• Candidates face possible conflicts • Kauai absolutely needs a Superferry • TNR the way to go Candidates face possible conflicts The primaries are over, the general is months away, and the news has shifted to our property tax dilemma, pay-as-you-throw trash fees, and the
• Candidates face possible conflicts • Kauai absolutely needs a Superferry • TNR the way to go
Candidates face possible conflicts
The primaries are over, the general is months away, and the news has shifted to our property tax dilemma, pay-as-you-throw trash fees, and the possibility that a Superferry may yet re-emerge. However, the best way for a resident to state their preferences and opinions is to support candidates whose views and concerns parallel their own. Clear answers and commitments by candidates regarding their stance on major issues, and conflicts of interest, are often lacking. Without unbiased information, how are voters to decide whom to support?
Who exactly is responsible for giving the director of finance free license to determine how to apply property tax laws? Mayor Carvalho? The County Council? How was it possible to miss this disaster-in-the-making? How will a candidate like Arryl Kaneshiro manage conflict-of-interest challenges regarding water issues, pesticides, bio-tech, agronomic property tax proposals and zoning when his employer is Grove Farm, which controls vast amounts of land and water on Kauai? Will he continue to work for Grove Farm as their land, water and leasing specialist if elected? Will he recuse himself from decision making that benefits his employer? Will he quit his Grove Farm job and work solely for the electorate?
Similarly, will Arthur Brun recuse himself from agriculture conflicts over pesticide use, since he is employed by Syngenta?
The populace has complained about a lack of transparency in government. These candidates have described their employment by their hobby vocations of part-time rancher and small businessman. Is that transparent? How can we do better for Kauai?
Bruce Fehring, Kilauea
Kauai absolutely needs a Superferry
A return of the Superferry is desperately needed here on Kauai. My family and I have lived here for almost 30 years. During the hurricanes we were stuck here. Gordon LaBedz has no clue what he is talking about. Even a simple thing like buying a car on Oahu, or a couch or furniture, even family visits or just more frequent inter-island visits for that matter would help our economy, give us choices and save us money. The only way out of Dodge is by plane and the airlines know it. Stop with the whales argument. Capt. Andy and Blue Dolphin fare just fine up and down the Na Pali every day. I do not understand the argument other than the selfish isolationist attitude as was the case during the protests here in Nawiliwili when some cowardly families sent their children into the harbor on their surfboards to block the ferry. The whole argument is ridiculous and we should not let the nonsensicle whiners stop the ferry this time.
Lawrence and Darlene Dolan, Kalaheo
TNR the way to go
A recent e-mail I received:
“I recently visited your beautiful island of Kauai. I was immediately struck with the number of ferals on the island, and sent an email to the Kauai Humane Society asking if there was a TNR program in place. (Name withheld) returned with quite a lengthy answer. He seemed very interested and wanted to meet with me … gave me a tour of the facility, and while I was very impressed with it, I was also disappointed to hear that they euthanize 15 to 20 cats per day. I fail to see how this is humane. Having said this, I also realized the magnitude of the problem when he started throwing numbers at me. It truly must be overwhelming for you.
I hope I was clear in letting him know that there would be a public outcry if they were to simply eradicate the cats of Kauai, which he indicated that many people would prefer to do. I urged him to seek help and assistance from other rescue groups. A cat sanctuary in Kauai could be a tourist attraction with paid admission that could cover many of the expenses. Also, have you thought about trying to obtain some super reduced air flights and room rates and have a work party inviting other rescues from throughout the world to help perform a TNR blitz, so to speak. Always think outside the box.”
So, I ask, why this is not happening?
Cheryl Martin, Koloa
