Marin IJ Readers’ Forum for July 13, 2023
Fourth of July parade in Novato was a big hit
On behalf of the Novato Fourth of July Parade Committee, I want to thank everyone who participated in our parade — the spectators, the entrants, the volunteers and the sponsors.
For the last 30 years, Novato’s parade has been a labor of love brought to the community by an all-volunteer, independent nonprofit organization. This parade would not happen without volunteers and sponsors. The 14-member committee started working on the parade in January and our 50 volunteers on the holiday worked with us to ensure that it appeared seamless to the crowd.
In particular, as committee chair, I would like to thank the Novato police and the Public Works Department for all their assistance. Additionally, the following donated services, time and/or funds to help us: members of Marin’s county offices, Pini Hardware, Marin District Attorney Lori Frugoli, H&J Tire, Northgate Insurance, Marin Landscape, Roto-Rooter Plumbing, Bank of Marin, GL Builders, Recology of Sonoma-Marin and Dr. Insomniacs cafe.
Next year, we hope to do it all over again and hope that everyone will join us on July 4, 2024 to celebrate America’s 248th birthday.
— Jennifer Goldfinger, Novato
Traffic jam on Richmond Bridge highly frustrating
On July 3, my wife and I were among the many attempting to drive to Marin County from the East Bay via the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge. I have no doubt that the congestion was made very much worse by the fact that the bridge can carry only two-thirds of the traffic it used to thanks to the dedicated pedestrian-cyclist lane on the top deck.
How much longer can we cater to a small but vocal group of bicyclists? During the long period that we were stuck on the bridge, we saw only 24 bicyclists. Where is the justice and compassion for the rest of us?
How can we reverse the well-intentioned, but wrong-headed, decisions leading to misery daily for commuters?
— William Geisler, San Anselmo
Marin County Fair needs to move away from fireworks
Every year the people that live near the Marin County Civic Center have to endure the week of the fair.
We have to adjust to traffic snarls and parking in the neighborhood. We have to deal with the noise at night (before the noise from the fireworks even starts). Our pets go into hiding, likely joining all the animals living in the lagoon. The night sky explodes and massive amounts of polluting smoke drifts over our neighborhood. We have endured this every year and have complained very little.
The solution is to switch from traditional fireworks to a flying drones light show. Marin should be leading the way in this movement away from fireworks. More and more drone shows are common around the country and are replacing hazardous fireworks. The Marin County Board of Supervisors needs to move forward and designate drones for our light shows at future fairs.
— Ron Ford, Santa Venetia
San Rafael bloody arrest could have been avoided
It was sad to read the updates on the story of a man who was seriously hurt after a police stop in the Canal neighborhood of San Rafael (“Marin DA: San Rafael police committed assault in Canal arrest,” June 30).
There were many people impacted by this incident — the injured man who required major medical attention, the two police officers who were put on leave, witnesses at the scene and the Marin County District Attorney’s Office, which had to deal with public pressure on how to handle this case.
I believe this incident could have been easily prevented if the man had followed the police’s instructions. Based on the video I watched, this could have been just an interaction resulting in a minor infraction if the community member had not disobeyed instructions.
When my teenage son first got his driver’s license, I told him that, when he was ever stopped by a police officer, he needed to be polite, follow instructions, don’t resist and don’t run away.
If this man had heeded those guidelines, I don’t believe this incident ever would have happened.
— Henry Burgin, San Rafael
Disappointed by retail closures around Marin
Online shopping is fine if you know what you want and have purchased it previously. Otherwise, I like to go to stores to see and feel what I am buying. I also like to “comparison shop.”
I am dismayed that stores like Sur La Table; David M. Brian; Bed, Bath and Beyond; Sears; Marin Stationers and Orchard Supply Hardware, as well as others, have closed Marin locations. I don’t understand why these stores had to go.
— Stuart Brown, San Rafael