Backers of Measure K won’t work for Sausalito
I’ve lived happily in Sausalito for years, but have suddenly become an activist to share how Measure K for cannabis stands to hurt our community.
It is my belief that Conor Johnston, the person behind this measure, is demonstrating a complete lack of credibility and goodwill while gunning to open the one and only retail cannabis store in Sausalito. Thankfully, the Marin IJ editorial board chose to urge a no vote on Election Day (“Sausalito’s Measure K for cannabis is not the right fit,” Oct. 7).
Johnston’s ethics have been questioned multiple times. In 2018, the San Francisco Chronicle reported that an ethics commission addressed a complaint against Johnston for his failure to register income. A Vox report in 2020 called out his company for “gaming programs meant to help people of color” when he opened his cannabis store in San Francisco.
Now he’s misleading Sausalito voters in his recent mailer to our community. It deceives us by using a group we can’t trust to tell the community only half the story.
“Whether you think a cannabis retail establishment is right for Sausalito or not, Measure K does not provide a fair process,” Councilmember Susan Cleveland Knowles wrote to those in opposition of the measure. “A no vote will allow the City Council to continue to debate cannabis laws with more public input, retain the ability to select the best provider(s) and adjust regulations over time to maximize public health and safety.”
— Allie Behr, Sausalito
Change infrastructure before moving to electric
My research shows that curbing natural-gas appliances in Marin County would more likely increase greenhouse emissions than reduce them. California’s electrical grid is powered by about 38% natural gas, and the conversion of gas to electricity and then back to heat is only one third as efficient as the direct transmission of gas.
Since natural gas is only one of many energy sources, the Marin Board of Supervisors may view banning gas appliances as a necessary, if not sufficient, path to renewable energy (“Marin County moving to require new construction be all-electric,” Oct. 19). However, two important renewable sources — nuclear and large hydraulic — are also politically unpopular. Together, they provide about 15% of the state’s electricity.
Can wind and solar replace these other sources in the foreseeable future? Not if Californians’ penchant for environmental litigation remains strong. Utility scale solar power requires large desert arrays that have faced decades of lawsuits. Rooftop solar is limited and needs huge subsidies.
Wind power — onshore and offshore — has also lagged in California. Once the nation’s leader in wind power production, the state now ranks fourth; production has increased little in the past decade. Geothermal and biomass energy, of course, are still niche sources.
Wind and solar also face the intermittency problem. Improved battery storage could help, but needs a reliable source of the rare earths. Currently, China controls over 90% of that market. The United States was once a significant player, but litigation has undermined domestic development.
The “all-electric kitchen” was popular in 1955, but do Marin supervisors seek the rest of that era’s energy policy?
— Steve Stein, Larkspur
Watchdog COST supports newcomers
A recently published letter in support of entrenched Marin Municipal Water District Director Larry Bragman disparaged Marin’s Coalition of Sensible Taxpayers in order to cast guilt-by-association aspersion on Ranjiv Khush, the far more qualified candidate COST endorsed. With a Ph.D. in cellular and molecular biology, Khush founded a nonprofit that solves supply problems in communities worldwide. Owing to the current board’s inaction, MMWD nearly ran out of water this year. We need fundamental change.
COST is Marin’s nonpartisan government watchdog, ensuring agencies use taxpayer resources wisely. It is transparent and respects the law. Local agencies solicit COST leaders — including financial experts and former members of the Marin County Civil Grand Jury — for oversight committees (I serve on two).
COST helps Marin taxpayers with limited funds learn how to access exemptions and discounts on local taxes and utility fees. COST hosts educational webinars impartially moderated by IJ political columnist Dick Spotswood. COST has endorsed taxes that are necessary and fair and opposed ones that aren’t. COST’s unique approach has won accolades from elected leaders, good government advocates and local residents.
In 2019, COST sued MMWD on behalf of ratepayers overcharged by a new rate scheme (supported by Bragman) that charges many households considerably more for the same amount of water as used by other households. State law requires water charges be “proportional” (fairly allocated). MMWD’s current board approved spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to fight disclosing records that document the harm.
Khush has nothing to do with any of this and has publicly stated that he opposes people suing the water district. COST endorses candidates who will best represent the public interest. This season we are proud to endorse Ranjiv Khush, Matt Samson and Jed Smith for the MMWD Board of Directors.
— Kingston Cole, San Rafael
Town Council member defends Ford Greene
In a recently published letter, Bridget Clark said Ford Greene’s energy vote “betrayed his commitment as an environmentalist.”
Greene is a board member for MCE (formerly Marin Clean Energy). As a member of the Town Council, I can say he supports measures fighting climate change, and always has. The reason for that vote was the resolution created two tiers of customers. The newest tier would charge every new customer a higher rate for electricity while charging pre-existing customers, including in Marin County, a cheaper rate. The ascription of the high rate, in contrast with treating pre-existing customers more leniently, would be done automatically. This is unfair. Similarly situated customers should be treated equally. Greene voted no because the resolution did not treat new customers fairly. He is committed to fighting climate change, but not at the cost of fair play and treating people equally.
In a different letter, Kelsey Fernandez wrote “Greene voted to defund the Ross Valley school bus. Had he prevailed, hundreds of cars would have returned to the road during peak commute hours.” Fernandez is wrong.
Greene voted against increasing San Anselmo’s annual contribution from the existing $30,500 to $35,500. This isn’t “defunding” the program as Kelsey misrepresents. It’s continuing to fund at the previous $30,500 level. Given ridership had decreased nearly 50%, Greene discharged his duty of oversight and exercised appropriate fiscal restraint by not authorizing the $5,000 increase. With a steep decrease in ridership, cars were already on the road. Refusing to support the increase does not mean any cars would have returned to the road, much less hundreds.
Such disinformation and hyperbole do not help voters make better decisions. It does not legitimately forward our democratic process. Ford Greene evaluates many competing measures and values. He seeks the best result for all the people.
— Eileen Burke, San Anselmo
Vote for Connolly in race for Assembly seat
I’m writing to support Damon Connolly as our next representative in the state Assembly.
As a Marin County supervisor, Connolly has attended many Santa Venetia Neighborhood Association meetings over the years, and he has been very accessible to constituents. He has worked tirelessly to improve flood protection. Connolly is also a true environmentalist who walks, bikes and uses public transit for some county business.
He has worked to curb spending and protect taxpayer resources, helping to end county supervisor discretionary funds and increase transparency. Sonoma and Marin will be fortunate to be represented by Damon Connolly in Sacramento.
— Roger Kirk, San Rafael