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Time to cap pensions

While there is much discussion about the enormous unfunded pension liability in Marin County, the need to cap pensions seems lacking from the equation.

While most retired employees receive moderate, but generous, pensions in the $20,000 to $40,000 range per year, the problem comes from two issues.

First are unlimited pensions that amount to well into six figures for some retirees. Anyone earning that level of income during their work life should be able to save their own money for retirement and have their benefits capped at a sustainable amount.

The second problem comes from the double dippers who retire after 20 years with a generous pension and go on to another position that entitles them to a second generous pension.

This needs to stop.

Hats off to Citizens for Sustainable Pensions for beginning this important reform work.

Elaine Reichert, Santa Venetia

Limiting public access

Since when is it a crime to walk through an open space meadow?

If county parks chief Linda Dahl has her way, enjoying nature could soon carry a heavy penalty — we could be ticketed simply for stepping off the trail to admire a field of flowers.

Instead of serving the public, it appears that the county open space district wants to monetize us.

Most of the open space lands and hiking trails open space wants to declare off-limits have been used by nature-lovers since the time of the Miwok.


By ignoring this history the county would destroy community values we cherish.

With more and more people herded onto fewer trails, conflicts among user groups are likely to intensify, and hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians could all lose.

Far better would be to initiate a public-private partnership wherein volunteers provide the labor to build environmentally sensitive trails appropriate for each user group.

Some would likely say it can't be done, it's too expensive, no one will maintain them, etc., but this attitude is wrongheaded and defeatist. This is not a job for government alone; this is a job for the community to undertake under appropriate supervision.

By employing this approach, the district would provide a genuine public service at little cost and expand, rather than reduce, the options for all.

William Binzen, Woodacre

'Gateway to the North Bay'

As a San Francisco resident, I want to visit Larkspur Landing often, but the environment now is uninviting to pedestrians and cyclists.

I certainly don't want to show it off to my visiting family, no matter how good Marin Brewing Co. is. I usually just end up taking them to Sausalito or Mill Valley.

If all goes well, I may end up commuting to San Rafael soon.

If my choice is bus or ferry, I'd rather take the ferry and spend time and money in Larkspur, but if the city doesn't improve the neighborhood I'll stay on the bus and pass it by for San Rafael.

I want to support Larkspur Landing, it has amazing potential and the Larkspur Station Area Plan will help that potential be realized.

Along with the addition of the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit train and path, Larkspur will be the gateway to the North Bay and I'm excited for its future.

Please support this well thought out and vetted plan, not just for Larkspur but for the whole Bay Area.

Michael Sonn, San Francisco