# Letters: Investment by data centers can win over communities > Source: > Published: 2026-07-24 23:30:13+00:00 **Getting your** [Trinity Audio](//trinityaudio.ai)player ready...**Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.** #### Data center investment can win over cities Re: “[Residents voice opposition to an approved data center](https://www.mercurynews.com/2026/07/21/pittsburg-residents-voice-opposition-to-approved-data-center/)” (Page B1, July 23). Pushback on building new data centers is mounting. What might reduce the pushback? Support those living near data centers by offering free or low-cost electricity, helping fund desalination plants, putting money into the local economy to offset the lack of jobs due to AI and encouraging open communication with local communities to deal with unforeseen problems. Big tech will be making big money from these data centers. Agreeing to share the burden and the wealth with those who are most affected could be a win-win. **Arlene DeLeon** *Castro Valley* #### Child sex workers an indictment of Oakland Re: “[Woman charged with trafficking girls for sex in Oakland](https://www.mercurynews.com/2026/06/26/richmond-woman-charged-with-trafficking-girls-for-sex-in-oakland/)” (Page B2, June 27). Your news article detailed charges of “human trafficking of a minor” concerning the prostitution of 15- and 17-year-old girls on a “section of 16th Avenue” in Oakland. The accused insisted she thought the girls “were just 19 years old.” My wife and I have repeatedly visited a local garage in this area in order to have my wife’s Toyota’s catalytic converter replaced three different times after being stolen in front of our house. Each time, prostitutes, including obviously very young ones, were visibly plying their trade at midday. When we came out here in 1971, Oakland was an industrial town with lots of jobs at shipyards, trucking fleets, warehouses and canneries. Why do underage prostitution and cannabis dispensaries seem to be our only growth industries now? This disgrace is an indictment of our bankrupt political and cruel economic systems. **Michael Dunlap** *Oakland* #### Vote for Aisha Wahab in August special election Vote for Aisha Wahab in the Aug. 18 special election for U.S. Congress in California’s 14th District. As California State Senate assistant majority leader, Wahab has shown the legislative experience to tackle difficult problems and pursue practical solutions. She has challenged powerful special interests, worked across the aisle and built a strong record on housing affordability, lowering costs, public safety and protecting our communities. Her personal story reflects hard work, perseverance and a commitment to public service. She has met with Tri-Valley residents, answered questions directly and listened to local concerns with candor and accessibility. I believe voters should consider each candidate’s complete public record. As campaign advertising becomes more negative, it’s important to look beyond attack ads and evaluate the facts. I am supporting Aisha Wahab because I believe she will provide effective representation for California’s 14th Congressional District. Please vote in the Aug. 18 Special Election. **Gerry Gire** *Pleasanton* #### Rich are trying to buy Prop. 40 election Re: “[Big money Bay Area interests shifting tax burden onto poor](https://www.mercurynews.com/2026/07/22/opinion-big-money-bay-area-interests-try-to-shift-the-tax-burden-onto-the-poor/)” (Page A6, July 22). I once supported the California Forever project, but the overlap between its major investors and the massive campaign to defeat [Proposition 40](https://ballotpedia.org/California_Proposition_40,_One-Time_Wealth_Tax_for_State-Funded_Healthcare,_Education,_and_Food_Assistance_Programs_Initiative_(2026)) has raised serious concerns. Voters deserve to know whether this effort truly serves the public or primarily protects the financial interests of a small group of wealthy backers. The same donors pushing for large‑scale development and regulatory shortcuts are also bankrolling an $87 million effort to stop the wealth tax. They align when it benefits their wealth or advances the project, and separate when it doesn’t. That’s not civic leadership. It’s coordinated convenience. I believed in the idea of building something better for California. The pattern of political spending has made me question the support I once gave. Transparency is essential. **Kathi Miller** *Lincoln* #### Hegseth policies are degrading US military Re: “The Art of War” editorial cartoon (Page A6, July 22). The U.S. military is the world’s gold standard — physically fit, disciplined and 100% dedicated to their role in protecting this country against foreign enemies. Sec. Hegseth has jeopardized our image by slashing experienced leaders because of their gender or color. He’s forced those in uniform into roles that are not only unconstitutional, but also domestic situations where they’ve had no training. He’s glamorized battles by describing wins no differently than a video game where soldiers don’t really die, even renaming the Department of Defense to the Department of War. He’s undermined confidence and discounted training with his concern on waist size, facial hair and testosterone levels. The secretary could learn a lesson from General Eisenhower, who [said](https://www.thegettysburgexperience.com/a-soldier-for-peace), “I hate war as only a soldier who has lived it can, only as one who has seen its brutality, its futility and its stupidity.” Our military deserves better than Sec. Pete Hegseth. **David Wilkins** *San Jose*