Letters for June 20, 2015

Letters for June 20, 2015

Learning from listening device lessons

Thank you, KAC President Jason Blake for educating us about the availability of headphones to enhance our full enjoyment of the marvelous productions showcased by the Kauai Arts Council at the Performing Arts Center, Kauai Community College in Puhi with excellent acoustics.

This issue is also addressed in similar fashion by Mrs. Blair of the Kukui Grove Cinemas. The clear sounds which I enjoyed while viewing a recent movie there enhanced my experience immensely and pre-dated state Rep. James Tokioka’s positive state resolution regarding assistive listening devices for public purpose.

Additionally, I thank fellow Lihueian Larry Littleton for his help with the correct titles ALD, assistive listening devices; ALS, assistive listening system and “real time captions.”

This latter system ensures that we are informed of what our county councilmembers say during their public meetings whether we are present or watching the process on television replay.

Last, thanks for reminding us of the upcoming anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, July 26, enabling those of us with crumbling, grumbling bodies to lead more interactive lives in our communities.

Yes, aloha and access for all.

Alice Parker

Lihue

KHS board should take action

Basil Scott’s article and analysis on the Kauai Humane Society in the June 14 Garden Island was excellent. I would also like to comment on the KHS.

I have had experience on nonprofit boards both on Kauai and Oahu. I have served on and chaired these boards. I also have 20-plus years of management experience and a significant amount of management training. In the case of the KHS, it is not unusual for an organization to have one or two disgruntled employees; but when a third of the staff, including key people, are willing to put their jobs on the line in a dispute with the executive director, there is definitely something very wrong with the organization and its management. The KHS board should recognize this and take immediate action.

In my view, they should, as a minimum, obtain a neutral third party evaluation of the KHS, its executive director, and the organization’s operations. Stonewalling the issue, as they appear to be doing, is very wrong and unfair to the organization, the executive director, the people of Kauai that support the KHS and more importantly the animals involved. Additionally, misrepresenting facts and matters related to the issue is very inappropriate.

The KHS is a nonprofit that receives funds from the public as donations and fees as well as funding through the county with our tax dollars. In any case the board has a fiduciary duty to the public, those that give donations and the people of the county who pay through taxes a part of the operating costs. They also have an obligation to the animals. This board is not meeting this requirement and needs to move forward with an independent evaluation.

As a final comment I find it surprising that the KHS board has 12 members. This large number will make it hard to get consensus and accomplish the mission of the organization — in my view 6-8 maximum is a good number for a board.

John Gordon

Princeville