Save Fairfax rent control, vote no on Measure I
I write in opposition to the baseless assertions in a letter to the editor published Sept. 7 concerning our Fairfax rent control ordinances. I urge a no vote on Measure I in the Nov. 5 election.
Residents, community groups and labor unions support rent control for Fairfax. I am, proudly, a homeowner-resident supporter. I’m also proud that respected organizations supporting rent control in Fairfax include the Marin County Democratic Party, Community Action Marin, Sierra Club and the North Bay Labor Council. The Democratic Socialists of America group is one of the supporters. This is not a list of radical extremists.
Here are the facts: Tenants do not have an unlisted right to sublease their apartments. First, under the new just-evictions law, the remaining tenant may replace only the departing tenant. Second, the landlord may reasonably refuse a new subtenant. Third, the total number of tenants cannot exceed the original number of tenants on the lease. Last, the remaining tenant’s unit must continue to be that tenant’s primary residence.
The Fairfax Town Council provided numerous opportunities for the public to learn about, and to speak in favor of or in opposition to, rent control in Fairfax. Town officials publicized each meeting on the website and in the email newsletter. After eight months of public meetings — and with due and methodical consideration of the public comments and proposed ordinances’ provisions — Fairfax adopted our rent-control and tenant-protection ordinances. The provisions are similar to local rent control laws passed in other California municipalities.
I believe that rent control helps to stabilize our community. Not everyone is able or wants to own their home, but that does not mean they don’t want to live here and be a part of the community.
Please vote no on Fairfax Measure I. Save rent control.
— Susan Adams, Fairfax
Equity efforts should address antisemitism
I am writing in response to the article published Aug. 14 with the headline “District bolsters equity efforts” regarding the Tamalpais Union High School District.
I am all in for all people being treated equally, however I thought the contracts approved were quite generous — $100,000 apparently just for counseling two days a week and a further $150,000 contract to the wife of the counselor to seemingly just oversee each student’s progress.
Most of the contracts appear to be based on racial equity, even though there have been multiple antisemitic issues related to religion in our community lately.
— Donald Ford, Sausalito
All-purpose trails will need bikers to follow some rules
I was the founder and president of the North Bay Elder E-bikers group, which was a victim of the pandemic. After reading about new rules allowing bikes on Marin Municipal Watershed trail (“Mount Tamalpais trails to open to bikes,” Sept. 9), I would like to share my list of proposed rules:
• All bikes shall be equipped with an inexpensive electric horn ($5-$20).
• Bikers shall sound horn when approaching to pass any other users, including hikers, joggers, horses or slower bikers.
• A biker shall not pass unless and until the biker has slowed down and established eye contact.
Whether using a regular bike or a class 1 or 3 electric-assist bike, or a class 2 e-bike (throttle to 20 mph — which should be disallowed completely), I believe the above proposed rules will significantly increase user safety on the MMWD all-purpose trails without material inconvenience to bikers.
This proposal is based on my eight years of experience as a regular hiker on China Camp State Park’s all-purpose trail, and seven years riding e-bikes on point San Pedro Road to and from the park’s “Back Ranch.”
Let’s all just be more careful, cautious and courteous.
— Arthur Silberman, San Rafael
Dalai Lama’s simple virtues would help in today’s world
The Dalai Lama, a living symbol of peace and compassion, shares these simple virtues for today’s turbulent world:
The three physical nonvirtues are killing, stealing and sexual misconduct. The four verbal nonvirtues are lying, divisiveness, harsh speech and senseless speech. The three mental nonvirtues are covetness, harmful intent and wrong view.
It seems to me these virtues should and must be applied in today’s polarized society, especially in taking under consideration how everything has morphed into negative political discourse.
— Dennis Kostecki, Sausalito
