Editor’s note: Old-timers might still remember the introduction from The Shadow radio program: “Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows!” Jerome Freitas, a retired state Department of Transportation worker who is now better known
Editor’s note: Old-timers might still remember the introduction from The Shadow radio program: “Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows!” Jerome Freitas, a retired state Department of Transportation worker who is now better known as Da Shadow, since 2004 has been meeting with government representatives about problems he has discovered or that have been reported to him, and reporting the county’s responses.
Kapa‘a New Town Park
Da Shadow: (Oct. 17) On the weekends people are seen bringing their hoses to the park and washing their cars in the parking lot. Is this allowed?
County: (Nov. 1) This is something we can enforce if we know when it is happening. We will alert our park rangers to look for such activity on weekends.
Kapa‘a Stadium
Da Shadow: (Oct. 17) When is the projected date that this facility will reopen?
County: (Nov. 1) It is expected to reopen on June 1, 2013.
County Attorney
Da Shadow: (Nov. 1) When the county pays out on legal settlement, where does that money come from?
County: (Nov. 16) Usually settlements are paid out of the general fund. However, depending on specific facts and circumstances settlements may be paid out of other funds or accounts.
County Attorney
Da Shadow: (Nov. 1) Under what circumstances does the County Attorney ask for special counsel? Where does the special counsel money come from?
County: (Nov. 16) Pursuant to Charter section 8.06, the County Attorney’s Office asks for special counsel for any special matter necessitating such employment. There is a line item in the County Attorney’s budget for special counsel funds.
Finance Department
Da Shadow: (Nov. 1) How much money is collected every year in real property taxes and vehicle registration?
County: (Nov. 16) We collected $86,869,552 in real property taxes in fiscal year ending June 2011. We collected $4.16 million in vehicle registration fees for the county in fiscal year ending June, 2011. Both of these figures come from the unaudited comprehensive annual financial report.
Finance Department
Da Shadow: (Nov. 1) What is the current fuel tax rate for the County of Kaua‘i?
County: (Nov. 16) The current fuel rate for what the county receives from the State out of gasoline taxes is 13 cents per gallon.
Ke Ala Hele Makalae
Da Shadow: (Nov. 1) Why was the Papaloa Road section started before the Wailua Beach section?
County: (Nov. 16) It was determined that this section would be constructed first because this section of the path was ready for construction, while other sections still had tasks to be addressed.
Anahola Beach Park
Da Shadow: (Nov. 1) In the women’s bathroom, there are not latches in the stalls and/or the latches are broken. When will they be fixed and/or replaced?
County: (Nov. 16) A work order has been issued by Parks for repair of the latches.
Public Works Department
Da Shadow: (Nov. 1) Who is responsible for ordering signs? Who is responsible for ordering traffic paint?
County: (Nov. 16) Roads Division Traffic Markings and Signs section is responsible for ordering the material to fabricate road signs for the county. The supervisor is responsible for ordering traffic paint. We have been short of paint since July as we had to delay the new purchase until the new fiscal year. We are just receiving the new materials now.
Public Works Department
Da Shadow: (Nov. 1) Does the county have a maintenance plan for equipment that will maximize the useful life of each piece of equipment?
County: (Nov. 16) Yes, the County of Kaua‘i Public Works Automotive Division does have a maintenance plan. Our vehicle and equipment maintenance servicing is scheduled via the AS400 computer system.
Public Works Department
Da Shadow: (Nov. 1) How does Public Works assess the need for road repair on an ongoing basis?
County: (Nov. 16) Public Works Roads Division is in the process of implementing U.S. Army Corps of Engineers MicroPaver road maintenance software. We have outsourced the data gathering process, which will upload data surveyed into the software based on American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials standards of measurement. Through this process, we will rate each of the County of Kaua‘i roads objectively from good to poor to determine priority for repair moving forward.
Public Works Department
Da Shadow: (Nov. 1) How many miles of road does Kaua‘i have? How many miles do we repave annually? What is the cost to repave one mile of road? How long does repaving last? What is the cost of one ton of asphalt?
County: (Nov. 16) The County of Kaua‘i is responsible for 308 miles of roads. The state is responsible for another 150 miles of roads. There are also private roads, for which we do not have definite miles. The most recent average cost per mile varies depending on the width of the road and if structural repairs are required; the range is $264,000 to $448,800 per linear mile. When repaired structurally and repaved properly the repaving is expected to last 10 years. The average cost of asphalt per ton is $250.
• Jerome Freitas can be reached at theshadow96751@gmail.com or 635-3528. Visit his website at http://theshadow96746.tripod.com.