›› LETTERS
FYI on ASD
Pulp fiction Under certain conditions paper bags can degrade quite effectively.
I’m writing regarding Marin’s proposal to ban plastic bags in grocery stores [“Plastic Bags Fit to Be Tied?” April 2]. There has been some disagreement concerning the reuse of paper bags in stores, and some have questioned that Supervisor Charles McGlashan’s position on paper bags makes no sense as one would assume paper should be biodegradable. This is a reasonable assumption. However, it is wrong. William J. Rathje published the results of his excavations of landfills and garbage dumps since the 1970s in a book, Rubbish: The Archaeology of Garbage, in 1993. His general finding for paper—papers of all kinds but including poor quality acidic papers that are usually said by most environmentalists to be biodegradable and include garbage bags—was that they did not degrade. Certainly they can be reused and have several secondary purposes, but eventually they are disposed of and that is the problem. The specific and unique conditions of landfills and garbage dumps prevent the necessary conditions for degradation: air, water, bacteria, and leaching of some components of garbage can be toxic to biodegradation. Therefore, Mr. McGlashan is correct, paper bags are a major problem. Niccolo Caldararo, Fairfax
Thanks very much to Linda Xiques and to the Pacific Sun for your excellent article on finding help for older kids and adults with autism-spectrum disorders [“Autism Comes of Age,” April 9]. As a member of the Autistry Studios board, I am aware of the need for parents, teachers, community members, professionals, children and adults living on the ASD spectrum to have more information, understanding and resources about the needs, gaps and services available to people living on the autistic spectrum. The Pacific Sun is an excellent forum for our local innovators and experts to share their knowledge, advice and resources. One of the many wonderful things I’ve observed in Autistry Studios’ programs is how the young people are finding meaning and value in their social connections as they work on their projects and goals; given the social impairments that come with ASD, the relationship building at Autistry Studios is a compelling outcome that speaks to the deeply shared need for belonging and the capacity for connections in people with high-functioning ASD when the environment, providers and activities meet them where they are at with acceptance and high expectations. On Sunday, April 25, readers can support the Autistry Studios nonprofit organization by joining our Spin-a-Thon from 10am through 3pm at the Body Image Personal Fitness Center in Strawberry. To register, call 415/945-9788. Beth Hossfeld, Mill Valley
Commons denouement-ator At a recent candidates night in San Rafael, Kerry Mazzoni proposes the Marin Commons site as a future site for the Marin
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Your soapbox is waiting at ›› pacificsun.com County public safety building—and Susan Adams takes credit for having the “idea.” Huh? Why hadn’t Supervisor Adams brought this idea forward? Emails to Supervisor Adams prove this idea came from a former employee of the Marin Commons site back in January 2010. This constituent tried to meet with Adams, but did not get to explain his proposal. He later explained the site was rated 8.1 on the Richter and has underground fuel tanks, emergency generators and 455,000 square feet of space. Adams stated she decided to keep the “idea” private to keep from driving up real estate values of the property? Is she a “public” official or a “private” official? And why didn’t she use this excuse for the 33 San Pablo Road site when it was proposed as a possible location? Supervisor Adams stated many times in this newspaper for over five years that the “location” for the proposed public safety building was not negotiable. Now Adams has the idea to utilize the Marin Commons and keeps it private. Supervisor Adams this is very confusing. Ron Ford, Santa Venetia
One good thing about Fairfax: criminals too drunk to get away... I have lived in Fairfax since 1983, and grew up in Marin. There was a lot to recommend for living in Fairfax for many years, but not anymore. I live on Forrest Avenue and in the last 10 years I have had my car totaled, keyed, side-view mirror destroyed, and two tires slashed. All in all I have spent $11,000 to $12,000 in car expenses that I would not have incurred, but due to the aforementioned incidents. The police caught the drunk, uninsured, hit-and-run 19-year-old who totaled my car, since he was so drunk that he left his car in the road and walked home. But, frankly, I wonder about the police force. The keying, side-view-mirror destruction, and tire slashing were all acts of vandalism and many other cars experienced the same vandalism at the same time I did. The police have never been able to catch the perpetrators. Since the incidents occur repeatedly in the same areas, vigilant early morning patrolling of these areas would have yielded results. It has been reported that a suspect has been found for the tire slashing, but the evidence is limited and
it will be decided in the next few days whether or not he should be released. It sounds like the problem may still not be solved. Until Fairfax can get a better handle on its town, I vote Fairfax one of the least desirable places to live in Marin. Debbie Coe, Fairfax
Roadrunner owners need not be alarmed... Having lived in Fairfax for the last 20 years, I have never seen a coyote until yesterday. All of a sudden my life would change...I have to lock up my cat who, thanks to her cat door, has had complete freedom to go outside and Don’t say you enjoy all that goes with it. weren’t warned. All my neighbors that have cats—and that’s most of them—will have to do the same. The kitty litter companies are in for big bucks and we are in for a new daily job with the cat box. The quality of life for my cat and I will not be the same. I am all for the natural wildlife that exists around us, but this is a new predator in our midst and—in contrast to the others like deer and squirrels...short of mountain lions— this one will eat our pets and roam both day and night very boldly around our houses. With all the rules of the Humane Society to leash and license dogs and yet to allow these predators to roam free...it does not make sense. I am not suggesting leashing the coyotes or shooting them. But perhaps treat them as raccoons, and trapping them safely so they are not hurt and moving them to wilderness areas like the Sierras or someplace where they can survive in the wild with wild animals like rabbits to eat—rather than our domestic pets which are part of our families. How about neighborhoods getting together and hiring pest-control companies to do this so our pets can continue the lifestyle to which they are accustomed and we can relax that we will not have the tragedy of Spot or Puff, our beloved pets, maimed or killed by these animals? Jessica Green, Fairfax
Put your stamp on the letters to the editor at ›› pacificsun.com APRIL 23 – APRIL 29, 2009 PACIFIC SUN 7