Marin IJ Readers’ Forum for Nov. 9, 2025

Former board member urges changes at MCE after series

As a former member of the Novato City Council, I was quite interested in the IJ’s four-part series titled “Friction at MCE” published from Oct. 26-30 about Marin’s alternative energy provider. In my role on the council, I served on the Board of Directors for MCE (formerly Marin Clean Energy) in 2023 and 2024.

Several of the concerns voiced mirrored my own, particularly former board member Bob McCaskill’s comment that he wasn’t the only board member who “had absolutely no experience in the utility business … and we had no choice but to rely on what management tells us.”

I joined after a previous member of the Novato council, who had served in the role, did not run for reelection. I was never on-boarded, nor was I ever approached by MCE staff to become a customer. I had no background in clean energy and, quite frankly, provided little value to the board.

I recall a meeting where a board member questioned why it did not include any individuals from the energy sector. It was a great question and one that still needs robust discussion. Additionally, a board of 34 directors, all elected officials, is too large to be effective.

I do hope this investigation of operations encourages deeper conversations among the board and a willingness to make changes, including the formation of separate finance and audit committees. These committees should include board members with accounting and finance backgrounds. Change should be welcomed and supported by senior management.

Board member Gabe Quinto’s comment, “When it comes to an audit, we are not there to discuss it” is concerning. His assertion that Marin County board members “are not as busy as other board members” is insulting. The primary role of a board member is to provide oversight. Simply put, as a board member, you have a fiduciary responsibility to your ratepayers. It should be taken seriously.

— Susan Wernick, Novato

Some MCE executives need to consider best practices

I am writing in response to the four-part series by the IJ titled “Friction at MCE” published Oct. 26-30. I think it is indefensible that MCE does not have a true finance committee and resists establishing one. Any large and complex organization (and MCE is very large and complex) has a finance committee with experienced financial people as members.

Additionally, I think the details of how the organization communicated the promotion of its new chief financial officer were strange and could be considered suspicious. In my opinion, it sounds like some long-time MCE executives are getting way too comfortable at a public nonprofit.

— Jim Parrinello, Mill Valley

Former mayor in full support of removing bridge bike lane

As the former mayor of Larkspur, I appreciated the informative and well-researched IJ editorial supporting the test to remove what I consider an unnecessary and inappropriate bike lane on the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge (“Movable bike barrier a good step for Richmond Bridge,” Oct. 31).

As the editorial board pointed out, the bridge currently serves 80,000 vehicles on weekdays, and the bike lane use is only 195 daily cyclists. It’s notable to me that riding a bike is not an alternative for drivers of trucks used for businesses such as construction or landscaping.

Caltrans and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission need to figure out a long term solution.

— Joan Lubamersky, Larkspur

San Rafael’s process feels authoritarian, dismissive

I’m deeply frustrated with how San Rafael officials — especially the mayor and council members — have handled the new proposed “tiny homes” project in my Terra Linda neighborhood (“San Rafael, Marin County to provide small dwellings for homeless,” Oct. 16).

Residents here were completely blindsided. It appears that this decision was made behind closed doors before the people most affected were ever informed or invited to be part of the process. I think the way it was announced through a media event felt more like an executive order than local government. I consider it authoritarian and dismissive of residents’ voices.

All I’m asking for is transparency, honesty and genuine community involvement. Marin residents have already made it clear they oppose this kind of top-down leadership — just look at the “No Kings” rally and the calls for accountable government. In this case, it feels like San Rafael officials need a reminder.

— Frank Mason, San Rafael