Retiring chaplain shares appreciation for SRPD

I just retired as chaplain of the San Rafael Police Department after 27 years. After being called out on every situation you can imagine, I want to tell you that San Rafael residents are blessed to be served by one of the best police departments in the country.

I have observed these dedicated men and women serve not only with professionalism but with kindness, caring and heart. This also applies to departments within the building serving behind the scenes to support your officers as they work to keep you safe.

These law-enforcement professionals face the constant threat of dangerous situations. Not many jobs require saying goodbye to loved ones as they leave for work not knowing if they will be able to walk back in at the end of their day.

I have seen goodness at work. When San Rafael residents find themselves in a difficult situation, they call SRPD. We should all thank them — even though they are sure to say, “just doing my job.” Do it anyway. They more than deserve it.

— The Rev. Jan Heglund, Lagunitas

Fairfax council members should be subject to recall

I saw the flyers on the Fairfax recall from the “Council of Peace and Civility.” It called people that support the recall “disgruntled” and using “MAGA-style tactics.” Not only do I consider that characterization insulting and false, but definitely don’t consider it “civil.”

The two members of the Fairfax Town Council targeted by the recall effort helped approve draconian rent-control and renter-protection ordinances with far too little public comment. The whole charade cost our town hundreds of thousands of dollars. They were quickly overturned by voters.

Lisel Blash and Stephanie Hellman were part of the council that paid tens of thousands for a poll on a proposal to raise property taxes for road work. Many believe polling showed that there was not enough support, yet the council paid even more to put the measure on the ballot only to see it rejected by voters.

If Fairfax truly does have a high amount of funding in reserves, as council members have said, then we shouldn’t have the worst roads in Marin. We should spend the money collected on repairs now. Repair costs only go up while we defer maintenance.

I am tired of council members maintaining vacancies on the town staff while paying far too much for consultants and attorneys. I consider this to be poor financial management and arrogance. That’s why I will vote to recall.

— Paul Leonard, Fairfax

Bridge toll plaza removal won’t fix bad congestion

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission is promising improvements to congested traffic leading to the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge thanks to a plan to remove the outdated toll plaza for westbound lanes.

I think the enthusiasm is unwarranted. With or without the toll plaza, westbound Interstate 580 still funnels traffic to two lanes on the bridge.

Bridge officials should agree to remove the bicycle and pedestrian lane and create a open third lane (not just for an emergency “breakdown lane”). Removing the barrier and restoring the lane can’t be very expensive. I think it will ease traffic significantly.

— David Colton, Greenbrae

Claims by Musk, Trump are leading to cruel cuts

In his recently published letter to the editor, Henry Burgin praises Elon Musk and President Donald Trump for “eliminating waste.” He wrote he is “shocked” by unnecessary spending.

Is helping retirees unnecessary and wasteful? Musk, who is working as Trump’s “senior adviser” in his role with the Department of Government Efficiency, shuttered 1,200 Social Security offices while firing thousands of workers. In doing so, I believe he has made it much harder for seniors to access benefits. Considering that half of America’s retirees depend on Social Security almost completely for basic living expenses, that’s frightening.

According to reports, Musk and Trump have decimated federal offices that help veterans, ensure food safety, enforce laws protecting the safety of workers, protect the safety of airline passengers, study ways to improve maternal health, serve disabled school children and much more.

Burgin wrote that Musk, the CEO of Tesla, is “adored” by the environmental movement. I disagree. If he was, thousands of environmentally minded Tesla owners would not be selling their cars, nor would Tesla’s share of the electric-vehicle market in the U.S. have dropped over 25% in recent months.

I don’t think Musk and Trump are telling the truth to the American people. I find it tragic that some believe them.

— Ruth Dell, Tiburon