Marin IJ Readers’ Forum for Nov. 9, 2022
All librarians deserve applause like Fairfax gave
On Oct. 30, the lovely new Fairfax Library garden was unveiled. About 100 people attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
My favorite part was when all the librarians who work on the staff at this library were asked to come up to stand behind the ribbon and all received a well-deserved hearty round of applause. I only wish all library staffs in Marin could hear applause for the wonderful job they do for all of us day in and day out.
They always do their job with a smile on their face.
— Alan Rossi, San Anselmo
Don’t tinker with success for Marin school districts
I am writing to highlight the irony of two items in the Oct. 25 IJ. A front-page article, “Scores tumble in math testing” reports on the major drop in standardized test scores for math and reading. No doubt, the results are effects of shutdowns and distant learning due to the pandemic. Despite the headline and that Marin County students have lost ground in proficiency in both math and reading, the article states, “results, released Monday, showed that Marin scores in both categories exceeded other counties statewide and in the nation.”
While we have always had great schools in Marin, it is remarkable that our scores were better than in any other county in the country. What a great report on the status of our locally run schools, small districts, involved parents and excellent teachers, principals, superintendents and our outstanding county superintendent, the soon-to-retire Mary Jane Burke.
The irony comes later, on the Opinion page, in a letter to the editor titled, “Marin must reduce the number of school districts.” Yes, there are some 17 districts in the county creating some level of duplication, but I’m not at all sure any level of consolidation would actually save taxpayer dollars. It still takes a given number of teachers, staff and administrative oversight to teach our kids.
District consolidation was a topic when I was a school board trustee in the late 1990s. And, as pointed out in the letter, it was a topic 50 years ago. I agree with the saying, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Big school districts tend to be poorly run and school boards become more about politics than what’s best for the kids. Let’s just celebrate our local, well-staffed and well-run schools.
— David Peterson, Ross
Support residents’ plan for Golden Gate Village
On Nov. 15, the Marin County supervisors and two tenant commissioners are set to take a historic vote on the future of the Golden Gate Village public housing community. Their choice is between treading the same problematic Marin Housing Authority road or the Golden Gate Village Resident Council plan, which includes a path for this predominantly Black community to build limited equity.
The Golden Gate Village residents’ limited equity housing co-op (LEHC) plan was put together with a national team including real estate development professionals, legal and accounting experts, among others. They have worked with a financing consultant. I believe they have identified reputable funding sources that conform with LEHC housing models. Since Golden Gate Village residents are well aware of the plight of bad property management by the Housing Authority, you can be assured that the LEHC plan includes hiring a professional management company.
The supervisors and commissioners face a choice between sticking to a fraught and problematic past or righting a historic wrong. I implore them to vote for the Resident Council’s co-op plan.
— Patricia Shea, Sausalito
Social justice is at stake for Golden Gate Village
Soon, the Marin Housing Authority will decide on what to do with Golden Gate Village’s plan for revitalization and home ownership. For years, due to lack of maintenance and red-lining in some Marin County communities, residents have been left in a problematic position. The neglect and back-shelving of these issues have been unjust and inhumane, especially since Marin is one of the wealthiest and most privileged counties in the country.
Until of late, the residents’ voices have been unheeded, even ignored. It is time to correct the situation and give Golden Gate Village residents both the authority and command they deserve, including ownership. Social justice is at stake.
— Barbara McDonald, Mill Valley
Novato would go too far with gas-station ban
The Novato City Council wishes to ban the new construction or expansion of new gas stations in the city limits (“Novato council advances ban on new gas stations,” Oct. 27). I have yet to hear a rational reason or from people who actually support this ordinance.
I worry that City Council members are acting smug about their electric cars and think all residents need to do the same. I have news for everyone. Not all people dream of owning an electric car, nor can they afford them. Most batteries for electric cars are produced in China. I find that concerning. If everyone suddenly switched to an electric car, I believe the power grid would be unsustainable.
Personally, I don’t want to have to worry about where to get my car charged and waiting around for that recharge to finish. The vast majority of residents drive gas-powered autos.
We live in a capitalist country, which has produced the most prosperous society overall in history. If everyone switches to electric vehicles, then gas-station attrition will happen naturally. If current gas stations close down, for whatever reason, we face the possibility of having long lines at the remaining stations.
We will likely be facing that prospect soon, due to the current administration’s draconian and shortsighted policies on energy production as we face oil shortages. What will be the next step? I worry the City Council will ban the sale of all new and used gas-powered cars in the city. I am concerned that climate change religionist activists will go to any extreme.
I am not a Novato resident, but I urge all concerned current residents to show up at the next City Council meeting and protest this ordinance from passing.
— David Berger, San Rafael
Proposed charter would benefit Novato students
Healy School can benefit our Novato community, despite what some parents are saying (“New charter school proposed in Novato,” Oct 2).
We need more options, especially families from lower socioeconomic situations or whose children don’t fit into the regular schools. I raised my children here and it was really hard at times. I would have loved them to have a resilience studies program in elementary school. Wow, what a gift.
Some have critiqued Maureen Healy because she is not a person of color. From my conversations with her, I can say this should not be a factor. We cannot hold the color of her skin against her, especially if she and her team are willing to put in this hard work for our students and community.
— Suzanne Hill, Novato
Suggested water supply goals too low for Marin
Jacobs Engineering (JE), Marin Municipal Water District consultants, are estimating that an additional water supply of 6,500 to 7,500 acre-feet per year (AFY) would suffice to withstand a four-year drought (source: JE report Oct. 25). According to my independent research, this is way low. It would entail we would still depend on about 11,000 to 12,000 AFY from rainfall and Sonoma waters. That’s not possible during a drought.
I derived my number by using a water reservoir capacity of 63,500 acre-feet; 20,800 AFY in consumer consumption (assuming 20% conservation); 9,000 AFY for water release (in drought years) and 4,500 AFY for evaporation. A more conservative estimation of water supply needs is in the range of 9,000 to 10,000 AFY.
I am concerned that the 6,500 to 7,500 AFY level suggested by Jacobs could result in an additional mandated water conservation of up to 13.5% to meet the water-supply resilience of the 9,000 to 10,000 AFY level.
Combining the effects of climate change with housing mandates from the state that will increase the population in Marin, this underestimation of needed supply would further exacerbate our water vulnerability.
— Gaetan Lion, Mill Valley