is high time for the United Nations, states, university establishments and individuals to demand that education as an instrument of peace devotes more efforts and resources to education. Africa has suffered from colonialism and apartheid, and helped it must have priority.

The same principle must be applied to African-American students. According to statistics, African-American students need more resources and opportunities. Government resources should be used to provide education.

Communities must demand that elected officials devote attention and resources to these urgent objectives and needs. I hope there will be an answer.

Amer Araim
Walnut Creek

Alcatraz a perfect
A landing for Trump

Re: “Reopening of Alcatraz not easy task” (page A1, May 6).

Donald Trump therefore wants to reopen Alcatraz prison, closed in 1963 due to enormous costs. It’s a great idea, with a twist.

If and when justice is never done and Trump is imprisoned for his many crimes, it would be appropriate that he stayed there, within these decomposition and rusty walls, all alone. His living spaces could be modernized from floor mirrors to the ceiling so that he can continue his self-admission day and night. And just think about these magnificent 360 -degree views all around for his personal pleasure. A house like no other, a West from Mar-A-Lago.

For questionable reading, there is a precedent: Spandau prison (Germany in the 1940s) where the high -ranking Nazi Rudolf Hess has been hosted, all alone in recent years.

Marilynn Gray-Art
Danville

Walters columns make
Monotone reserved space

I am tired of seeing Dan Walters in the opinion section of the East Bay Times several times a week. The endless Harangu of Walters of the Legislative Assembly, and in particular Governor Newsom, is more tedious.

DEWAYNE GUIDOIR
Concord

Admission of Afrikaners
Mocks refugee system

Re: “Trump officials seek to bring us the 1st Afrikaner white refugees” (page A4, May 10).

The article describes Trump’s decree allowing the admission of white Afrikaners from South Africa as a refugee.

This right-wing version of the whites privilege ignores the hundreds of thousands of real refugees pending years for shelter in the United States. He wants us to ignore the colonial flight of African lands and decades of racist policies of South African apartheids every centuries to refusing black rights to citizenship, land ownership and freedom of movement. The redistribution of stolen lands is appropriate and still does not correct the massive property of the South African economy by whites.

This tries to erase the racist past from the white community. He is promoted by South African Elon Musk. I remain embarrassed as a American with our “white” immigration policies. The statue of freedom cries.

Scott Loeliger
Benicia