Marin IJ Readers’ Forum for Nov. 19, 2023

Support Marin City’s fight to stop development

I am writing in opposition to the 825 Drake Ave. development in Marin City, which many residents in the community oppose (“Marin City residents file federal suit over housing project,” Oct. 10). Rightfully, residents fear further gentrification of their community, where many families have lived for generations.

The development of 74 units will count as affordable housing for the county, but rents won’t be affordable enough for most residents of Marin City. Considering that the practice of “redlining” — preventing Black Americans from wealth created by home ownership — historically took place in some parts of Marin County, it seems especially unfair to build a development that is large, unwanted and unaffordable to the people living there.

Additionally, the location of the proposed development is a problem. Parking plans are inadequate, increased traffic will endanger kids who go to the park across the street to play and the additional vehicles will only add to congestion on Marin City’s exit road in case of flooding or fire.

For more information, go to the Save Our City website at bit.ly/3QInPf2.

— Carol Nelson, San Rafael

Election candidates must commit to reducing debt

I read, with interest, about the many “existential” threats affecting our country. Things such as illegal immigration, climate change, abortion rights and governmental corruption are often mentioned. However, I believe one of the most worrisome is our growing national debt.

In 2000, our national debt was $5.674 trillion. At the end of former President Barack Obama’s time in office (2016) the debt had increased to $19.573 trillion. Former President Donald Trump’s years increased the debt to $26.945 trillion. At the end of President Joe Biden’s term, the debt is estimated to reach as high as $35 trillion.

It doesn’t matter which party is in office, the debt is becoming a runaway train. The annual interest payments on the current debt is, for the first time, reported at over $1 trillion. The U.S. debt per U.S. citizen is approximately $98,625.

I’m not an economist, but I have to believe the more money a country prints to service its debt only works to make the money folks saved for retirement less valuable. High interest rates and inflation are eating into the savings of everyone, especially seniors on fixed incomes. I’m not sure we’re dealing as much with a lack of revenue as we are with wasteful spending and overregulation. I believe it’s past time to hold our elected officials accountable for the fiscal mess they created and fail to address.

Whoever you vote for in the coming elections, please make reducing public debt one of your criteria when evaluating a candidate. I recently read one reader say he was voting for a straight Democratic Party ticket. I think that’s how we got in this mess. We’re Americans first — vet the candidate and hold them accountable. If not, expect future reductions, particularly in both your Social Security and Medicare programs.

— Mike Allen, San Rafael

Don’t create debate about little-used bike lane

Let’s face it, adding that bike lane on the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge was a horrible mistake and a total waste of money (“Richmond-San Rafael Bridge bike path trial run ends,” Nov. 5).

I rarely see any cyclists when I drive across that bridge and I have never seen a pedestrian. We need that lane for relief from the frustrating daily gridlock along Interstate 580 waiting to cross that bridge.

What’s there to debate? The solution is an easy one.

— Sandra Macleod White, San Rafael

Bike lane aftermath should not mean further expense

The ill-advised bike lane over the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge was to be a four-year experiment. Now that the four years is up, we are told by the self-actualizing bureaucrats to whom our elected officials have abdicated their responsibilities that abandoning the bike lane will take another six years and will trigger $70 to $310 million in related improvements and environmental studies (“Richmond-San Rafael Bridge gridlock frustration stokes bike path debate,” Nov. 12).

The best approach would be to rent a crane next month and drop the moveable barrier piece by piece into San Pablo Bay. Elections have consequences; think before you vote.

— J. Patrick Burke, Kentfield