Marin IJ Readers’ Forum for April 12, 2020

Majority of voters wanted to extend SMART funding

I am writing in regard to Robert Field’s letter to the editor (“Drop SMART and demand more from elected officials.” April 9). He states that Sonoma and Marin citizens “recently gave the whole mess a resounding ‘thumbs down’ vote,” which implies a lack of support for Measure I.

In fact over 50% in each county voted to support the tax, 52.34% in Sonoma and 55.66% in Marin, however a vigorous campaign against the measure and general voter tax fatigue indeed determined the measure would not achieve the two-thirds approval needed to pass.

In an ever-changing economic environment, as we shelter from the COVID-19 pandemic, we still have climate change to deal with and we have an investment to protect. Let this not be a platform to incite distrust. The system will, no doubt, meet these challenges as presented.

— Dani Sheehan-Meyer, Sebastopol

Thanks to San Rafael Fire Department and others

Who are these people, the men and women who dedicate their lives to your well-being? Was the word pandemic ever used in their job description? One doubts that. Yet here they are, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, putting their lives in danger to secure yours. Is there a greater calling? We think not.

On behalf of the San Rafael Fire Commission, which also includes Dr. Stephen Mizroch, Larry Luckham, Thomas Weathers, Nadine Hade, Eli Hill and David Fonkalsrud, we would lik to say thank you to our department. Thank you for answering the call, day or night, to help us get through this unique and never-before-seen crisis. The reality is our extraordinary department is not alone.

Marin has 19 separate fire authorities, more than 10 police departments, more than five hospitals, the Marin County Sheriff’s Office, park rangers, special districts, a California Highway Patrol department and more. All of them are facing new challenges every day. All of them are answering a call they never thought would come.

Marin is lucky in more ways than we can count. Yes there are inequities, problems, issues — that’s called life. But in a time of need we do have the best of the best. Each and everyone of them from the front office through the rank and file, from the veterans to the latest hire all deserve our support and thanks.

When you can, say it however you want: with a smile, a wave, but do make sure you say thanks you.

— Stan Burford, San Rafael

As federal government fails, governors step up

Recently I listened to an interview with internet mogul Mark Cuban. I found the most interesting thing he spoke of is that, in times like this, we need leadership.

In the midst of this pandemic there are quite a few leaders that have stepped forward to show how a real leader can act. Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York and Gov. Gavin Newsom of California come to mind. To me they show what this country could have if they were president.

I believe the entire federal government is failing. We’ve had enough of this good-old-boy fraternity in Congress with its career politicians that can’t fight their way out of a paper bag. Term limits, that are already spelled out in the Constitution, can fix that.

In the midst of the seriousness of our life situation today, the Senate still needs to follow procedure — especially with the likes of Mitch McConnell who stalls at the blink of an eye. This is unforgivable. I’m mad as hell and i’m not going to take it anymore.

— Joel Schwartz, San Rafael

Would President Pence have had better response?

The shelter-in-place order allows time for many things, including speculation. One musing I’ve enjoyed, I suppose, is wondering how things might have gone differently had the Senate voted to remove Donald Trump two months ago. Might a President Mike Pence have faced the pandemic differently?

Trump appears to make decisions on impulse, “from the gut.” Furthermore, he unwaveringly pursues his preeminent purpose, keeping power, that is, getting reelected. It may well be that, in the first couple of months of the pandemic, reelection completely overshadowed actually facing it.

President Pence might well have faced the actual pandemic. Perhaps similarly, a national Republican Party free from Trump would have been less hamstrung. It is worth remembering that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s wife was born in Taiwan, which (unlike its disingenuous enormous neighbor to its west) has earned an A++ for its success in facing the pandemic. However, by his subservience to Trump, McConnell forfeited his chance to help the American people.

— Jim Linford, Marinwood