Letters to the Editor for Wednesday — April 28, 2004

• Ron Agor

• No Child Left Behind

Ron Agor

On April 25, the Garden Island ran a front-page story indicating that Governor Linda Lingle has nominated Mr. Ron Agor for the Kauai seat on the Board of Land and Natural Resources. Having had the pleasure of serving with Mr. Agor on two boards, and having worked closely with him on many issues facing our island, I can unequivocally state that Ron is an excellent choice for this very important position.

The BLNR will be facing many important decisions in the future, and as a local Kauai Boy, Ron has a deep commitment to trying to maintain Kauai’s rural heritage and culture. As a successful businessman, owner of Agor Architecture, Ron has repeatedly demonstrated his commitment to Kauai’s community at large, by donating his time and services to a wide variety of community groups, and works exceedingly well with Kaua‘i’s various business communities. With his love of Kauai, innate intelligence, and sense of balance and fair play, I believe Mr. Ron Agor will do an excellent job of balancing the protection of Kauai’s resources with the developmental needs and desires, Kauai will face in the near future.

I highly recommend a yes vote for Mr. Ron Agor’s appointment to the BLNR, both, to our Senator, Mr. Gary Hooser, and the entire Hawai‘i Senate.

Fred Sarmento

Lawa‘i

No Child Left Behind

President Bush’s leadership has improved education in America. His No Child Left Behind Act helps kids learn and puts parents back in the drivers’ seat when it comes to their childrens’ education. The No Child Left Behind Act sets high standards for student performance and provides the resources needed to meet them. Under President Bush’s leadership federal funding for education has increased 59.8% from 2000 to 2003.

A large portion of that money goes toward helping high-poverty schools. The funds also go toward efforts to retain high-quality teachers. Local control is another crucial aspect of education reform. The No Child Left Behind Act trusts parents and local school officials to direct resources where they will do the most good for their students. The law gives parents the right to transfer their kids out of failing or unsafe schools and into better schools.This issue is just one more example of how our President is providing the courageous leadership America needs.

President Bush has signed into law a bipartisan plan that modernizes Medicare with a prescription drug benefit that will help make prescription drugs more affordable for seniors and their families and helps to make prescription drugs more affordable. The plan provides prescription drug benefits for Medicare beneficiaries and offers health care choices to help seniors get the coverage they need. Seniors will now have more health care choices to find the health coverage that best meets their needs, and the plan encourages early treatment to prevent illnesses. It makes Medicare more efficient – providing screenings that will enable doctors and patients to diagnose and treat health problems early.

Shari Bice

Kalaheo