• The Bus needs more routes • Give ‘em da gas • Grateful for a president that understands The Bus needs more routes I am a sophomore in high school. Like most people my age, I can’t drive yet. I
• The Bus needs more routes • Give ‘em da gas • Grateful for a president that understands
The Bus needs more routes
I am a sophomore in high school. Like most people my age, I can’t drive yet. I would love to be able to depend on the island’s bus system, but sadly, the Kaua‘i Bus doesn’t have many convenient times and has a limited route.
For example, there are only four routes a day to Koloa from Lihu‘e, and even then there are no available buses going there on the weekends! For people that don’t have access to vehicles, it can create a problem in getting to where they need to go.
If we had more bus routes and better times, I’m sure there would be many more frequent bus users. It would be easier just to ride the bus rather than wasting gas in the car, which would help to reduce pollution from transportation, and also reducing traffic flow. I know I’m not the only person who would frequent the bus more if the county made the bus system more convenient.
Lorinda Sasan
Lihu‘e
Give ‘em da gas
Regarding county gasoline and diesel fuel supplies, the public can inform themselves of the known facts by reading the County Auditor’s Fuel Audit published on the county website. The audit is written in simple language to inform the general public of the facts. In addition, there is substantial public testimony by administration officials recorded in several years of annual council budget hearings. Fuel security and usage are matters of law, not tradition, as is the mayor’s compensation contract.
Budget hearing testimony by the administration includes statements and rationales regarding the electronic fuel control system owned by the county. Testimony states it has not been properly repaired or maintained for years, even though monies were appropriated specifically for maintaining the system. The administration was fully aware that by disarming the electronic security and record keeping functions there would be no means to control, track or audit fuel usage.
Any person knowing the security code was/is 0000 could take county fuel.
The Fire Department and Police Department have fuel facilities at some of their stations but they never bothered to publicly report the lack of controls or security or opportunity for theft to the council, Loss Control Commission, or other authority which has oversight. Tens of thousands of gallons of fuel have been dispensed with no record of why or by whom fuel was taken.
According to administration testimony, the electronic fuel tracking system repair personnel are located in Honolulu. Travel issues allegedly have created an insurmountable problem bringing repair technicians to Kaua‘i. The administration budget testimony included consideration of purchasing an entirely new system, but no decision or action had been planned or taken regarding the currently inoperative system’s repair or replacement.
The legal protection of county resources, including fuel, is a matter of law. The mayor’s expenses are a matter of law, not tradition. Whether the fuel “traditions” of Kaua‘i embrace crimes, gross negligence and incompetence or “home rule” will be decided in court.
Lonnie Sykos
Kapa‘a
Grateful for a president that understands
Thank you President Barack Obama for running for re-election despite the tremendous adversity you have faced.
You, unlike any other U.S. President, have had to endure constant attacks about your citizenship, faith and even racism. All of this leveled at you by people who claim to be “patriotic Americans.”
For the first time in our history we have a president that understands what it means to grow up facing financial and personal hardships.
An individual who understands what it is like for your family not to have the health care they need.
I am truly grateful for our Constitution, a document that reflects a government “For The People and By The People,” a document that continues to protect our fundamental rights, to vote, have freedom of speech and religion.
I am grateful for a president that understands that our government, like many in the industrialized world, have a responsibility for their citizens.
Accept today that this is a “New and Forever” changed America.
To those “Americans” who want to secede from the United States, you have a right to leave any day you choose. The phrase “love it or leave It.” still applies.
Pat Vialpando
Kalaheo
