Marin IJ Readers’ Forum for Oct. 19, 2022

Ranjiv Khush best for MMWD Division 3 seat

We need new management at Marin Municipal Water District. The current set of directors have failed to make the hard decisions to provide adequate, reliable and resilient sources of water for their customers. They have not been able to build consensus around the absolute necessity of developing additional sources of water that will, no doubt, come at a high cost paid by those customers.

Twice in recent years, the Marin County Civil Grand Jury has pointed out failures of the district to manage its prime responsibility to provide an adequate and reliable potable water supply sufficient to meet the needs of users. So far, our water board has opted to push conservation requiring rates to rise because we are using less water. Wouldn’t you rather have your higher water bill going for investment in new and more varied sources of water? If so, I hope each of the three divisions with board seats up for election will vote in new blood.

In Division 3, we are extremely fortunate to have an excellent candidate with incredible credentials and the will to make the hard decisions to move the district forward with new and more sustainable sources of water. Just as importantly, he has the “people skills” to convince the community to support this path through an open and transparent discussion of the alternatives and the associated costs.

Ranjiv Khush deserves the votes from the households in Division 3, which includes the Ross Valley from Lagunitas to Larkspur. I have heard him speak and answer questions at two neighborhood gatherings and the recent forum sponsored by the Marin Coalition for Sensible Taxpayers group.

He has my vote. If you are not convinced, watch this two-minute “elevator pitch” video: Youtu.be/Hq0ko6I5hKo

— David Peterson, Ross

In MMWD Division 3, vote should go to Bragman

This year’s race for seats on the Marin Municipal Water District Board of Directors is more interesting than in past years. In District 3, incumbent Larry Bragman is facing both a well-financed opponent and unfair criticism that the board has not prepared the county for a drought emergency.

Earlier this year, the Marin County Civil Grand Jury issued a report criticizing the board for supposedly missing opportunities that could have avoided last year’s unprecedented drought emergency. But the facts are that, in the last two years, Bragman and the other directors have already made decisions to increase Marin’s water supply.

The recycled water plant at the Las Gallinas Sanitary District was rebuilt. That resulted in a 4,000 acre-feet per year increase — this was not mentioned in the report. The report briefly mentioned that the Kastania pump station in Sonoma County was rebuilt and already increased the flow of the Russian River water supply by 5,000 to 10,000 acre-feet per year. The report should have mentioned both those substantial supply increases in its calculations.

Before the Grand Jury even released its report, the MMWD board had begun a comprehensive strategic water supply assessment to analyze all water supply options. All are consistent with the Grand Jury’s final recommendations. This too was not mentioned in the report.

Bragman is the best choice for District 3. His main opponent, Ranjiv Khush, is endorsed by the Marin Coalition of Sensible Taxpayers. That group has been embraced by the anti-tax Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. COST is also currently suing MMWD over its rate structure, which is costing ratepayers attorneys fees and staff time (“MMWD allots $800K to fight suits over rates, fees,” Dec. 21, 2020).

Bragman is endorsed by the Sierra Club, the Marin County Democratic Party, Marin Women’s Political Action Committee, Marin Professional Firefighters and other labor unions. Voters need to make their choice based on the candidate’s core values and accomplishments — not political fear-mongering.

— Patricia Meagher, San Anselmo

Vote for Chen in state controller race

California was just ranked as having the worst road conditions in the country by the website MoneyGeek.com, despite having the very highest gasoline taxes in the U.S. California also has the highest marginal tax rate in the country at 13.3%, yet the system is ranked at 40th by US News & World Report magazine.

Continuing to put up with this would be like going back to a restaurant that charged for filet mignon, but served Hamburger Helper.

Every taxpayer in California should wonder, “where does the money go?” It is a fair question — much of it goes to waste, fraud and abuse. Another recent analysis, by the data analysis corporation LexisNexis, estimates that California lost $32.6 billion to fraud at the Employment Development Department during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recently, The New York Times published an expose on the high-speed rail budget debacle. “America’s first experiment with high-speed rail has become a multi-billion-dollar nightmare,” the report announced.

This is the problem with a one-party state lacking fiscal checks and balances. Lanhee Chen, a Republican running for state controller in the November election, is the answer. The Los Angeles Times endorsed Chen because “California needs an independent fiscal watchdog.”

— Ken Broad, Mill Valley

Vote Greene out of San Anselmo Council

There are currently few political issues more urgent than the climate. One thing we can all do is to elect local leaders who support policies that contribute to the collective effort to lessen the impact of climate change.

While San Anselmo Town Council incumbent Ford Greene touts his environmental, progressive credentials, his most recent term has been anything but “green.” This year alone, Greene has made a number of decidedly anti-environmental votes. Fortunately he was in the minority, but left unchecked, he is steering our town in the wrong direction.

Greene voted to defund the Ross Valley school bus. Had he prevailed, hundreds of cars would have returned to the road during peak commute hours. Greene also voted against a “green purchasing policy” for town operations. This policy requires, among other things, that the town purchase recycled products whenever possible. In August, Greene voted against a 100% renewable energy standard in his role on the MCE (former Marin Clean Energy) Board of Directors.

San Anselmo needs leaders whose actions match their words. Leaders must have the capacity to listen and understand the values of the community and serve us in a way that increases the health, safety and sustainability of our environment. Greene’s voting record continues to demonstrate that he is neither following his own stated values or those of his constituents. It’s time for new leadership in San Anselmo.

— Kelsey Fernandez, San Anselmo

Support Gary Butler for Novato Sanitary District

I have known Gary Butler for many years. He is dedicated to civic service, community involvement and family.

In my role as a member of Novato City Council for 12 years, as well as mayor, I learned the importance of focused, trustworthy and competent leadership. I have no reservation in recommending Butler. He would serve our community well as a Sanitary District director. He would make thoughtful, strategic decisions for the community he serves in a fiscally responsible manner.

— Jeanne MacLeamy, Novato

Bentley best for seat on Novato Sanitary District

I would like to recommend voters cast their choice for Dennis Bentley in the Division 2 seat on the Novato Sanitary District Board of Directors. Bentley has more than 20 years of experience in wastewater treatment and has installed water systems globally.

He has the support of former Novato Mayor Carole Dillon-Knutson, who is currently serving on the Sanitary District board. Bentley has the superior practical experience for this position.

In my opinion, the choice is clear cut. Dennis Bentley is the right person to serve.

— Karen Roehl-Sivak, Novato