• Woven ribbons • Playing by their rules • Hire qualified people to run government • Kindness at Christmas • Inspiration to youth Woven ribbons Maholo TGI for the very reflective Sunday editorial, “Unite against crime” (In Our Opinion, Dec.
• Woven ribbons • Playing by their
rules • Hire qualified people to run
government • Kindness at Christmas •
Inspiration to youth
Woven ribbons
Maholo TGI for the very reflective Sunday editorial, “Unite against crime” (In Our Opinion, Dec. 26). This newspaper editorial is born of a very saddening recent tragedy in our community.
The God-given life of one human being would be taken instantly. Another young man awaits a trial. What brought about an association between these two people was high risk behavior, drug abuse, multiple arrests, multiple releases back into the community, drug related crimes, gun play and eventually a homicide.
Against the odds, I try to keep heart in being a voice for victims of crime — crime that may have been prevented. At times, these efforts would be diverted to a “Black Road.” I must wonder if there had been a listening ear by some in power, with our judicial and political systems, would our community be with this very tragic loss today?
Last April, I would write a letter of appeal to Mayor Carvalho. I wrote, “I am compelled to write to you convinced our community is heading in a tragic direction…” In my bones, as a social worker/investigator, I felt serious concerns. My observations in the community motivated me to write to the mayor. I requested to meet to my concerns. This was not granted.
Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. during his campaign promised an announcement after the Nov. 4 mayoral election to any island therapeutic facility. I wrote in a LTE, “With heart breaking statistics insisting immediate action, this issue cannot be held close to the vest, but a matter to keep close to the heart.”
Today, community members reverently weave memorial ribbons, which may never have been needed had responsible powers taken a “ribbon” from each department, in each hand, and together done their part, and then some, to weave their kuleana around our community.
Deborah Morel, Kapa‘a
Playing by their rules
The Media Voices column last week by Nat Hentoff makes me want to throw up. What garbage by someone who supposedly has brains and an education.
This great concern for those who would destroy our country if they could is for me impossible to stomach.
I’m sure he would want Anwar Al Aulaqi tried in our civilian courts. Anyone who commits such crime as he has should be tried in our military courts regardless if they claim American citizenry. Playing by their rules as he suggests could lead to great tragedy.
I have a job I would like to volunteer him for. He could be placed in the middle between Al Qaeda and U.S. Troops on a Battlefield with a recorder and record who is shooting at who, which one killed another and was that one being threatened and therefore was it justified.
If a person, citizen or not were found with a hydrogen bomb at the edge of the White House with their finger on the trigger he would ask for a Supreme Court decision whether he cold be executed by a sniper or would we have to let him blow us up because there was no proof he intended to detonate the bomb.
I sincerely hope our country has no more like Hentoff around.
Robert W. Yount, Kalaheo
Hire qualified people to run government
Is there no integrity left in county government?
If a Planning Department director resigns under suspicion of wrongdoing and Board of Ethics violations, should he be reassigned to assistant director of Parks Department?
Should the mayor recommend another long-time friend to the Planning Commission to replace the long-time friend that just resigned, extending the unethical conduct?
Has the new director of planning ever been investigated for prior ethics violations?
Does the ex-assistant director of Parks, recently assigned as the new “Managing Director,” possess the Charter required credentials for the position?
Is the fairly new position of county auditor held by a Certified Public Accountant, and if not, how will any financial statement audits be conducted in compliance with the County Charter?
Does the head of Public Works hold an engineering degree? If some of these matters are violations of our County Charter, maybe the rumored FBI investigation will be required to restrict the shuffling of “Good Old Boys” to get some competent, qualified people running our government.
Rich Hoeppner, Kapa‘a
Kindness at Christmas
My husband Gene and I would like to say a heart-felt thank you to Kaua‘i police officer Williamson for his help Christmas morning when we discovered a dog that had been hit by a car.
His kindness and compassion toward the animal was admirable and a clear indication that he had dogs himself.
Also, thank you to Jessica, the humane society officer that responded to the call.
Even though it was Christmas, it was all about helping the dog. That was all the Christmas present we needed.
Kim Manchester and Gene Farmilant, Lihu‘e
Inspiration to youth
Kalaheo School would like to send a big mahalo to the mayor and his Furlough Friday crew.
They came out to help us with a messy job, dumping and bagging expired beverages for our recycling fundraiser.
This was no picnic, but they dove right in, including Mayor Carvalho, and finished in no time, with all smiles. What an inspiration to our young people!
Erik Burkman, Pat Gegen, Linda Silva, Kalaheo
