Quick action by Woodacre man may have saved life

I am writing to share a story about my longtime friend and business partner, John W. Clarke, who is a resident of Woodacre.

On a recent afternoon, we saw him pop up from his desk at his business in Richmond. He exclaimed that a recreational vehicle in an encampment about 150 yards away had a noticeable amount of smoke rising from it.

Clarke shouted for us to call 911, jumped off of our loading dock and ran toward the RV. He pounded on the camper door and yelled for potential occupants to warn them of the danger. Eventually a man emerged. He had no idea he was at risk.

Based on the fire and smoke, I suspect the man’s life was in danger. Clarke likely saved him. The Richmond Fire Department responded very quickly to put out the blaze. At that point, Clarke left to go pick up his kids.

The above might be an extreme case, but it is not nearly the first time my friend acted like an alert good citizen. I hope his local community gives him an “atta boy.”

— Alfred Garcia, Oakland

Zelenskyy meeting needs to spur the Republicans

I am writing in response to the recent disastrous press meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance (“Trump, Vance call Zelenskyy ‘disrespectful’ in Oval Office meeting,” March 1).

As a lifelong student of foreign policy and history, it appears clear to me that Trump is committed to helping Russian President Vladimir Putin. It’s as if Putin has ownership over Trump, the White House and our foreign policy. Consequently, I am concerned that Putin will eventually have ownership over the U.S.

Republicans in Congress should step up and help remove Trump from office now. They need to realize that Trump is doing Putin’s bidding.

Putin’s ultimate dream appears to be breaking up NATO. Doing so would help split U.S. interests from European countries and possibly make it easier for Russia to expand. Trump’s apparent position on Ukraine and support for Putin are completely opposite to United States interests. The U.S. made the world prosperous and more peaceful by supporting democracy and countries who abide by the general international rules of order set up after World War II.

Most importantly, the U.S. has shown respect for borders. That is not true for Russia. It continues to invade other countries. We need to be strong now and stop Putin.

Ukraine is important because it is like us 250 years ago. It is an infant democracy that wants to be free from its brutal abusive Russian neighbor. It wants self-determination and freedom to prosper. It represents all of our American values which we should defend.

The stage has been set for the biggest test in 80 years to see if democracies will be frightened and retreat or fight for freedom, stop totalitarian dictators and reinforce our multilateral rules-based world order.

— Andrew Thompson, Tiburon

Democrats need to fight, offer alternative plans

In the few weeks since taking office, it appears to us that President Donald Trump has committed more outrageous acts than most presidents do in their entire term. We don’t think Trump and his “henchmen” are trying to make government more efficient; they are trying to destroy it. The level of cruelty and open corruption is breathtaking.

This letter, however, is not a rant about Trump.

Despite everything Trump has done, we believe that our elected representatives from the Democratic Party, with precious few exceptions, have been deafeningly silent, claiming there is nothing they can do and issuing empty statements. Why are they not resisting the obvious corruption and dismantling of our democracy at the top of their lungs?

Democratic leaders should be doing more to rally public opinion across the country to oppose Trump’s actions. Instead, many appear to be sitting back. We need to hear alternative proposals so Trump is not the only choice people have if they want to fix a broken system. We need representatives who will fight, not roll over. If the current Democratic officeholders can’t or won’t do this, it’s time for them to step aside or be replaced.

— David Spielberg and Jacqueline Spielberg, San Rafael

Rising food costs will put more at a higher risk

According to research by the Charles Schwab financial services company, more than 100 million Americans are one mishap from homelessness — be it expenses from a trip to the hospital or a car breaking down. Now, with rising food costs, financial strain will spread and more will be at risk.

Knowing that inflation is on the rise, I’ve decided to keep my eye on the Fuji apple to gauge the size of the mess we are in. I could have picked eggs, gas or the consumer price index. But, with the apple, I have a personalized marker for measuring inflation.

On my 2025 calendar, I’ve marked two dates — Feb. 20 (when two medium-sized Fuji apples cost me $2.32) and July 20 (when the purchase of similar-sized apples will give me more personalized, more real-life information about inflation than the CPI). I suspect comparing the price of apples between those dates will tell us something about the homeless crisis this year.

— Tom Verkozen, San Anselmo

Rooftop solar problem caused by state policies

I consider arguments by the California Public Utilities Commission and Gov. Gavin Newsom that rooftop solar makes energy more expensive for the working poor who cannot afford to install panels to be a “red herring.”

California leaders find themselves in this situation due to the failure of a state energy plan and policy. First, the state has to decide if it wants to move to less-polluting energy and stick to a policy to accomplish the task. Second, these payments cannot be seen as subsidies — they are payments for energy produced. If the energy companies like Pacific Gas and Electric Co. do not want this power, then they should stop collecting it from the rooftop solar connections.

Third, I think the argument that rooftop solar only benefits wealthy individuals who can afford to install the units is false. Solar companies will install units on homes and apartment buildings and retain ownership. The reduction in energy costs are then usually divided between the tenants’ costs and the provider.

Finally, if California was serious about achieving a reduction in dependence on fossil fuels, there would be a policy of subsidizing the installation of solar panels on rental units. I believe the argument of the energy companies that they will become insolvent as a result of this shift due to unmetered energy is false.

The current situation is based on their failed business plans. They have wed themselves to fossil fuels for the next several decades via contracts. They should renegotiate those contracts and invest in solar farms, fuel-cell technology or other new technologies.

— Niccolo Caldararo, Fairfax

Damage from LA wildfires should be closer to $14B

I am writing in response to an article regarding the recent catastrophic wildfires. It was published by the Los Angeles Times reprinted in the IJ on Feb. 22 with the headline “Property losses from fires may top $30 billion.” Based on my research, it is clear to me that the $30 billion estimate, shared by the UCLA Anderson School of Management and the CoStar Group, is inflated.

The $30 billion figure equates market value with replacement cost. The land often accounts for more than half of the market value. But the land does not affect the replacement cost, which is representative of property loss.

The destroyed 13,000 housing units had an average size of about 2,400 square feet (remember that close to 40% of the units were smaller apartments and condos). They had a high building cost of $450 per square foot. Using that data, you get an overall property loss of $14 billion.

The latter is in line with the property losses announced by the major insurers affected by the L.A. fires.

— Gaetan Lion, Mill Valley