• Revise the fee hike proposed for golf course • Car rental companies need competition • Gun law update Revise the fee hike proposed for golf course This is an appeal to our ruling fathers concerning fee increases at the
• Revise the fee hike proposed for golf course
• Car rental companies need competition
• Gun law update
Revise the fee hike proposed for golf course
This is an appeal to our ruling fathers concerning fee increases at the Wailua Golf Course.
With the economy going downhill we see a move today for more funds to balance the budget by raising fees and taxes.
With high prices and job losses, a reasonable increase over the year is acceptable during this tight situation.
A proposed drastic increase would only cause hardship on an already stressed people and force many golfers to quit playing and find other “no fee” facilities such as ball parks, courts, etc. The common sense procedure in any business operation when funds are limited is to tighten our belts where needed, cut down on wasteful spending and close the loopholes.
That said, here’s a couple of suggestions I wish to offer on the golf fee situation. Why not apply a minimum fee increase periodically and why not issue free playing cards to super seniors eighty years and older and to juniors 10 years and under. Super seniors would benefit from this allowing them to play for their health and recreation while adding a few more years to their lives. This is worthwhile when you consider all the lifetime contributions they have made to golfing on Kaua‘i and especially at Wailua Golf Course. Their best days are gone so we should show respect and appreciation for all the good they have done.
A free playing card for juniors would provide a springboard to further their education through golf scholarships and as a deterrent to undesirable activities.
This will not cost our government any money or appropriation. Think of it as a tax credit for seniors. Actually there are not many government projects that bring income to our coffers to help pay for expenses like golf courses.
Recently we noticed a large increase in numbers of players both local and tourists on our course. The numbers will probably continue to increase as more golfers leave the higher priced private golf courses. Consider this increase as part of the cushion to help pay for the super seniors and juniors playing cards.
This action is in full support of President Obama’s programs on health, education, jobs, etc. Let’s help him and the American people achieve these goals and stay healthy for a better future.
Thanking all in advance and hoping for a favorable action.
Tom Laverly, Kapa‘a
Car rental companies need competition
We have been visiting Kaua‘i for the past 12 to 30 years. This year we returned and were shocked at some of the rip-off prices.
I know business is off even on Kaua‘i but not to the increase in price of 100-plus percent.
For example, I was quoted over the phone $280 a week for a compact car in Houston, Texas.
To my surprise, the same car here went for $550 per week plus a $1,400 deposit even though I have a platinum American Express card.
After checking around other car rental agencies I was quoted $129 per day for a compact car.
When I questioned the agent about the price of the car he just said, “Do you want the car or not because there is a shortage of cars on the island?”
In Houston and Galveston, we call this price-gouging after a hurricane.
Someone needs some competition.
R. Wiggans. Houston, Texas
Gun law update
Here’s a thought to warm some of your hearts from Ed Chenel, a police officer in Australia.
Hi Yanks, I thought you all would like to see the now available data from Down Under.
It has now been one year since gun owners in Australia were forced by a new law to surrender 640,381 personal firearms to be destroyed by our own government — a program costing Australia taxpayers more than $500 million dollars.
The first year results are now available.
Australia-wide, homicides are up 6.2 percent; Australia-wide, assaults are up 9.6 percent; Australia-wide, armed robberies are up 44 percent; in the state of Victoria alone, homicides with firearms are now up 300 percent as compared with the last one-year period when private ownership of a firearm was legal.
The law-abiding citizens did turn in their personal firearms, the criminal element did not and thus criminals in Australia still possess their guns.
While data for the 25 years preceding the confiscation of privately owned guns showed a steady decrease in armed robbery with firearms, this has changed drastically upward in the past 12 months as criminals now are assured their victims will be unarmed.
There has also been a dramatic increase in break-ins and assaults of the elderly while the resident is at home.
Australian politicians are at a loss to explain how public safety has decreased, after such monumental effort and expense was expended in “successfully ridding Australian society of guns.”
This story of well-intentioned government intervention in the rights of lawful individuals to own and possess firearms won’t be seen in the mainstream U.S. media or on the American evening news.
But the Australian experience speaks for itself. Guns in the hands of honest citizens save lives and property and, yes, gun-control laws affect only the law-abiding citizens.
Americans may want to take note before it’s too late.
Joyce Miranda, Koloa
