Marin IJ Readers’ Forum for Oct. 1, 2023

Housing affordability is hard to find in Marin

I find the underlying math associated with the article published Sept. 23 under the headline “Massive housing bond previewed: Statewide bond could raise $20 billion if approved by voters” to be interesting.

The article discloses that Marin County would receive $352 million to $704 million from the bond issuance. It also indicates that Marin County development’s cost per unit is $900,000. Thus, Marin County’s bond proceeds would finance the development of 391 to 782 units. Meanwhile, the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) has mandated that Marin County develop 14,000 homes by 2031.

Spending up to $704 million to achieve only 5% of HCD’s housing development mandate is a lot of money. That is especially true when you consider that Marin County’s population is projected to decline over the same period.

Instead, a government voucher program for qualifying low-income renters may be a far more efficient way to achieve housing affordability.

— Gaetan Lion, Mill Valley

MMWD rate hike is outrageous, pointless

I am writing in regard to the recent water rate changes (“Marin Municipal Water District adopts historic rate hikes for water supply projects,” May 18).

I got my water bill last week and it has doubled since the last one. This 100% increase came in spite of the fact that I reduced my consumption by 35% from last year’s bill at this time.

This is an outrage. On what planet does MMWD think this is going to fly? I think the new tier system is a scam to punish anyone who does not live in a desert landscape or an apartment with no yard.

I suspect that MMWD’s unfunded pension liability is driving the price. However, I know that the higher the price of water, the lower the consumption will be, so I don’t think raising prices will help cover that unsustainable retirement plan. The spiral continues down.

What happened to new ideas and new water supplies from the election of three new MMWD directors? I suspect those creative ideas are “gone with the wind,” as usual.

At this price, we do not need new water sources. The ratepayers cannot afford to use it. Something must be done to keep prices down in this hyper-inflationary insane time we are experiencing.

— Tim Peterson, San Anselmo

More money won’t bring employees to Kentfield

I am writing in response to the recent article about the labor dispute in Kentfield for the school district’s classified support staff (“Mediation fails in Kentfield School District contract stalemate,” Sept. 22).

According to what I read, the district offered an 8% salary increase. Gretchen Harris, president of the union, says that’s not enough. Her group wants 14% to 27% “to allow more staffers to live closer to their jobs.”

I consider that to be a weak excuse when asking for more money. It’s used all the time in Marin. I just don’t buy it.

Yes, some people can’t afford to live near their place of employment. Others don’t want to live where they’re employed and prefer other areas. I’ve been in that position at one time or another.

I’d like to know where all these staffers live now. Do they even want to move? Even with a big raise, will they truly be able to afford the rent increase to live near their place of employment, much less buy a place? Probably not.

Sometimes our leverage is dictated by what we choose to do for a living and where we do it.

— M.S. Popovich, Larkspur

San Rafael music event continues to get better

I am writing to join other attendees in saying that the recent San Rafael PorchFest music event was a great way to connect with our community.

When you provide food, drink and music, people will flock to the area. This year’s PorchFest proved that to be true.

In addition, I would like to commend city officials for the cooperative efforts allowing street closures to encourage neighbors to greet one another without racing through stop signs. The music made for a great community event.

Kudos to Tom Obletz, Gina Silvestri and everyone with the Gerstle Park Neighborhood Association for their perseverance in managing another successful day in the neighborhood.

After four successful years, I hope this joyous day will continue to be a yearly event.

— Gail Rouchdy, San Rafael