Blash, Hellman refuse to listen to constituents

I am in support of the campaign to recall Lisel Blash and Stephanie Hellman as members of the Fairfax Town Council. In the recent article in the IJ (“Fairfax officials targeted by another recall effort, March 7), I was perplexed by a statement made by Michael Rosenthal, who opposes the recall.

He states, “This is a tactic right out of the MAGA playbook. If you don’t like the results of the election, try to subvert them.” Considering that neither Blash nor Hellman were up for election in November, I find this curious. Sadly, it appears to me that Rosenthal’s tone of denial in opposing the campaign is shared by Blash and Hellman.

In November, we all need to remember that two of the three candidates who were running for reelection were ousted. I think it happened because they ignored the wishes of a majority of residents. Instead of listening, those council members helped institute severe rent-control and just-cause-eviction ordinances.

Not only did those two lose their seats, the third incumbent barely hung on by just 44 votes. Fairfax residents also voted to repeal those extra rent-control and just-cause ordinances. We also voted to keep our town clerk as an election position, something members of the prior council did not support.

I hope Fairfax residents will educate themselves as to why so many of us have joined the recall effort. We believe that Blash and Hellman have not listened, despite the outcomes of the November elections, and have doubled down on their unpopular positions and behaviors. Enough is enough. They have to go.

— Liz Froneberger, Fairfax

Lagunitas district must preserve school lunches

I am writing in regard to the article published March 7 with the headline, “Lagunitas School District, union tussle over food service staffing.” I am shocked to see that there could be any dispute over the new lunch program. The food is so good that the kids actually eat it. My grandson is in the transitional-kindergarten program. He is not quite 5 years old, an age noted for picky eating habits. Yes, he loves the lunches and wants to have it every day.

The menu is healthy and delicious — just as we all would wish for our children. His mother and aunt, my two daughters, went to Lagunitas Community School. I remember all the years of different iterations of the lunch program and parents pushing for healthier food options. I remember having to pack lunches because they didn’t want to eat what the school program offered.

The current lunch program and staff are excellent. Although, in principle, I support unions, in this case, I hope the officials on each side don’t end up destroying an excellent program in favor of mediocrity.

— Anne McClain, Forest Knolls

Could leaders negotiate in a different language?

After watching the argument between Ukrainian President Volodmyr Zelenskyy, President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance in the White House on Feb. 28, a specific thought crossed my mind.

I wonder if Trump and Vance would be as comfortable using another language in negotiating high-level diplomatic issues for our country and then discussing it in front of cameras viewed worldwide, as Zelekskyy is almost always able to do with ease. Furthermore, could they do it calmly without raising their voices?

— Karla Kvam, San Rafael

Rotary supports Youth Leadership Academy

In this time of stress and uncertainty, I would like to share details about an opportunity to encourage and support our youth to become leaders for positive actions in their communities. The Rotary Club of West Marin is offering scholarships to a five-day residential leadership development camp in the Santa Cruz mountains from July 28 through Aug. 1.

This Rotary Youth Leadership Academy is a transformative experience fostering leadership, personal development and well-being through social connections and team-building. Students learn more about themselves and develop their own effective leadership styles in a safe and supportive environment. After attending the RYLA camp, students have said that they come home filled with confidence and new skills for relating to others and becoming effective leaders in their communities.

All current Marin high school underclassmen are eligible. Go online to ryla.camp for details and to make an online application by April 15. Please spread the word about this unique opportunity for our Marin County youth.

— Anne Sands, Bolinas