• Guns can save lives, too • Proper zoning definitions needed • Expensive learning experience Guns can save lives, too Just read Steven McMacken’s (April 8 letter, TGI) regarding gun control. First off, the subject of gun control is an emotion filled topic
• Guns can save lives, too • Proper zoning definitions needed • Expensive learning experience
Guns can save lives, too
Just read Steven McMacken’s (April 8 letter, TGI) regarding gun control. First off, the subject of gun control is an emotion filled topic to be sure. McMacken quotes statistics without naming his sources so that in itself carries no weight. It is a pure pipe dream to think that by disarming law-abiding citizens that will make for a safer society. Yeah right, I can see it now. Bad guys turning in their guns ‘cause its illegal. Right. Sure, I understand we live in Hawaii but we have our share of murders, home invasion, armed robberies, car jackings etc. This is a very different world we live in, even in Hawaii. To suggest that Jim Rosa is implying that he/we advocate violence over dialogue to settle disputes is ridiculous. If some bad guy wants to stick a knife in me or shoot me, should I be limited to sweet-talk to save my bacon? Would you call that a dispute?
Remember the 1999 Oahu Xerox shooting? No? My friend and classmate was shot to death by a deranged gunman! Ford Kanehara and six others died that day. The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun. I hardly think dialogue would have worked out that day. What about the woman beheaded at a processing plant in Moore Oklahoma? Again, a good guy stops a bad guy with a gun. Finally, McMacken wants it to be tougher or discourage you to own one. Dialogue … remember?
Stephen Shioi
Kapaa
Proper zoning definitions needed
Sam Lee’s (April 5 letter, TGI) is an example of confused communication. Our family has known Sam for decades and though not close friends, we do hope we can look upon Sam as a friendly neighbor with similar goals. Like Sam, our family would like to, in some way, control the growth of our precious island and lifestyle of the past, but change is here. For those wishing to protect our island, there is a need to focus on clear communications.
Sam, in paragraph 1 in your letter you state: “B&B crackdown was good news for island residents.” I think not for those individuals who will lose jobs, money, homes, plus potential small business customers, by outlawing B&Bs.
Then at the end of paragraph 1, you state, “we are not anti-tourism nor anti-home stay; providing these occur in areas zoned for such use.” The problem is that the County of Kauai has failed to clearly define the various “zoning code(s)” and their uses. There appears to be total confusion as to the unique qualities of various property uses and rental categories.
Your letter highlights this when in paragraph 3 you jump to, “TVRs within residential areas.” Are you against TVRs? Are you against a B&B crackdown? There is a huge difference between the two. I have been told by the Planning Department that a TVR is an entire house rented out without a legal resident living in it as their prime place of resident. A B&B is an owner-occupied resident that rents out rooms on a short-time basis.
In paragraph 4 you mention, “Are we going to sit by, not say anything and let homestays become legal in the neighborhood …” Homestays are not TVRs. Homestays are another definition of B&Bs, which by the way may need to also be defined separate from B&Bs. Neither a homestay nor a B&B fall under the definition of a TVR, so I have been told by the Planning Department. It’s time for proper definitions, zonings and a moratorium to allow these issues to be rationally resolved.
John Hoff
Lawai
Expensive learning experience
Regarding cesspool pumping. In choosing a reputable cesspool pumping company, besides the cost, make sure to ask: “How many gallons does your truck hold and how many gallons will you be pumping out for what you’re charging me?” Our regular pumping contractor was not available so we went with someone local we found on the Internet. Big mistake! We assumed the $380 cesspool pumping charge was to remove most of the waste since our regular contractor charges about the same and does just that.
One month later the cesspool had to be pumped again. We couldn’t understand it. We called the owner of the company that did the job to find out why it had to be pumped again “so soon.” He gave reasons that did not make sense so I continued with my questions. He abruptly began yelling and shouting insults while saying he was a “professional business.” He still would not answer my questions; calling us “cheap” among other things!
In exasperation he finally admitted he removed one load (cost $380), and if we wanted more pumped out it would be three loads at $380 multiplied by three: $1,140! I hope by relating my unfortunate experience with this “professional business,” I can help other homeowners save some of their hard-earned money if they find out first how many gallons will be removed for the amount they’re going to be charged.
Rosalie Probasco
Lihue
