Dear Paul Hogarth:

I was surprised to see you slamming Proposition 98 in the same column where you discuss Hunters Point. Wow. Those folks are being displaced twice. Under 98, they would never have that fear again. Major developers - and yes, Arnold Schwarzenegger too - are opposing us. But I thought we might have a shot with the progressives. Guess not.

Jon Coupal, President
Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association



To the Editor:

A previous article written by Larry Gross titled Landlords Funding Prop 98 Have History of Mistreating Tenants is ludacrist! Either this guy is severely misinformed, is intentionally twisting the truth or his political career is going to be questioned for causing panic with his ridiculous statements and misguided allocations.

First of all, let me say that I am a rent-paying tenant and I respect and admire my landlord and the difficulties she incurs. I have witnessed nightmares with deadbeat tenants and the horrific and costly episodes that comes with them. And ... my landlord is a kind and generous person - her rent controlled units are considerably below market - as are her asking prices on de-controlled vacancies. Not ALL landlords mistreat tenants just as not all tenants mistreat landlords. I am also in favor of Prop 98.

Landlords funding Prop 98 just want their property rights back that people like Mr. Gross have stolen from them. Now, he accuses these very owners of mistreating tenants? Please. Tell Mr. Gross to go take a look at some of the City's rental properties - those are the very ones that should be condemned!

Mr. Gross has grossly misled the public to believe that Prop 98 will displace tenants, raise their rents and leave them homeless in the streets. These are blatant lies. Has he not read this measure? Has he not caused panic in the media with every "under-market rent-paying" tenant with his untruths and attack on property owners?

Prop 98 WILL NOT displace renters. Prop 98 WILL NOT allow owners under rent control to raise rents, if passed. Prop 98 will still PROTECT CURRENT RENTERS who are under rent control. It is only when those tenants voluntarily move out that the unit becomes non-controlled, as they should in the American system of free enterprise.

Shame on Larry Gross. I've seen those deceitful ads and I've heard the lies for too long. Why doesn't he also share with everyone the fact that Prop 99 DOES NOT PROTECT ALL OWNERS against unfair eminent domain? There are owner restrictions placed on that one as, if passed, would still allow the city to take property from owners unfairly in certain situations. Perhaps he should read and study up on that measure as well.

Vote Yes on 98! It's the only American thing to do.

Patricia A. Harris
Regional Manager, San Fernando Valley
Apartment Owners Association (AOA)



To the Editor:

Last fall, the San Francisco Apartment Association gave two awards to CitiApartments: one for property management firm of the year and for one of their buildings as "best repositioned property."

That the SFAA would give these awards to Skyline/CitiApartments is understandable. After all, CitiApartments was a "Golden Gate Sponsor" of the Trophy Awards event at the Palace Hotel - along with Trinity Management Services, Villas at Park Merced, Gavin Goombs Rental Radar, and Sunset Scavengers (this last one, presumably, to pick up all the rhetorical trash at the event.) In a sense, Skyline/CitiApartments paid for their own event to pat themselves on the back. The mafia often operates under legitimate businessman's associations.

For some reason, however, State Senator Carole Migden decided to use Senate time and resources to honor Skyline/CitiApartments for both of these dubious and self-congratulatory awards. There are two framed announcements proudly displayed behind the reception desk at 2099 Market Street.

Deeply concerned about Migden's honors, I emailed her through her website on March 28. In that email, I outlined the major, well-documented problems with Skyline/CitiApartments as a landlord. I summarized both the general complaints and my personal involvement with them as a friend and caretaker to a disabled woman who was one of their tenants for several years. I also included details about Skyline's removal of the ADA-compliant wheelchair ramp at 2099 Market Street and the blocked secondary egress at 675 O'Farrell Street. (I have also contacted - apparently in vain - the SF DBI on these two matters.) My email promised a follow-up letter, which I sent on April 4.

Having not received a reply either to my email or my letter, last Friday I called Migden's San Francisco office. The woman I spoke with at length, Frances Hsieh, could not explain why I had not heard back and asked me to email her my letter. I did that and, as of today, I still have not received even a courtesy acknowledgment from a responsible party.

As a concerned constituent, I am obviously not of any value to a Democratic Senator facing a contested primary. Migden or her office clearly do not want to address this issue with me. Perhaps, then, you might have more success asking her: 1) why she gave Skyline/CitiApartments these awards; 2) if she actually approves of their management style; and, 3) if so, how she justifies that in light of her ostensible pro-renter positions.

In advance of the upcoming primary, the thousands of tenants in Skyline/CitiApartments buildings would be well-served having explanations of Migden's actions. I think, too, that all of her constituents, as well as her colleagues in the State Senate, would appreciate finding out why Senator Migden is in bed with the mob.

Sincerely,

Scott Bravmann



To the Editor:

I read the Paul Hogarth article and it is clear that Obama supporters may be in for a rude awakening. Obama may not be the nominee when it is all said and done. Obama support is slipping and he is looking more unelectable every day especially with Rev. Wright touring all over the place scaring people with his fiery Black Liberation Theology.

Further calling Hillary Clinton's win a false claim is simply sour grapes. The media acknowledges that the win was a double digit win whether it was 9.35 or 10.0 it came close enough to do the damage to Obama's electability and Obama lost in 67 counties in Pennsylvania by huge margins.

It will be an ugly day when the nomination is announced no matter who wins, but I worry that if Obama is not the nominee that the radical left will not be able to accept defeat and take the the streets with fists raised. Is that the America we want, radical, left, activists willing to burn down the country because Obambi got knocked off his high horse.

Hogarth is entitled to his opinion, but he's not correct in asking the media to declare a winner prematurely. Things can change very quickly in politics and there is a possibility of an upset in North Carolina or Indiana. We'll just have to wait and see. Until then Obama is just the other candidate who won't have enough pledged delegates to win the nomination either.

Alex Oliver



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