Marin IJ Readers’ Forum for March 9, 2025

‘Better Bridgeway’ plan deserves council’s support

As a resident of Sausalito, I support the plan outlined in the recent Marin Voice commentary by Warren J. Wells (“‘Better Bridgeway’ plan in Sausalito makes sense for more than just cyclists,” Feb. 28).

Bridgeway is a jewel in our city. However, its current configuration is demonstrably unsafe. Cycling on Bridgeway feels dangerous due to the lack of dedicated bike lanes and the alarming prevalence of speeding cars using the center lane for illegal passing. Crossing the street as a pedestrian is also dangerous. This plan is an opportunity to prioritize safety, efficiency and accessibility for all users.

The proposed changes, including dedicated bike lanes and marked crosswalks, are not just cosmetic improvements; they are vital safety enhancements. The addition of bike lanes would significantly improve my sense of safety and, I believe, encourage more residents to cycle.

Moreover, clearly marked crosswalks at high-traffic locations would provide much-needed pedestrian safety, addressing a serious gap in the current infrastructure. The plan’s inclusion of designated loading zones for delivery vehicles is a practical solution that benefits local businesses and improves traffic flow by eliminating the need for illegal parking in the center lane, ensuring that emergency vehicle access is no longer impeded.

Beyond the immediate safety and efficiency benefits, this plan is a financially responsible decision for our city. Sausalito has, unfortunately, seen instances where critical projects have lost grant funding due to delays or unreasonable local opposition. This plan has already secured significant grant funding, allowing us to repave the badly degraded street without burdening residents. By supporting this plan, we are not only improving Bridgeway but also freeing up local funds for other pressing infrastructure needs. I urge the City Council to approve the “Better Bridgeway” plan at the special City Council meeting on March 29.

— Adrian Brinton, Sausalito

Democrats need to step up, resist Trump

We are now more than a month into the Trump administration. Despite what I consider to be signs it is corrupt, I think the opposition is “missing in action.” Where is the Democratic leadership’s response?

Massive layoffs and massive cuts in spending have been authorized by the legislative branch. The executive branch should not be allowed to cut funding or revoke monies allocated by Congress. Where is the Democratic pushback?

So far, Democrats have sat back and done little. We are witnessing daily protests against Trump and Elon Musk, the appointed head of the new Department of Government Efficiency.

We can watch on TV and see that even some Republican voters are pushing on the drastic cuts and layoffs implemented by Trump and Musk. It is time for Democratic leadership to step forward. As a lifelong Democrat, I am shocked and saddened that the leadership of my party is not doing anything significant.

— Eric W. Overholt, Sausalito

USAID cuts will come back to haunt administration

Until a few weeks ago, relatively few Americans had heard of the U.S. Agency for International Development. Now we are told, without nearly enough evidence, that it is rife with fraud and abuse.

The new administration has taken a wrecking ball to everything many have worked for over the past 40 years, through many administrations. In truth, the oversight, accounting and reporting requirements for U.S. government money allocated overseas are far stricter than for any other government or private agency that funds this kind of work.

The consequences of dismantling development assistance in countries all over the world will be devastating. Thousands of people are losing jobs that will never come back, hundreds of effective local organizations will go under, and millions of families and children will go without health care, primary education, agricultural assistance and the like.

By gutting foreign assistance, the U.S. is losing a critical diplomatic tool as well — in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East (and most other countries), the diplomatic corps works hand-in-hand with their development assistance programs.

All U.S. foreign health and development assistance makes up less than 1% of our budget. These shortsighted and vindictive actions will lose friends for the United States all over the world.

— Elaine C. Johnson, Greenbrae