Shut up Marinwood!

Marinwood CSD president, Justin Kai,  frustrated by public criticism of the CSD, seeks to have an official response to critics. All of the other board members point out the problem with impairing legal rights of citizens to voice dissent. An early edition of the speech policy (not made public as required by the Brown Act) sought to suspend the right of citizens to appeal to the District Attorney if they feel the CSD broke the law. Not surprisingly, Kai disallowed public comment on the policy.

Myths about Justin Kai on NextDoor are Busted

Myths about Justin Kai on NextDoor are Busted

A supporter of Justin Kai put up the following myths on Nextdoor.   The truth is quite different from his public persona.

1.) Helping put and end to Bridge Housing.

The untold cost of the Toxic Waste cleanup and the defeat of Susan Adams were the main reasons Bridge Housing quit the Marinwood Plaza project. A memo by Bridge Housing staffer sent to the Regional Water Quality Control Board revealed that Bridge Housing was eager to escape liability for the toxic waste if they purchased the property. That staffer lost her job and Bridge Housing withdrew shortly thereafter.  Justin Kai refused to get involved in the toxic waste issue due to political concerns and local citizens deserve full credit for advocacy for the toxic waste cleanup.

2.) Helping oust Susan Adams and getting Damon Connelly (who impresses me quite a bit)

Justin was an energetic campaigner for Damon Connolly and hoped for a staffer position.  It was not to be and Damon hired the talented Chris Callaway instead.  Many people were involved in Damons campaign but Justins hard work for Damon will be remembered and appreciated.

3.) The per unit tax instead of per parcel tax to ease the strain on CSD services for any possible future development.

The idea of a per unit parcel tax had been floated by citizens the previous year and were ignored.by the CSD.  Fortunately this good idea was promoted in 2015 by Justin and again he was a prime campaigner.  He REFUSED to allow others to join him in the campaign fearing that his "image" would be tarnished by controversy.  The fact was that ALL CSD board members and candidates supported this popular idea. We passed the tax adjustment by a wide margin. I credit the citizens who first raised the issue to the CSD rather than those who sought to politically profit for it.

Many people supported the change of taxes to per unit vs per parcel. 

3.) 3 lane striping of Miller Creek/Marinwood Ave.

Justin only supported a right hand turn for Blackstone Dr. while others insisted that all three lanes on Miller Creek remain.  It was only after another citizen pointed to Marin County Road Engineers out there was room for all three lanes in the existing design did Justin change his stance.  He then claimed credit for the idea to boost his public image on NextDoor.

and much more.

Justin has done much good for the community and used his natural gifts for advocacy unfortunately, he became a political opportunist all too soon and betrayed his friends. I cannot forgive his naked character assassination and lies he continues to spew about me.   He should be aware that he no longer has protection from the courts for fraudulent statements made with malicious intent.

Bye, Bye to Justin Kai

It's "Bye Bye" for Justin Kai

After a mere eight months as Marinwood CSD president,  Justin Kai has resigned from the Board and will be moving to Portland Oregon area with his wife, Jill and their two young sons.   Save Marinwood wishes them well.

Justin's short tenure on the Marinwood CSD has been marked by controversy,  heavy public spending,  new restrictions on walking dogs and personal attacks levied at me which included assault and battery on me outside my residence while I was walking my dogs one evening in April. 

I can't say that  I am unhappy that Justin Kai is moving away.  He has brought much pain and disappointment to the community.  He once was a friend, yet he turned vicious, vindictive and irresponsible once he got elected to Marinwood CSD board.

We first met in 2013 when, Justin became aware of the Marinwood Priority Development Area through this website.  A small group of residents got together to object to the designation which would mean as many as 1700 new units of housing built west of Las Gallinas in Marinwood.  It would have transformed us from a sleepy suburb to an urban center overnight.  Former Supervisor Susan Adams was the prime driver for it and eventually it cost her an election.

Over 1000 local signatures were gathered and Justin was one of the hardest signature gathers for our little group although much more credit goes to several women who have no interest in politics.   (Linda Barnello was one of the hardest workers and Justin refused to reappoint her in 2015 to the Park and Recreation commission because of political pressure).

It was clear that a group of local citizens needed to regain control of local government.   Justin Kai, Bill Shea and Deana Dearborn were to be the three candidates we would place on the board in 2014.   We won in a landslide and threw out the old Marinwood CSD majority.

We were optimistic that we could get the Marinwood CSD back on track to financial solvency and address the larger community issues such as the Marinwood Market Toxic Waste spill,  Marin Supervisors push for development in our community and other matters that had slipped public attention for years.  

