Marin IJ Readers’ Forum for June 23, 2024

Solar farm on West Peak fits sustainability goals

I would like to second the motion made by Dart Cherk in his letter published June 15. Cherk’s idea to place a solar farm at the former military base on West Peak of Mount Tamalpais is brilliant.

I think the plan to restore the graded asphalt-covered site is a waste of time and energy (“Storm cleanup on Mount Tam’s West Peak offers silver lining,” June 6). The carbon footprint alone, as well as the cost removing all of the concrete and asphalt, is prohibitive. Influencers (like Marin Conservation League directors) are needed to help get us all on board for the creation of a solar farm at the site.

Cherk’s idea about restoring an electric train to go to the top of the mountain as well and using gravity to bring it all back down is an idea that fits our goals for a sustainable future.

— Howard Ortman, Sleepy Hollow

Former district attorney decries bump stock ruling

I was the Marin County district attorney for more than a decade. I always held my breath in hopes that we would never endure a mass-murder event like what happened at Sandy Hook, Las Vegas or Columbine High School. We have not, but I am at a loss to say it could not happen.

Along with my law enforcement partners and our community-based organizations, we undertook Marin’s first gun buyback programs. The Marin Community Foundation, along with the Marin supervisors, helped make the program successful.

I was criticized by some who said it was just symbolic and did not accomplish anything. I recoil at that marginalization of our efforts. We must take a stand and draw a line in the sand.

The recent Supreme Court decision repealing bump stock bans has crossed the line and driven a stake into the hearts of the families of the victims slain by the use of these needless weapons. These “weapons of war” are not serving any protection under our now corrupt interpretations of the Second Amendment.

We must show our contempt by voting across this country for high-profile representatives as well as down-ballot candidates who show they are willing to set the stage to end this national disgrace and marginalization in our nation’s highest court.

The justices putting this repeal in place should be ashamed and somehow held responsible for the next mass killing.

— Edward S. Berberian, Petaluma

Government should not be involved in housing

It was highly prescient for the IJ editors to place articles outlining Novato’s approval of a disturbingly dense housing project (“‘Extreme’ Novato housing approved,” June 15) on the same front page as the story about the Marin Housing Authority’s difficulty in collecting rent from some tenants (“Officials struggle to collect back rent,” June 15).

From my perspective, grouping the stories illustrated failures at the state and county level.

Novato residents and members of the City Council are right to complain about plans for an awful six-story apartment building downtown. It is being approved by state fiat. But I have to ask: How many voted for those representatives in Sacramento that made the rules?

Meanwhile, I am concerned that the Marin Housing Authority is inept. How is it possible that it hasn’t collected all the rent because residents thought they didn’t have to pay? Why wasn’t it made extremely clear to everyone? I think that lack of communication is shameful. Honestly, I think Housing Authority officials should have their compensation tied to the collection of rent.

For me, those two front-page stories epitomized why the government should never be involved in housing.

— Craig A. Nelson, San Rafael

Some in MAGA appear to be promoting violence

According to the recently published letter to the editor by Henry Burgin, the “Make America Great Again” movement stands for U.S. values that all should support. I must take exception to that statement. Based on investigations I have read, some in MAGA stand for violence. Violence is not a value that I, as a veteran of the United States Army, support.

Former President Donald Trump broke the law. He also lost the 2020 election. I am concerned that some affiliated with MAGA want to use violence as a means to change those facts. That’s just wrong.

— Eric W. Overholt, Marin City