Marin IJ Readers’ Forum for Aug. 22

Another ‘nonsensical’ proposal from Levine

Assemblyman Marc Levine reminds me of that absurd bobble-head dog in the back of my grandmother’s Buick. Ever-present, he is reliably nonsensical in both logic and form.

His most recent grand idea to create yet another corporate tax to generate revenue for affordable housing is destined to become one more unworkable scheme of the very same California government that cannot even afford to provide its citizens with a decent level of basic services, due in large part to the graft, cronyism and vote-buying that pervades the entire system.

And Levine’s plan provides the added bonus of making California an even more inhospitable environment for job creation. While California government coffers swallow money with reckless abandon, the state can barely provide even sub-par services.

Levine remains perfectly content to spread California’s tax spoils to the politically well-connected and a panoply of poorly managed, highly wasteful (and often counter-productive) programs that keep tens of thousands of government employees extraordinarily well paid — right up until they retire in their 50s with pensions that very few workers in the private sector could even imagine.

I’ve got a good idea for Assemblyman Levine: He should give himself an honest grade on how he and the state government have solved the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge traffic disaster that has ruined the Marin commute for three years running now. If it is anything above a D-, as graded on the merits of efficiency, speed and effectiveness of solution, we might consider his new housing plan.

If not, he should keep his ideas to himself.

— Chris Hunt, San Anselmo

SMART needs to make room for Marin riders

It is great that operations for the SMART commuter rail will be starting Aug. 25. Last month, during the annual Marin County Fair, there were several days when free introductory rides were extended to the public. The only obvious problem was that all these empty trains originated in Sonoma and by the time they arrived in San Rafael for a return trip all the seats were already taken by those that rode down from Sonoma and now were returning home.

Why shouldn’t there be the same number of empty trains originating in San Rafael for this event on Friday?

Schedules should be published for these special operations, as well as made available online.

— Frank Smart, San Rafael

Seaplane service was here before its critics

And so it continues. A small group of residents mounts an attack on another longtime business, using wildlife and the environment as an excuse.

Seaplane Adventures has been operating on Richardson Bay for 70 years, long before any of the complainers moved into the area.

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Have the numerous egrets happily hunting in the shallows near the business gone completely deaf allowing them to ignore the planes?

I can’t wait until the new residents at Tam Ridge apartments in Corte Madera sue to halt Highway 101 traffic because it disturbs the sensitive crows living nearby.

— Michael Sillman, Tiburon

Burning Man is a celebration of community

I’d like to comment on Barbara Watson’s Aug. 19 letter to the editor on her “disappointment for the Burning Man Church.”

Without sounding condescending, it’s hard to describe an event like Burning Man until you go to it. This will be my husband’s and my fifth year of attending, and I must say it is life-changing.

People are gentle, kind, accepting and there is very little tension at this event. Pretty amazing, considering there are 70,000 people.

Each year has a theme, and this year’s theme is radical ritual, which can be interpreted in many ways. The beautiful church in West Marin that has been replicated and will be brought to Burning Man to “celebrate the spirit of open-mindedness” is not intended to be sacrilegious.

There is no mockery of any religion, people or faith. As a Christian, I am stunned that she has so much judgment over something as innocent and beautiful as this.

With all due respect, this is truly meant to be introspective and celebratory. I am sorry to hear that she was so offended by this.

— Pamela Menges, San Rafael