November 2020 Election MMWD Board of Directors Candidate Questionnaires
As a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, Marin County Bicycle Coalition cannot endorse candidates for public office, but we are able to share information so that you can arrive at your own conclusion. Below are Marin Municipal Water District candidates’ responses to our questionnaire on bicycling in Marin. We have made no content changes. Thanks to the candidates for their time and thoughtful answers!
Here are the candidates on the November 3 ballot for Marin Muncipal Water District Board of Directors:
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Division 2 (one seat): Carsten Andersen (withdrawn), Mark Lubamersky, Monty Schmitt
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Division 5 (one seat): Larry Russell, Chris Hobbs
Do you ride a bicycle? If so, for what purposes and how often? (transportation/road/mtb)
Mark Lubamersky (Division 2):
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Commuting/Errands: 0-1 days per week
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Road: 0-1 days per week
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Mountain: Never
Monty Schmitt (Division 2):
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Commuting/Errands: 2-3 days per week
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Road: 2-3 days per week
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Mountain: 0-1 days per week
Larry Russell (Division 5): No response.
Chris Hobbs (Division 5):
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Commuting/Errands: 0-1 days per week
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Road: 0-1 days per week
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Mountain: 0-1 days per week
Where does improving bicycle access throughout Mt. Tamalpais Watershed rank among your other policy priorities? (HIGH / MODERATE / LOW / OTHER)
Mark Lubamersky (Division 2): High.
Monty Schmitt (Division 2): Other: I believe that addressing bike access to the Mt. Tamalpais Watersheds is one of the most pressing issues for our community, but wildfire safety has truly become a top concern. I rank improving recreational management of MMWD lands, including bike access, as one of the top priorities after issues related to public safety and water supply security.
Larry Russell (Division 5): No response.
Chris Hobbs (Division 5): Moderate.
People on bikes currently have access to fire roads, but not singletrack trails, in the Mt. Tamalpais Watershed. Do you support expanded bike access to singletrack trails, assuming environmental and user impacts are addressed? (YES / NO / OTHER)
Mark Lubamersky (Division 2): Other: I need to continue my research on this issue.
Monty Schmitt (Division 2): Yes.
Larry Russell (Division 5): No response.
Chris Hobbs (Division 5): Yes.
Do you support the allowance of Class I pedal-assisted e-bikes on fire roads in the Mt. Tamalpais Watershed? (YES / NO / OTHER)
Mark Lubamersky (Division 2): Yes.
Monty Schmitt (Division 2): Other: See my answer to the next question. In short, there is not sufficient fact-based information to make a long term determination one way or another but this issues needs to be addressed more comprehensively.
Larry Russell (Division 5): No response.
Chris Hobbs (Division 5): Yes.
What’s your vision for the future of access and recreational opportunities in Mt. Tamalpais Watershed? What are some of the challenges facing MMWD, and how would you go about fixing them?
Mark Lubamersky (Division 2):
The primary mission of the MMWD is to ensure we have quality, clean drinking water while keeping water rates as low as possible. Budget priorities must provide for replacement of aging pipes and stepped up work with other land management agencies to protect against wildfires and address climate change.
Preservation the watershed for our families and future generations. The public should have access with science-based safeguards to protect against damage to water safety and the environment. My experience in local government including co-chairing the City of San Rafael 2020 General Plan and on the Measure E Critical Facilities Committee demonstrates my ability successfully serve the San Rafael community. I know how local governance works and how to get things done.
Monty Schmitt (Division 2):
As a future potential MMWD Board member, bike access to MMWD lands is one of the most significant issues residents have wanted to discuss with me. The 22,000 acres of MMWD lands provides an extremely important recreational resource for residents of our surrounding communities as well as an attraction for tourism. In keeping with MMWD’s mission, their lands must first and foremost be protected as a vital source of safe and reliable water. But recreational access, including mountain biking, is entirely compatible with protection of the resource when well managed. Recreational access is essential if local residents are to experience, enjoy and then support efforts protect this unique environment. The MMWD Road and Trails Plan is 15 years out of date and in need of updating to address increased use and particularly the issue of e-bikes. My current sense is that we do not know enough about the impacts of mountain bikes (including e-bikes) on the already stressed road and trail system for differing sides to come together with the sufficient support from MMWD staff and the Board to change access given deference has to be to ensure maintaining the health and safety of the watershed. But a lack of sufficient information is not a reasonable place to stop for an issue that is only growing. The use of E-bikes and mountain bikes in general on MMWD lands warrants a science based assessment on the potential impacts and potential identification where access is reasonable and sustainable when undertaken as part of a comprehensive plan for managing these and other recreational uses.
Larry Russell (Division 5): No response.
Chris Hobbs (Division 5):
This year has reinforced how critical the watershed is as a recreational resource. I will work to improve opportunities for all trail users to enjoy the watershed. There is not a simple answer here, or a quick solution, but long term, I believe we can improve opportunities to ride in the watershed.
Why should people who ride bikes vote for you?
Mark Lubamersky (Division 2):
After being elected I would allow the use of E bikes on Watershed land. To my knowledge none of my opponents in this race have publically stated that fact.
Monty Schmitt (Division 2):
I grew up in Santa Barbara where I used the cities extensive system of bike lanes to get around town. As a teenager, I attended a small alternative middle school that mixed academics with cycling trips throughout the Central Coast, Sierra and Southwest Desert. Prior to the pandemic, I regularly commuted by bike to the Larkspur ferry through the tunnel on my way into San Francisco. My “go-to” quick ride for exercise and the mental headspace that riding provides me is from my Bret Harte neighborhood, up and along the Southern Heights Ridge and down to the bike path along Corte Madera Creek in Ross and back. Cycling has been and continues to be important part of my life.
I think San Rafael and Marin County’s system of bike lanes has improved dramatically in the 11 years I have lived here but it still needs to be much better. In particular, I find commuting across downtown San Rafael including the areas around the transit center and freeway onramps to be dangerous. I believe we need and I want to see a system of bike paths that enable people, including kids, to safely get around town, get to schools and do as much commuting via bikes as people are willing. I know MCBC has been active in making many of the improvements I have enjoyed in recent years.
As an MMWD Board Member, natural resource scientist and cyclist, I would use my extensive experience working with diverse interests to have productive fact-based discussions around the importance of cycling to our communities and be creative in finding solutions where parties can reach agreement. Also, based on interviews I have been endorsed by Access4Bikes and Tom Boss, a well respect bike advocate in Marin.
Larry Russell (Division 5): No response.
Chris Hobbs (Division 5):
I believe in the power of bikes to improve communities, physical health and mental well-being.
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