No new taxes

Every morning I read in the IJ or other news sources about our unsustainable public employee pensions. The warning nationwide is that shortly many of our states, cities and counties will be going bankrupt, or diverting so much of their tax revenue to the pension funding that there won't be any money for other programs.

We already see that happening here in Marin.

Several California cities have already gone bankrupt. Gov. Jerry Brown, recognizing the problem, offered a 12-point plan to start addressing the issue.

The Democrat and union controlled Legislature declined, passing only minimal reform that won't address the real issues for 20 to 30 years.

In the meantime, we remain on this unsustainable path whereby public employee pension costs are eating up all our tax dollars.

Not surprisingly we are now being asked this election to vote for tax increases to help the schools and park system.

As much as I support the schools and parks I refuse to vote for any tax increases until the Legislature fixes the pension problem.

I already pay taxes for these services. I can't help that the cities, counties and state decided to give all my tax money away to pay for union pensions. You don't give a drunk more alcohol, and I'm not giving our lawmakers any more money until they show me they can properly manage the money I already give them.

Mike Allen, San Rafael


Balance the budgets

All due respect to Larry Minikes (Readers' Forum, Sept. 29), I think the people of Marin need to wake up and stop voting for tax measures — any tax measures — until our elected officials decide to be upfront with their electorate and not treat our hard earned tax dollars like their private bank accounts!

I cite the large amount of money that was "suddenly found" to fund parks after private individuals worked so diligently to raise funds to keep China Camp and other parks open. Then the state has the audacity to say they "audited all accounts" in a few days and found no other irregularities. I find that hard to believe.

What about the letters to students saying they may not be admitted to state schools unless the Gov. Jerry "Governor Moonbeam" Brown's tax measure was passed?

I call that nothing short of blackmail.

All we ever hear is that "we need to raise taxes." I for one am sick and tired of constantly shelling out more tax money. We in California pay some of the highest taxes in this country.

Where do they think we're going to get it? We have to manage and budget our own incomes. They should do likewise and work within the parameters of what they have.

Please note that for years our controlling state Legislature, and local officials, are Democrats! Somehow balancing budgets doesn't fall within their grasp.

Judi Schellenberg, San Rafael

No more 'extra taxes'

As you check your recent property tax bill you will note that in addition to the basic tax and some construction bonds, there are a slew of "extra taxes."

Depending on where you live, these add about 40 percent to your tax bill.

In most areas of Marin, you also pay an extra half percent sales tax.

The November ballot lists several requests for additional extra taxes for: State government, schools, parks, etc. It is difficult to be sympathetic to these requests when I read of: $400,000 pensions, $156 per hour consultant fees to review housing plans, and $28,000 consultant fees to support Measure A.

Taxes are necessary to fund governmental services, but how many "extras" do we really need?

How many more can we afford?

Regarding Measure A for parks, we were not told what the problems are and then asked for money needed to fix them, based on their merits.

Instead, $28,000 was paid to identify the maximum amount that could be squeezed out of the public for a blank check.

Then a bone was thrown to farmers and municipalities in order to get more votes. If this arrogant approach to government operations offends you, then vote NO on Measure A.

Richard Wolgamott,Novato

'Never-ending need'

Anyone thinking of voting "yes" on either Proposition 30 or Proposition. 38 should first count to five.

1. Remember the computer system costing the taxpayers of Marin millions of dollars; which never worked and was tossed out. Now there's a law-suit costing even more money involving this mess. Did they fire anyone over this waste?

2. Remember the sewer district manager Brett Richards who was given a "loan" of $350,000 (taxpayer money) to buy a house. He never bought a house, never returned the 'loan' and is now living in Florida. Did they fire anyone over this scam?

3. Remember that George Lucas (who represented a huge tax flow of money from his business ventures) was thrown under the bus; along with all the income he'd have contributed to Marin County.

4. Remember the over-generous pensions, and double dipping that's going on at the Civic Center. All at the expense of us taxpayers.

5. Remember the $54 million state parks managed to find, after telling everyone they were closing parks, laying off people and concerned citizens started raising private money to keep some of the parks from closing.

If you're still inclined to vote "yes" to give them more of your money, more of my money .... why don't you just write your personal check if you feel so guilty.

Leave the rest of us taxpayers out of this never-ending need to keep funding the wasteful spending of our money.

Marcia Blackman, San Rafael


Schools and morality

The Tamalpais Union High School District board has finally caught up with the times by proposing change in its sex education policy reference to protection of traditional marriage and family as the cornerstone of society.

The district superintendent pronounced herself "horrified" when she saw this was still the school's written policy. She said it was disrespectful towards gay students and others.

The IJ's Sept. 20 story indicates all other districts in Marin are in step and have removed this language from sex education policy statements.

Will this make better schools? Will it improve student life and learning?


Marriage between a man and woman only is the tradition approved by the people of California under Proposition 8, which was overturned by a homosexual judge, and is now under appeal on its way to the United States Supreme Court.

Along the way, parents who subscribe to thousands of years of the Western tradition, marriage only between a man and woman, will continue to withdraw their children for what they perceive to be the morally noxious atmosphere of public schools.

As district Trustee Bob Walter said: "Welcome to the 21st century."

It's a brave new world.

Deke Welch, San Rafael


Public fields needed

I suppose that because I oppose the Marin Sports Academy proposed for Novato by a developer, I am against having additional playing fields.

Actually, I am against disappointing kids. Kids, look at this proposal carefully and see it for what it is. It is a commercial enterprise.

The developers of this project need investors and seek more and more of them. Do you think their investment will generate enough profit to satisfy them with our local kids using their fields?

No, actually they will seek larger and larger attendance including adults in leagues from all over California and beyond, and a cost for entrance that may not be good for your pocket.

This is not a public sports park to serve only children of Novato or even children of Marin.

This is a large business venture located in a small city at odds with its "small town" ambiance. So, kids, let's work to get a public sports park so you can have more fields like we now have at the Hamilton school.

Marin County and/or Novato can build a sports center to serve local kids and can charge nominal fees to support use and maintenance, and that is what will truly serve us.

Sharon Stammler, Novato