Marin IJ Readers’ Forum for Oct. 21, 2024

Cost of limited housing has changed overall feeling

I am writing in response to the recent Bay Area News Group article published in the IJ with the headline, “Silicon Valley draws mistrust from many” on Oct. 10.

I think the biggest change is the enormous cost of housing. I arrived in West Marin in 1971. Back then, I rented a whole house for what I could rent a single room and bath in my current home — lucky me. Back then, I could barely get a job, but as “Silicon Valley” moved north, my earning prospects got better and better. A lot of that was thanks to University of California, Berkeley’s extension program, which offered lifelong learning at a bargain price.

Most of us don’t want a lot more neighbors than we already have, which can result in not too many houses getting built. That’s why there is a shortage of housing and all the other consequences that go with it. We love our open space. I do too.

Some Silicon Valley billionaires wanted to build a new city out in Solano County. I don’t think they were in it for philanthropy, but it would have increased the housing supply. The neighbors didn’t want that either. So no new city, for now.

I’ve written here before, citing government incompetence delaying highway improvements, high speed rail and failing to take advantage of available housing opportunities. To these I might add that our highly fragmented Bay Area government has never been able to express a vision that will get out in front of oncoming problems and leaders in nearby Sacramento are still too far away from reality to do it either.

— Chet Seligman, Point Reyes Station

Look for some incremental progress in fight for planet

The first time I learned about climate change was at a very young age. It’s something that most who grow up in Marin County are aware of. Yet, I feel a lack of urgency among my peers to address the issue. It wasn’t until I was 18 that I felt a real impact of climate change: My community’s beloved sleepaway summer camp in Sonoma County burned to the ground in the Tubbs Fire. That changed it all for me.

I recently graduated from the University of Oregon, where I felt the same feeling. Most people are aware of the profound impact of climate change, but few are actually doing something. I am determined to address climate change and not let it fall into the background of conversations, only to be dealt with by future generations.

I had the opportunity to travel around the world this past year. I spent two months traveling through Iceland, Australia, Chile and French Polynesia as I helped teach about the environment to U.S. college students. I saw glaciers receding, coral bleaching and invasive flora/fauna taking over ecosystems. I also had conversations with people from across the world who are taking action. The answers are there, we just have to be willing to change our daily practices and elect politicians who clearly see climate change for what it is.

In the recent presidential debate, I was excited to see the climate-change question come up (although the answers from the candidates were not satisfying). I’m choosing to see this as a win, at least the question was asked. That’s progress. and that’s all that I can ask for right now.

— Max Arquilevich, San Anselmo

MMWD lawsuit groups are being dishonorable

The last-minute lawsuit to block the pilot project to test bikes on limited trails on Mount Tamalpais within Marin Municipal Water District land is more than just a shame. From my perspective, the litigants — the Marin chapter of the California Native Plant Society, the Marin Audubon Society and the Marin Conservation League — are obstructionist and dishonorable.

There was an extensive six-year process led by MMWD. It included many stakeholders that conducted all manner of study, analysis, endless discussion and public debate, concluding in the formation of a conservative plan for a very limited pilot. This plan impacted just six miles in an area with about 200 miles of already established trails. It is a well-considered decision by the district for testing shared use.

The lawsuit is a waste of money, legal resources and everyone’s time. I think they are destroying their reputations as honest partners in this process.

Suing after having a seat at the table isn’t being a good neighbor, respected community partner or even a good steward of the resources that we all want to preserve and need to share. In the end, the pilot will get the green light and these three will have publicly shown their true colors.

— David Patchen, Greenbrae