• To a better 2008 • Ask yourself why? • Ask yourself why? • Ferry free 2008 To a better 2008 Kaua‘i in review, 2007: • County pulls a mini-Florida and Mayor Bryan Baptiste is re-elected in primary by one
• To a better 2008
• Ask yourself why?
• Ask yourself why?
• Ferry free 2008
To a better 2008
Kaua‘i in review, 2007:
• County pulls a mini-Florida and Mayor Bryan Baptiste is re-elected in primary by one vote. Two ballots are disqualified to enable the victory. Who is watching the fox in the henhouse?
• Charter Commission tries valiantly to effect meaningful change in County Charter but is thwarted by Baptiste appointees. Question of changing to county manager system never makes it to ballot.
• State Supreme Court rules the word county means the government not the body politic as stated in charter and rules the people have no right to question or change their own taxation. Government of, by and for the people becomes of, by and for the government.
• Police and U.S. military are called out against the people who pay their salaries to protect an illegal business operation. Homeland security laws are invoked to protect corporation against these would be terrorists. State rushes new legislation to override court rulings. Undercover police ride ferry to protect public against horrible lawbreakers expressing their opinion. Anybody know how much this is costing the taxpayers? Oh, sorry, I forgot they have no right to question or know.
• County green lights rampant development claiming inability to stop previously zoned entitlements. County officials can’t muster will to use moratorium or eminent domain powers. Planning uses stall tactics, failing to act within time limits, thereby ensuring developers get what they want and ensuring planning is accused only of inefficiency rather than outright collusion.
• An asleep electorate continues to re-elect guys they grew up with in plantation camps, thereby giving permission for business as usual.
As dear old dad used to say, “We get the government we deserve.”
The inmates are running the asylum.
Michael Wells
Kapa‘a
Ask yourself why?
Why are the Kaua‘i Planning Commission, planning department and the county so prone to lawsuits? Are they corrupt, incompetent or what? I watch channel 53 and laugh at the poor planning by the Planning Commission. Do they fail to plan accurately because of poor legal advice? Do they not have a calendar? Why do they fail to meet their obligation to give due process to developers? I think it goes much deeper than the simple questions I ask.
Lawsuits cost the taxpayers of this county more than just dollars, they give the developers the legal right to sidestep the planning process and to build as they see fit. The Koloa Marketplace is a prime example and the latest blunder is Koloa Creekside Estates (this lawsuit will cost Kaua‘i county even more taxpayer money). I predict Wal-Mart will be the next to file suit. I feel this is just the “tip of the iceberg” that will sink or severely damage the ship we call the island of Kaua‘i.
The voters of this island need to demand accountability from a Planning Commission and department that actually know how to plan. Timing and accurate legal advice need to be a foremost priority. Please, people of Kaua‘i, seek alternatives to the current behavior of the Planning Commission and department. I merely state things how I see them and this is my humble opinion (as uninformed and uneducated as I am).
I also have nothing to fear by writing this letter because I don’t plan on owning or developing any land. Some may fear reprisal and not let their voices be heard but I urge you to ask yourself what is silence worth? Honest discussion and debate might lead us to real solutions to costly problems. Remember the money the county spends defending its actions is our money.
Brian Howie
Kapa‘a
Ask yourself why?
The sheep comprising our County Council are at it again. They want to abolish the vendors at the Spouting Horn. It seems incredible that they would want to do away with the income these vendors pay the county; I seem to recall some were paying up to $4,000 a month for the right to sell there. It also may take away jobs for several people and is a tourist attraction. A considerable source of income will be gone that could help pay for all the outside counsel they retain to defend them against the lawsuits the Planning Commission and County Council invite. Does anyone have a handle on how much we taxpayers paid in outside counsel in 2007?
Must be millions.
Now Koloa Creekside is suing the county. I recently talked to a friend who is involved in the county legal department and asked if in his memory, the county had won any of the lawsuits filed against them. The answer was for the last several years, “Only when the county sued itself.”
I am not a close follower of the County Councils proceedings. It seems that most every issue is decided on a 7-0 vote. Does that seem very unusual to anyone but me? I would think that supposed leaders would vary often on important issues and votes would seldom be 7-0 in favor. I have a suggestion for the council, other than asking for sensible decisions which seems impractical. Stop this BS of long-winded compliments for another councilmember because they voted the way you wanted them to. The remarks about integrity, common sense and great intelligence are unnecessary and not of value, plus add to time and money poorly spent. Another suggestion is to appoint an adviser to the County Council who would bring to the council the pulse of the taxpayers who pay their salary and provide the funds for the budget. This person would not seek out activists, but seek out individuals who could convey to the council the feelings of average taxpayers on various subjects. My New Year’s resolution is to continue praying that common sense will suddenly invade the sheep of the Planning Commission and County Council.
I still remain hopeful.
Bob Yount
Kalaheo
Ferry free 2008
What a great way to wake up this Saturday morning: “Kaua‘i ferry service likely on hold until 2009,” A1, Jan. 5.
I couldn’t help but hum the song from the Wizard of Oz “Ding Dong the Witch is Dead.” The famous saying “Whoever said a small group of dedicated people can’t make a difference, it’s the only thing that ever has” also kept going through my mind. Thank you to everybody who held the intention of a bullying ferry free island.
Now let’s start affirming for our friends on Maui.
Rebecca Gorsline
Kapa‘a
