Marin IJ Readers’ Forum for March 13, 2022

California charter schools need to be abolished

I hope California legislators rue the day they invented this combination of a private and public school called “a charter school,” which is really a private school that runs on public tax dollars (“Lagunitas trustees consider Ross Valley Charter payment,” March 3).

The state created a monster and it is sucking our public school system dry. I worry about a lax attitude toward teacher credentials at charter schools. I don’t believe charter schools pay teachers a living wage. They don’t live up to the demonstrated and accepted standards that guide our public school system.

Some of these schools were private and began with money from super rich people. Some were started by local entrepreneurs who wanted to make money from this new type of investment. They should all be required to make it on their own with no tax dollars from our citizens.

It took our democracy hundreds of years to create a public school system for all children, no matter their race, gender, handicaps or ability to pay. California and most states had fine public schools and public universities. Back then, most students could attend good colleges and pay for it by working a summer job. Today, education costs stick students with insurmountable debt for the rest of their life.

We must return to well-funded public schools and let those who want a private school fund it themselves or with the support of private foundations.

— Deanna Spake, Novato

Heartwarming story about beloved San Anselmo dog

What a wonderful and heartwarming story about Buddie and his human friends (“San Anselmo ‘dog library’ honors beloved retriever,” March 5). I was happy to see it on the front page of the Marin IJ.

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, war in Ukraine and gun violence, we need more stories like this.

— Ann Troy, San Anselmo

Don’t neglect oak tree in front of San Rafael library

As a close neighbor of the San Rafael Public Library at Fifth Avenue and E Street for more than 20 years, I am gravely concerned about the apparent neglect of the large, elegant oak tree that graces the library’s front lawn.

During the drought, I have noticed several landmark trees die. We must not lose this tree. I believe the stress of the drought on the tree will not be noticed until it is dead.

The San Rafael Public Works Department should start “deep watering” our beautiful tree immediately.

— Sally Seymour, San Rafael

Corte Madera paths to bus stops need better lighting

I am concerned about a safety issue for people who take the bus to Corte Madera. The walking path for the Highway 101 overpass between the two bus stops is scary and unsafe in the dark on both sides.

Most of the light fixtures are not operational. Something must be done. We shouldn’t keep hardworking people who take the bus to Corte Madera for their jobs in the dark.

— Roger Lyle, Corte Madera

COVID-19 misinformation spread must be stopped

I am concerned about the thoughts expressed in Basia Crane’s recently published letter regarding the responsibility of licensed physicians. A proposed bill in California, which Crane opposes, would make it easier to discipline physicians who spread false claims about COVID-19, including the effectiveness of vaccines and untested treatments for infected people.

Dr. Nick Sawyer is director of No License for Disinformation, a non-partisan grassroots coalition of Americans who came together in an effort to protect patients, loved ones and the public from the harmful and dangerous effects of medical disinformation. Sawyer, an emergency room physician in Sacramento, lobbied for the bill, noting that false information needlessly leads to greater illness and death.

I disagree with Crane when she writes that it is a matter of free speech. The spread of misinformation contradicts the responsibilities and privileges of licensed physicians.

According to a recent study by National Public Radio, people living in counties that voted heavily for Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election — where misinformation is presumably more allowable — are three times as likely to die from COVID-19 as those who live in areas that went for Joe Biden.

Surely, COVID-19 misinformation has led to many needless deaths. We are lucky to live here, where our legislators are devoted to truthful public health.

— Ruth Dell, Tiburon