Marin IJ Readers’ Forum for June 14, 2024

Marin public health officer a beacon during pandemic

I want to say thank you to Dr. Matt Willis, who plans to retire as Marin County public health officer later this year (“Marin public health officer to retire,” June 6). He demonstrated excellent leadership as a key member of the executive staff for the Health and Human Services Department during the COVID-19 pandemic.

His weekly online briefings were just what many of us needed. The department’s collection and presentation of data and clear explanations of the latest medical science developments were standout examples for the rest of California, as well as the nation.a

I hope Willis enjoys his well-deserved retirement.

— Robert Reitherman, Mill Valley

College of Marin should offer four-year degrees

As I drive by the College of Marin campus in Kentfield, I marvel at the improvements that have been made. The large student center structure is a capstone (“College of Marin marks milestone on $116M student center,” May 23).

Certainly, it seems like a great place to receive a two-year degree for many local students. The problem I have is that it appears there aren’t many students utilizing these modern structures. I base this assessment on the many available spaces in the campus parking lot.

My suggestion is that the Marin Community College District Board of Trustees should get to work on turning it into a four-year university. To start, the trustees should only open it up to a limited number of degree choices. How about creating a teacher’s college within the campus?

Students coming from lower- and middle-class backgrounds would be better able to afford attending, as well as the improved accessibility issue. The tuition should be set to be competitively affordable. Perhaps it could offer a degree in criminology providing opportunities for well-schooled students in aspiring law enforcement positions.

I like the sound of Marin State University.

— Howard Ortman, Sleepy Hollow

Flimsy encampments in San Rafael are a hazard

San Rafael has become an unintentional architect of open-air living spaces. While the ingenuity of pallet homes and tent cities is commendable, it’s time we address the elephant in the room — or rather, the elephant not in the room because, well, there aren’t enough rooms.

The city, by not supplying proper oversight for the makeshift communities it is forced by law to allow, has taken on the role of de facto landlord. And not just any landlord, but one that seems to have missed the chapter on building codes and safety regulations. I’m talking about structures that wouldn’t pass any inspections, let alone city building code inspections. There have been fires and exposure to unsanitary conditions.

I think that the city could be held liable if a resident of one of these homes is injured. I’m worried that something like this could cost potentially millions in damages. That’s a lot of zeroes, and I’m not referring to the number of available housing units.

Partly because of the encampments, I expect that business closures in San Rafael will continue. Local employees are definitely tired of walking by filth and trash. I worry about kids walking to school. This should not be acceptable for anyone.

San Rafael must ensure that if the law says these encampments are allowed to exist, they are at least meeting basic safety standards. It’s not just about avoiding a legal fiasco; it’s about affirming the dignity and safety of every individual who calls San Rafael home, regardless of their address — or lack thereof.

Let’s come together to find a way to provide safe, code-compliant alternatives for our homeless population. It’s the humane thing to do, and it’s the smart thing to do. After all, a city that takes care of its most vulnerable residents is a city that thrives.

— T.J. Jacobberger, Corte Madera

Funny political cartoon got Biden’s look all wrong

I both thoroughly enjoyed and was disappointed by Clay Bennett’s political cartoon published in the IJ on June 5.

The satire of former President Donald Trump on a prison phone participating in a presidential debate was clever and priceless. But the depiction of President Joe Biden looked like Ken on top of the wedding cake. It was disingenuous.

I don’t think Biden has ever looked like a Ken doll. To be honest, I think Elmer Fudd would have been a more apt depiction.

— John Bennett, San Rafael