Marin IJ Readers’ Forum for Jan. 6, 2023

Biomedical tech leaves legacy with MarinHealth

MarinHealth Medical Center has celebrated an outstanding employee: Robert John Bruce lll, aka Bob Bruce. Bruce, a biomedical equipment technician, just retired after an amazing 50 years at the hospital.

He is a legend to the community. Bruce has attended to many patients — from birthing babies to cardiac open hearts. He has given all of them tender loving care to and from surgery.

In 1973, Bruce started out by admitting patients and aiding their transportation. He advanced to washing surgical instruments by hand. He then prepped the patient’s surgical site with what was known as a straight razor — always taking care not to nick the patients.

Bruce started the anesthesia technician program, worked before noninvasive blood pressure devices and before pulse oximetry (now available at your local drugstore and essential for today’s surgeries). He also rallied for the first mass spectrometer.

Bruce was born in 1954 and grew up in Ross. Some of his other skills are cutting stones — such as rubies and emeralds — and raising two dogs with his wife of 28 years. It is a mixed blessing that Bruce retired as a biomedical engineer earlier this week. More than 200 people showed up at his 50th anniversary at the hospital. He will be missed.

— Carol Emery, San Anselmo

Real estate commissions are earned with hard work

Having been a Realtor in Marin County for 26 years, I find it disturbing to read that a local home seller would sue the National Association of Realtors, several local Realtor associations and a northern Bay Area multiple listing service over the commission paid at the close of a successful sale (“Marin home seller files antitrust suit against Realtors,” Dec. 23). I have sold hundreds of homes and can honestly say I never received a commission I did not feel was well earned.

Marin agents, for the most part, are smart. They are honestly trying to do their best for their clients. When a home is listed on the multiple listing service, it goes on to hundreds of websites worldwide. This exposure, combined with personal local expertise, brings in the highest and best offer possible in the market at the time of the listing.

The “commission pie” is usually split between two companies. Agents then split the commission with their company. This keeps the lights on and provides managers, legal advice, transaction coordinators and advertising experts, which serves the client.

I have never heard of agents steering buyers to the home with the highest commission. We operate under a written code of ethics and that would be a direct violation.

Several times, I have taken buyers to view close to 100 homes and they have never purchased. Are they supposed to pay me an hourly fee? Agents are not going to compete for buyers to get paid nothing. Wise and experienced buyers would not represent themselves. I would not accept an offer from a buyer without representation due to the liability involved.

The system works well and is fair, for the most part, to all parties involved. There is a lot of work involved in creating a successful sale of a home. We appreciate our clients and work hard for them.

— Spirit Lynn Wiseman, Fairfax

Posturing in Congress won’t help economy

I read the recently published Marin Voice commentary by Tief Gibbs (“If it feels like we are worse off because of higher prices, that’s because we are,” Dec. 22) on why Americans are experiencing economic unease in spite of what should be positive indicators like falling inflation and rising growth. Gibbs has hit on an interesting dynamic, but I think the explanation is all wrong.

Indeed, the U.S. has experienced a short-term period of high inflation that exacerbated economic difficulties for many Americans. This inflationary period is easing, but Americans are still experiencing a level of economic unease that appears unique among developed countries. It’s my belief that such uncertainty is due to macroeconomic conditions that predate the pandemic and are unique to the U.S.

Unlike citizens of most developed countries, Americans lack an organized health care system that’s affordable and effective. Access to quality primary education is uneven and college increasingly requires students to take on debt that’s becoming impossible to pay off. Rising home values are putting the American dream out of reach for many, particularly in desirable markets like California. And growing income inequality is creating a two-tier economy in which some prosper while others struggle to make ends meet.

Unfortunately, Gibbs’ Republican Party offers few solutions to any of these problems. A recent analysis of the 118th Congress found that the body was “the most unproductive in decades,” with the GOP-controlled House of Representatives alone voting 749 times but passing just 27 bills that became law.

Instead, it appears that Americans will continue to be treated with endless votes motivated by performative posturing. Gibbs’ commentary falls right in line with these initiatives as the Republican Party insists on fighting the battles of the past while ignoring solutions for the future.

— Brian Casey, San Rafael

Joe Biden’s economic recovery plan is working

I’m wondering why President Joe Biden’s economic recovery plan is getting such a rap in some recently published letters to the editor. The stock market is high, more people are working than in years, there are record numbers of travelers and consumerism appears to be strong.

It’s true that prices are up, yes, but so are wages. I’m at a loss as to why all this isn’t enough. Bread is never going to be 50 cents a loaf again. No amount of economic success will mean some won’t need food and support. That shouldn’t be an indicator of the economy. Buying into the idea that “the economy was better than ever” under former President Donald Trump’s administration is a folly.

Under Biden’s leadership, the U.S. is moving forward. He may be 81 years old, but he knows how to get things done. There’s something to be said for “older heads” showing more wisdom.

— Joanne Gotelli, San Rafael

Transit tax request raises many questions

Yes, questioning the Metropolitan Transportation Commission about raising money for operational expenses is a valid concern (“Marin officials skeptical of regional transportation tax plan,” Dec. 5).

MTC’s request for $1 billion a year for 30 years needs to be examined. Only $30 billion may be raised by 2050, but the article states that MTC faces a projected $110 billion shortfall by that time. I don’t think that asking for $1 billion a year more will do nearly enough.

I think our regional transportation agency should focus on fixing potholes. It’s a better strategy and will cost much less. Yes, the MTC will face shortfalls, however, the Bay Area then might have more possible tax money available for housing, schools and combating pollutants, to name a few examples where funding is needed.

Why our institutions need and want more funds for operational expenses must be better explained.

Marin Supervisor Stephanie Moulton-Peters is correct in advocating for coordination of transportation agencies. Additionally, we should consider having our agencies coordinate with other institutional commissions. Enough with spending public money on more studies. Start small and fix the potholes, while keeping the visions of transportation efficiency alive. Clearly, MTC’s political and financial course needs to be changed.

— Eleanor Sluis, Novato

PG&E’s commitment to shareholders a problem

I support Curtis Panasuk’s letter published Dec. 30. His analysis of Pacific Gas and Electric Co.’s rate hike, as well as the vote by the California Public Utilities Commission to allow it, continued to shed light on this concerning situation.

We should all remember that PG&E is a corporation listed on the stock exchange with shareholders that expect it to show a profit. I think that’s troubling for a public utility.

— Joel Schwartz, San Rafael