• More options than just a bus on getting to school • Raising taxes and fees isn’t sustainable • Put an end to growing attorneys fees More options than just a bus on getting to school When I was a freshman in high
• More options than just a bus on getting to school • Raising taxes and fees isn’t sustainable • Put an end to growing attorneys fees
More options than just a bus on getting to school
When I was a freshman in high school, I, too, had to catch the bus at 6:30 in the morning and didn’t get home until late. It was very difficult as a high schooler keeping up with that schedule. I can’t imagine being in sixth grade and doing it. If the school system can’t afford another bus and bus driver to accommodate these students, I would suggest letting the Lihue students get themselves to school by riding a bike, walking or having parents drop them off. As we make our community more pedestrian and bike friendly by improving sidewalks and bike lanes, this will become safer to do. Also, it is great exercise for our keiki.
Christie Bagley, Lihue
Raising taxes and fees isn’t sustainable
A recent guest viewpoint by Joann Yukimura discusses Kauai’s transportation system, looking toward sustainable solutions.
She mentions $600 million of federal funding available over the next 20 years. We must remember where these “federal dollars” come from — taxpayers’ pockets.
Already, existing government rules and regulations lack enforcement, due to lack of resources. It seems odd that more laws are needed to overcome this over-extension.
These legal contortions further deter public comprehension of the process. The real property tax trauma is an example of this shell game, with our tax dollars.
More rules and laws continue to compound demand for government resources (our tax). It should be obvious that this practice is not sustainable.
Continuing inefficient spending, while increasing real property, gasoline, car license, general excise, transient accommodations, income taxes and other user fees, is not sustainable.
To me, sustainability means limiting consumption and increasing efficiency. It means producing more than we consume, kind of like a balanced budget. I support sustainability, which is nature’s way. Bigger government is not sustainable!
Michael Curtis, Koloa
Put an end to growing attorneys fees
There has been much discussion of the fact that Kauai County allocated $200,000 of taxpayer money to defend Ordinance 960 (GMO ordinance, formerly Bill 2491). This discussion included the op-ed piece by Allan Parachini in TGI Aug. 28. Allan pointed out that Kauai should abandon the defense of 960 in light of the federal magistrate’s recent ruling that the ordinance is in conflict with state law and is therefore invalid.
I am not an attorney and therefore do not know if Kauai, as the defendant in the case, can just abandon its defense, in effect say, “You win, we lose.”
However, I am aware, due to the public record, that the suit brought by Syngenta et. al. asks for recovery of its legal costs should it be the victor in the case. It would seem that if Syngenta chooses to pursue its case and Kauai had to defend 960, Kauai could end up having to not only pay its own attorneys (estimated to be at least $200K) but would have to pay Syngenta’s attorneys’ fees as well. I would expect Syngenta’s fees could be far more than Kauai’s. Also, given the federal magistrate’s ruling on the ordinance, it would seem most likely that Syngenta would prevail. It is time for the county to take a course of action that minimizes further legal expenditures related to this matter.
Finally, it is most evident that Mayor Carvalho was legally correct when he followed the advice of the county attorney and vetoed the bill. Also, it is evident that the council was legally incorrect and perhaps irresponsible, but in the eyes of some citizens, politically correct in overriding his veto.
Peter Nilsen, Princeville