Then something weird happened.  Only Deana Dearborn was a reliable voice on the Marinwood CSD for responsible local government(she did not run for reelection in 2015).   Justin Kai seemed more interested in a political career than fulfilling promises of his campaign.  The petition list that we had all gathered, suddenly became the "personal property" of Justin alone for his political purposes.  He stole it from all of us. 

Nevertheless, the community still fought on,  Marin Community Alliance was formed to mount a legal challenge against Marin County for a dubious Environmental Impact Report that would be the foundation for massive developments in Lucas Valley and across Marin County.   Justin Kai, claimed to distrust the intent of our friends in the organization and refused to allow our email list for community communications.  Justin Kai betrayed his friends who once supported him to further his political ambitions.  Marin Community Alliance won its case in the early rounds and is pending appeal.  

Justin's political positions waffled too.  He shifted from a strong voice against over development to a overly cautious, local politician who dared not to make waves.

Other bad decisions followed, such as a twenty year commitment to buy solar electricity from a consortium of a former Marinwood CSD Board member, a housing activist and a 29 year old "financial entrepreneur" from New York City at SEVEN TIMES market cost!  

The solar project is half way finished and Justin Kai will be leaving town for greener pastures.  I hope he will reflect upon his short political career and learn from his mistakes.   We will be paying for them in Marinwood for a long time to come. 

Life goes on.

Marinwood Hate Crime

Marinwood CSD receives rude messages from public after a video of April 2016 meeting went viral on Youtube. The video which shows police attempting to remove citizen from the Marinwood CSD meeting after an outburst objecting to the new Orwellian speech code. 

Breaking News: Marinwood Hate Crime

Marinwood CSD receives rude messages from public after the April 2016 went viral on Youtube.  The video which shows police attempting to remove citizen from the Marinwood CSD meeting after an outburst objecting to the new Orwellian speech code.  

Jeff Naylor wants to keep his information on the web to speak with local citizens.  Izabela Perry and Leah Kleinman-Green agree.  

Leah Kleinman-Green speculates that the prank caller may have been hired by a local person to terrorize the board. She prefers listing her phone number because "she doesn't have to call back".

Justin Kai, Marinwood CSD Board president asks the board to adopt a new communication policy to protect themselves from unwanted public contact to avoid incidents like Florida.


Ultimately, the majority of the board vote to maintain the status quo.

Marinwood CSD on the Homeless Shelter move to North San Rafael

At the June 14, 2016 Marinwood CSD board meeting, I petition that Marinwood CSD comment on the relocation of the Ritter House homeless services to 67 Mark Dr in North San Rafael.  The CSD is the first responder with Emergency Services and also owns thousands of acres of open space.  We currently have problems with illegal encampments and homeless in our parks.  This problem will greatly increase if allowed to go unchecked and burden our services.  As a "stakeholder" it is imperative we are a part of the discussion.  

The board president, Justin Kai comments that the issue is not the business of the Marinwood CSD.   At the end of the meeting, no director placed the issue on the agenda for discussion.

What do you think?

Petty Marinwood CSD Politics

May 10, 2016,  Marinwood CSD President Justin Kai corrects the official record to include the comment that he was called "little man" so it will show up in the official record of business.  
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According to government convention, meeting minutes follows Roberts Rules.  

What to Include. As a rule, minutes should record what was done at a meeting, not what was said. (Robert's Rules, 11th ed., p. 468.) Even so, the motion should include the rationale for the board's action. Following is a list of essential information that should be found in every set of minutes:

Name of the Association.

Type of Meeting. Regular, special, emergency, executive session.\

Date/Time/Location. Date, time and location of meeting.

Attendees. Directors who were present and who was absent, along with their titles (President, Treasurer, etc.). The minutes should also list guests who were invited to speak to the board, such as the association's CPA, contractors bidding on projects, the association's attorney, etc. Members who attended the board meeting should not be listed.

Approval of Minutes. Prior meeting minutes should be read and approved. (Robert's Rules, 11th ed., p. 473-474.)

Treasurer's Report. A verbal report is sufficient.

Committee Reports. The fact that an officer and committee report, if any, was given. When a committee report is of great importance it can be entered in full in the minutes. (Robert's Rules, 11th ed., p. 471.)

Guest Speakers. "The name and subject of a guest speaker can be given, but no effort should be made to summarize his remarks. (Robert's Rules, 11th ed., p. 471.)

Motions. Motions and how directors voted.

Executive Session. General description of matters discussed in executive session.

Next Meeting. Date of the next meeting.

Adjournment. Time the meeting was adjourned.
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The Marinwood CSD must takes its obligation to uphold the law and follow established convention of providing the public accurate meeting minutes.  It is not the place for the Marinwood CSD to provide political spin or omitting important detail that obscures or embellishes the truth. It is definitely not a place for settling petty grievances.    

