Lawsuit against MC lights does nothing for our kids

After reading the IJ editorial about the lawsuit against the Marin Catholic lights (“Future of Marin Catholic field lights now firmly in hands of the courts,” May 22), I felt deep disappointment that this is where we find ourselves in Marin County.

A lawsuit was filed over field lights for student athletes? Really? As a Marin resident living in Kentfield and a volunteer for Marin Healthy Youth Partnerships, I am perplexed at the waste of time and money this issue has wrought on so many involved and that we are still at this after so many years. This issue was decided by the Marin County Board of Supervisors. It was approved. What happened to making decisions in the best interest of the greater good?

We talk about getting kids off screens and outside, giving them structure, teamwork and purpose — true protective factors against substance use. Well, completing a project like this one is how we do it. Not with lawsuits and delays, but with action and investment in their future. I can only hope that common sense prevails and this issue is determined once and for all to benefit the majority — especially our young people.

— Linda Henn, Kentfield

Committee in Fairfax should drop recall push

Please don’t sign the recall petition. It threatens to unravel Fairfax’s robust — but fragile — democracy.

Over the nearly 30 years I’ve lived in Fairfax, including the 12 years I was privileged to serve on the Town Council, I’ve seen our community debate passionately and disagree often. But amid those debates, one principle has always guided our expectations of council members: They should arrive prepared, consider staff recommendations and listen with open minds to the voices of the public. That’s what a healthy and robust democracy looks like.

Mayor Lisel Blash and Vice Mayor Stephanie Hellman have upheld the expectations we set for public service. My concern is not rooted in any single vote or issue, but in the broader implications of using the recall process as a tool for disagreement.

If we start recalling officials simply because we don’t like how they voted — despite their diligence and integrity — we risk undermining the very principles of representative democracy. Recalls should be reserved for clear misconduct or dereliction of duty, not used to penalize thoughtful leadership.

Disagreement is part of the democratic process. Elections are the appropriate forum for deciding whether our representatives reflect our values and priorities. We have one coming up in about a year and a half. Using the recall process now sets a dangerous precedent — turning principled service into a political tightrope where every tough decision risks triggering a recall.

Let’s not go down that road.

— David Weinsoff, Fairfax

Regardless of Senate, gas engines must go

The U.S. Senate has voted to seemingly interfere with states’ rights and overturn California’s environmental protection initiative to transition to electric vehicles (“Senate votes to block California’s rule banning the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035,” May 23). So what?

While we still have a “free” market, we can and should respond by more rapidly replacing our polluting internal combustion engines. Gas guzzlers should be junked sooner rather than later. We should do it for the sake of our children and grandchildren. Please let the stupidity of Washington autocrats be an incentive to get smarter faster.

— Spencer Sias, San Anselmo

Cyclists should take steps to increase safety

We are advocates for increased cycling both for recreation and commuting. However, we believe that bicyclists must take greater responsibility for riding safely and obeying traffic laws. Unfortunately, some riders fail to follow the basic rules of the road, creating dangerous situations not only for themselves but for pedestrians and drivers as well.

If you speak with personnel in hospital emergency rooms, you’ll find that serious bicycle accidents are common, and many could have been avoided with greater awareness and adherence to safety practices. To that end, we have compiled a brief list of both legal requirements and commonsense safety recommendations for riders.

California bicycle laws require all to ride single file on the right side of the street or in a bike lane; yield to pedestrians; stop at stop signs and obey all traffic signals and signage; use hand signals to indicate stops, turns and lane changes; use a white front light and a red rear light at night; follow helmet mandates for riders under 18; keep at least one hand on the handlebars at all times; and not wear headphones in both ears while riding.

Recommended safety practices suggest that all wear a light-colored, reflective helmet — regardless of age; wear reflective, light-colored clothing to increase visibility and reduce injury risk during falls; avoid using cell phones while riding; use proper, approved carriers when transporting infants or young children; and use a bell or audible signal when turning or passing.

— Ira Goldfine, Belvedere, and Bill Kennedy, San Francisco

Reagan’s spending increased national debt

In Roland Underhill’s May 24 letter praising the accomplishments of former President Ronald Reagan, he appears to ignore one important fact. During his eight years in office, Reagan tripled the national debt. He reduced inflation and “won” the Cold War by increasing military spending by one third.

I fear President Donald Trump’s administration has the same vision — increase military spending and border security by adding $4 billion to the debt.

— Bob Brown, Novato

Biden health cover-up went on for far too long

I find it astonishingly rich that Dennis Kostecki, in his recently published letter, claims that President Donald Trump is running a propaganda campaign in the style of Nazi officer Joseph Goebbels at the same time news broke regarding what I think has been years of deception concerning former President Joe Biden’s health.

Americans need to stop playing the “Nazi card,” “the race card” and “the victim card.” It’s time to deal with reality.

— Tim Peterson, San Anselmo

Blue states can secede from Trump’s America

I believe California legislators and the representatives in Washington would never support a movement for the state to secede from the “train wreck” of a country ushered in by President Donald Trump because, with one government (California) not two (state and federal), many would likely be out of their jobs. The solution is for all 19 states that did not vote for Trump in 2024 to form a united, new nation called “Blue America.”

With such strength in numbers, these politically “blue” states (which currently contribute tens of billions of dollars in taxes) would have significant power. Our tax dollars are no longer being used to provide as much funding for valued programs that support education, our allies, health care, the fight against climate change, fire weather forecasters and park rangers. It appears to me that the new focus is on magnifying the current wealth disparity and extorting universities. The administration should be focused on increasing educational job opportunities, providing affordable health care, maintaining Social Security and creating logical commerce agreements.

Breaking up is hard to do, but it is sometimes necessary to avoid the autocracy that I think is currently enveloping America. Seceding is a better solution than lawsuits (often ignored or overturned), marches, paper petitions, civil disobedience or an election four years from now.

Actually, I am concerned the 2028 election could solidify Trump’s “kingdom.” By then, it will be too late to save our democracy.

— Richard L. Bailey, Novato