• One cent makes sense
•One factual correction
• Council avoids change
• Support local businesses
One cent makes sense
Studies suggest that the entire shortfall could be corrected by increasing the sales tax by a meager 1 percent.
Gov. Linda Lingle’s targeting state workers’ meager income and health coverage is discriminatory.
1 percent increase means one cent — one penny (that same penny you see on the ground but isn’t worth risking your sore back to pick it up) for each dollar we spend.
Because the business community has lobbied the governor, this obvious and easy strategy is not even being considered, while more money, time, litigation and anxiety is spent on dealing with her horrifically nearsighted intention to target state workers.
I’m embarrassed for this administration which is acting like an ostrich with its head in the ground.
Increasing the sales tax by one penny on the dollar is the easiest, cleanest, most painless way to balance the budget.
I’ve worked for the state for 15 years. Anyone who knows me knows I work really hard for my pay. I know from my own direct personal experience that my co-workers, teachers, support staff, and fellow state employees all work very hard for our pay.
Furloughs, layoffs, health benefits increase is a slap. It’s a spit in our faces, an insult.
Discrimination is illegal. Targeting state workers instead of a soft simple comprehensive one penny sales tax increase is not only discriminatory but it is the height of ignorance. I’m disgusted with this lack of fairness and vision.
C’mon Gov. Lingle! Let’s make some sense for a change. One cent makes sense (and cents!)
Donna Alalem, Kapa‘a
One factual correction
Thanks to The Garden Island for exercising your kuleana with the Sunday editorial, “Kuleana: knowing our roles.” (July 19, Forum)
One factual correction is in order. The editorial states that it is up to the Board of Ethics, if a violation is found, “to determine what, if any, steps should be taken to punish the offenders…”
However, Charter Section 20.05(f) instructs the board to forward its findings of violations to the County Council or the Civil Service Commission and adds that upon such referral, “the violations shall be treated as any other similar item of council or Civil Service Commission business.”
In short, the board only determines that a violation has occurred and the other agencies determine what consequences will follow.
I would add that, with respect to violations of 20.02(d), in my opinion no punishments are in order at present because the fundamental mistakes were made by the Board of Ethics and the county attorney’s office and no meaningful enforcement of 20.02(d) can occur until they correct their mistakes.
Horace Stoessel, Kapa’a
Council avoids change
Regarding a minority on the County Council proposing tabling a wind energy bill until the Kaua‘i Energy Sustainability Plan is finished at the end of the year, this explanation is absolutely bogus.
What, an energy plan starts to be developed and all of a sudden you stop making decisions on energy issues?
The Kaua‘i Energy Sustainability Plan is not the end-all. The sustainability plan will just be a series of recommendations. It would still have to be implemented.
All but one of the recommendations for KIUC that will be in the sustainability plan aren’t even things that the County Council can affect.
What this really is is a chance for the County Council to further procrastinate on energy issues and other needed changes that they do have influence over.
This County Council under current leadership has become ineffective and afraid to make necessary logical changes in light of larger macroeconomic trends. Those trends are not going away.
Brad Parsons, Hanalei
Support local businesses
The supposed “Liquidation Sale” going on at the Kaua‘i Marriott was not forthcoming in their advertising of the event. The $9 admission was never mentioned and a surprise to many upon arrival.
And the prices quoted in their radio ad were very misleading and inaccurate. The merchandise was not inexpensive and not new in most cases. The vendors sounded like carnival personnel in their barking.
I thought the sale of drug paraphernalia was banned here on Kaua‘i? It was very surprising to find at the Marriott the sale of such pipes, bongs, etc. and I found it in very bad taste for an upscale hotel.
Has the economy reduced this hotel to lowering their standards for the sake of profit and taking advantage of the local people?
After the four of us paid our admission and checked out the merchandise we left, feeling like we had certainly been taken. Confirming our belief in supporting our local business owners.
Marjorie Lewis, Kapa‘a
