• The people as agent of change • ‘His’ red phone • Budget surplus rage • Night burning gasp The people as agent of change A big mahalo to Gabriela Taylor for her very informative letter (“Get amendment on ballot,”
• The people as agent of change
• ‘His’ red phone
• Budget surplus rage
• Night burning gasp
The people as agent of change
A big mahalo to Gabriela Taylor for her very informative letter (“Get amendment on ballot,” Letters, May 12).
The winds for change are sweeping Kaua‘i and those in power, those we elected to represent the people, had better listen and act accordingly or they may find themselves at election time on the outside looking in.
A number of activists groups are pounding the drums of change and this drum beat is growing louder and louder with the flagrant inactions of those in office.
We have the group that Gabriela is talking about — those that want to see the General Plan adhered to — not ignored as it has been since it was written. We have a group rallying around Charter Review Commissioner Walter Briant who is diligently trying to get an amendment put on the charter to give the people the choice of having a county manager type government over the mayor/council type now in place. And we have another group trying to get the state and the county to look after our treasured areas that are being destroyed by overuse without proper oversight and maintenance.
Then we have the strong neighborhood associations — Koloa and Kilauea — plus watershed councils that are becoming more and more active.
Change is definitely coming and those in authority had better listen or face the fact that they won’t be around to be the “nothing” decision makers that they have been.
Glenn Mickens
Kapa‘a
‘His’ red phone
So many of us lesser mortals on Kaua‘i can’t help but be fascinated — and intrigued — with Peter Saker’s intimate relationship with God (“Call me backward then,” Letters, May 13).
God and Saker think so much alike. We may assume, or hope, his knowledge of God’s preferences comes from his knowledge of the Book and not directly over the phone. If Saker does indeed have a direct line or a red phone, as it were, many of us would welcome a chance to speak with Him also. Perhaps Saker could arrange a conference call?
Obviously I can’t speak for the others, but I have so many questions I’d like to ask. So many dilemmas to resolve. For an example, from Matthew 6:5-6: “And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you: They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret, and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.”
How are we poor mortals — Americans, good Republicans, Democrats, human beings all — to obey that? I know it’s trivial, but I can’t even fit in my closet. Perhaps Saker (and his red phone) has a closet large enough to share?
It’s difficult for many of us today to live by rules written several thousands of years ago.
Bettejo Dux
Kalaheo
Budget surplus rage
I am outraged over the article “Budget realizes $2.2M surplus,” A1, May 9.
I just can’t wait to hear how our local government officials are going to spend the tax payers $2.2-million surplus. While they are swapping ideas on how best my share of the property tax is going to be spent, let me share my idea which only a property taxpayer would come up with, and never a politician.
Since the county has $2.2 million more than they need for the budget, why don’t they do the right thing and give everyone who has worked their butts off a rebate on excessive payment of property taxes?
The excess belongs to the taxpayers not the administration. If the taxpayer chooses to donate his or her share to one of our politicians’ pet projects so be it. Let’s let the taxpayers choose the destiny of their share. If I or any other taxpayer wants people who pay no tax to benefit from our blisters, that’s a very grateful thing to do. And if the same people want to spend it on their families or even put it away for a rainy day that should be up to the taxpayer not our politicians.
Steven Martin
Kapa‘a
Night burning gasp
I am writing to address a growing and serious health problem in the Wailua Homesteads area near Alexander’s Nursery.
For two nights running now, someone has done outdoor burning, choking the neighborhood with smoke for the entire night. This happens so frequently that I suspect it’s the same person every time.
And because it never starts before dusk, so that the smoke is hidden against a dark sky, I also suspect that this person knows that burning after 6 p.m. is in volation of a county ordinance.
Do you know or care that you are impacting the health of all your neighbors? My husband has a serious cardiovascular illness and he doesn’t need to be breathing your smoke all night long.
I would hope that this letter will prompt your neighbors to call the police the next time you light up. I know that I frequently get in my car and drive around, cell phone at the ready, looking for your fire. I assure you I will park there until the police arrive and I will file a complaint with them and the Health Department.
Can’t you just be akamai to your neighbors and take your yard rubbish to a greenwaste dump?
Kay Obloy
Wailua Homesteads