Marinwood CSD "Censorship by Procedure" May 10, 2016

May 10, 2016 Marinwood CSD Directors Jeff Naylor and Justin Kai justify their new speech policy that forces the public to speak on agenda items BEFORE they are discussed. Since the Marinwood CSD does not produce detailed reports in the board packet the public has no way of knowing what is to be discussed. Items in the agenda are usually vague descriptions meant to obscure the topic of discussion. For example, in January 2015, a new dog leash law was described as "changes in park policies."

The new Marinwood CSD board members are hostile to public participation in "their" meetings and have found ways to censor the public through procedure. We are not fooled.

Marinwood CSD "Censorship by Procedure" May 10, 2016

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May 10, 2016 Marinwood CSD Directors Jeff Naylor and Justin Kai justify their new speech policy that forces the public to speak on agenda items BEFORE they are discussed.  Since the Marinwood CSD does not produce detailed reports in the board packet the public has no way of knowing what is to be discussed. Items in the agenda are usually vague descriptions meant to obscure the topic of discussion.  For example, in January 2015, a new dog leash law was described as "changes in park policies."  

The new Marinwood CSD board members are hostile to public participation in "their" meetings and have found ways to censor the public through procedure.  We are not fooled.

My response to Justin Kai's Lies and the Marin IJ Libel

Although I want to put the Justin Kai issue to bed, I have been maliciously libeled and slandered too many times. His "temporary civil harassment restraining order" only contained his over the top allegations and character assassination. As a recipient of the order, I did not have the opportunity to file a written statement to the court answering Justin's outrageous claims. Although I was allowed to speak in my defense at the court hearing, none of it enters the written record.

The judge threw out the restraining order request after listening to Justins testimony and seeing the video that Justin provided.

I tried to let the matter rest but apparently Justin contacted the Marin IJ and they wrote a story entirely from his perspective adding more injury. I also believe he attacked me in the comments section after the story too under pseudonym, "bank dadio". Furthermore, I told the writer, Richard Halstead that the matter was settled and I was not interested in inflaming the situation.  What did the Marin IJ do?  It published it on page one, top of fold for maximum impact. Meanwhile, the Tiburon rape indictment, a genuine headline news story, was pushed to page three.

After the publication on page one on the Marin IJ, I had clients cancel business, my children were in tears, my wife was upset and now in addition to a court record, I now have a Google searchable document. The Internet lives forever and he has deeply impacted my life. I was never charged with a crime and the allegations were groundless.  

Justin Kai has revealed his true character.

Marinwood CSD votes to Censor Public Comment

Marinwood CSD board unanimously approve a rule change requiring public commentary on government business BEFORE the issue is revealed or the directors make commentary.  This joins another rule that the public submit letters BEFORE the agenda is published.  This effectively is censorship of the public and illegal under the Brown Act and the First Amendment.

Stay tuned..

Marin Sheriff attempts to remove Citizen from Marinwood CSD meeting over Free Speech

Justin Kai, Marinwood CSD director attempts to eject a citizen during the April 2016 Marinwood CSD meeting. A new "Speech Policy"  was adopted and the public strongly objected. The Marinwood CSD approved two obviously illegal policies to prohibit commentary during and after business items are discussed. Letters to the board must be received BEFORE the agenda and staff reports are printed. A similar policy on speaking during the meeting that states the public can only comment on items BEFORE the Board discusses them.  It is an outrageous form of censorship and violation of civil rights.

This video is the interaction between the Marin County Sheriff and me. Notice how he is subtly provoking a confrontation with physical intimidation by moving in close. I explain the situation and step away from him several times but he moves in closer. I explained my actions and was firmly standing my ground with my rights to attend and film the meeting.

Justin Kai, Marinwood CSD president has called the Sheriff's twice in the four meetings he has conducted. He believes that his authority should not be challenged and has used the police to intimidate the public.

"Let this be a warning that I will have you arrested" Kai threatened me after the meeting.

Clearly, Mr. Kai has authoritarian fantasies and does not believe in local democracy.

Editor's Note: Of course there is more to the story.  I leave that to other posts.  

The Marinwood CSD Manager's Report for April 12, 2016

Marinwood CSD Manager Eric Dreikosen reports on March events.  

Marinwood CSD votes Unanimously to approve the use of Pesticides in Marinwood Parks and Open Space

In a unanimous decision, the Marinwood CSD adopts a new Integrated Pesticides Management plan that allows the use of pesticides in all areas of the Marinwood Parks and Open Space.  I was the only speaker in the room that objected to its use especially in open space .   An outright ban of glyphosate (roundup) is being proposed all over Marin at this time by environmental organizations. Glyphosate has been declared a carcinogen by the State of California.

