Terra Linda needs a traffic impact study now

A new housing project is being proposed for 555 Northgate Drive (“San Rafael site near mall proposed for 200 apartments,” May 5). Plans call for 80% of the units to be for low-income residents and 19% for moderate income households.

This is good news, as low-income and affordable housing is desperately needed. However, that location is across the street from the Northgate mall where the 1,422-residence Northgate Town Square was approved last year. Before anything moves forward, San Rafael officials need to promptly assess the outlook for traffic in the area.

Northgate sits at the bottleneck of Terra Linda Valley with a high volume of existing traffic needing to traverse it every day. In particular, passage on a few key roads is needed to avoid Highway 101 during peak commute times.

I think the safety and quality of life for residents of San Rafael will be impacted. Commutes, as well as our daily life pursuits between Terra Linda and central San Rafael, access to Terra Linda’s schools, emergency vehicle passage and access to the Kaiser Permanente San Rafael Medical Center could all be more difficult.

California law prevents parking requirements and traffic studies from being used by local communities to block planned development. However, nothing prevents us from assessing the possible impact of planned development factoring in the current patterns, the size of the new projects and the possible role of public transportation and bike lanes. Predicting the future is not possible, but modeling from existing data and developing “what if” scenarios can allow for intelligent planning of mitigation efforts.

City officials should use its internal analytic skills and outside help, if needed, to assess the impact.

— Dr. Jon Freudman, San Rafael

Dog has been found, so remove those flyers

I am writing in response to the story published April 23 with the headline “Labradoodle that inspired Marin search effort turns up.”

What a great story it was to hear about Teddy’s return — after a lot of hard work by volunteers posting flyers and the media coverage. Now it’s time for all the volunteers to complete their mission by removing the flyers that still remain (I’ve removed a few in my neighborhood so far).

— Jim Draper, San Rafael

Fairfax should recall Hellman and Blash

I read the recently published Marin Voice commentary by Councilmember Barbara Coler (“Council member urges Fairfax to pass on recall effort,” May 2) with disbelief. I think it was a sad attempt to save her two council buddies from a recall.

I attend many Fairfax Town Council meetings. From my perspective, Coler, Stephanie Hellman and Lisel Blash have been far too critical of people who spoke against what I consider to be authoritarian rule at council meetings.

It seems they are now begging for compassion and civility. Considering that I believe their caustic, insulting behavior is a primary reason for the recall push, I think their request is hypocritical and phony. To me, it shows they will say anything to hang onto power.

I have been disappointed how the council has spent money on attorneys and with how it allowed the Racial Equity and Social Justice Committee to be so divisive.

Coler, Hellman and Blash helped put in place renter-protection laws without enough analysis of what it would do to low-income senior residents who relied on renting rooms or accessory dwelling units on their property.

Many rely on that rent to pay their mortgages. Some said they stopped renting their units because they were afraid they would never be able to evict renters despite serious abuses.

I think those rent-control and renter-protection ordinances split Fairfax apart and, ultimately, they were overturned at the ballot box in November. The council should have done more to fight against the School Street project of 243 apartments. I think a project like that will bring so many new residents that it could impact our ability to evacuate during a catastrophic wildfire.

I say enough is enough — anyone could do better. Sign the petition and vote yes on the recall.

— Diana K. Perdue, Fairfax

Marin protests have been united celebrations

I have seen letters in the IJ calling demonstrations in Marin against President Donald Trump and his administration “angry.” I was at two of the protests in Novato. I found no anger there. I found many of my friends there, with total agreement and joy for the fact that the demonstration was finally happening.

I did find a sense of profound disappointment at actions by our present national government — I’d call that feeling a form of ressentiment (in the French sense) — but the animosity and hostility was all directed not at our fellow protesters, nor the drivers on Highway 101 or DeLong Avenue, most of whom quite noisily agreed with the demonstrators.

I found it to be a celebration of protest. It mocked the Republican administration with original wit and humor. It ridiculed the incompetence and blundering, as well as a near-total inability to pass meaningful legislation.

It pointed out the comical attempts at governance through ritualistic signings of executive orders, all of which I expect will be swiftly rescinded the day the next president takes office.

I believe the wreckage the present administration is creating will be costly, but the perpetrators will be clear and obvious when the tax bills are presented by the next administration. We will all know who to blame, for however much it costs, for however long the repairs take.

— Jay Conner, Novato

Trump supporters should examine Biden’s record

In his letter published May 4, I think the sentiment and goals of Bill McLaughlin are absolutely right on. He calls for the U.S. to bring back manufacturing, reduce the power of multinationals and stop the transfer of wealth to the rich.

Unfortunately, it appears that McLaughlin believes the “reality TV show” that President Donald Trump has been putting on will achieve those goals. I think he is setting up to do just the opposite.

I am concerned that fraud and abuse will be more rampant than ever. His supporters appear to include billionaires and wealthy elites.

Breaking the system doesn’t mean that a new system will miraculously appear in its place that will benefit the working people of America; or that the world will be begging at our doorstep to make deals. On the contrary, I think Trump’s policies only make us weaker and poorer.

I think former President Joe Biden and his administration were actually accomplishing the goals McLaughlin mentioned. Instead of making bold proclamations from the Oval Office, Biden passed legislation that would actually bring manufacturing to America (not 19th century manufacturing, but 21st century products and 21st century diversified energy).

Biden made real deals and strengthened our standing in the world. I think he provided funding support many ordinary Americans needed. Now, Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency is making cuts I consider illegal. Doing so could decimate our local communities.

— Wendi Kallins, Forest Knolls

Trump should be removed for role in 2021 siege

I sincerely hope that President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, the cabinet and members of Congress who appear to support the “Make America Great Again” platform are removed from office.

I consider Trump’s presidency to be illegitimate because, while still president of the United States of America in 2021, he appeared to instigate an insurrection and violate Article 3 of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution by inciting the attack by an armed mob on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

That attack interrupted the Electoral College process. I believe it imperiled the life of former Vice President Mike Pence and the lives of more than 500 elected members of Congress. Others present did die. For his role that day, I consider Trump to be an unspeakable, unremorseful, vengeful and pathetic traitor.

— Frank Simpson, Novato