Letters for Aug. 26, 2015

Letters for Aug. 26, 2015

Please remove the prejudice

In reference to the article “Outstanding Family Advocate” in Monday’s TGI:

Sheffield was also presented a certificate at the luncheon by the Legislature and Sen. Brian Schatz for her volunteer work as a family advocate in raising awareness of mental health issues and reducing the stigma attached to this disease.

I removed the prejudice.

Please, out of simple respect for people, do so in the future.

Harold A. Maio, retired mental health editor

Ft Myers, Fla.

More than just the vocal support barking dog law

With all respect to anyone in opposition to the dog barking ordinance there are many of us that need the ordinance to maintain peace in our community.

Annette Oda justified the dog ordinance repeal because Joanne Yukimura had only received 128 emails. In response let me say that those emails represent hundreds of silent voices who are grateful for the dog ordinance and support reform rather than repeal.

Recently, the public had three months to offer testimony through email against the 760-unit proposed housing development behind Kapaa Middle School. Less than 150 individuals participated and yet thousands are concerned about the increased density and traffic in Kapaa. The same is true for the dog ordinance — a few represent many.

When our family first moved to Kauai most of the surrounding area was farmland.

Our own property had once been a mango orchard. In those 32 years all the adjacent farmlands and Kapaa meadows have been developed. The 1-acre plot directly across from us is now occupied by seven homes with marginal easement between them. Trees that once buffered noise have been removed and replaced by cement and chain-link fences.

Would I like to turn back the clock and go back to quietude? You bet, but unfortunately that is not an option. The noise pollution has increased exponentially with the increase in density and with that comes the need to define space. Some animal owners are very considerate but others are not. Last night barking dogs woke me at 12:22 a.m. and continued barking for 40 minutes. At 3:05 a.m. the same dogs began again. This time I couldn’t go back to sleep so I got up and wrote this letter.

Since the dog ordinance was repealed the dog barking has increased and once again our neighborhood is experiencing sleepless nights and noisy days.

We desperately need a dog barking ordinance on Kauai similar to the ordinances on Maui and Oahu.

Sea Peterson

Kapaa