Letters: There's been an annual Grateful Dead tribute for decades. Why is S.F. upstaging it?
What's wrong with this picture?
For the past 22 years, people have flocked to the Jerry Garcia Amphitheater in McLaren Park for Jerry Day on the first weekend in August.
Folks from the Excelsior — Garcia's boyhood neighborhood — produce other local events, in addition to the all-day free concert.
Why do business people want to upstage this beloved tradition on Aug. 2?
Those who experienced the magic of original Dead concerts know that it was not about making money. For years, the original band sold modestly priced paper tickets by mail order.
Garcia himself was loved not just for his musical genius, but because of his kindness and humility. Roadies tell of how, in his final years, he was clearly not well, but he kept touring so that his friends would have work.
Amelia Marshall, Oakland
Stop urban sprawl
Regarding 'This rich beachfront city is trying to launch an anti-housing insurgency in California' (Opinion, SFChronicle.com, May 17): I lived in San Diego for 15 years, so I'm familiar with the region. Encinitas is located in northern San Diego County, and any housing built in North County is technically urban sprawl.
The result: more cars on local streets, clogged freeways, increased pollution, water shortages and greater fire risk. It's bad planning.
The state should be discouraging — not mandating — new housing in Encinitas and North County. Thank you to the local leaders who are pushing back.
The real story is that Gov. Gavin Newsom is bypassing the state Legislature with even more draconian housing legislation on top of the dozens of laws he has already signed.
How does that differ from President Donald Trump's numerous executive orders?
With his legislative bullying, MAGA-curious podcast and anti-transgender comments, Newsom is no better than Trump these days.
Richard Kurylo, San Francisco
Tax Big Tech for housing
Ultimately, the housing crisis is due to an unhealthy imbalance between jobs and housing.
It is the high-paced creation of high-paying jobs, mostly in Big Tech, that is especially responsible for the affordable housing crisis.
UC Berkeley economist Enrico Moretti has pointed out that for each high-paying job created, five new service jobs are generated, two professional and three low-paying.
High-paying jobs should be taxed with a payroll tax for companies above a certain size to create the badly needed funding for low-income housing.
Nico Calavita, Berkeley
Support clean energy
Regarding 'This California county has the highest death rate for climate change-driven wildfire smoke' (Climate, SFChronicle.com, May 13): Wildfire smoke, fueled by climate change, has caused thousands of deaths across the state in recent years, with rural areas hit hardest.
Congress is debating the future of America's clean energy tax credits, which reduce carbon pollution and support clean energy jobs. Unfortunately, current House proposals phase out these critical investments in clean electricity and end tax credits for home electrification. The result would be high household energy costs, stifled energy innovation and increased pollution.
Representatives from the most affected districts should prioritize their constituents' health by defending clean energy investments.
Thank you to Rep. Vince Fong, R-Bakersfield, and Rep. David Valadao, R-Bakersfield, for supporting clean energy tax credits.
I urge other lawmakers in wildfire-impacted districts, including Rep. Doug LaMalfa, R-Chico; Rep. Kevin Kiley, R-Rocklin (Placer County); Rep. Tom McClintock, R-Modesto; and Rep. Jay Obernolte, R-Hesperia (San Bernardino County); to join them in advancing clean energy in America and protecting the lives of Californians.
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