Please! Newsom’s picture on the front page of Wednesday’s newspaper with the heading, “Your next governor?” (“The first step toward being governor,” July 2) made me freeze and hesitate while deciding whether to take a copy, as I am wont to do each and every workday morning.

How can this above-the-law politician receive front-page heading as in the San Francisco Examiner?

Each of the other candidates pictured with this article are more qualified than this jet-set politician. Let us hope that the next election for governor will provide a rule-of-law governor and a rule-of-law mayor to San Francisco, before more families leave this city.

Frank Norton

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San Francisco

Columnist misses good news

Ken Garcia obviously harbors affection for San Francisco Beautiful, its 60-year history and mission. (“City’s preservation organization is crumbling apart beautifully,” July 1). However, his dire interpretation of recent turnover within our organization takes on the flavor of a hit piece.

Ken correctly cites differences in organizational goals as leading to some recent board member departures — actually, only three have left specifically because of these differences. But Ken misses some major positive news. Three outstanding board members were recruited last month, and others continue to apply. Furthermore, strong candidates have applied to build on the fine work of Dee Dee Workman, our executive director, for 11 years. Our devoted volunteers and members bolster our mission and presence throughout The City as well.

All our existing programs continue, including an active program of grants to community groups that engage in beautification projects, support of Green Schoolyards and other educational programs. Our annual Beautification awards dinner will take place at the Mark Hopkins Hotel on Oct. 24 and will recognize awardees who have made major contributions to the quality of life in The City. In addition, we will continue to advocate against unsightly and unlawful advertising in public places and in favor of park and street improvements and architectural and urban design projects that enhance the beauty and livability of The City.

We question why Ken decided not to mention these items — all of which he knew about. San Francisco Beautiful has been around for 60 years and will continue to support, enhance and protect the qualities that keep us here for a long time to come.

Milo F. Hanke

President, San Francisco Beautiful

Irony hard to read in print

Public officials sometimes say the silliest things. But reading quotes in the newspaper does not always give a true indication of their meaning because, in print, you can’t experience the tone of their voice or see if they are winking or not. Take City Attorney Dennis Herrera’s remark quoted in The Examiner, for example (“NRA has city’s anti-gun laws in its cross hairs,” June 28). He said, “I intend to vigorously defend our common-sense city ordinances that protect public safety from gun violence (my emphasis).” He was being sarcastic — right?

Barrett Giorgis

San Francisco

Don’t waste praise on Clark

My six older brothers and I all served in the U.S. Armed Forces beginning in World War II and ending in 1963. Our father was in World War I. Wesley Clark was an embarrassment when he ran for president and is an abomination now.

Michael J. Hanley

Park Ridge, Ill.

In support of pharmacies

Last week, the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House worked to pass legislation that would help assure patients’ access to their community pharmacies. While the House moved quickly to pass this Medicare bill, the Senate stalled due to political angling. I write in the hopes that the U.S. senators in our state will remember to support their constituents and their local pharmacies. Not only is the health of our citizens at stake, but the health of our local economies, as well.

Vote in favor of H.R. 6331!

Dave Lastra

Clearlake

Didn’t mean to offend

Thanks to the letter to the editor condemning my insensitivity to deaf-mutes (Letters, June 27), my original point was made about unnecessary government intervention (Letters, June 26). The writer didn’t need an act of Congress, or any Silly Hall supervisor to enact legislation to speak up for him. He expressed his feelings on his own, without a new law forcing The Examiner or any other private business to fight his battle on his behalf, and he wasn’t excluded from our democracy as he feared.

Also, I apologize for my ignorance in using the term “deaf-mute” to describe anyone who is deaf and mute. I culled that word from my dictionary, which doesn’t include the latest politically-correct terminology for this month.

Gary Hardeman

San Francisco

To add your voice

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By e-mail: letters@sfexaminer.com

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San Francisco, CA 94105

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