Al Dugan,  Susan Kirsch and Kevin Haroff  

all support a ban on Glyphosate in Marin County

Should Marinwood CSD Directors get Free Stuff from the Marinwood CSD?

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Marinwood CSD president, Justin Kai proposes that all CSD directors and commission members receive a "Golden FREE Pass" to all of the classes, camps, pool memberships and special events offered by the Marinwood CSD at a potential revenue loss of up to $30,000 annually.  

The other CSD directors quickly shoot this idea down as it would be unjust compensation and a huge revenue loss to the district.  
  

***3/15/2016  I arose this morning and discovered a big controversy on NextDoor on this post.   A neighbor pointed it out to others and both she and I were attacked.  

Here are a few points of clarification:  

1.) The figure of up to $30,000 revenue loss is based upon the statements of one of the CSD directors who spends an estimated $2000 to $2500 each year on Marinwood CSD programs.   We have 17 directors and commission members.  If each were given $2000 of free services that would mean a revenue loss of $34,000 annually.  Of course there is no way to know how many people would use the "Golden FREE pass" benefit.  A big family might spend more than $2000.

2.) When Director Kai claims there is "no cost" to the district, he is overlooking the obvious.  When a camp or class is limited, then the "Golden FREE pass" customer takes a spot away from a regular "paying customer".  Even in the pool membership with high fixed costs and low marginal cost experience a "revenue loss" when a board member who regularly pays for membership, now uses his "Golden FREE pass" instead.  

3.) Director Kai attacked this post as a "hit piece" and that it is taken out of "context" .  In actuality, the entire 9 1/2 minute clip is completely unedited and the full context is provided.   Bill Shea, Izabela Perry, Jeff Naylor and Leah Kleinman-Green look pretty good. You could also say that it is a "promo piece" for them since it showcases their commonsense.  In the end, though, this video is simply what happened and the viewer can decide for themselves to endorse Justin's view or Bill, Izabela, Jeff and Leah's point of view.

Is the Marin County Sheriff being used for Political Advantage?

Marinwood CSD board president confirms that Marin Sheriff reported private conversation which was then used for political purposes at a Marinwood CSD meeting on March 8, 2016.

In a related video, we observe an armed Marin Sheriff while allegedly  performing security, testify with highly salacious  testimony to support the passage of a local dog leash ordinance.  We question the ethics of doing this in an official capacity.   

In our view, Marin Sheriff's office violated ethics twice.  Once, when the officer provided the irrelevant testimony to inject fear of outsiders in the discussion about the dog leash law and twice, when a private complaint was revealed to Justin Kai for his political advantage.

We expect our police to uphold the law and serve the public in a unbiased manner and not become political tools for petty officials.

To appreciate the ethical problem poised by the deputy, consider the following.  Imagine if the armed sheriff standing guard, suddenly spoke up in favor of the current "leash optional" policy and said. "Excuse me board members, I don't think you have established the facts.   There have been ZERO reported incidents in the Marinwood Park Panhandle".

Even though the deputy would have spoken the truth,  his improper injection of personal opinion into the community discussion while serving as a security officer would have been totally improper.  It would have been perceived that he was challenging the majority of the CSD board and creating undue influence.

The Sheriffs department should not be unofficial advocates for any political discussions while performing their duties in uniform at a public meeting.

Marinwood CSD Board President calls in the Police to "keep the peace"

It didn't take long for the power to go to his head

In what has to be the most grandiose fantasies of power,  we now have confirmation from the Marin Sheriff Department that Justin Kai, Marinwood CSD Board president was responsible for the armed police presence at last month's Marinwood CSD board meeting on the leash law.  

Why was this over the top request made?  The Marinwood CSD received an avalanche of complaints about the ban of the "leash optional" area of Marinwood Park.  Clearly, they knew there might be conflict at the meeting and were intent on voting it in.  

But an armed sheriff?  What for?  Was it to intimidate the crowd or was it for the officer  to provide salacious testimony that "strangers with 6-7 dogs will be coming to the park and create havoc" if we don't pass the leash ordinance?

Ironically, it is the behavior of the board president that is most often "out of bounds" from established Rosenberg Rules procedure at public meetings. Frequently the public is interrupted, lectured and ridiculed in total disregard for common courtesy and the democratic process.  We have it on videotape.  

Justin Kai has served as Marinwood CSD president since January 2016.
At his second meeting, he called in the police to "keep the peace".

Rely on the CSD Directors to ignore Dog Owners.

Justin Kai, Marinwood CSD director ignores a roomful of citizens who support keeping the area in Marinwood which has been "leash optional" for dogs for sixty years. He cites fears for safety and legal liability, yet cannot find any supporting statistics to support his claim. The area has an estimated 36,000 dog walks a year but almost ZERO incidents. This is how freedom dies.