Letters for Friday, September 12, 2014

• Vote for candidates who represent all citizens

Vote for candidates who represent all citizens

Respect to Allan Parachini for his on-the-mark “Other Voices” article in the Aug. 28 edition of the Garden Island. Thank you Allan, for speaking the words thousands of citizens/voters could not enunciate for themselves, but clearly believed in and overwhelmingly supported at the polls. The “silent majority” does exist and voiced its displeasure with sensationalism, confrontation, disregard for law and hysterical rudeness, that occurs so regularly on Kauai anymore; auwe! 

 Through the long hours of raging emotion, threats, meetings, yelling and screaming, only a few of our elected officials acted like leaders; with objectivity, moderation, respect for others, making the tough calls for the entire citizenry, not just the vocal few.

Props to our Mayor Bernard Carvalho and councilmembers Rapozo and Kagawa for their calm and studied approach to the decision-making process and their willingness to make the tough decisions in the face of a withering barrage of criticism. These gentlemen have earned my respect and support for the general election.

The news is full of the public’s concern with property tax increases. How much has actually been spent on the GMO fiasco? Besides outside attorney’s fees, which is the only cost reported by the press to date, include government salaries/overtime for police, the mayors’ office/staff, council/staff, county clerk/staff, utilities, indoor/outdoor custodial costs, and other costs too numerous to list. Add these up to find the real cost to every person on this island. My sense is folks will be blown away.

Where do we go from here? First, vote for the guys who acted for all of us. Second, follow the steps prescribed by Mr. Paracini or its equivalent.

Sam Lee, Koloa