Comments of the Week

On , a debate raged over the passenger train.

said:

Good, I guess that means that these "new revenue sources" mean that they will not be asking TAM for 8 million more to waste. 

said:

I support SMART 100%!!! Have you seen the traffic on 101 through San Rafael and Novato? I can afford to give a few pennies a day to SMART, even in this economy.

said:

SMART supporters say sprawl is bad. So it makes perfect sense to build a way for people to live 40, 50, 60 miles from where they work. SMART supporters say the train will help alleviate freeway congestion. But freeway congestion encourages carpooling. SMART supporters say the train will lessen greenhouse gases. But you carpooling is a tremendous way to lessen ghg. (A driver plus just one passenger is a 50% reduction in greehouse gases.) SMART supporters say it's a visionary investment in the future and "the money is there." But even in this terrible economy, with prices being slashed to attract business, the cost of SMART rose by approx $One-Hundred Million from 2009 to 2010.

said:

Sprawl is bad, but I happen to like Novato, and San Rafael, and Petaluma. Building up their downtowns is a net gain for the region, and SMART provides the impetus for this to happen. People are moving out of the suburbs and back to the cities. That's great, but I don't want the towns strung along 101 to wither because they didn't have the infrastructure to support walkable neighborhoods.

SMART is about more than 101 congestion - it's about giving people a way to move that doesn't involve a car at all. The system enhances the usefulness of buses and gives people north of San Rafael a comfortable way to actually ride to work.

On , readers voiced their support of the congresswoman and questioned some of her methods.

said:

It would be difficult, in 10 terms of service, to make all the right decisions, but with her good heart, Lynn has come close. It has been gratifying to be represented by a woman of such great compassion and dedication. Lynn's generosity of spirit puts to shame the mean-spirited attempts to make fun of her. She sets the standard for respectful dialogue. Many thanks.

said:

Lynn Woolsey's choice not to endorse a specific candidate is a welcome one. Much has changed in the past ten years. I think we need a different kind of candidate. One who is equally passionate but able to look at practical issues that must be addressed.

Lynn represented her constituent base which was primarily progressive democrats. With the new boundaries it would be wonderful to have a broader range of representation with a focus on different issues. There are many moderate democrats and republicans looking for a voice in congress.