The SMART Thing to Do

The SMART Thing to Do. My letter to the editor of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat newspaper, supporting Measure I to authorize the extension of the 1/4-cent sales tax in support of the Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) system and multi-use pathway

Letters to the Editor
Santa Rosa Press Democrat

Published
January 9, 2020

The SMART thing to do

EDITOR: I happily read the coverage of the Larkspur SMART station dedication (‘SMART rolls out train service to Larkspur,” Dec. 14). I’m still jubilant after attending that ribbon cutting in person. It’s so exciting to be witness to the rebirth of rail travel in our community after it was ruined by the combined efforts of Standard Oil, General Motors and Firestone many decades ago.

As an active bicyclist myself, and a bicycle industry retailer, the inclusion of a bicycle and pedestrian path with the SMART rollout puts me over the top. It seems like every month or so we celebrate the opening of new links on this path that will ultimately extend from Larkspur all the way to Cloverdale. This is huge.

For my part, I will continue to support local businesses with my purchases, so that the quarter-cent sales tax revenue for SMART is well funded. And I hope all Sonoma County residents will join me in voting for the extension of that sales tax come the next election. It’s the smart thing to do.

GEOFFREY D. SMITH

Santa Rosa