• Ohana Kauai Ohana Kauai No sooner was the overwhelming majority vote passing the Resident Property Tax “Ohana Kauai” Amendment reported, and our mayor, council members, and county management picked up their pre-election theme of striking down the will of
• Ohana Kauai
Ohana Kauai
No sooner was the overwhelming majority vote passing the Resident Property Tax “Ohana Kauai” Amendment reported, and our mayor, council members, and county management picked up their pre-election theme of striking down the will of the people through legal maneuvers.
Is this arrogance: Trying to subvert the landslide vote of the people?
Let’s review. Prior to the vote, large ads were placed in The Garden Island paid for by the County Council, business groups, and unions, loudly opposing the Amendment. Many letters to the editor claimed: rich people versus poor people, North/South Shore versus East/West Side, million dollar homeowner newbies versus the old timers, haoles versus locals, the sky will fall.
What happened? In spite of this unprecedented pressure, the voters in every precinct, from Hanalei to Kekaha, voted overwhelmingly for the Amendment (The Garden Island, Nov 5, page A4 chart). The politicians, business groups, and unions may have been of one mind, but the voters were of one mind, too. This is beyond a mere mandate, this is a fierce demand.
At the same time the establishment on the county council was pretty much re-elected.
It is time, starting right this minute, for the politicians and staff to respect the will of the people. Stop the shameful attempt to subvert the voters clear decision about property taxes. Accept the will of the voters. You say you represent the people. So implement the people’s will. Restructure your spending and show some restraint in how you spend our tax money. Truly represent the voters who put you in office.
If you do, we are behind you.
Tom Rice
Princeville
