Marin IJ Readers’ Forum for Nov. 30, 2024

Trump addressed issues important to Americans

I think the IJ has published too many letters that are diatribes against President-elect Donald Trump. I would like to give a more balanced view of the other side, given that, as the Republican candidate for president, Trump won an Electoral College landslide, including all seven battleground states and the popular vote.

I have read the same scolding, intolerant tone for the last 10 years. I think it does nothing but hurt Democrats. It is one of the main reasons that Trump won, despite all of his faults and issues. Americans indicated very clearly that they are sick of being looked down upon by people who claim moral superiority.

Americans are right to be worried about our porous border over the last four years. Americans also believe that our economy and inflation are not working for them. Roughly 40% of voters said the economy was their top election issue, far outstripping any other issue. Those voters backed Trump by a 22-point margin. Like the party or not, the Republicans ran on those issues while the Democrats ran on vibes, joy and abortion rights.

A majority of Americans believe that our democracy got this election correct.

— Dan Mosher, Kentfield

Dominican president’s statement was inspiring

I was so uplifted to read the Marin Voice commentary by Nicola Pitchford, the president of San Rafael’s Dominican University of California (“University president makes commitment,” Nov. 19).

Pitchford reminded us what a sparkling gem Dominican is in Marin County. I am especially impressed with Pitchford’s commitment to maintaining a safe zone for immigrants and others who feel threatened by the incoming presidential administration.

The university is an essential component of our civic life. I am so glad that students of color, immigrants and first-generation scholars are in an environment that is welcoming and supportive. I know that many Dominican students go on to work in our schools, hospitals, science labs, businesses, nonprofit organizations and government agencies.

I personally have met many civic leaders, teachers, entrepreneurs and school principals in Marin who are Dominican grads. All are making our community stronger and more vibrant. When young members of our communities achieve and thrive, we are all uplifted and enriched.

Now more than ever, when the Department of Education is under threat, I hope that those of us who have the resources will contribute to Dominican as volunteers or donors.

— Shirl Buss, San Rafael

Don’t let government rip apart Marin families

In a recently published article, the IJ quoted the chair of the Marin Republican Party saying it’s “simple” that undocumented people should be deported (“Marin immigrants grapple with Trump’s mass deportation threat,” Nov. 17).

I have a question for him and all those who agree: What exactly have these people done that makes some think it’s OK to rip these residents from their homes and send them to a country that they fled for their lives; a country some have never even known?

Why is it “simple” that our communities should be torn asunder; that these workers should be lost at a time when it’s hard to fill any jobs, let alone the jobs that they provide? It’s really not that simple. I think it’s cruel and unusual punishment — something that is against our Constitution.

The chair says that all lawbreakers should be dealt with. He should include the man he just helped elect president.

— Wendi Kallins, Forest Knolls

Bridge delays happen on other days of week too

The Bay Area has serious public transportation funding needs that will require new taxes, such as helping to pay to keep BART afloat.

After the insanity of the past five years, when the Metropolitan Transportation Commission appeared to choose the desires of a privileged few cyclists and pedestrians over 40,000 automobile commuters, I think the MTC is now forfeiting any remaining credibility by keeping the third westbound lane of the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge open for cyclists and walkers Fridays through Sundays for the next two years. Anyone can see the huge 15-30 minute westbound backup on those days, as well as on Mondays through Thursdays.

Transportation planning needs to be credible for necessary tax increases to succeed at the polls. This continued foolishness will doom any prospect of success.

— Michael Stryker, Kentfield

In support of more buses on the Richmond Bridge

Regarding the upcoming changes to the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge bike lane, I agree with IJ political columnist Dick Spotswood, whose commentary was published Nov. 17 with the headline “Richmond Bridge bike-lane compromise does not go far enough.”

I’ve commuted from Marin County to various areas of Richmond for almost 40 years. During this time, I’ve observed that most of the commuters from the East Bay travel between 15 and 30 miles each way.

Given the distances, it’s unrealistic for typical Richmond Bridge commuters to switch from cars to bicycles. So providing a bike lane won’t achieve the goal of reducing traffic congestion and pollution.

Instead, it makes more sense to have long-distance express buses on the bridge. Golden Gate Transit has been doing this in the North Bay for generations. If the bus routes and schedules are well-coordinated, I think this would be a more successful and commonsense “pilot” program than the bike lane.

— Andrea Valentine, San Rafael

Off-path bikes harming nature, ruining landscape

For those interested in maintaining the beauty of our hills and landscape on Mount Tamalpais (“Marin judge issues tentative ruling in Mount Tam cycling suit,” Nov. 8), I ask that you take a close look at the damage that bikes have inflicted on Blackie’s Pasture and the trail that leads to Tiburon.

Recently, I saw deep bike-tire slices and new bike trails throughout all the surrounding hills. I’m worried that there is no one to stop this destruction. I hope the Tiburon Parks Maintenance Division can do more to stop this.

In many places across Marin, I have experienced bikers roaring around, seemingly going wherever they want. It appears some have little regard for safety, speed, nature, pedestrians, children or dogs. I have seen the landscape damaged. I know many are just “kids being kids,” but they doing this at high speeds, some on what appear to be “electric motorcycles.”

Please don’t let our local or visiting mountain bikers destroy our amazing Mt. Tam hiking trails and magnificent landscapes. I have seen too many of today’s cyclists not staying on paths, creating their own shortcuts and damaging the natural flow of nature.

— Sandra Macleod White, San Rafael

Cycling advocates should pay MMWD’s legal fees

Reasonable people could (and do) offer differ opinions about the Marin Municipal Water District’s “pilot project” to open some single-track trails to mountain bikes, while also authorizing e-bikes. The project is now on hold (“Marin judge issues tentative ruling in Mount Tam cycling suit,” Nov. 8).

One concern for me was the project’s potential added cost for ratepayers. Most of us are already reeling from massive rate increases to finance needed infrastructure repairs and supply expansion.

Now that a Marin judge has put the pilot project on hold for allegedly skipping environmental requirements, the MMWD board should not add injury to insult, or vice versa, by spending additional hundreds of thousands of dollars to defend this controversial project that benefits a comparatively small group of watershed users, including nonresidents and those who are not MMWD ratepayers.

Instead, MMWD should tell the program’s proponents to defend it, agreeing to stipulate that they have standing in court. Let the activists who want this project so much pay to vindicate its legality.

— James Holmes, Larkspur