Marin IJ Readers’ Forum for June 21, 2021

No sign that ballot harvesting is an issue here

Republicans nationwide are engaged in a campaign to suppress voting. In California the party in power — the Democratic Party — wants people voting and seeks to make it easier, not harder.

The state Legislature passed the Voter’s Choice Act, which can be adopted by counties. The VCA provides for voting by mail, drop boxes and expanded days, including weekends, for in-person voting. Marin’s Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to adopt the VCA. This should be non-controversial.

In his recently published Marin Voice commentary, Todd Hooper asserts that the VCA is only acceptable when paired with a prohibition of so-called “ballot harvesting” (“Ballot harvesting jeopardizes benefits of Voter’s Choice Act,” June 12). He uses scary language to denounce a benign California law allowing voters to designate another person to take their ballot to the polls. The provision helps disabled voters and the frail elderly. A majority of states have such a law.

The only time “ballot harvesting” was a real issue was in a recent North Carolina congressional race. A Republican operative was charged with illegal ballot handling and conspiracy. There is no evidence that allowing someone else to take one’s ballot to the polls is a problem in California.

Hooper’s last sentence is sadly telling. He asserts that if we don’t prohibit “ballot harvesting,” in light of the VCA, the public’s confidence in elections will further erode. But only a certain portion of the public lost confidence in the last election — the portion that believes Donald Trump won. Those same people also believe restricting voters is a good policy. Do not cater to these anti-democratic reality deniers by getting rid of a law that actually helps people.

— Ruth Dell, Tiburon

Drought of innovative supply-side ideas

Leonard Malherbe’s reasoned letter to the editor published June 15 advocated for Marin Municipal Water District officials to actively pursue desalination. His call echoes many frustrated ratepayers’ views.

Given accelerating climate change, if MMWD customers put it to a vote tomorrow, I believe a proposal for a desalination plant would overwhelmingly pass. Not only do we have a historic drought, we also have a drought of innovative supply-side ideas from the district board and general manager.

According to research on the internet, there are approximately 16,000 desalination plants contracted around the world. What is MMWD waiting for? Hell can’t freeze over without water.

We’re not going to conserve our way out of this no matter how dirty our toilets and hair become. Marin deserves a secure source of water — we gaze out on it every single day. We’re doing our part, now MMWD officials must do theirs.

— Susan Deluxe, Tiburon

Keep local control of cell antennas, towers

I was so encouraged by reading recent letters to the editor addressing concerns about corporate interests taking away local control of placement of wireless antennas and towers in Marin County.

As one of more than 2 million people in California who suffers from electrical sensitivity, I can attest to the real health problems associated with exposure to toxic levels of radio frequency. As a result of my affliction, I use only wired technology in my home, and I have more than adequate speeds and internet access.

Unfortunately, in January, I noted high radio frequency levels in my own backyard. I learned that, in spite of ordinances limiting placement of new cell antennas, my neighborhood had so-called “upgrades” rolled out on already existing wireless sites. These new toxic emissions are easily measured with an radio frequency meter.

All this year I have been robbed of my passion of gardening outdoors without being molested by high and hazardous amounts of wireless radiation, those usually associated with prolonged indoor exposure to cell phones and computers. I have also observed a marked reduction in the honey bee and small songbird populations in my yard.

Needless to say, I feel this situation demonstrates just how irresponsibly telecom corporations have behaved in choosing economic interests ahead of public health. I was never informed, nor warned about changes, so I have no information about the origins, locations or which carriers made the changes.

We are diminishing the quality of life in our otherwise beautiful county. Not only do we need superior, safer and healthier service, these horrible, toxic antennas scattered across the landscape need to be removed.

— Maggi Garloff, Santa Venetia