• Here’s the bottom line • Time to move the market • No vote yet, but charges begin? • Pflueger not solely to blame for disaster Here’s the bottom line Bottom line, KIUC purchased smart meters and spent $11 million without members
• Here’s the bottom line • Time to move the market • No vote yet, but charges begin? • Pflueger not solely to blame for disaster
Here’s the bottom line
Bottom line, KIUC purchased smart meters and spent $11 million without members knowledge or approval.
Bottom line, KIUC did not want an opt-out option, but some members spent their own money in legal fees and fought in courts to get an opt out.
Bottom line, KIUC hired a Mainland company to install smart meters, we still do not know how much it cost for the installation.
Bottom line, KIUC has not acted like a co-op.
Bottom line, KIUC is spending once again thousands on ads in newspaper and mailing postcards for their own benefit.
Bottom line, KIUC is making the big CEO very rich at the expense of the members.
Bottom line, members that opt out should not have to pay extra since we did not get the very expensive meter.
Bottom line, KIUC has overstepped and stepped on members way too long.
Donna Perlman, Kapaa
Time to move the market
Today, (Jan. 8) I foolishly drove down the one-way street leading into Kapaa Farmer’s Market, rather than park six blocks away to walk into where vendor tents are located by the sports complex. My penance: sit for over 20 minutes in stalled traffic trying to exit the market.
For 12 years I’ve silently cursed the time of day and location of this market. In the highest heat of the day, 3 p.m., set up on black asphalt, down a road with one way in and one way out — I scold myself weekly for even attempting to purchase my produce from local vendors in Kapaa. I live three miles from this market so it’s convenient for me. The traffic is always a mess, and on a more personal note, this market isn’t much fun to attend because there is a desperation in the crowd as they grab for vegetables, as if there will never be enough to go around. Everyone seems to be rushing to get in and out of that hot box of impending traffic.
The drivers in the area, who aren’t even attending, seem frustrated at the steady stream of exiting cars trying to cross the road. On top of that, parents and buses are retrieving school children from Kapaa Middle School, so they too are dealing with the congestion. Today when I left, I turned right to go into Kapaa for gas, the market traffic was bumper to bumper all the way to the roundabout and into town, beyond Safeway.
When I attend Hanalei Market or the Kauai Community College market, there is a feeling of abundance and camaraderie.
It’s time to move this market. Is the arena across from Kealia an option?
Pam Woolway, Kapaa
No vote yet, but charges begin?
We did not have strong feelings about the KIUC controversy about smart meters one way or the other, but for a variety of reasons, Kim and I opted out and decided to keep our old meter. Our previous ambivalence about the issue is becoming much more polarized now that we see the way KIUC is mismanaging the charges for opting out. I noticed on my bill this month that I am already being charged $10.27 “non standard meter monthly charge” before our so called “vote” to determine if we agree to the charge. This move by KIUC is patently unfair and punitive and their arguments in support of the charges are nonsensical. Where are the promised savings from the smart meters? If you did not opt out are you receiving reduced bills?
At best, KIUC is doing an abominable job of educating its members. At worst, they are being dishonest with us. I now know that I will vote against the charge.
David Dinner, Hanalei
Pflueger not solely to blame for disaster
For several years now we have witnessed the bullying of James Pflueger by various branches of the Kauai County and Hawaii State government. When the Ka Loko reservoir dam breach disaster occurred in 2006, taking the lives of seven unfortunate people, there was no time lost finding a scapegoat to shoulder the blame. Many citizens who have been following the case believe that the county and state are every bit as culpable in the events that led up to the disaster, and possibly much more so. Those in power have boxed Mr. Pflueger into a corner and have no intention of letting him out. I do not know James Pflueger and am not knowledgeable about any negotiations between Mr. Pflueger and the DLNR, but it is safe to assume that no one will ever buy his land, considering the liability associated with it, and the DLNR will likely not offer to purchase his land or the reservoir at a fair price. James Pflueger has very few options.
However the DLNR still wants to use the free water from Mr. Pflueger’s reservoir while continuing to ignore his concerns regarding the reservoir’s maintenance. Pflueger, unfortunately, still continues to bear all the liability associated with the reservoir. It’s a pretty sweet deal for the DLNR. I would guess that James Pflueger decided to plead no-contest in the legal case against him because he finally acknowledged that you simply can’t fight City Hall. Relative to an individual, they have unlimited money and resources to prosecute their case – regardless of whether the case has merit. Forgive me for being melodramatic, but Hawaii is not part of a Third World country. Many people have given their lives to protect the rights of the individual and to guard the people from tyranny and oppression by the government. I am a U.S. Navy veteran and proud to be an American. I am very sad for the families who lost loved ones in this disaster, but two wrongs don’t make a right. We should be ashamed of a system that has allowed James Pflueger to bear the sole responsibility for this tragedy. It would be an interesting outcome to see the Department of Justice look into this case to determine if James Pflueger’s civil liberties have been violated.
David Farman, Kalaheo
