Marin IJ Readers’ Forum for Feb. 28, 2026

Book calling SMART a ‘heist’ distracts from issue at hand

I am writing in regard to recent news about a new a book titled “The Great Train Heist” by Michael J. Coffino arguing that the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit train is a taxpayer rip-off and a failed public project (“Critics roll out anti-SMART book ahead of tax vote,” Feb. 18).

I disagree. Public infrastructure should be scrutinized and held accountable. But calling a regional transportation investment a “heist” appears to be advocacy meant to trigger distrust.

The real question shouldn’t be whether SMART operates like a private company. It should be whether maintaining and improving a regional rail corridor serves the long-term needs for residents of Sonoma and Marin counties — including people not well served by a car-first system.

A large share of our community lacks reliable access to a car: seniors who should not be driving, people with disabilities, students and low-income workers commuting at odd hours. For many families, transportation costs compete with rent, food and health care. A transportation system should not be built only around residents who have options.

The book’s “failure” narrative appears to lean on ridership comparisons to early projections and pre-pandemic levels, ignoring what has happened to commuter rail nationwide. Remote and hybrid work changed travel behavior; ridership fell everywhere and recovery has been uneven.

SMART serves a suburban corridor, not a dense urban core. A serious evaluation asks whether ridership is stabilizing, service is being optimized, connections to buses and ferries are improving access, and the corridor retains long-term value in a region facing climate disruption.

Calling SMART a taxpayer “rip-off” insinuates misuse or deception. The reality is a policy choice: whether to renew and extend a sales tax for transit. Debate costs, governance and performance expectations — but use accurate language.

This is not a blank check. If voters renew funding, they should demand efficiency, transparency, last-mile connectivity and clear metrics. Reducing this decision to a slogan about a “heist” is not leadership. It distracts from building a community that works for everyone.

— Michael Skolnik, San Rafael

MCE’s Contra Costa director supports mission

As a Contra Costa County director for MCE (formerly Marin Clean Energy), I want to respond to the column by IJ political columnist Dick Spotswood published Feb. 15 with the headline “MCE appears to be in mess of own making.” I can assure IJ readers that directors in Contra Costa County are working for our constituents and ratepayers.

Ratepayers’ energy bills include the cost of MCE renewable energy, the transmission cost (charged by the Pacific Gas & Electric Co.) and the power charge indifference adjustment (PCIA), an exit fee for customers leaving PG&E and joining MCE. The California Public Utilities Commission sets the PCIA.

MCE’s Board of Directors voted on a generation rate cut of about $3 a month at the Feb. 19 meeting, putting our generation rates lower than PG&E’s. A customer’s bill will still be higher because of the CPUC’s decision to allow PG&E to retroactively collect a PCIA it determined that PG&E under-collected in 2025.

In the business world, if you undercharge your product, you don’t get to charge your competitor for your mistake.

MCE is not a “commodity broker.” It is a renewable energy provider. The percentage of clean energy for customers greatly exceeds the percentage of renewable energy offered by PG&E.

The staff also goes after grants for programs that put money in ratepayers’ pockets, such as energy audits and rebates.

MCE does not take tax dollars. Ratepayers pay for energy and programs. MCE gives customers a choice. Do they want to purchase clean energy from a nonprofit that invests back into its member communities, or do they want to get a greater percentage of their energy from fossil fuels by a company whose profits benefit only its investors?

I am thrilled that my constituents have a choice, and most of them choose MCE for both a greener planet and more local control.

— Councilmember Amanda Szakats, Pleasant Hill

‘Come to the Table’ event in Marin City gains momentum

In his commentary published Feb. 18, IJ political columnist Dick Spotswood pointed out a few “positive happenings in Marin’s civil society.” Here’s another one I believe he would like.

“Come to the Table” is a monthly dinner at St. Andrew Church in Marin City. Guests include 25 people from Marin City and 25 from elsewhere in the county. The dinner is free. When you arrive, you are directed to a table that doesn’t include the person you came with. The goal is simple: interact and get to know your Marin City neighbors.

There’s a discussion topic relevant to the community each month. It might be education, how arts can contribute to mental health or immigration, to name a few. Icebreaker questions at the table help guests start talking. The topic is pursued in depth following the dinner at a community forum, which is free and open to all and features experts on the topic.

Pastor Floyd Thompson, under whose auspices this takes place, reminds guests each month that “Come to the Table” isn’t a simply a one-time event – it’s a bridge to development of new projects to serve the community and the county. A number are already happening. Among them, a Rotary Club has been established for the first time in Marin City. Initiated by businesspeople who came together at the dinner, it will aid in economic and leadership development in this underserved community. And, after a forum on food insecurity, a Kaiser nursing supervisor organized her fellow nurses to volunteer for local food pantries.

On April 28, “Come to the Table” will spotlight women who are ground-breakers and change-makers – women who inspire. Information is available at ctttmarin.org. Come to the table, gathering to be inspired by the women and this small initiative that is making a difference.

— Suzan Berns, San Rafael

Center for Student Success is a great addition for COM

I attended the recent grand-opening ceremony for the David Wain Coon Center for Student Success in Kentfield (“College of Marin unveils $82M student center,” Feb. 4).

The weather was exceptional and the speakers were outstanding, including California First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, who grew up on and around the campus. She even competed in track events there.

Its spacious library has sunny window seats and views of Mount Tamalpais. On the opposite side of the library is the Pink Owl Cafe, which I consider to be a delightful addition for the students. I was happy to meet Librarian Dave Patterson at the entrance to the library. He welcomed me with a warm smile and answered all of my questions.

— Alan Rossi, San Anselmo

House speaker should have honored Jesse Jackson

I am writing in response to news that House Speaker Mike Johnson denied a request by the family of The Rev. Jesse Jackson to have the body of the recently deceased civil right leader lie in honor in the U.S. Capitol building. Johnson said that the space is typically reserved for former presidents, members of the military and select officials.

Jackson was one of the greatest civil rights leaders and one of Martin Luther King’s closest friends. He was a prominent member of the movement for decades. Jackson was also a presidential candidate in 1984 and again in 1988.

At the rotunda the public is allowed to visit, pay their respects and share their gratitude. But with this administration, the great Jesse Jackson’s passing appears to have been completely ignored. That’s unimaginable.

— Sandra Macleod White, San Rafael

State of democracy is a reminder: Every vote counts

I think it seems so naive, if not ignorant, to blame and criticize our Democratic representatives and senators for not fighting hard enough against the Republicans’ apparent downsizing of our democracy.

The blame for these mounting problems belongs with the electorate. The voters put the GOP back in power along with President Donald Trump — albeit with what I consider a slim majority in both houses (but enough to enable him to rule and reign). It seems that too few Republicans are courageous enough to challenge the White House.

Now is the time to reflect and accept the importance and consequence of every vote.

— Deidre Silverman, San Rafael