Marin IJ Readers’ Forum for Oct. 12, 2024

McPhail Sridharan best for District 2 supervisor

Over the course of this important upcoming election for the District 2 seat on the Marin County Board of Supervisors, I have spent time understanding the perspectives and values of the candidates. Both have important strengths, however, I firmly believe Heather McPhail Sridharan will be best for the Ross Valley.

She is a fiscally responsible, independent thinker and collaborative consensus builder. She will advocate for our community interests and ensure the voice of our community is heard. She has deep knowledge of the issues and broad support locally across neighborhoods.

I am a native of the Ross Valley, a small business owner, a board member of the Marin County Bicycle Coalition, a former Marin County Library commissioner, a founding member of the Marin Museum of Bicycling, the president of the Stafford Lake Bike Park and a former member of the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit citizen’s oversight committee. So I have done my due diligence on the right candidate.

I know that ensuring we invest in increased bicycle and pedestrian funding; safety education through the Safe Routes to School Program; and finding more interconnected routes are all important to McPhail Sridharan. She is also a Marin native and understands the importance of these issues to our community.

I know she will be a thoughtful leader, questioning the status quo to make things happen in our county and in the Ross Valley. I ask that you join me in supporting Heather McPhail Sridharan for Marin County supervisor on Nov. 5.

— Julia Violich, Kentfield

Brian Colbert best for District 2 supervisor seat

As a student at Marin Catholic High School, I was inspired by Brian Colbert’s leadership and vision for our community. That’s why I decided to knock on doors and volunteer as he campaigns for the District 2 seat on the Marin County Board of Supervisors in the Nov. 5 election.

He is a different kind of politician — the kind that genuinely listens to the people. As a member of the Marin County community, Colbert understands the importance of wildfire prevention and small businesses. His unwavering dedication to improving Marin and genuine care for the people here have made me believe in the power of public service.

With Colbert as supervisor, I know I can expect a brighter and safer future in which our downtowns and environment are protected and preserved. I’m proud to support him and encourage everyone to vote for Brian Colbert.

— Maija Blom, San Anselmo

Supervisor endorses Eichstaedt for NMWD

The North Marin Water District will be electing its District 1 director in the November election. I want to urge you to cast your vote for Ken Eichstaedt. He has been doing an excellent job representing all Novato and West Marin for the past 18 months. Eichstaedt deserves to continue this important effort.

We have had superior representation on the NMWD board. As an engineer with an extensive water background, Eichstaedt’s expertise is needed as NMWD faces challenges in the coming decade. His experience includes managing a small water district. He knows the district inside out, with his many years of working on public works projects in Marin and Sonoma counties.

Ken Eichstaedt is a thoughtful, hardworking director. He deserves our vote for a full term on the NMWD board. Please vote for him. Learn more at keneichstaedt.com. Thanks for voting.

— Dennis Rodoni, Marin County District 4 supervisor

Larry Russell is best for MMWD Division 5 seat

I’ve had the privilege of watching Marin Municipal Water District Director Larry Russell serve our community. Let me tell you, he is the real deal. He’s not just another name on the ballot; he genuinely cares about the people of Marin and is a renowned water expert.

As Division 5 representative, Russell has consistently stood up for us, including being the only board member to vote against steep price increases that would have been a hard hit for families like mine. He’s not afraid to take a stand, even when it’s not the easy thing to do. That’s the kind of leader we need on the MMWD board.

In a time when water management is critical, we can’t afford to lose someone with Russell’s expertise and commitment. He’s proven that he’s willing to fight for what’s right, and that’s why I’m voting to reelect him in the November election.

Let’s keep Larry Russell working for us.

— Peter Krasnoff, Larkspur

Taking a closer look at MMWD, Tiburon races

The Marin Municipal Water District Board of Directors is in dire need of a remake. Fortunately, three new members were elected recently. Now, the Nov. 5 election is the time to elect new board members for the other two divisions.

Larry Russell, the incumbent running for the Division 5 seat, didn’t even have the grace to make an appearance at the recent Coalition of Sensible Taxpayers debate.

MMWD has a long history of commissioning studies and then doing nothing. Three new members elected a couple of years ago have endorsed a plan to bring winter water via pipeline into our reservoirs. Those reservoirs should be dug out to remove eroded soil, along with raising some spillways. Two new board members this year would make for a clean sweep. Then, maybe they can actually get something done.

The Tiburon Town Council is also in need of a reset. Issac Nikfar, the newest member of the council, shows promise and should be reelected. However, I am opposed to Holli Thier and her questionable statement that we need a swimming pool at Blackie’s Pasture in the area of the defunct sewage treatment ponds. A pool would be useful only in the fall months when we have warm weather — swimmers could otherwise be lost in the fog.

Those ponds should be turned into habitat to attract birds such as the hooded merganser which have historically used them as a respite from the sometimes choppy bay. Sometimes we all need a place to rest.

— Diane Lynch, Tiburon

Scott is a good choice for Larkspur City Council

I think renter Lana Scott would add a fresh perspective to the Larkspur City Council. If she wins on Nov. 5, she would replace Kevin Carroll, who always fought for the rights of tenants. After all, they make up the largest percentage of Larkspur residents.

Scott speaks passionately about transit-oriented affordable housing and accelerating the building of the library and community center for the benefit of our youth and Larkspur’s aging population. She said she wants to streamline the process for accessory dwelling units to more quickly meet housing needs.

She has the endorsement of Marin Supervisor Dennis Rodoni. I agree: Lana Scott is right for the Larkspur City Council.

— Roger Rose, Larkspur

Prop. 5 will help Marin create affordable housing

I moved to Marin from the East Coast with my young family in 1993, chasing after exciting work opportunities and delighted by the beauty of the land. My husband and I quickly made a home here, and became involved in civic life. We raised our children with the help of terrific public schools and a loving faith community. This all sounds idyllic and in many ways, it has been.

Now these grown children cannot afford to live in Marin.

For many in our community, life has been far from idyllic due to the stress of being cost-burdened by the lack of affordable housing. High rents and long commutes have huge impacts on most of our workforce. These are the folks who keep our economy thriving. They need affordable housing, so that they can live where they work.

We are in a housing crisis. Proposition 5 on the November ballot will open a path for more affordable housing. I will be voting yes on Proposition 5.

— Linda Haumann, San Rafael