I am writing in response to the article published May 11 with the headline “Marin supervisors approve new short-term rental rules.”
How are short-term rentals helping Marin’s overly expensive rental market? They aren’t. They are only helping landlords who want to rent out space at high rents for short terms.
Marin has a serious affordable-housing problem and I don’t understand why the emphasis is on short-term, high-end rentals and not on controlling affordable housing’s rising costs.
It would be great if the Marin County Board of Supervisors would come up with a solution for long-term renters who are still struggling without local rent control and only limited protections from greed.
— Sandra Macleod White, San Rafael
I think the current push to recall two members of the Fairfax Town Council is coming from a very loud minority. They are trying to oust a couple elected representatives they personally dislike. It’s misguided and unwarranted.
Recalls are a mechanism to be employed in rare and extreme instances. They should be reserved for when there has been criminal activity or some kind of behavior that is inappropriate for a town official. None of that is at the heart of this recall.
When I first got involved attending town meetings, there was a narrative about an “inside group” of staffers and some council members who were pro-development and low on transparency. It was said they paid lip service to the public’s concerns.
What I learned over time (by observing carefully) was that serving on the council is essentially a volunteer role performed by people who want to offer their service to the town they love. The budgets and staff are small and the issues they face are complex.
Councilmembers Stephanie Hellman and Lisel Blash were elected, in part, as a response to perceptions about the “old guard.” They have comported themselves professionally and demonstrated deep care for Fairfax.
Hellman and Blash value diversity and the stabilization of our community via reasonable measures to allow teachers, artists and shop workers a way to continue to afford to live in our town. They are engaged leaders who have been clear about who they are, as well as their positions on important topics.
I think the petitions for recall and other matters have hinged on a lot of distorted narratives. There are many frustrations I share that stem from the state and federal agencies that are usurping local control. However, I think this recall is personal. Just say no.
— Richard Appelbaum, Fairfax
I recently saw the petition of intent to recall Lisel Blash and Stephanie Hellman from the Fairfax Town Council. As I read it, I was astonished by what I perceive as misinformation and a lack of context. I do not know Blash, but I do know and strongly support Hellman.
The recall petition centers on the tenant protection initiatives Hellman led. It claims that she allowed policy influence from the Democratic Socialists of America; failed to speak with any homeowners on critical decisions; and voted to abridge citizens’ First Amendment rights at public meetings.
I find the objection to the DSA having influence to be absurd. Any organization or individual has a right to offer the council ideas. If the ideas are aligned with the member’s platform, there’s no reason not to employ them.
I attended many of the eight public meetings in 2022. I witnessed, in person, overwhelming support for the tenant-protection ordinances. Homeowners and renters were treated identically and no rights were violated. Clearly, the passionate people making the assertions on the petition did not show up to the same meetings.
As a homeowner living in Fairfax for 17 years, I depend on rental income to afford my house. The way the tenant protections are structured, they are no threat to me. But when I hear about people born, raised and working in Fairfax who are priced out by corporate landlords, I find it heartbreaking. Anyone with an ounce of empathy would recognize the need for more protection than the state laws provide. All landlords should recognize how tenant protections are a step toward balancing our rights with those of renters.
I am so glad I voted for Hellman. I am proud of the leadership she has shown. I encourage the community to check the facts, speak with Hellman (who I consider very accessible) and not support a ridiculous, expensive, time-consuming recall.
— Gwen Gordon, Fairfax
We are writing to express opposition to the Ignacio Boulevard site (aka Site 2) as a replacement for the North Marin Water District pump station near Lynwood Elementary School (“Novato water utility explores new options for pump station,” May 10).
This Ignacio site is located in a delightful greenway adjacent to bucolic Arroyo San Jose Creek. Since this greenway’s development decades ago, we have enjoyed walking there several times per week. During our walks, we have observed abundant wildlife — including deer, coyotes, squirrels and birds — which will surely be adversely affected by construction and development in this sensitive creekside habitat.
We have also enjoyed seeing mallards, egrets, great blue heron, belted kingfishers and other waterfowl in the creek. We are concerned that development of a pump station in this site will disrupt this treasured, parklike feature of our Ignacio community.
We urge city and NMWD officials to preserve this site as it is. They should select an alternative site for the Lynwood pump station replacement.
— Steve O’Keefe and Sara O’Keefe, Novato
Before the Democratic National Convention in August, President Joe Biden needs to announce that the people have spoken and that he will not run for a second term. He should ask his party to select a person who can speak to the American imagination.
Biden was once vigorous on behalf of innocents everywhere who were hurting. Now he appears slowed down and at a loss. He hasn’t been able to achieve a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Far too many innocent Palestinians continue to die in response to the terroristic attack of Israel by Hamas on Oct. 7.
Biden’s upbeat talk about the economy fails to address the ongoing economic concerns for most Americans. Younger voters, in particular, are leaving the party or saying they cannot picture voting for Biden. Considering that I expect all of Donald Trump’s supporters to vote, I think a rematch with Biden will go poorly for the sitting president.
Even if Biden wins the popular vote, I suspect he might lose the election because of our entrenched Electoral College system, as happened with Al Gore and Hillary Clinton.
Here’s how the Democratic nomination for president could work: After a few public debates, convention delegates would consider a number of people. There is ample time for more exposure of their chosen candidate.
In 1969, President Lyndon Johnson wisely chose not to run for a second term. He apparently felt that by promoting the Vietnam War, he was destined to lose — regardless of his having instituted the history-making domestic program known as the “Great Society” plan.
Biden should learn from the 1860 Republican National Convention, where delegates nominated the young Abraham Lincoln after better known others could not command a majority of delegates. Their choice of the charismatic self-taught young lawyer and raconteur from Illinois came out of a democratic process at a party convention.
— Art Reiss, Greenbrae
