Dogs off the leash in city parks

Dogs have always run off-leash at Miraloma Park and many others. Parents whose children use Miraloma Park have been tired of this situation for years but now, after waiting all year for the park to be redone with it’s beautiful re-sodded grass and the $250,000 spent on it, as you did mention, we are fed up with it. Besides not wanting to see the grass destroyed, we are tired of dogs running up to and scaring some of our children, running over to us and over our blankets, and we are disgusted that kids have had to leave playing early because they have got dog feces all over them.

You mention the “While San Francisco has roughly 110,000 residents under 18 … The City has between 120,000 and 150,000 dogs,” and “The City’s parks consist of 29 off-leash areas for dogs.” Which implies that children are given a fair amount of space.

But may I remind you, children are people (who, by the way, in 10-15 years will be voting and reading papers, while most likely, these dogs will be dead) and dogs, well, are still dogs.

We, as parents of humans, have reached our breaking point and because of some irresponsible, inconsiderate, selfish dog owners, are putting our feet down as they try and take over another park where they don’t pick up and monitor their pets behavior.

Next time, rather than running a picture of a man sitting peacefully with his dog next to him, you might run a picture of children playing with dogs running all over the fields. Please get both sides of the story and report fairly.

Laura Milvy

San Francisco

Misogyny towards Clinton

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton’s campaign for president is proof of her bravery, determination, strength and steadfastness. She is enduring savage misogyny of unparalleled proportions.

She is a strong, uncompromising, knowledgeable, articulate, woman and for that men are screaming for her to quit. But it is precisely because she is a strong, uncompromising, knowledgeable, articulate woman that she should never, ever quit. And especially not because she’s a woman. What fool began that ancient rumor? We are in the 21st century now; women can do whatever they darn well want.

Magie Dominic

New York, NY

Pedestrian overpasses needed

Senator Leland Yee’s sustained leadership regarding making 19th Avenue a safer roadway reminds us that some politicians out there know how to stick with an issue year in and year out until it is resolved or successfully mitigated. After four attempts, Senator Yee has finally gotten the double-fine zone legislation moved closer than ever to the Governor’s desk. This, along with the countdown signals, enhanced crosswalk designs, signal coordination and more cameras are all long overdue improvements to address the dangers that have existed on 19th Avenue over the last 50 years.

As The Examiner states (Editorial, “Another weapon to tame streets,” May 5), “When a freeway shares the surface streets of a residential neighborhood, expect problems.”

However, even with all of these improvements to 19th Avenue, it seems authorities are overlooking the fact that this is a freeway and the presence of crosswalks at every intersection is a clear and present danger still looking for a remedy. One wonders why some of the east and west bound streets that intersect 19th Avenue have not been slated for elevated walkways or underpasses strategically placed at the “killer” intersections.

If this were done, many pedestrians would at least have the option not to test the new 19th Avenue improvements with their lives. It works on Geary, near Japan Center — why not for the deadliest strip of roadway in the City?

Matt Mitguard

San Francisco

Gun club at Lake Merced

None of the recent articles or letters on the gun club at Lake Merced mentions the fact that open outdoor shooting ranges are not permitted within the city limits of any city like San Francisco.

The discharge of firearms like 12-gauge shotguns within a city or in close proximity to residential neighborhoods is unacceptable by any standard. Even shooters have concerns with the impact of the noise produced from shotgun blasts. They wear protective hearing devices. Unfortunately, nearby joggers, boaters, golfers, park visitors, etc., have to endure the noise.

During the SFPUC land-use review process for Lake Merced, the future of the gun club was necessarily considered. The real issue is not noise, but whether the gun club can continue to justify the use of some 13 acres of prime waterfront land for a limited membership. The club claims a membership of 300 members, of which 150 do not live in S.F. Clearly, the gun club site could be better utilized as a family recreational area and nature educational center that includes a needed wildlife program.

June Wilson

San Francisco

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