Marin IJ Readers’ Forum for May 18, 2022

Sackett a good choice for District 1 supervisor

Mary Sackett, in her kind, thoughtful, hardworking way, has dedicated her efforts to the betterment of Marin. As executive director of Sanzuma foundation, a project of Bay Area Community Resources, I have experienced firsthand her commitment to supporting Marin’s children and their families.

Sackett not only shows up to volunteer at Sanzuma’s farm work days, but her work ethic and attitude shines the same glow that we see when she is working for the community as Supervisor Damon Connolly’s aide. Her knowledge and pleasant demeanor are loved by all. Sackett’s hidden talent is equity. She is very transparent and warm to everyone.

As a dedicated servant to Marin for the past 20 years, Sackett has shown the character and drive that we need in our next District 1 supervisor. She is an attorney and has volunteered with Legal Aid of Marin helping indigent people facing eviction. As a volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, she dedicated her time and effort to guide her little sister through some difficult life changes. For her commitment and determination, she received the Big Sister of the Year Award for California in 2010.

With the negotiating skills of an attorney, the knowledge of a supervisor’s aide and her desire to help our county, Sackett has what it takes to tackle Marin’s homelessness, water, traffic, wildfires and any other concerns that prevail.

Mary Sackett is the best candidate for Marin County District 1 supervisor. She will not disappoint you. Join me in voting for her on June 7.

— Lori Davis, San Rafael

Marin cyclists should ask for rewrite of Measure A

The proposed extension of the Measure A tax seems like a good thing for the community, but I have serious reservations.

Marin County officials claim to care about sea level rise, but seem unable to repave the second-most heavily traveled multi-use path in Marin. The North-South Greenway between the Sausalito heliport and Tamalpais High School in Mill Valley is already partially underwater on some days.

It is understood that part of the money goes to local jurisdictions and agricultural easements. Considering that zoning laws can always be changed, the permanent easements for West Marin ranches are a good investment for all. However, the Marin County Board of Supervisors is extremely ill-advised not to spend money to reopen the Alto Tunnel between Mill Valley and Corte Madera.

The tunnel is a crucial link of the Greenway. It is worthy of investment for a variety of reasons, including the benefits of promoting carbon-free transportation infrastructure, plus massive community support. These are the kind of projects that help bicyclists and the Earth right here and now. Measure A funds would be especially well-suited.

Also, it is my opinion that Measure A resulted in more enforcement of rules about mountain biking. No trail or night riding is allowed and new trails (which could be viewed as mini-fire breaks) are forbidden. Being stopped by armed rangers for bicycle riding is a nightmare.

As a founder of the Marin County Bicycle Coalition and co-founder of Friends of Tamarancho, I hear from many people, both road and off-road bicyclists. I hereby urge all of us to vote against extending Measure A until better priorities are instituted. Let us be the swing vote, as we were prior to the final approval of the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit train.

— Christopher H. Lang, Fairfax

Support rangers, wildfire prevention via Measure A

Opponents of Measure A proffer an argument that they support funding the Marin County Parks Department but oppose Measure A because they object to the provision of grants to preserve agriculture in Marin. These so-called “supporters” of parks and open space would have one believe that it is preferable to end support of park rangers, wildfire management, stewardship management and support for local parks and recreation projects all because they oppose agriculture easement protection in West Marin.

A recent letter in the IJ stated that removing cattle permanently with the goal of “rewilding” West Marin was worth a no vote for Measure A. Please, this argument lacks logic. Letters like this appear to support the laying off of current ranger staff and the elimination of wildfire protection in the parks (such as goat grazing) all for this notion that we should wait until any support of agriculture is eliminated.

I consider the notion that these opponents support Marin parks to be a false flag. There is no Plan B, one is either in support of Measure A for parks or one is in opposition.

— Pat O’Brien, San Rafael

Name of teacher should not have been published

I am disappointed that the Marin IJ published the name of the teacher recently arrested at Terra Linda High School (“San Rafael teacher suspected of intoxication in class,” April 29). What good can come from publicly shaming a person who is obviously in need of help?

I think the decision to publish the teacher’s name disrespected any consideration of privacy and protection of a person in dire straits.

— Arianna Schneider-Stocking, San Rafael

Nobody can tell a woman what to do with her body

I am writing about the recent news that the Supreme Court wrote a draft overturning Roe v. Wade that would change its standing about a woman’s right to choose to have an abortion.

From the pope on down, no person should tell a woman what she can and cannot do to her body. That includes the state governors out there who want to “play god.”

— Al Mork, San Rafael

Restricting abortion rights a religious intrusion

As many Americans exhibit anxiety regarding the imminent elimination of a woman’s right to have a safe abortion, I believe this represents the intrusion of some people’s religion into the lives of others.

No Supreme Court justice would seek shade sitting under an acorn. While it may become a beautiful tree, such potentiality is not the same as physical actuality. Similarly, a newly fertilized ovum is not a human being. Those who believe that a soul enters the developing fetus at the moment of fertilization hold the contrary view.

The existence of a soul separate from the body is a belief held by most denominations of Christianity, Judaism and Islam. While this spiritual soul could help raise the importance of each person one encounters, it remains unprovable.

Aristotle taught that the term “soul” described the capacities of a living being. Thus a plant soul is found in entities that can reproduce and grow toward the light. An animal soul adds the ability to move about and to eat plants and sometimes other animals. A human soul is capable of rational thought. None of these souls reside in heaven and all have no ongoing existence after death.

I am troubled by this intrusion of religious beliefs into areas where they can do harm. As a physician, I cared for all patients regardless of their race, religion, sexual orientation or personal beliefs. I feel it is detrimental to society for bakeries to be allowed to deny their products to people who are gay. Women who believe their 1- or 2-month-old fetus is fundamentally different than their living children should remain able to obtain a legal abortion.

Someone else’s religious beliefs should not prohibit this fundamental right.

— Dr. David S. Fankushen, San Anselmo

Throughout time, women have always had abortions

The earliest abortions are documented in Egypt in 1550 B.C. Those who assume abortions were not taking place at the time of the writing of the U.S. Constitution are naive. Abortion would have been deeply rooted in this nation’s history. Clearly, the Supreme Court justices working to overturn Roe v. Wade are not sufficiently informed. Therefore, I believe they have no place in determining its constitutionality.

— Karla Kvam, San Rafael