Marin IJ Readers Forum for Oct. 6, 2024

Larkspur needs Measure K for stronger rent control

As both a Marin County renter and a landlord of two single family homes, I encourage everyone to vote yes on Larkspur’s Measure K for stronger renter protections on the November ballot. I understand both sides; being a renter as well as being a housing provider.

The idea that Measure K will stick landlords with “nightmare tenants” is simply untrue. Lease violations — including failure to pay rent or creating a nuisance — are clear and just causes for eviction, and will continue to be under the new ordinance. Keep in mind that the vast majority of Larkspur tenants are good people who are valuable additions to our community, and for the small fraction of those who are not, they can still be evicted.

Measure K does not apply to those of us who, as individuals, rent out single family homes, rooms, condos or accessory dwelling units in order to afford mortgages or, in my case, retirement. I understand (very well) that property owners need to make a living from their properties, and that maintenance and insurance costs are significant.

Measure K protects tenants in large buildings owned by corporations or Wall Street investors The 7% annual rent increases to the tenants living in the Bon Air apartments or the Skylark apartments appear to be making tremendous profits for wealthy families and corporations.

Please join me, as well as the Marin Democratic Party, the Sierra Club, Community Action Marin and the Skylark and Bon Air tenants associations in voting yes on Measure K to keep our community fair and affordable.

— Rebecca Ets-Hokin, Greenbrae

Bushmaker, Armikas best for Sausalito City Council

As a former council member, I’m endorsing Sandra Bushmaker and Jackie Amrikhas for Sausalito City Council in the Nov. 5 election. Both will support financial stability and focus on fixing Sausalito’s infrastructure. It has been ignored for too many years and has become a public health/safety issue, while city funds have been spent on special interests and vanity projects.

Bushmaker is a two-term mayor of Sausalito, an attorney and a mediator who will steer our council back to common-sense governance that is effective and transparent. Amrikhas is a certified public accountant who has lived here for more than 20 years. She will focus on balancing the budget while fixing the infrastructure and preserving the character of our town.

— Carolyn Ford, Sausalito

Vote Blaustein, Sobieski, Woodside for Sausalito

Sausalito’s election for three seats on the City Council this November offers a clear choice to its residents. Just like at the national level, I believe we face a choice between moving forward with joy or going backward with cynicism.

Until 10 months ago, I didn’t follow local politics closely, but that changed when our ferry dock’s land-side improvement project was at risk of losing a $2.4 million grant due to opposition from a small group. That was my wake-up call.

After attending numerous council meetings, it became clear who was working to move Sausalito forward and who was obstructing progress. That’s why I’m supporting Ian Sobieski, Melissa Blaustein and Steven Woodside for City Council.

Sobieski and Balustein have a proven track record of action. They broke the seven-year deadlock on that project and spearheaded the transformation of Tracy Way, one of our small downtown streets, into a pedestrian promenade. They were also instrumental in creating our town’s first Business Improvement District — a key step in revitalizing our downtown waterfront, filling vacant storefronts and boosting city revenue. They’ve supported the Center for the Arts, recognizing its potential to attract residents and visitors, strengthen our local economy and honor our town’s artistic heritage.

Woodside, a new candidate, brings 40 years of experience, having served as senior counsel for the counties of Marin, Sonoma and Santa Clara. I’ve appreciated his insightful comments at council meetings, which have helped move good projects forward.

These candidates believe in growing the economic pie through smart investments, not just cutting costs. They understand that bold solutions, not just patching potholes and piecemeal fixes, are needed to bring our infrastructure into the 21st century. Sausalito deserves forward-thinking leaders who take action. Sobieski, Blaustein and Woodside are those leaders.

— Sharna Brockett, Sausalito