Marin IJ Readers’ Forum for April 14, 2024

Marin sheriff could adjust ICE policy further

I appreciate IJ political columnist Dick Spotwood’s thoughtful opinions in his recent commentary on Marin County Sheriff’s Office guidelines for reporting information to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Department (“Sheriff’s policy with arrested immigrants is fair,” April 7).

However, I don’t agree with Spotswood’s assumption that American citizens are entitled to a higher standard of justice than undocumented immigrants. All people should be subject to a trial before dealing with the consequences of being found guilty. I propose that the accused not be released from jail until their trials. That would force ICE to wait and see.

— Gigi Gruenke, San Anselmo

Bikes on some trails would endanger hikers

Heidi Meyers is absolutely correct in her letter published April 9 with the headline, “Some trails on Tam are not suitable for cyclists.”

There is no specificity in the plan to address single-track trail access for bikes in the Mount Tamalpais watershed. The Marin Municipal Water District needs to rethink any proposal that opens access to bikes on trails. I have nothing against bikes on fire roads, even though I’ve had a few near misses.

I can think of dozens of unsuitable trails. Many would be dangerous for bikers, walkers, runners, dogs and nature lovers to share. Some include Bon Tempe’s Shadyside and Sunnyside, Tucker, Taylor, Northside, Harry Allen, Collier Springs, Hidden Meadows, Kent Lake trail, Helen Marsh, Cataract, Worn Springs, Berry, Madrone and Pumpkin Ridge.

Bikers have sufficient access on the fire roads and should instead adhere to the designated speed and passing regulations first.

— David Leipsic, San Rafael

WildCare saved ailing hummingbird in Marin

There are lots of hummingbirds near my home. Recently, one flew into the garage and went behind a file cabinet.

My husband quickly removed things and recovered the tiny creature. As I called WildCare, Marin’s well-known wildlife hospital, he put it in a box. I was told to bring it right in and we got there before they closed. My husband was given a case number and was told he could follow up.

I thought for sure it would die — it had cobwebs wrapped around its tiny legs. Soon, we heard great news: It was an adolescent male in “home care.” We were told he would be released at our house to rejoin his other hummers.

What a miracle. I want to share my thanks to the WildCare team. In a time of so much depressing news, this lifted my spirits. As I watch all the wonderful hummingbirds, I wonder which one is our little guy.

Thank you to all the miracle workers at WildCare.

— Bonnie Kaiser, Novato

Compensation for PG&E executives is far too high

It boggles the mind why the public is not furious at the executive and stockholder compensation at Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (“Rising executive pay at PG&E arrives at a time of soaring customer bills and fast-rising company profits,” April 6).

I have written before to bemoan the way PG&E officials take advantage of their customers. Now I write, with true disgust, about the most-recent article stating that CEO Patricia Poppe was “awarded” nearly $17 million from the fiscal year 2023. This woman is rolling in money while we pitiful customers are paying for her, plus the high compensation for other executives. There are also dividends for stockholders.

Boy, are we a bunch of chumps. We have no alternative unless we want to live by candlelight.

— Sally Seymour, Larkspur

Is the A’s owner even rooting for his own team?

We now know that the Oakland A’s are headed to Las Vegas after a couple-year stop in Sacramento. And we’ve known for a long time how poorly the A’s ownership has treated its fans. But the ultimate insult was recently uttered by A’s owner John Fisher. He effusively chortled how much he’s looking forward to Yankees star Aaron Judge, among others, hitting home runs (presumably against his A’s) at the Sacramento park.

I understand that Judge will pull in a lot of fans, more concession sales and more parking revenue. But from my perspective, it sounded like the A’s owner was actually looking forward to seeing the opposition score runs against his own team.

It is a sad state of affairs for a once-proud franchise.

— Frank Ridley, San Rafael