Marin IJ Readers’ Forum for Dec. 21, 2025

San Rafael officials are making necessary decisions

I’m writing in response to the recent coverage mentioning a “breach of trust” expressed by San Rafael residents regarding the proposed homeless shelter at 350 Merrydale Road. While the city could have been more transparent in its planning and purchase of this solution, I believe it’s disingenuous to pretend a lack of transparency is the main issue.

I think the real issue is classic Marin “not in my backyard” behavior. I think it’s absurd to pretend otherwise. Every concerned letter claims we must address homelessness, but this solution, which seemingly happens to be near the author’s home, is suddenly “government overreach.”

Let’s be honest — it doesn’t matter how open city officials could have been with this proposal, the outcome would be exactly the same. The warnings of San Rafael authoritarianism are predictable. I suspect the novel machinations by city officials were an attempt to get a solution approved that they knew would be met with derision and opposition.

As a Terra Linda resident and parent, of course I’m wary of the drug use and crime that will inevitably be a side effect of this project. However, if we are truly serious about solving homelessness and the county’s housing shortage, we have to start somewhere, and it will involve uncomfortable trade-offs. Otherwise, I worry we’ll have to get used to uncontrollable tent cities and public school teachers sleeping in their cars because they can’t afford local housing.

— Matt Herrmann, San Rafael

Saavedra, Roenisch deserve support on the TUHSD board

I want to share appreciation to members of the Tamalpais Union High School District Board of Trustees for doing their thankless, voluntary jobs to meet the priorities the community approved.

As a former board member, district employee, teacher, union member, Marin representative on the California School Board and San Andreas High School teacher, I can attest that the time commitment needed is enormous. Additionally, I am impressed by the complexity of the personal and professional skill set currently required to guide the district responsibly.

In particular, I want to recognize current trustees Kevin Saavedra and Cynthia Roenish, as well as former board members Leslie Harlander and the late Chuck Ford. They established clear protocols for civic engagement and, more critically, disagreement.

I think Saavedra has affirmed that during his tenure. The district has addressed many challenging issues. Saavedra knows that taking criticism is part of the job. However, nobody signed on for some of the personal, cruel, vitriolic public attacks he has been forced to absorb.

I believe that this board’s search, discovery and hiring of new Superintendent Courtney Goode manifests its consequential, wise decision-making. Securing his wealth of experience and character will help address the ongoing challenges of a basic-aid district with declining enrollment.

I believe any board service is a gift to the community. The generous commitment to this work by Saavedra and Roenisch on behalf of our children is a gift that keeps on giving.

— Barbara Angeli Owens, Mill Valley

Napa nonprofit thankful to MCE for local support

As treasurer for Napa Climate Now nonprofit organization, I would like to thank MCE (formerly Marin Clean Energy) for expanding beyond Marin County and providing Napa with clean, renewable energy. MCE expanded in 2015. Since then, it has helped the county’s more than 57,000 customers reduce a reported 81,000 metric tons of carbon.

We deeply appreciate having a utility that does so much more than provide power — MCE helps to power change in our region toward greater sustainability.

We are focused on reducing climate pollution and increasing resilience. As sponsor of our Napa Climate Summit events, MCE helps educate our community. In 2024, the Climate Solutions Showcase spotlighted clean energy solutions for homeowners. In 2025, the “Investing in Our Future” presentation focused on youth, with an inspiring presentation by Tyla Brown, senior partnership development manager at MCE. The event included a job fair where local agencies let students know about paid internships, including those offered by MCE.

MCE is dedicated to involving community members in its governance and operation. We have participated in the Community Power Coalition, which brings together environmental and social justice groups from around the Bay Area to provide feedback on programs and help with outreach.

— Chris Benz, Napa