Interview With Longtime Marin Resident, Grandpa Stein

Interview with Grandpa Stein

My grandpa, Jim Stein, has lived in Mill Valley for 22 years.  He has also spent a lot of time in Kentfield and knows both areas well.  (some off topic rambling from the interview was cut out)

Greig: What kinds of changes have you seen in the environment of both Mill Valley and Kentfield?

Jim: Oh, well I don’t really see any.  There haven’t been any big changes to what you see.  Things definitely look different now but most of the big changes happened a long time ago. 

G: Have you seen a decrease in plant and animal life?

J: I’ve never seen a lot of animals.  You know, a lot of trees on my street have been cut [down].  Same with yours, that big tree was cut last year.  That’s the biggest change I’ve seen over the years.

G: Has there been a lot of urban development since you came to Marin?

J: Most of it happened before I came, I would guess.  There has been a few new housing areas built on top of unused land.  A lot of places have expanded to take up the land around them.  Your old school built a new building. 

G:  Have you seen an increase in street traffic?

J:  I want to say there has been, but it’s really hard to tell because it was so long ago… I think there are more cars out there these days.

G:  Do you wish that there were less?

J:  I don’t really mind.  Of course I don’t like traffic.  But I don’t care.

G:  Do you support more development of buildings and houses and things like that?

J:  I think that its fine to build more buildings.  I don’t think it would be good to ruin the good looks of the town [Mill Valley], but more businesses means good things sometimes.  Since I’ve come it’s [Mill Valley] really gotten to be a busy place, which I like. 

G:  What is your favorite thing about Mill Valley?

J:  Oh, I like downtown.  It’s fun. 

G: Why do you like it?

J:  I like that it is busy and I enjoy the restaurants.  It’s a beautiful place as well. 

G:  If you were to have the choice of building three new restaurants on top of Old Mill Park, would you do it?

J:  No.  I think the park is important to the town and there are already enough restaurants.