Marin IJ Readers’ Forum for March 24, 2025

Purchase of Tesla has nothing to do with Musk

I am writing in regard to the article by the New York Times published in the IJ on March 9 with the headline, “Tesla owners feel buyers remorse over Musk politics.”

I would like to strongly affirm that my owning a Tesla is neither a political statement, nor an endorsement of CEO Elon Musk, nor approval of President Donald Trump’s apparent usurpation and delegation of the responsibility of Congress to decide and approve spending. My intended statement is environmental concern, financial considerations and technological promise.

As a senior, I appreciate the benefits of “full self-driving” mode to make my driving safer and easier. The Tesla was approximately as expensive as other options I considered; however, fuel and maintenance are considerably less.

To further reduce my carbon footprint, I charge the car using solar energy, which is a significant savings of money and pollution.

I believe the best ways to protest Musk’s push to usurp power from Congress is to complain to our elected representatives and to the boards of directors at Musk’s companies, including Tesla, X (formerly Twitter) and SpaceX. Damaging Teslas owned by others is not only illegal but is an ineffectual and impotent protest against either Musk or Trump: They do not get that message.

— Stan Hutchings, San Anselmo

MMWD must continue to prioritize realistic fixes

I am writing in response to the recent Marin Voice commentary by James Workman (“Before pipeline, MMWD should do more to control water loss,” March 11). I think Workman oversimplifies the challenges facing the Marin Municipal Water District. His claim that a $10 million “fix” will rapidly recover 1,200 acre-feet of water is unrealistic.

Among his suggestions, he points to smart meters, yet MMWD’s own 2024 data projects a savings of approximately 730 acre-feet from advanced-metering infrastructure at a currently projected cost of around $25 million.

His assertion that MMWD loses 2,348 acre-feet annually, roughly 10% of total use, fails to acknowledge that this rate is standard across water districts, factoring in evaporation, aging pipelines and unmetered hydrant use. Furthermore, the district already operates a modern, comprehensive leak detection and rapid response program.

Yes, our aging infrastructure requires investment, but full modernization will cost hundreds of millions over decades. While conservation is the most cost-effective strategy, oversimplified fixes won’t achieve long-term resilience. The district must prioritize realistic, scalable solutions, such as the recently approved pipeline from Sonoma County, over quick but ineffective Band-Aids.

— Larry Minikes, San Rafael

Add ride-share services, reduce the empty buses

I think public transportation agencies should study ways to reduce bus service by possibly contracting with Uber, Lyft, taxis, limo services and other ride-share companies so we can reduce the number of empty buses on our roads.

I think it might result in better service at less cost.

— Angelo Siracusa, Larkspur

Organizing a recall vote is part of the US system

I am writing in response to the article published March 7 with the headline, “Fairfax officials targeted by another recall effort.” It quotes a statement released by Stephanie Hellman and Lisel Blach, the two members of the Fairfax Town Council named in the recall effort, calling the push “politically motivated.”

What else would it be? I definitely consider council members to be politicians. After all, the very nature of the job involves politics. It’s part of the job description. That includes how political procedures work.

I think the recall effort is nothing more than using the tools available to engage in politics and political reform. My advice to the council members would be to get over it.

The act of a recall is part of the same system they used to get elected and the same system they choose to govern with. If they don’t like it, they should not engage in politics. They should employ the same system to fight the recall.

I was disappointed to see one resident call the recall process an invoking of “the MAGA playbook.” I don’t think that’s true. All a statement like that does is put chum in the water and cloud the issue for voters unhappy with the election results.

Fairfax should stick to the facts and procedures around the recall issue.

— Andy Wiskes, Novato