I sent him an email of opposition, and I hope others here might consider doing
the same. His column is widely read, articulate, and he is an opinion leader
in this region, as a regular newspaper columnist.
I get very disturbed at all the recent publicity about the parking 'crisis'
facing this city, and how it is going to get 'far worse' with new construction
and fewer parking places and roads (notice they don't say freeways anymore).
I hope this group realizes the importance of opposing these articles and
ideas, and that thoughtful letters count. Perhaps Rescue Muni as an
organization could send him an official response and ask for him to print
their opposing views, or better to the Letters to the Editor column.
He can be reached via email at:
garciak@sfgate.com
Thank you all for your consideration.
Below I have cut-and-paste some of my email to him ... rather than refine it
repeatedly, I wanted to get something out to him ... this may not be the most
well-written effort ...
... (I first noted that I am a regular reader and mentioned two of his
articles I enjoyed a great deal - the columns on the Asian Art Museum and the
Piazzonni (spelling?) murals, and the Giants Ballpark and the Cola statue.)
...
"This is a Transit First city, and I am strongly opposed to preferences to
those who drive and park, and to those who also expect subsidies from the
general public to do so. There are so many reasons to be opposed to greater
car dependency and usage. Please encourage the improvement of public
transport in this city, rather than the selfish view of so many who want to
drive and park anywhere, anytime, at no 'cost' to themselves.
Think of any great city - London, Amsterdam, Paris, New York - driving and
parking private automobiles just isn't part of the picture, and is priced as
the luxury form of transport it is. If you compare this city to Oakland,
Sacramento, Seattle, LA, or the like ... well, yes parking and driving is
difficult.
If you think the San Francisco of 25 years ago can be recreated, you are
wrong, and thank god for that. As a dense, mixed-use city, there is no room
for rampant car use, and people must demand and use efficient public
transport. One has to only think of those who were, and are, eager to have
freeways, parking garages, and the like, and how this would ruin our city.
Please rethink your postion on these issues.
...
I look forward to reading your columns in the future.
Thank you for your consideration."
...
Daniel Sinnett