Marin IJ Readers’ Forum for March 16, 2023

Celebrating return of COM marine lab to Bolinas

Congratulations to College of Marin instructors Joe Mueller and Paul da Silva, as well as all the others who worked so hard to keep the dream alive of rebuilding a functioning marine lab in Bolinas (“College of Marin sets groundbreaking for Bolinas marine lab project,” March 11).

The diligence and persistence of these folks is a model for citizen involvement in public affairs. I’m looking forward to seeing marine biology and other students using their microscopes and other tools in Bolinas. Well done, folks.

— Hilary Winslow, Bolinas

Performance art groups need supervisors’ help

A recent article in the Marin IJ (“Marin theater closure plan for seismic work distresses arts groups ,” March 5) explains how difficult it will be for Marin art groups like the symphony, the ballet and several dance groups during the Marin Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium seismic update. I suggest that everyone urge the Marin County Board of Supervisors to step in to prevent this situation from creating serious financial difficulties for these groups who exist through citizen support and funding.

Even young children understand the concept of fairness and this seemingly arbitrary adult decision could be met by a child’s response of “that isn’t fair.” Fairness is as American as apple pie. Our country came to be because the king of England and his government were not fair in their dealings with the colonists.

The fees to use the alternative Exhibit Hall space are outrageous. The Exhibit Hall holds about half the audience and is greatly inferior as a performance venue. Expecting groups to make additional expenditures to convert the hall for their performances (and then “unconvert” the hall) after the performance is simply unfair.

The county should make efforts to preserve the cultural gems of our community, not destroy them.

Supervisors should step in to help work out a fair fee schedule with our homegrown art groups that will treat them fairly and will not endanger their future existence.

— Frank Battat, San Rafael

Groups using auditorium left in a tough position

I was truly dismayed to read in the recent article about the temporary closure of the Marin County Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium (“Marin theater closure plan for seismic work distresses arts groups,” March 5). For a fan of the Marin Symphony, it is shocking to read that the plans will put this beautiful Marin institution (and many other art groups) into serious financial trouble.

I understand that the Exhibit Hall, which is being offered as an alternative, has only half the seats of the auditorium and the symphony (as well as the other groups), but it will still cost a similar amount. That’s not fair.

I sincerely hope that county supervisors and administrators work with symphony leadership and other groups to either completely waive the fees or at least to drastically lower them.

— Avi Diekotter, San Rafael

Expand, enact credits to make taxes more fair

President Joe Biden has released his new budget. Among his many priorities, a huge one is making the tax code fairer for everyday Americans.

There are two things Congress could do right now to make it happen. First, expand the child tax credit. In 2021 Congress expanded it to all low-income families and sent it as monthly payments. Child poverty immediately plummeted and parents breathed a sigh of relief. Sadly, Congress let the expanded credit expire.

Second, Congress should enact a renter tax credit. Millions of Americans are struggling to keep up with skyrocketing rents. While the tax code gives billions in tax breaks to homeowners, renters get nothing. The tax credit would remedy this by giving rent-burdened households a refundable tax credit to help offset the high cost of rent.

— Birgit Hermann, San Francisco

Enjoying ‘six-word story’ challenge in the Marin IJ

I was excited to see that Marin IJ Lifestyles Editor Vicki Larson is using the monthly “six-word story” feature to challenge readers by writing six words about luck. It has been an eye-opening experience.

The deadline is Friday and I am able to write down 10 new things each day I feel lucky about. I am still going strong. I’m obviously very lucky.

What a great way to start my day.

— Mary Lock, Woodacre