On April 22, 2008, your editorial was titled “Big Labor: ‘Jump’ - Pelosi: ‘How High?’ I am not writing to debate the Colombia Free Trade Agreement or to defend Speaker’s Pelosi’s leadership, although when union leaders are murdered at a rate that leads the world, I am not sure of the “benefits” of rewarding the country where it’s happening.

I am writing because I am continually puzzled by the pejorative term, “Big Labor.” Organized labor represents approximately 8 percent of private sector working people in this country. That means 92 percent of working people are not organized and do not belong to unions or “labor.”

Put aside the difference in resources that “Big Business” controls versus organized labor. I just find it difficult to accept that any entity that represents 8 percent of the whole is described as “big.”

Kim Wirshing

San Francisco

Let there be light

I looked out my bedroom window the other night to see the large cross on Mt. Davidson brightly lit up. It was such a spectacular sight, I wish that it could be lit up all year long. Although I am not particularly religious, I enjoyed seeing such a symbol of our culture and tradition tastefully illuminated.

Martin VonDurante

San Francisco

Mandatory recycling

I’m an avid recycler, but it is easy to see major problems with our mayor’s proposed new mandatory recycling law.

First, “rejecting” garbage set out for pick up because an item or two should have been in the blue bin instead of the black one will certainly result in more dumped garbage on our sidewalks and streets. We already have a rodent problem in some high-density neighborhoods. Expect a lot more of that if this passes.

Second, fining small property owners of multi-unit rental buildings as “violators” would be blatantly unfair. As long as the owner has provided the required bins and posted instructions for their shared use, how could The City possibly hold them responsible for tenants who fail to follow the rules? It would be virtually impossible to determine which particular resident caused the violation, so the only logical course of action would be to divvy up the fine and pass it on to all tenants, including many who were more careful in their recycling habits. This is a perfect example of yet another city law with great intentions but poorly thought out to the point of absurdity. Unless you want to have garbage stacking up on your street or are willing to pay a fine that your neighbor in a shared building caused, speak up and stop this bad idea now.

Michael Smithwick

San Francisco

Community policing

The community policing report recommends that district captains should be able to remain at stations instead of being rotated to different assignments every two to three years. What a relief to hear this aired publicly! It only makes good business sense to keep captains in their districts for a longer period of time because it takes two to three years just to get to know all the residents, merchants and groups. In the long run, it costs money for a captain to get up-to-speed with everything that is going on in their district.

I am very happy with my current captain, but I was extremely upset when my former captain was replaced after only about three years and I went to the Police Commission to voice my opinion. Now my current captain is busy getting to know all of us, and I hope and pray that he is not removed once he does.

Katy Liddell

San Francisco

Presidio museum

Will Reisman’s article of April 16 “Museum Plan for Presidio Getting Heat” reveals a real concern that the Presidio Trust board may be abusing its mandate and its fiduciary responsibilities by announcing its approval to site the Fisher museum at the Main Post of the Presidio. There is a growing citizen’s outrage to this museum being built at that location.

An under-reported story is the huge tax benefits to the Fisher family fortune by donating their art collection. Additionally, the Fisher family is insisting that the board site the museum at the Presidio Main Post, the historical epicenter, in an architectural design that is completely out of context with the existing surrounding buildings.

We must not allow persons of privilege and influence to impose their will on the general public without regard to their rights.

Patty De Bono

San Francisco

Congestion pricing

Congestion pricing is certainly worth trying as a means to discourage environmentally damaging transportation (and land use practices) and as a way to increase funding for more sustainable modes of transportation.

Sprague Terplan

San Francisco

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