Delivery of Purple Heart was true sign of respect

I was thankful to read the uplifting story about Marin resident Lee Chisholm Colodzin, who received her uncle’s Purple Heart after it was recently discovered (“Marin relative presented with WWII pilot’s lost Purple Heart,” June 14).

The Purple Heart is given to those who were wounded or died during service. For me, this story was a sign that those who have willingly given service to protect and preserve our freedom in this country are not being taken for granted.

It felt so good that such joy can be brought to loved ones with the return of this Purple Heart. It was a reminder to never forget or take for granted what we have here.

— Jade Leong, Mill Valley

Glenwood community has always worked together

I want to thank Emily-Jane Hoffman for her letter about cyclist and pedestrian safety on June 22. It was wonderful to know that the united community of Glenwood, Peacock Gap and Loch Lomond is able to accomplish so much with a good program and active community goodwill. As a former Glenwood resident, it means a lot to see the positive energy it has always represented.

My family bought in Glenwood in 1956 when the streets were unpaved and mail was delivered at the real estate office on Dellwood Court. Glenwood School opened in 1964, with the same spirit of community involvement. The community was small, but everyone pitched in to convince the San Rafael school board that Glenwood needed a school.

The first carnival was held in the space that is now the multipurpose room. Every parent contributed to make it a fun affair for all. Sixty-one years later, Glenwood Elementary School is recognized for its excellent staff and educational opportunities for all. It happened because the community supported and enhanced the goodwill together.

— Gladys C. Gilliland, San Rafael

Tiburon was unprepared for Caltrans discussion

In Tiburon, our challenges as a community are few. For that reason, I have always assumed that for those items in Tiburon that are critical, our elected leaders and town government would be prepared. Recently, I had that notion proved false.

As a follow-up to a well-attended Caltrans meeting on June 4 regarding Tiburon Boulevard updates, the Tiburon Town Council gave itself the action item to send a letter to Caltrans on the project (“Divided Tiburon council approves letter to Caltrans on bike lanes,” June 23).

Knowing that there are no more council meetings until August, I assumed that the council and staff would have the relevant information on the project, communicate the desires of the community to slow down the project, and understand the safety and traffic implications. I expected it would seek an opportunity to include items from the $400,000 town-funded traffic study. This was not the case.

At the critical meeting June 18, the council appeared to have no subjective information or clarity on the funding being tied to bike-lane inclusion or on bike and bus-stop safety. Town staff reported two meetings with Caltrans since June 4 that were focused on adding a conduit trench to Phase One. I heard nothing specifically about funding, traffic impacts or safety.

So, for this critical item, in the end, town leadership pushed forward with what I think was a “ho-hum” letter. Given this, my recommendation is the same as the IJ board in its recent editorial (“Time for Caltrans to tap brakes on Tiburon Boulevard plan,” June 19). It’s time to include Assemblymember Damon Connolly and Supervisor Stephanie Moulton-Peters. From my perspective, Tiburon’s leadership needs help.

— Chuck Hornbrook, Tiburon

Owners of Fairfax business support recall

My husband and I own The Coffee Roastery in Fairfax. When the recall effort began, many customers and Fairfax residents asked us to support the recall of Mayor Lisel Blash and Vice Mayor Stephanie Hellman. We had been open in the fight to defeat extreme rent control in 2024 and we had faced backlash for our stance back then.

Once again, we agreed to step up and openly support giving Fairfax residents the chance to recall. Some in the community have reacted strongly. We will not be intimidated into silence.

In November 2024, all three measures supported by Town Council incumbents who lost their elections were voted down. Those incumbents were replaced by Frank Egger and Mike Ghiringhelli. I think Fairfax voters were clear that Election Day in saying a change is needed. Since then, instead of agreeing to work together with the new members of the council, I think the remaining members have done everything in their power to muzzle them.

Those of us who support the recall effort are doing so because we cannot continue to tolerate these council members, who seem determined to undermine thousands of Fairfax residents who made clear that we wanted a different direction. I hope residents will support the recall effort — help us finish what was started in November.

Blash and Hellman need to be recalled. Let us vote.

— Deborah London, Fairfax

Marin must punish those who set off fireworks

I know people (myself included) called the Marin County Sheriff’s Office and complained about people setting off illegal fireworks on the Fourth of July in Marin City last year. As a veteran of the Vietnam War, I detest loud noises and explosions. I know Marin has laws and regulations governing the use of fireworks. It would be nice to see them enforced this holiday.

— Eric W. Overholt, Marin City

New law is in conflict with new alert system

The latest “only in California” moment for me came from a couple of interrelated items. The first is that you can now be cited for holding your cell phone while driving. Yep, the new law has the California Highway Patrol cracking down on simply holding a phone, as reaffirmed in a recent court case. To be honest, that law, which promises to increase safety on the roads, makes sense to me.

The second item is the recent article in the IJ (“Marin fire agencies adopt technology for alerting drivers,” May 27) reporting that fire departments in Southern Marin and Tiburon will be able to send emergency alerts to communication systems (including cell phones) in nearby vehicles. It will be a new part of the “flashing lights and siren” routine.

I have concerns. Say you’re driving along and paying attention when an emergency vehicle approaches. It is my understanding that, in addition to sirens and flashing lights while you are trying to pull over safely, you will now receive an emergency message on your phone telling you to pay attention to the flashing lights and sirens. That sounds overwhelming.

Paired with the new law, I think it is a “perfect storm” for aiding distracted driving while possibly getting a ticket for looking at your phone. I find these competing interests frustrating.

— Andy Wiskes, Novato

Violence against elected officials is very upsetting

I was dumbfounded as I listened to legislators in Minnesota reacting to the assassination and shootings of their colleagues (“Minnesota lawmaker, spouse dead after targeted shooting,” June 14).

Most described the violence against lawmakers as “shocking” and “unfathomable.” But how can it be a surprise that deranged individuals with strong political views are unleashed on perceived ideological enemies when President Donald Trump, the leader of the Republican Party, describes his political opponents as scum, vermin, animals and enemies of the people?

Political violence has been used as a weapon by dictators in the past and I believe we’re likely to see more of it in our country if this divisive rhetoric continues.

— Bob Brown, Novato