Marin IJ Readers’ Forum for April 7, 2024

Richmond Bridge proposal exposes issues with MTC

In what will be a tragedy for the environment, for Bay Area commuters and public transport users generally, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission will lose, and deserves to lose, the vote on its next bond issue (“Marin officials skeptical of regional transportation tax plan,” Nov. 26).

Despite being someone who rides a bicycle frequently from the San Francisco Ferry Building to my work in Mission Bay, I remain appalled by MTC’s plans to preserve a bike lane on the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge.

The latest proposal is to use a movable barrier to create a third westbound lane for emergencies and maintenance vehicles Monday through Thursday before restoring it, at tremendous expense, on Friday, Saturdays and Sunday. I often drive to the East Bay on weekends to visit grandchildren. Every Saturday or Sunday morning, we see a huge line of cars backed up for a mile or more attempting to get to Marin from the East Bay. I suspect this traffic fills Richmond with pollution from idling vehicles. It prolongs travel by 20 minutes or more.

The plan is being pitched despite MTC’s statistics revealing a ridiculously small number of bicyclists on the weekend.

Bicycle evangelism is wonderful in its place. There should be safe cycling routes on many of our roads. But the cost must be proportional to the benefits. Only a privileged few benefit from these plans, yet they come at a huge cost to the environment and to the much larger numbers of motorists.

Unless MTC aligns its policies with the will of the voters, its crucially needed new funding will be rejected and our public transport systems will suffer enormously. A responsible MTC Board of Commissioners should block its staff from putting these crazy bicycle rules into effect.

— Michael Stryker, Kentfield

Tam District needs new plan before next election

Despite what some supporters say, the March election defeat of the Measure A bond proposal to support the Tamalpais Union High School District was not about ad campaigns or low voter turnout (“Tam Union Measure A supporters blame poor turnout, ‘untruths’ in loss,” March 28).

The Marin Coalition of Sensible Taxpayers is not a villain for informing voters of the total cost. When one buys a home, the house cost plus interest is the cost of the loan. That’s a fact.

State law prohibiting seniors from opting out was also a factor. In trying to saddle property owners with school budget shortfalls, that large demographic was ignored. Seniors are already saddled with increased taxes and fees. They have already paid into the system for much longer than their exemption period will be. Relying on property taxes to enhance school budgets is not realistic. I think it was a lack of planning by the district.

Measure A was not about teacher salaries. It was about infrastructure improvements, which I believe minimally impact student education goals. Demographic projections by TUHSD predict a declining student body. So why is it proposing expensive renovations, rather than just maintenance?

Some friends sarcastically thought the district wanted its buildings to match the fancy cars students park on campus. In this Marin County “bubble,” maybe image is part of the problem. I found it interesting that the largest support came from the district’s wealthiest towns.

Next time, TUHSD should scrap the political consultants. It is clear district officials were led astray. Failure of the measure was due to unrealistic expectations that anything school related would get approval, while ignoring facts and demographics.

— Carolyn Shadan, Tiburon

RFK Jr. is a true threat to Joe Biden’s campaign

Should Robert F. Kennedy Jr. run for president as a third-party candidate? If he does, I worry it will be just what Donald Trump needs to become our president.

Does anyone remember Ralph Nader? He was a third-party candidate in 2020. Many feel that Nader took just enough support from Al Gore to help George W. Bush become president.

I consider Bush’s legacy to be dominated by 20 years of war in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as the worst stock market crash since 1929. Believe me people, it’s deja vu all over again, as history does repeat itself.

— Joel Schwartz, San Rafael